List of Gun Rights Organizations

[cjm]

I didn't see a reference here so I thought I'd put one together. Post suggestions and comments in this thread and I'll keep the original post updated. Please suggest groups outside of the USA too. The purpose of this thread is to create a good list of organizations, not a long list, so please help keep the quality of the list high. For example, there are other gun rights groups within Virginia, but the VCDL is the only one of any impact currently so it is the only one listed. Thanks for your help.

Gun Rights Resources
Open Carry.org
Handgun Law.us


USA
Gun Owners of America (GOA)
Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership
National Association for Gun Rights
Second Amendment Sisters
National Rifle Association (NRA) (some disagreement within liberty movement - do your own research)
Second Amendment Foundation
The National Skeet Shooting Association and National Sporting Clays Association
Amateur Trapshooting Association
Pink Pistols
Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Women Against Gun Control
Pacific International Trapshooting Association
Zone 7 Skeet
Firearms Policy Coalition
Fifty Caliber Shooters Association


Alabama
Alabama Gun Rights
Alabama Open Carry

Alaska
Alaska Outdoor Council
Alaska Machine Gun Association
Alaska Gun Collectors Assocication
Alaska Interior Marksmanship Committee
Alaska Rifle Club

Arizona
Arizona Citizens Defense League

Arkansas
Arkansas Carry

California
Gun Owners of California
Calguns Foundation

Colorado
Rocky Mountain Gun Owners

Connecticut
Connecticut Gun Rights
Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen
Connecticut State Rifle & Revolver Association, Inc.
Connecticut Citizens Defense League
Northeast Combat Pistol League
Northwest Connecticut Sportsman's Council
Ye Connecticut Gun Guild, Inc


Delaware
First State Firearms Freedom Association
Delaware State Sportsmen's Association

District of Columbia
LOL!

Florida
Florida Carry, Inc.
Second Amendment Coalition of Florida

Georgia
Georgia Carry
Georgia Sport Shooting Association

Hawaii
Hawaii Rifle Association

Idaho
Lewis-Clark Wildlife Club
Idaho State Rifle and Pistol Association

Illinois
IllinoisCarry
Guns Save Life
Illinois State Rifle Associations


Indiana
2nd Amendment Patriots
Guns Save Life

Iowa
Iowa Gun Owners
Iowa Firearms Coalition

Kansas

Kentucky
Kentucky Coalition to Carry Concealed

Louisiana
Second Amendment Sisters - Louisiana
Louisiana Shooting Association
Louisiana Sportsman
USPSA Louisiana Section
Bayou Shooter

Maine
Gun Owners of Maine
Maine Gun Owners Association

Maryland
Maryland Shall Issue
Maryland Citizens for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Maryland Shooters

Massachusetts
Gun Owners' Action League
Lawful And Responsible Gun Owners


Michigan
Michigan Gun Owners
Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners (MCRGO)
Michigan Rifle & Pistol Association
Michigan Open Carry

Minnesota
Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance

Mississippi

Missouri
Western Missouri Shooters Alliance
Gateway Civil Liberties Alliance
Second Amendment Coalition of Missouri

Montana
Montana Shooting Sports Association

Nebraska
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Nevada

New Hampshire
New Hampshire Firearms Coalition
Gun Onwers of New Hmpshire
Pro-Gun New Hampshire


New Jersey
New Jersey 2nd Amendment Society
New Jersey Coalition for Self Defense

New Mexico
New Mexico Shooting Sports Association

New York
New York State Rifle and Pistol Association (NYSRPA)
Shooters Committee on Political Education
Sportsmen's Association for Firearms Education

North Carolina
Grass Roots North Carolina
North Carolina Rifle and Pistol Association

North Dakota

Ohio
Ohioans for Concealed Carry
Buckeye Firearms Association


Oklahoma
Oklahoma Open Carry Association (OKOCA)

Oregon
Oregon Firearms Federation
Oregon Gun Owners
Oregon State Shooting Association

Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association

Rhode Island

South Carolina
GrassRoots South Carolina
Gun Owners of South Carolina

South Dakota
South Dakota Gun Owners

Tennessee
Tennessee Firearms Association

Texas
Lone Star Citizens Defense League
Peaceable Texans for Firearms Rights
Texas State Rifle Association

Utah
Gun Owners of Utah
Utah Shooting Sports Council

Vermont
Gun Owners of Vermont

Virginia
Virginia Citizens Defense League
Virginia Gun Owners Coalition

Washington
Washington Arms Collectors

West Virginia
West Virginia Citizens Defense League

Wisconsin
Wisconsin Carry, Inc
Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs & Educators

Wyoming
Wyoming Gun Owners

[Cleaner44]

The National Association for Gun Rights
http://www.nationalgunrights.org/

I don't know anything about them, but I discovered them yesterday here at the forums.

[Keith and stuff]

The main NH groups are
Gun Onwers of New Hmpshire http://gonh.org/
Pro-Gun New Hampshire http://www.pgnh.org/

Nationally , you left off
National Association for Gun Rights http://www.nationalgunrights.org/
National Rifle Association http://www.nraila.org/
Second Amendment Sisters http://www.2asisters.org/
Perhaps others

[cjm]

The main NH groups are
Gun Onwers of New Hmpshire http://gonh.org/
Pro-Gun New Hampshire http://www.pgnh.org/

I am happy to defer to your local knowledge but I have to ask... is GONH really a gun rights group? The Virginia affiliate for the NRA is the Virginia Shooting Sports Association and their tagline is "Protecting Virginia Gun Rights Since 1938." But if you ask a Virginian which organization to support for gun rights advocacy, I doubt any would suggest the VSSA. To borrow a phrase...

If you're in Virginia and not a VCDL member then you're a joke.

So again, I defer to your local knowledge. If you say GONH is a good group, that's good enough for me.

And let me know if I should strike NH Firearms Coalition. That's just one that I had heard of way down here that looks good on paper, but I have no first hand experience with them.

Nationally , you left off
National Association for Gun Rights http://www.nationalgunrights.org/
National Rifle Association http://www.nraila.org/
Second Amendment Sisters http://www.2asisters.org/
Perhaps others

Yes, nationally there are dozens of others. I'm happy to include any group that an RPFer suggests though. I only started with GOA and JPFO since I am familiar with them. I also left off the NRA since I am familiar with them too. There are many reasons to join the NRA but gun rights advocacy is probably not one of them in my opinion. I'm sure that they would stand up to an all out ban of firearms if it came to that, but they also seem content with the incremental bans that are leading to an all out ban. They also misinform voters with their candidate ratings. I would not dissuade anyone from joining the NRA for non-political reasons, but for gun rights advocacy, I couldn't in good conscience recommend that anyone support the NRA. And for the record, I am an NRA life member.

Since the NRA's political advocacy is at best a mixed bag, I initially left off the state affiliates. But I'll add them for anyone who will vouch for them. And if you feel strongly about adding the NRA to the list, I'll do that too, but I will probably put an asterisk and note that their entry is disputed. I hope that seems fair?

[Keith and stuff]

And let me know if I should strike NH Firearms Coalition. That's just one that I had heard of way down here that looks good on paper, but I have no first hand experience with them.

The most influential group in NH is GONH, AFAIK. The other 2 groups listed including NHFC are also pretty good groups. Truth is, all 3 groups and the NRA all have issues. GONH and NRA had no problem giving me the amazing ratings I deserve. NHFC pulled a fast one and screwed me, though it might have been an accident so I don't have hard feelings. PGNH doesn't do ratings and none of the other groups in NH are considered of any importance.

It's your list, if you don't want to list NRA, that's your call.

[cjm]

The most influential group in NH is GONH, AFAIK. The other 2 groups listed including NHFC are also pretty good groups. Truth is, all 3 groups and the NRA all have issues. GONH and NRA had no problem giving me the amazing ratings I deserve. NHFC pulled a fast one and screwed me, though it might have been an accident so I don't have hard feelings. PGNH doesn't do ratings and none of the other groups in NH are considered of any importance.

It's your list, if you don't want to list NRA, that's your call.

I suppose the forum's authentication and authorization framework makes this my list, but my desire is to have it reflect the views of all the gun rights advocates here. You make a good point about all groups having issues. I'll add the NRA with small disclaimer. Thanks Keith.

[pcosmar]

Sorry,, but I see the NRA as nothing but controlled opposition.
Filled with Fudds and Gottminers, they have supported and promoted some of the worst legislation in the past few decades.

[cjm]

Sorry,, but I see the NRA as nothing but controlled opposition.
Filled with Fudds and Gottminers, they have supported and promoted some of the worst legislation in the past few decades.

I understand that point of view and I hear it a lot. Some might say that the Republican Party is controlled opposition too, but Ron has promoted getting involved and making it better. As I mentioned before in this thread, I wouldn't advise supporting the NRA as a gun rights advocacy group but I can see where others might see the benefit there. They are large, have immediate name recognition, and have a profound influence over a large voting block. During Super Tuesday 2012, Virginia only had Romney and Paul on the ballot. When I spoke to people about Romney's D- GOA rating, the response I almost invariably got was, "What did the NRA rate him?"

Building up the GOA to replace the NRA is almost like building up the LP or CP to replace the GOP. I suppose it can happen, but in all likelihood the NRA seems like a permanent fixture. And the membership is as much to blame as the leadership. Generally speaking, the ins and outs of a particular piece of legislation may be hard to understand and trusting in an issue advocacy group to help you decide your opinion on it makes sense. If the leadership takes advantage of that situation, shame on them. But if the leadership can float a "B" rating for Romney and get away with it, that failure is on the membership.

I don't advise joining the NRA, but those of us who are already members need to take a closer look at our board of directors elections when they come up. Heck, I live just a few hours from their headquarters, maybe I'll run for the board of directors myself.

[Pericles]

Second Amendment Foundation

http://www.saf.org/

[erowe1]

I'm not sure what the current status of this group is. But it's based in and focused on Indiana. And as far as I know, it's pretty much limited to the southern tip of the state.
http://www.2ndamendmentpatriots.org/

[presence]

NY



New York State Rifle and Pistol Association (NYSRPA)
http://scopeny.org/



OK

http://okoca.org/

TN



http://www.tfaonline.org/


AL

alabamagunrights.org/
Alabamaopencarry.com



AK

www.alaskaoutdoorcouncil.org
http://www.amga.net/
http://www.agca.net/
http://www.aimcomm.org/web/about
http://akrifleclub.com/
http://www.nssa-nsca.org/
http://www.shootata.com/

[presence]

CT:

http://www.ctgunrights.com/
http://www.ctsportsmen.com/
www.csrra.com/
http://www.ccdl.us
http://www.gunsafe.org/
www.necpl.com
http://www.nwcsc.org
http://www.ycgg.org/

[cjm]

Thanks for the input, presence. Are any of the AK or CT groups any more effective than others? Or would you recommend that a CT resident join all eight groups listed?

[CaptainAmerica]

We do not need lists,or organizations. Realize that the minute you put your name on a list, that list is out there for good and the gov can get it.

[cjm]

We do not need lists,or organizations. Realize that the minute you put your name on a list, that list is out there for good and the gov can get it.

There are very effective gun rights organizations out there doing the dirty work for the rest of population. If you cherish your anonymity, support them anonymously with cash donations.

[Confederate]

We do not need lists,or organizations. Realize that the minute you put your name on a list, that list is out there for good and the gov can get it.

Stupid comment is stupid

[fisharmor]

Ha, thanks for the quote!

So I'm sure this is outdated info at this point ( I put this list together in '07 ) but I did something similar on thehighroad.org.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=292484

Regarding VCDL, here's a write up of what we did this past Monday (was going to xpost here but the site was down). Every MLK day they swarm the capitol offices - while armed - and have a nice talk with our delegates and state senators.
http://www.revolutionbox.org/Thread-...es-while-armed
There are some less-than-libertarian ideas in the group, sure, but you can't argue that we're pussyfooting.

[presence]

Thanks for the input, presence. Are any of the AK or CT groups any more effective than others? Or would you recommend that a CT resident join all eight groups listed?

I can't comment, I was just helping expand your resource via google search. I recommend anyone do their own research into their state specific organizations.

[cjm]

I can't comment, I was just helping expand your resource via google search. I recommend anyone do their own research into their state specific organizations.

Fair enough, I appreciate the contributed leg work. I will just assume that they are all good groups until someone with local knowledge says otherwise. Thanks again!

[cjm]

Ha, thanks for the quote!

One cannot deny truth.

So I'm sure this is outdated info at this point ( I put this list together in '07 ) but I did something similar on thehighroad.org.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=292484

Thanks for the reference!

Regarding VCDL, here's a write up of what we did this past Monday (was going to xpost here but the site was down). Every MLK day they swarm the capitol offices - while armed - and have a nice talk with our delegates and state senators.
http://www.revolutionbox.org/Thread-...es-while-armed
There are some less-than-libertarian ideas in the group, sure, but you can't argue that we're pussyfooting.

+rep. Very good writeup. I'm sorry I missed Lobby Day this year. I had the time off from work and was ready to go but a personal conflict came up that meant I couldn't make it into Richmond that day.

[ClydeCoulter]

Indiana
2nd Amendment Patriots
returns a Trial Expired page
"We're sorry but this account's trial has expired. "

[Darguth]

You should add under Michigan the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners (MCRGO). They are the leading legislative lobbying win for gun rights in Michigan. As I understand it MGO splintered from MCRGO and while they have similar aims they do it a bit differently. MCRGO seems to be a bit more structured and professional whereas MGO appears to be more fluid and grassroots-led. Both are good organizations from my experiences and I follow and support both.

[jdcole]

Not gay myself, but I know we do have gay members on the RPF boards. Pink Pistols is a gay pro-2A group with 29 active Pink Pistols chapters nationwide. From their website:

The Pink Pistols was founded on the principles of “Non Aggression”, we don’t promote or condone violence, but we recognize that “self defense” is a human right and sometimes extreme measures are called for.

Many straight people also oppose “hate crimes” because they too see “hate crimes” for what they are, “human rights violations”.

As such, the Pink Pistols has and will continue to have “Gay-Straight Alliances” because our lives depend on it.

http://pinkpistols.org/

[brushfire]

Nice thread

IL

http://isra.org
http://illinoiscarry.com
http://gunssavelife.com

[cjm]

So I'm sure this is outdated info at this point ( I put this list together in '07 ) but I did something similar on thehighroad.org.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=292484

Thanks again for the reference. I clicked through the links and added the working ones to this list.

Indiana
2nd Amendment Patriots
returns a Trial Expired page
"We're sorry but this account's trial has expired. "

I saw that when you originally posted, but it appears to be working again. Thanks!

You should add under Michigan the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners (MCRGO). They are the leading legislative lobbying win for gun rights in Michigan. As I understand it MGO splintered from MCRGO and while they have similar aims they do it a bit differently. MCRGO seems to be a bit more structured and professional whereas MGO appears to be more fluid and grassroots-led. Both are good organizations from my experiences and I follow and support both.

Thanks for the input! I've added the MCRGO.

Not gay myself, but I know we do have gay members on the RPF boards. Pink Pistols is a gay pro-2A group with 29 active Pink Pistols chapters nationwide. From their website:

http://pinkpistols.org/

Indeed. A traditionally liberal/progressive demographic that recognizes the importance of gun rights -- fantastic!

Nice thread

IL

http://isra.org
http://illinoiscarry.com
http://gunssavelife.com

Very good, thanks for the input!

[Darguth]

Oh, there is also Michigan Open Carry, Inc. which specifically deals with open-carry laws, education, and promotion. They seem like a pretty good org from what I've seen, though I haven't done anything with them personally (yet, I want to go to one of their seminars ASAP).

[Cleaner44]

The National Association for Gun Rights
http://www.nationalgunrights.org/

I don't know anything about them, but I discovered them yesterday here at the forums.

I got a letter from Rand Paul today encouraging a donation to The National Association for Gun Rights...

[EBounding]

I got a letter from Rand Paul today encouraging a donation to The National Association for Gun Rights...

I got that too. I was going to ask if anyone is familiar with them and how they compare with the GOA and NRA.

[presence]

Louisiana

http://www.2asisters.net/la/index.html
www.louisianashooting.com/
http://www.louisianasportsman.com
http://lagator.org/
http://www.bayoushooter.com/

[presence]

usa

opencarry.org