Pro-Gun Grassroots Groups Taking the Lead in Gun Rights Fight

[Hazcat]

---SNIP---

At a barbeque in Portland, Maine, a small grassroots organization meets to promote one goal: the right to carry weapons openly in public.

"We're just out here, exercising our rights," said event participant Scott Walker. "We're just here to have a good time."

Shane Belanger, 20, a pre-med student at the University of Southern Maine, organized the open-carry event. He said the group faces a huge task in convincing their fellow Mainers that the Second Amendment -- the right to bear arms -- should not be confined to the home.

"I think that it's just they're not used to it, and it's lack of knowledge. The more they know, the more comfortable they'll be with it, and that's really why we're here," Belanger said. "We are showing them that law-abiding citizens carrying handguns is completely fine and completely normal."

---SNIP---

ABC News asked the NRA several times to comment for this story, but it refused.



http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/open-carry-gun-laws-pro-gun-grassroots-groups/story?id=11313221&page=2

Video at link (Nightline report dated August 2, 2010)

As usual the NRA decides to say (and do) nothing!

[twyacht]

 
As usual the NRA decides to say (and do) nothing!

They can't/won't get involved in every single "leetle" gun issue/event/story in the country. Their position is National in scope (hence the name), and perhaps local NRA-ILA groups are involved, not the main Association. Although, they do have State Alerts rather frequently, they are broader in scope,: laws, ordinances, restrictions, etc,...
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/State/
State Updates
   California: Long Gun Registration Bill Still Pending Consideration
     8/6/2010
 
   Pennsylvania: House Judiciary Committee to Consider Attack on Concealed Carry on Tuesday, August 10!
     8/6/2010
 
   California: Open Carry Ban Advances to Senate Floor
     8/4/2010
 
   NRA-ILA Staff and Volunteers will be at the Wisconsin State Fair
     8/3/2010
 
   Anti-Hunting Ballot Initiative being Circulated for Signatures at the North Dakota State Fair!
     7/30/2010

Yes, one would think they would be more involved, the specific re-issuance of a CCW permit holder in Maryland...cases in NC, state of emergency legislation,..etc,..

Thankfully, there are more "grassroot based" organizations like SAF, GOA, (which I also joined). That step in regarding these more frequent "local" issues.

Instead of a dividing mindset, there should be a broad alliance, that just reinforces and grows our numbers and positions not just at the Fed level, but at the State level.

Seems all these groups have more in common, fundamentally, than not.  Great work by such a young man in Maine. I say keep it up, "empty can rattles the most", utilize any and all resources.

IMHO, I have my misgivings, and WTF moments with the NRA, especially recently, however, I do appreciate their work at the National Level, otherwise "leetle" things like the AWB, etc,...et..al....would be even worse. Thinking Australia here....

[Hazcat]

Local issue?  The NRA was invited to a NATIONAL TV show and they declined.  Sorry, I am done with the NRA.

[twyacht]

Local issue?  The NRA was invited to a NATIONAL TV show and they declined.  Sorry, I am done with the NRA.

I've seen LaPierre, Cox on all the other MSM channels, perhaps they should be on them more. I agree.

I'm not done with them yet...

keyword,,,,, yet.

[TAB]

Local issue?  The NRA was invited to a NATIONAL TV show and they declined.  Sorry, I am done with the NRA.

welcome to the club, I've been done with the NRA for over a decade.  The NRA is no friend to gun owners...

[Sponsor]

[twyacht]

welcome to the club, I've been done with the NRA for over a decade.  The NRA is no friend to gun owners...

That's a bit of an overstatement TAB, without the NRA, you'd be registering your .22 at a state sponsored club, with nothing but a 10 rd mag, turned back in to the club before you went home.

AR? forget it....The ATF would be reaming you a new one at thousands of dollars a permit, (per rifle),.to have one...

you got a pistol also? oh geez, we have some forms for you to fill out....

[TAB]

That's a bit of an overstatement TAB, without the NRA, you'd be registering your .22 at a state sponsored club, with nothing but a 10 rd mag, turned back in to the club before you went home.

AR? forget it....The ATF would be reaming you a new one at thousands of dollars a permit, (per rifle),.to have one...

you got a pistol also? oh geez, we have some forms for you to fill out....

guess what, they didn't help me be able to get a AR... atleast not one that is real.  they also were behind the closing of the machinegun list.  so I say fook them.

[twyacht]

guess what, they didn't help me be able to get a AR... atleast not one that is real.  they also were behind the closing of the machinegun list.  so I say fook them.

and Kalifornia, didn't have anything to do with that?

Be thankful its not worse....

[jaybet]

Anyone have the skinny on the SAF? Maybe they'd sue NJ so I could get a CCW in my own state.

[TAB]

and Kalifornia, didn't have anything to do with that?

Be thankful its not worse....

they could have atleast helped, but they didn't.  CA has more gun owners then most states have population.