GOA - Gun Owners of America

[TrailDust]

I have a question for past or present members of GOA, and especially people who are or have been members of both the NRA and GOA. I'd like to know your opinions and insight into the GOA, is it really worth it to join, and does it have advantages over the NRA? I used to be a NRA member, but I became disillusioned with their politics and lack of qualitative benefits by being a member. Any insight you all can provide I'd love to hear. Thanks!

 

[Mic]

I recently joined the GOA. I am quite sure that they don't have the clout the NRA does, but I believe them to be truer to gun owners (the NRA is more political and I liken some of what they have done in the past to the moves of Ruger and Smith and Wesson.

The GOA doesn't compromise. My political hero's (AKA Ron Paul's) quote "The only no-compromise gun lobby in Washington."

This is not to knock the NRA. I am also a member of the NRA and I am a strong believer in them. I personally believe that if you can afford it, support both. If I could only choose one, it would be one of those "my head or my heart" things. My heart says, go with the ones most loyal to the true cause. My head says, go with the ones that have more power and influence and have done more for gun owners than any other organization in the world.

My $.02.

 

[Domineaux]

I take an all of the above approach. GOA is certainly more true to principal but NRA has more clout. Both do a ton of good for us.
Don't forget SAF/CCRKBA either.

 

[rsayloriii]

I've got NRA, GOA, and TSRA. While none may be perfect, I believe they all help in general; certainly better than if they weren't there at all.

 

[scap99]

Don't overlook JPFO.




Tapatalk sent it.

 

[308nato]

I take an all of the above approach. GOA is certainly more true to principal but NRA has more clout. Both do a ton of good for us.
Don't forget SAF/CCRKBA either.

Just my .02 but what he said.

 

[txgunner00]

I've got NRA, GOA, and TSRA. While none may be perfect, I believe they all help in general; certainly better than if they weren't there at all.

same here

 

[txgunner00]

Don't overlook JPFO.




Tapatalk sent it.

Please elaborate...

 

[rsayloriii]

Please elaborate...

Jews For The Preservation of Firearms Ownership

 

[scap99]

Jews For The Preservation of Firearms Ownership

Exactly.

Good organization.

Also, even though I do not recognize the gblt as a legitimate lifestyle. Pink Pistols is pretty vocal. Albeit with a high pitched lisp.




Tapatalk sent it.

 

[Nate C]

NRA for Washington. TSRA for Austin. Support additional groups if you can afford to, but NRA and TSRA are the two groups with the best existing infrastructure, name recognition, and legitimacy born of longevity.

 

[weiss27md]

I recently joined the GOA. I am quite sure that they don't have the clout the NRA does, but I believe them to be truer to gun owners (the NRA is more political and I liken some of what they have done in the past to the moves of Ruger and Smith and Wesson.

The GOA doesn't compromise. My political hero's (AKA Ron Paul's) quote "The only no-compromise gun lobby in Washington."

This is not to knock the NRA. I am also a member of the NRA and I am a strong believer in them. I personally believe that if you can afford it, support both. If I could only choose one, it would be one of those "my head or my heart" things. My heart says, go with the ones most loyal to the true cause. My head says, go with the ones that have more power and influence and have done more for gun owners than any other organization in the world.

My $.02.

Agreed. The GOA seems a lot better in my opinion. It's a shame the candidate that got the best review by them probably won't make it much longer.

 

[M. Sage]

NRA for Washington. TSRA for Austin. Support additional groups if you can afford to, but NRA and TSRA are the two groups with the best existing infrastructure, name recognition, and legitimacy born of longevity.

Pretty much this. I'd add Second Amendment Foundation to that list, since they go after the litigation side of things.

Coming from a activist point of view, the NRA and SAF are two of the most effective groups in the US. GOA talks a good game and has some recognition, but the no-compromise tactic is a bad way to actually get stuff done. No, I don't want to compromise, and I eventually won't have to anymore. But we didn't get to this point overnight, we got here incrementally. And we'll have to win our freedoms back incrementally, too.

NRA does extremely good things on the lobbying side (we need lobbyists!), both state and federal. SAF kicks ass in the courts.

Remember that NRA is a member-driven organization. You as a member have a vote on who is on the board, and that controls the direction they take as an organization.

The only other group I might suggest sending money to is the CGF, but they're more CA-specific, though some of their lawsuits can/do have a nation-wide affect. Case law is case law, and supporting any good civil rights lawsuits is always a good thing for everybody.

 

[Pappy]

I've got NRA, GOA, and TSRA. While none may be perfect, I believe they all help in general; certainly better than if they weren't there at all.

For me;

NRA life member since 1967

GOA Life member

TSRA Benefactor

And I pitch in some extra $$$ from time to time.

 

[TrailDust]

Thank you all for your perspectives, much appreciated! I'm going to opt for GOA membership, and reconsidering joining the NRA again.

 

[Mic]

Good for you TrailDust! Glad to hear it.