Why Join GOA?
There is more to joining GOA than just a list of members' benefits.
The united voice of GOA members has been successful in defeating
restrictive legislation designed to disarm our population. Indeed, GOA
has won much praise on Capitol Hill for its legislative
accomplishments.
GOA stood virtually alone in
opposing all anti-gun provisions of the so-called juvenile crime bill
of 1999-2000. This bill would ban private sales of firearms at gun
shows unless the buyer submits to a government registration background
check.
One House leadership source close to
the juvenile crime issue told a Washington reporter that "[GOA] moved
quickly and we heard from their people."
In an
earlier version of the bill, pressure from GOA members prompted seven
senators, who previously cosponsored the bill, to withdraw their
support.
GOA is active on many other fronts.
For example, GOA is the only national gun group pushing for the
complete repeal of the Lautenberg gun ban, a law that disarms people
for life for certain misdemeanor offenses.
In
addition, when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently proposed
draconian gun restrictions on land under its authority, GOA alerted its
members. Responding to the intense pressure generated after the alert,
then-Interior Secretary Bruce Babbit ordered the BLM restrictions
pulled.
GOA remains the only national
organization that is actively pushing the Citizen's Self-Defense Act
designed to protect innocent civilians, who use a gun in self-defense
from anti-gun prosecutors. GOA is also the only national organization
fighting to repeal the Brady instant "registration" check, and is alone
in pushing truly constitutional CCW legislation that allows law-abiding
citizens to carry a firearm without a permit.
GOA Member Benefits
The GOA newsletter:
The Gun Owners is mailed free of charge to all
current members. It informs them of current developments in gun
legislation at the federal, state and local levels. This newsletter
also accurately reports political issues that can affect our gun rights.
Member surveys and polls:
These are sent regularly to GOA members so we can let Congress and the President know how gun owners feel about current issues.
GOA fact sheets:
These contain accurate background information on
specific issues and are mailed to members whenever a crisis arises that
can affect their Second Amendment rights.
E-Mail Alert Network (EAN):
Members and non-members alike have access to our E-Mail Alert Network. See http://www.gunowners.org/ean.htm for details on signing up for these free, low-volume alerts.
GOA's Candidate Rating Guide:
Every federal election year members are mailed our
famous election rating guide which also appears in national
publications and here on the Web.
GOA field staff:
These dedicated individuals work at the local level
attending town meetings and legislative sessions in order to keep our
Washington headquarters informed of pending gun legislation where
anti-gun groups are active.
GOA's Legal Defense Program:
Resources permitting, aid is given to gun owners who
are being harassed by government officials. GOA's resources have
enabled defense attorneys to win stunning courtroom victories.