I got a message this week from the NRA-Institute for Legislative Action. It consisted of a list of bills in the Texas Congress backed by the NRA. A message like this is usually a scroll-through read before deleting, but it caught my attention this time around. With all the new gun legislation making noise in Washington, it can make state legislation seem miniscule or inane. However, the biggest fights are going on in state legislatures. New York was the first to sign a very restrictive bill into law, and now New Jersey, Minnesota, and Colorado are proposing legislation that will restrict gun owners’ rights in many ways. State legislatures have more power than the federal government. Because of the smaller constituency and lobbying efforts, state governments can pass bills into laws with more ease than the U.S. Congress. So, you’re more likely to see restrictions on your gun rights come from your state than the federal government. The NRA-ILA knows this and lobbies for our rights at all levels of government.
The NRA established the ILA in 1975 with the mission of preserving the right of all law-abiding citizens to purchase, possess, and use firearms. The NRA-ILA was instrumental in the passage of the 1986 Firearm Owners’ Protection Act and have continued to lobby for our Second Amendment rights since. As not all policies that endanger our gun rights come from the federal government, the ILA works vigorously to prevent attacks from anti-gun legislators at the state level. The ILA lobbies against any legislation that directly or indirectly affects firearm ownership or use such as hunting, conservation, law enforcement issues, shooting ranges and criminal justice reform.
On the legal end of things, the NRA Civil Rights Legal Defense Fund lends financial and legal support to individuals and organizations defending the right to keep and bear arms. The NRA established the CRLDF in 1978 in order to have a voice in the court of law. By defending Second Amendment rights in court, the CRLDF is able to establish legal precedents that will protect gun owners’ rights.
Currently, both organizations have a law or case they are working on in every state. Some of the their lobbying efforts are going toward passing laws that protect Second Amendment rights, such as the law in Virginia that will protect the identities of those with concealed handgun permits. Other efforts are working to stop laws that would further encroach upon the rights of gun owners, such as the current legislation in New Jersey.
- To learn which laws the ILA is currently working on in your state or how to get more involved, click here.
- To see which cases the CRLDF is working on in your state, click here.
- To join the NRA or renew your membership, click here.
Hmmm, here we go again..
Comment by EdH — February 14, 2013 @ 7:37 am
Hooray! What a fantastic idea, make these people live by their OWN rules. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to realize that the 2nd amendment is the only thing that really holds the Constitution together. Gun control people want to control PEOPLE, not guns. None of the restrictions imposed on firearms, protect the people from individuals that want to use them to kill other people, nor would they have protected anyone from being shot. A lot more people die in cars, why not ban cars, (even if one life was saved). Crock of crap! Tabrit35
Comment by Richard Fales, Sr. — February 16, 2013 @ 7:32 am
How bout the NRA and the rest of the 2A lobby create a “Civil Action Fund?” Being a good guy is no longer good enough. Despite the fact that good guys just want to be left alone, despite the many rulings by the SCOTUS and circuit courts upholding the Constitution, activist progressives and liberals just wont go away. Its no longer going to work to sit back and wait for onslaught after onslaught and always play political defense. There is a great effort underway to divide the rock solid gun lobby. Be wary of any democrat or politician who says things like “I support our traditions” or “the right to hunt,” “the majority of Americans,” and the biggest red flag of all “common sense reforms.” These code words are indicative of liberal solidarity with Obama and the rest of extreme left. This is the language of the gun grabbers who support the eventual disarming of citizens. Progressives know conservatives are politically less active if not lazy. We got the govt we deserve unfortunately. Time for conservative constitutionally minded people to become activists too, progressives for the Constitution. Why should we not be like the Swiss? Every household in possession of and trained how to use “personal defense weapons” …talk about homeland security! Armed civilian volunteers patrolling and protecting our schools feom liberals off their meds. How about some laws that protect commerse barring legislation intended to stop firarms and accessory manufactures from producing and selling their goods? These are just some ideas. Start bogging your states legislature with double the amout of PRO gun and Consitutional bills as there are anti 2A and unconstitutional proposals being introduced. Lets face it being reactionary and complaining on forums isn’t going to be enough anymore
Comment by Bartjoebob — February 16, 2013 @ 9:02 am
*****2.Hooray! What a fantastic idea, make these people live by their OWN rules. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to realize that the 2nd amendment is the only thing that really holds the Constitution together. Gun control people want to control PEOPLE, not guns. None of the restrictions imposed on firearms, protect the people from individuals that want to use them to kill other people, nor would they have protected anyone from being shot. A lot more people die in cars, why not ban cars, (even if one life was saved). Crock of crap! Tabrit35****
Absolutely Agree!!!!
Comment by EdH — February 16, 2013 @ 9:15 am
Also by apologies I was trying to respond to the fact the CTD and other companies have stopped selling prohibited items to the GOV and personnel that deny the sales of same items!! Thank you CTD & Others for doing so!
Comment by Concerned Customer — February 16, 2013 @ 9:18 am
I wonder how many of the “gun controlists” would be willing to put a sign in thier yard or front door saying “There Are No Guns In This House”!
Comment by Larry — February 16, 2013 @ 9:28 am
Way to GO!!!! So proud of these companys for standing up! We whats good for the goose is good for the gander!!!! Thanks for posting this! I will make it my business to do business with companys like you!!!
Comment by amanda — February 16, 2013 @ 11:14 am
The same manner in which these legislators came to power, can be their undoing…the right to VOTE! They were “hired” as public servants, employees of WE THE PEOPLE, to represent ALL of us, not just the rich and those who support their election/re-election bids. If they do not represent your views, then go to the polls and VOTE them out. It’s that simple. If more Americans would have done that last November, we might not be facing these anti-gun dilemma now. Hmmmmmmm? Lastly, if you don’t VOTE… you voluntarily surrendered your right to complain as a part of the problem, rather than being part of a peaceful and lawful solution.
Comment by RPK — February 16, 2013 @ 12:31 pm
There is one good reason the left hates NRA. They are effective. If you are one of those gun owners who doesn’t belong to NRA, join. I know some people say they don’t like all the mail they get from them, asking for money, but they are our main defense against the gun grabbers. I am retired, on a very small, limited income, but I still support them.
Comment by David Benson — February 16, 2013 @ 3:47 pm
Great article… we support CTD in their actions and message. We must stand together and highlight the hypocrisy. Simple facts are the reality – wherever the Laws remove guns from the good guys is where we have the highest crime. Newton, Columbine, Aurora, Luby’s Restaurant – all were gun free zones; meaning all the law abiding citizens were defenseless… but not the criminals. Criminals always have guns; which is why states that respect the 2nd Amendment are also the safest states with the lowest crime. Yes, the states that allow law abiding people to carry and protect themselves have the lowest crime rates. Reality – when will the legislators get in touch with Reality?!
Comment by Vincent C — February 17, 2013 @ 1:48 am
I live in ny. state, and our rights are being taken away. We need to vote out all of the people who vote for there wants and not the people. I want to have my rights back. All of the shootings from the one in the 1990s were with taken guns. The most recent act. The guns belonged to the mother. She did not have them safe. She know her son had problems. She is the reason it happened. All were not mentaly ill, they were psychopaths. The media gives them fame, and the next one will try for mory bodies. A person with mental illness will, kill himself, not mass murder. They are using miss infomation to take away rights freedom , and what we have always stood for.
Comment by David Berlanger — February 17, 2013 @ 11:55 am
While I appreciate the efforts CTD is making to support our rights, I feel that CTD does not go far enough in helping to force the repeal of illegal gun laws in the state of New York. CTD should follow the other companies and refuse ALL sales to government agencies in the state of New York until such time that the illegal law is repealed. When the guards around Bloomberg and Cuomo cannot get ammo for their guns, that is when they will finally wake up.
Comment by Chris — February 18, 2013 @ 12:42 pm
We the people for gun rights should boycott states like New York and California.
Let those states feel the pinch in their wallets from less tourism.
Money Talks. Thank you Cheaper Than Dirt. Fitz (Feb. 18 2013)
Comment by MICHAEL — February 18, 2013 @ 2:36 pm
I read that the legislature of SC (or may be NC) has introduced a state bill making every state resident 17 or older part of the State Militia. What a GREAT idea!!! They want to defect the Feds attempts at gun control by making their state citizens part of their militia. May be more states should follow suit because if the Obama/Feinstein proposals become law many of us law abiding Americans will become criminals overnight. This type of state legislation could offer us some protection and keep us from becoming criminals.
Comment by Tom Rutledge — February 18, 2013 @ 4:31 pm
[...] another Shooter’s Log item, “Gun Rights in Your State: The ILA and CRLDF,” CTD Scott points out, “State legislatures have more power than the federal government. [...]
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