Quiet Launch - Minnesota Gun Owners PAC

[Thunder71]

Thanks, that was one concern I had as I don't have a lot of extra cash to donate to all these gun rights groups - I'd like to, but I need to be selective as I have a family of 5 to keep dry and fed, and bills to pay.

GOCRA and NRA have been the two I have donated to in the past, but now I feel as though I'll have to add a 3rd as I did see NRA representation in Minnesota. Unfortunately, the more that get added, the thinner the donations may become.

GOA dropped off my list after year one, their tactics are much like the NRA's but at least the NRA shows up to the fight.

The only ones that were here last year was GOCRA and the NRA...none of the others had a presence in MN and were merely interested in our money.

My understanding is that the MN Gun Owners PAC was formed since they can do things with their collected monies that GOCRA cannot based on the way its collected.

Thanks, definitely helps make the decision easy as to where my donation funds will be going this year... I've been nothing short of impressed with all the work that GOCRA has done, and knowing that group I feel very confident that the Minnesota Gun Owners PAC will be a huge driving force for our rights where that road has to end.

[jshuberg]

I set up an ongoing donation, thanks for all the good work in the past!

One question - I know you guys have also been involved in GOCRA. Will this involvement continue, and is the formation of this PAC done with the blessing of GOCRA, or was there a disagreement within GOCRA which led to the creation of this organization? While I suspect there is a cooperative relationship between the two organizations, I'm sure there are other people who might be wondering the same thing.

Thanks again!!

[bstrawse]

Short answer for now as I'm on the go right now: no disagreement at all. The PAC can do things that GOCRA cannot - and vice versa.

I will explain further when I get back to a laptop - and THANK YOU!


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[jshuberg]

Not a problem, and thanks for the answer

As I said I suspected that there's a cooperative relationship between the groups, but I wanted to ask on behalf of those who might be wondering about this for clarification. Also so people know which group to contribute to depending on what they want their money to help towards.

Thanks again!!

[bstrawse]

I set up an ongoing donation, thanks for all the good work in the past!

One question - I know you guys have also been involved in GOCRA. Will this involvement continue, and is the formation of this PAC done with the blessing of GOCRA, or was there a disagreement within GOCRA which led to the creation of this organization? While I suspect there is a cooperative relationship between the two organizations, I'm sure there are other people who might be wondering the same thing.

Thanks again!!

Mark and I have worked as activists for GOCRA for some time - for me, just about a year - for him, much longer. We will continue to work with GOCRA - and you'll see us at the Capitol for the various events, meetings, etc... that won't change.

The PAC, however, is a separate legal organization - because under MN and Federal law, it has to be. The PAC is led by Mark and I - and makes decisions independently from GOCRA. Funds are entirely separate. We created the PAC because as a 501c4 organization, GOCRA can raise money, and GOCRA can lobby, but they cannot engage in activities to elect candidates or donate money to candidates, etc.. a PAC can... and that's exactly what we intend to do.

Both GOCRA and the PAC are fully volunteer organizations - no one is compensated or paid as an employee or contractor.

In 2014, you'll see us endorse candidates, donate money to candidates and incumbents in the primary and general elections, and work to recruit and support stronger pro-second amendment candidates for statewide office and the Minnesota legislature.

Hope this helps provide more detail -- and THANKS again to everyone who has donated.

[Thunder71]

Can GOCRA donate to MGO PAC?

Sorry, this is all new for me... before I got into firearms I did all I could to avoid politics (and was quite happy in that bubble I must say).

[bstrawse]

No - only individuals and other political committees or funds can donate to a PAC...

B


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[jshuberg]

Can the PAC contribute to GOCRA? Or do they have to be completely separate financially?

[RobD]

Can the PAC contribute to GOCRA? Or do they have to be completely separate financially?

As I understand it...a PAC can contribute to federal candidates and other federal political committees, pay for the costs (food, drink, room rental, etc.) for a fundraising event for a candidate or other political committee, and fund “independent expenditures” to support or oppose candidates.

Since GOCRA cannot be involved in directly or indirectly in political campaigns, they money will be kept separate, otherwise it could be a paperwork / logistical nightmare.

Bryan has spent much more time and training on the funding stuff. It's a confusing cluster-****. I'm sure he will chime in once he's back from Fenway.

[bstrawse]

Can the PAC contribute to GOCRA? Or do they have to be completely separate financially?

As I understand it...a PAC can contribute to federal candidates and other federal political committees, pay for the costs (food, drink, room rental, etc.) for a fundraising event for a candidate or other political committee, and fund “independent expenditures” to support or oppose candidates.

Since GOCRA cannot be involved in directly or indirectly in political campaigns, they money will be kept separate, otherwise it could be a paperwork / logistical nightmare.

Bryan has spent much more time and training on the funding stuff. It's a confusing cluster-****. I'm sure he will chime in once he's back from Fenway.

That was a painful and frustrating game.

No, the PAC cannot contribute to GOCRA from either its state or federal funds. We can treat GOCRA like a vendor in certain situations - and we can co-host events, etc... but there are about a bazillion pages of regulations around this that we have to walk through from a compliance standpoint.

The PAC is setup with separate state and federal accounts (as required by law). We contribute to state candidates from the state account and federal candidates from the other. Right now we are only raising funds for the state account as the FEC is still processing our federal paperwork... The PAC can give money to a candidates committee, to another PAC, or spend it on independent uncoordinated expenditures in support of a cause or candidate. And the rules are different for state versus federal funds.

Hope this helps -
Bryan

[jschroeder]

Donation sent!

[bstrawse]

Donation sent!

Thank you!
b