My Observation of and Gratitude to GOCRA

View · by **minnesotapoker** on Wed Feb 06, 2013 6:36 am

I'm a middle aged gun owner who for my entire life has enjoyed hunting and shooting. I never really thought much about defending my 2A rights. Why should I? There is a specific Amendment in the U.S. Constitution that grants very specific protections. Sure there is always some water-cooler talk or other interactions where we all become constitutional law experts but, for the most part, I didn't think gun bans could really happen outside of NYC and Washington DC. (And, I never viewed those locales as reflective of real American values anyway - they're on the same path to LALA land as California.) I am a NRA member but mainly because I like the magazines and the membership makes me feel as if I am doing something positive for the overall cause. Besides, the sticker looks pretty good in the back window of my F150.

So here we are in Minnesota of all places where hunting and shooting sports are family affairs passed down from generation to generation and our state legislature is actually proposing knee jerk legislation to restrict our gun ownership rights. It was a wake up call to me and I hope to many.

By the way- I smoke therefore I have seen the slippery slope of legislation where they start by saying "Ohh we're not taking away your rights, just restricting them for the safety of others." Today there are countless public areas out-of-doors where one is prohibited from smoking. And don't even get me started on the stigma that has become attached.

I took time away from work on Feb 5th to attend the first meeting of the legislative committee at the State Office building. What I saw was impressive. People from all walks of life showed up on a cold day and fought parking issues to make sure the reps and senators understood that this was a BFD to us. (For definition of BFD, please Google Joe Biden)

Yes, the NRA sent a rep and he spoke eloquently when it was his opportunity at the microphone. But there was another pro 2A organization that was well coordinated, showed up in force, and seemed very knowledgeable of the issues. I learned that this was GOCRA aka Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance. I was impressed with their overall coordination and a couple of their executive also spoke and did a damn fine job.

Many who read this forum are likely well aware of GOCRA. I had previously heard of them in name only. Now I have seen them in action. Guys (and gals) I can tell you that GOCRA is on the front line here in Minnesota making a difference. If you're looking to get involved, and we all need to get in the game on this one, check these guys out. I will be making a donation to their efforts this Friday (payday). http://www.mnccrn.org/index.php

Sharing in hopes of informing others and passing on the call to action.

View · by **oldguy** on Wed Feb 06, 2013 7:58 am

Minnesotapoker you sound like my long lost brother. Pretty much my story. One of the advantages of age is to see the gradual erosion of rights in this society. Some may remember a time in Minnesota when students would take their rifles to school for after class gun safety courses.

The norm with the political types seems to be: Ruin society with failed policies, apply band aids. When that doesn't work out to their satisfaction, do more of the same.
I joined GOCRA and I'll be there tomorrow to show support.

View · by **minnesotapoker** on Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:55 am

I am now a member of GOCRA. If you're not - please consider it. If you have been to Room 10 in the past few days, you have seen for yourself the effort and knowledge this grass roots group brings to this political fight. If you couldn't make it, you can see them in action for yourself on the hearing broadcasts/replays or read about their efforts on this forum.

I'm not trying to shill for them but we facing an organized opponent who gets free TV publicity on a daily basis (news) and their cause has the continuing support of the President and Vice President of the U.S. GOCRA is just one additional way that we can stay united and ensure that factual, logical arguments hit the ears of those who seek to gut our 2A freedom.

View · by **St. Olaf** on Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:02 am

I can't be there, but I've been watching on the computer link and you can't help being impressed by the efforts of the GOCRA people at the hearings.

I'm going to join up.

View · by **farmer44mag** on Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:02 am

I just became a member this year as well. I had never even really heard of the group- i just figured they were an offshoot of the NRA- and i am already a member there. But seeing the hearings this week and researching what they did for us with the MPPA- I see they have and are doing a lot for us.

Like someone else on here said-- " Wayne has enough suits- give more to the GOCRA"

View · by **Uffdaphil** on Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:15 pm

Another big thanks to GOCRA. As an NRA member I feel well represented on a national level. (Except on the PR front --Wayne needs to accept that he is not the charismatic front man we desperately need.) But for the state struggle to protect our rights, emails and political donations are so much more effective when the issue is publicly presented and focused by GOCRA. Familiarizing the pols with the group and it's spokesmen, helps counter the Heathers and their disingenuous "reasonable" labels. I would suggest that many of our elected do not feel strongly one way or the other. They primarily want cover to stay on the safe side of the steamroller.

Let GOCRA know how much you appreciate their efforts. And if donating does not sooth your outrage enough, go back online and give some more. That helped me a little, but I can feel the steam building again with every reported musket or don't-need-for-hunting remark. I sure hope these days do not become known as the watershed when constitutionality gave way to mobocracy. Big stakes.

View · by **Thunder71** on Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:17 pm

Agreed, can't say enough... thank you.

View · by **bobbfrommn** on Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:32 pm

I too have been stuck at work and really appreciate those who were able to make an impact. I went and donated and a note to others like myself that don't want to get on a mailing list, you can just straight up donate anonymously. Took 10 seconds via paypal (CC options too).

View · by **wrench** on Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:42 pm

I'm a new member to GOCRA in the last couple of weeks. I was able to attend 3/5 of the hearings in St.Paul this week, and I was very impressed by all of the speakers that GOCRA brought in, and by the rep the NRA sent. We had facts, studies, and lots of good information, the other side had 'feelings', bad data, and pictures of dead children.
A++ for GOCRA-every firearm owner in MN should be sending them money... :cheerleader2:

View · by **yuppiejr** on Fri Feb 08, 2013 5:14 pm

Upgraded to the $150 membership this week after realizing I could not make it over to the capital as planned... It takes both manpower and money to run a group like this, if you did not make it to the capital this week at least pony up $30 and get a pinky worth of skin in the game people. Thanks to all who showed up to represent!

View · by **clauwitz** on Fri Feb 08, 2013 5:50 pm

minnesotapoker wrote:
By the way- I smoke therefore I have seen the slippery slope of legislation where they start by saying "Ohh we're not taking away your rights, just restricting them for the safety of others." Today there are countless public areas out-of-doors where one is prohibited from smoking. And don't even get me started on the stigma that has become attached.

At risk of being off topic, I would like to commend you, the American Smoker, as a national hero. You put yourself in harms way (by smoking) and through that you support poor children's health care, pay more for your own health care, on the balance die earlier than non-smokers (therefore using up fewer medicare/social security dollars) AND then get a bad rap for it. It sounds heroic to me. I salute you.

View · by **Uffdaphil** on Fri Feb 08, 2013 7:58 pm

Just hope that beer drinkers don't ever become a minority. The same rationale of public and individual health can apply. Cigs are now over 10 times as expensive wilh demands for increasing the tax another $1.50+ pending. Will you feel heroic paying the equivalent $60+ for a six pack?

View · by **crlrca** on Fri Feb 08, 2013 8:02 pm

farmer44mag wrote:I just became a member this year as well. I had never even really heard of the group- i just figured they were an offshoot of the NRA- and i am already a member there. But seeing the hearings this week and researching what they did for us with the MPPA- I see they have and are doing a lot for us.

Like someone else on here said-- " Wayne has enough suits- give more to the GOCRA"

I am in the same boat. Just joined at the $30 level about a week ago. After watching the "hearings" I believe I need to step up and do the $150 donation.

Crl

View · by **minnesotapoker** on Fri Feb 08, 2013 8:19 pm

Tis good that we all keep our sense of humor and thank you for acknowledging that my smoking preference is my choice and I do choose to bear those consequences. In all seriousness, I think there are parallels here in that the gun grabbers see our 2A practices as a type of vice that should be taxed and or legislated away because it doesn't comport with behavior that they think acceptable. Of course, we will get no traction arguing this point as the smoking/drinking stigmas are too well entrenched and neither smoking nor drinking are specifically provided Constitutional rights. But, the parallels do exist.

Can you see it now? "Professor 'Camel Joe' Olsen would you like to address the committee?" LOL

View · by **Li'l Beaver** on Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:22 pm

minnesotapoker wrote:I'm a middle aged gun owner who for my entire life has enjoyed hunting and shooting. I never really thought much about defending my 2A rights. Why should I? There is a specific Amendment in the U.S. Constitution that grants very specific protections. Sure there is always some water-cooler talk or other interactions where we all become constitutional law experts but, for the most part, I didn't think gun bans could really happen outside of NYC and Washington DC. (And, I never viewed those locales as reflective of real American values anyway - they're on the same path to LALA land as California.) I am a NRA member but mainly because I like the magazines and the membership makes me feel as if I am doing something positive for the overall cause. Besides, the sticker looks pretty good in the back window of my F150.

So here we are in Minnesota of all places where hunting and shooting sports are family affairs passed down from generation to generation and our state legislature is actually proposing knee jerk legislation to restrict our gun ownership rights. It was a wake up call to me and I hope to many.

By the way- I smoke therefore I have seen the slippery slope of legislation where they start by saying "Ohh we're not taking away your rights, just restricting them for the safety of others." Today there are countless public areas out-of-doors where one is prohibited from smoking. And don't even get me started on the stigma that has become attached.

I took time away from work on Feb 5th to attend the first meeting of the legislative committee at the State Office building. What I saw was impressive. People from all walks of life showed up on a cold day and fought parking issues to make sure the reps and senators understood that this was a BFD to us. (For definition of BFD, please Google Joe Biden)

Yes, the NRA sent a rep and he spoke eloquently when it was his opportunity at the microphone. But there was another pro 2A organization that was well coordinated, showed up in force, and seemed very knowledgeable of the issues. I learned that this was GOCRA aka Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance. I was impressed with their overall coordination and a couple of their executive also spoke and did a damn fine job.

Many who read this forum are likely well aware of GOCRA. I had previously heard of them in name only. Now I have seen them in action. Guys (and gals) I can tell you that GOCRA is on the front line here in Minnesota making a difference. If you're looking to get involved, and we all need to get in the game on this one, check these guys out. I will be making a donation to their efforts this Friday (payday). http://www.mnccrn.org/index.php

Sharing in hopes of informing others and passing on the call to action.

You are a man after my heart! God Bless you! By the way my cigarettes do not carry the MN. tax stamp as I buy them on the Reservation when the wife and I go out to eat on Tuesdays at the local casino where we are free to have a cigarette after we finish our dinner plus the coffee and soda pop is free!