What Do You Actually Know about GOA?

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SharpDog said:
Yeah so SOME folks around here don't like the NRA, Don't Like the GOA, Don't like National Organizations.

We're fighting ourselves just like the opposition wants.
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I don't know who you were pointing to if anyone in particular, but I often think it's more towards where do ppl really want to put their time, efforts, their MONEY.

I am of the opinion, after review of several friends, relatives and associates, the MONEY is governed by (and no specific ;)order), MOMMA SAID, beer, sports, new eyePhone 45XX, various other playful etc. ''See, I have no $ or time left to help, even so much as making a phone call.See?" saith the blind. Ok, or perhaps, short sighted.

And then majically, some time is found to bash various organizations which actually do DO something. NRA is biggest, so they get the most lashes as whipping boy (and sometimes I agree deserved LoL).

>>YMMV<<

FYI...
NRA Life
GOA
SAF
FPC
 
Right now I'm a member of the NRA, GOA, SAF, and Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

I've been getting more and more fed up with the NRA, but for the time being I'll stick around and see what voting on board members does. I like the GOA's "no compromises" stance, but in my criticizes of the NRA I've realized that GOA is no different: they use partisan politics to be divisive and send me a constant stream of "this is the end" money grabbing emails and letters. Erich Pratt is just another Wayne LaPierre.

I used to send extra donations to the NRA and GOA. Now, the SAF is the only gun rights group that gets money from me above normal membership dues.
 
SharpDog said:
I guess "Piggybacking on lawsuits funded by other organizations" is not helping then ?
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No, it doesn't.
Filing lawsuits and funding them does.
GOA loves to boast about their "joining lawsuits", but it is merely a fundraising tactic.
Every dollar donated to GOA is one less dollar that could go to actual fighters for the Second Amendment. If you dislike the NRA, then by all means contribute to the Second Amendment Foundation or your state gun rights group.

But do your research. Not all gun rights organizations actually spend the majority of their donations on lobbying or political action, instead on salaries.



I just enumerated several ways in which the GOA helps our cause. There was a recent similar thread knocking th NRA. Likely another knocking the SAF next week.
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One look at GOA's IRS Form 990 and you'll see how little they actually spend helping "our cause". https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521256643




We're fighting ourselves just like the opposition wants.
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No, I'm fighting the posers and phonies masquerading as supporters of the Second Amendment.

Personally I will help ANY organization that's trying to help our RKBA.
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Not me.
I'll happily help those organizations that are effective in the fight. Those that spend most of their income on saleries? Uh, no.

You should try it.
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I won't waste a single penny on GOA, NAGR or any other organization that doesn't actually do a darn thing.
 
ChanceMcCall said:
It troubles me as well. All of us that contribute at all to pro gun organizations have limits on what we are able and/or willing to contribute to the cause. For some, it is a struggle to contribute a one year's membership and for others it may be a whole lot more, but, none of us want to waste the money we contribute.

Now I have been on a number of Boards of Directors, both for profit, and not for profit, over the years. I absolutely know that when bylaws and a contact list for the Board of Directors is denied to the membership/stockholders, something is going on that is being kept away from the membership/stockholders. In fact, in most states, not for profits are required by law to make those two things available to their memberships.

The NRA tries hard to make it difficult to access these items, but, they are available to someone willing willing to work at it. When GOA ignores email and letters asking about the availability of these items, it sets off too many red flags for me. That is why I asked here, thinking someone who is a member might have these things they would share. I'm holding off on GOA until I do get such answers.

I also believe in the power of state associations but I also know that the job of state associations is much harder in some states than in others. There are also several organizations aimed at minority group gun owners that I support even though I am not yet a minority. (Old Protestant White Guy)

Thanks for all the responses, even if I still don't have the answers.
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Every nonprofit must file an IRS Form 990. They can be viewed at the link I posted above.
 
The GOA calls itself the "no compromise lobby", very much defamation of the NRA, when they are not a real lobby. Here in Washington, I seen the NRA send money, lawyers, campaign workers, and yard signs/literature. NRA board members came here too. I did not see any presence by the GOA, they have been missing in action on the fight against I-1639 and yet they trash talk the NRA. Those GOA are really just a few guys publishing an angry newsletter, much of it attacking the NRA to poach donations for their pockets and they do no work.
 
dogtown tom said:
No, it doesn't.
Filing lawsuits and funding them does.
GOA loves to boast about their "joining lawsuits", but it is merely a fundraising tactic.
Every dollar donated to GOA is one less dollar that could go to actual fighters for the Second Amendment. If you dislike the NRA, then by all means contribute to the Second Amendment Foundation or your state gun rights group.

But do your research. Not all gun rights organizations actually spend the majority of their donations on lobbying or political action, instead on salaries.




One look at GOA's IRS Form 990 and you'll see how little they actually spend helping "our cause". https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521256643





No, I'm fighting the posers and phonies masquerading as supporters of the Second Amendment.


Not me.
I'll happily help those organizations that are effective in the fight. Those that spend most of their income on saleries? Uh, no.


I won't waste a single penny on GOA, NAGR or any other organization that doesn't actually do a darn thing.
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:)
 
DeepSouth said:
Like the op I have looked for information and not found it, I have found people claiming things with no source. I would love to find more information, unfortunately they aren’t very transparent in that area as best as I can tell, and that does impact my donations.

One of the few things I do remember (from memory, so numbers aren’t exact) finding was that they had in the neighborhood of 1.5 million members and gave about 1.5 million in lobbying.
At the same time the NRA had about 5 million members and gave a little more than 5 million in lobbying.

The reasons I remember this was 1.5 million members was more than I thought the GOA had and 1 dollar per member was close to the number for both organizations lobbying efforts, I thought that was interesting.

I personally can’t think of a reason not to throw some membership numbers and at least some donations to several different pro gun organizations.

I’m Member of
NRA
GOA
SAF
FPC
And a state group. I donate to all at least occasionally, though I do withhold donations (for a time) if someone does something I don’t like.

Their are no perfect people, therefore no perfect organization can exist, when they put ideas you like call them, make a donation and tell them why. Likewise, when they do something you don’t like call them and tell them you’ll be giving to someone on the right side of the issue.

Will it matter? Probably not, but it makes me feel better.


To the OP, if you do find much information please post it here or let us know where we can find it. I myself have come up with a whole lot of nothing in my past searches and I can’t help but think that’s by design, which is troubling to me.
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There is a lot of wisdom in your post.
 
dogtown tom said:
But do your research. Not all gun rights organizations actually spend the majority of their donations on lobbying or political action, instead on salaries.

One look at GOA's IRS Form 990 and you'll see how little they actually spend helping "our cause". https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521256643
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Wow! Thank you for the link. The GOA is small potatoes in the fight.

The GOA total revenue for 2016 was $2,259,601 and executive compensation and other salaries was a whopping 26.4% of total revenue. $622,687 in executive compensation and other salaries doesn't leave much for fighting for our 2A rights.

The SAF total revenue for 2016 was $4,080,423 and executive compensation and other salaries was only 1.6% ($58,500) of total revenue

Whereas the NRA total revenue for 2016 was $366,889,703 and executive compensation and other salaries was only 12.4% of total revenue.
 
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Sixgun-symphony said:
The GOA calls itself the "no compromise lobby", very much defamation of the NRA, when they are not a real lobby. Here in Washington, I seen the NRA send money, lawyers, campaign workers, and yard signs/literature. NRA board members came here too. I did not see any presence by the GOA, they have been missing in action on the fight against I-1639 and yet they trash talk the NRA. Those GOA are really just a few guys publishing an angry newsletter, much of it attacking the NRA to poach donations for their pockets and they do no work.
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Wait a minute. A constant refrain from Washington people is that the NRA did NOTHING to stop Washingtonians from emasculating their gun rights. I now have to wonder which is true.
 
Texas10mm said:
Wait a minute. A constant refrain from Washington people is that the NRA did NOTHING to stop Washingtonians from emasculating their gun rights. I now have to wonder which is true.
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The NATIONAL Rifle Association focus the majority of its energy on NATIONAL legislation.....as it should.
It does get involved to a much lesser extent with state or local legislation.

In Texas, our NRA affiliated Texas State Rifle Association does the heavy lifting in the Texas legislature.
 
Keep in mind it's a WAR we are fighting against the anti-gun/2A crowd.

And we need every pro-2A ally at state/national level to form a coalition to fight our WAR. Just like World War II, different resistance forces all contributed to the total WAR effort. GOA is pro-gun/2A organization - Good enough for me. (Way better than sending money to United Way)

As to donation, it's your money. Choose whichever pro-2A organization you want to support and send them your money.

But to win this WAR, we need both money and more pro-gun/2A law makers at state and federal level.

Join the fight - Send money and vote.

Elections have consequences.
 
bds said:
….GOA is pro-gun/2A organization......
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Well, they say they are. But the proof is in their financials, and unless they have another set of books it appears as if they are only "pro gun/2A" in order to raise money to enrich their staff and board chairman.

Ever hear of the American Hunters and Shooters Association? They endorsed Barack Obama.....did you donate to them?

Simply donating to an organization because they say they are supporters of the Second Amendment is just plain dumb. Every dollar contributed to organizations like GOA or NAGR is one less dollar that REAL gun rights organizations get. (organizations that actually get results)
 
Like I already posted, if you have doubts about a particular pro-gun/2A organization, simply send your money to your choice of another pro-gun/2A organization.
bds said:
As to donation, it's your money. Choose whichever pro-2A organization you want to support and send them your money.
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dogtown tom said:
The NATIONAL Rifle Association focus the majority of its energy on NATIONAL legislation.
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Sixgun-symphony said:
The GOA calls itself the "no compromise lobby", very much defamation of the NRA, when they are not a real lobby. Here in Washington, I seen the NRA send money, lawyers, campaign workers, and yard signs/literature. NRA board members came here too. I did not see any presence by the GOA, they have been missing in action on the fight against I-1639 and yet they trash talk the NRA. Those GOA are really just a few guys publishing an angry newsletter, much of it attacking the NRA to poach donations for their pockets and they do no work.
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This just in :thumbup::
Washington: Lawsuit Against I-1639 Proceeds After Motion To Dismiss Denied
Tuesday, May 21, 2019

legal3.jpg
Support NRA-ILA
On May 20th, the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington rejected a motion by the government defendants to dismiss the lawsuit filed by NRA and the SAF against Washington’s gun control ballot initiative, I-1639. The lawsuit may now proceed.

NRA and SAF previously filed the lawsuit in November, 2018. Initiative 1639 classifies ordinary, recreational firearms in common use as “assault” weapons, denies young adults the right to self-protection, and bans the sale of firearms to out-of-state residents. The provision restricting the Second Amendment rights of young adults went into effect on January 1st, 2019. The other provisions are set to take effect on July 1st, 2019.

Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on this challenge, as well as other issues affecting our Second Amendment rights in Washington.

IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington Initiative 1639 Age Restrictions Assault Weapons and Semi-Autos
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Gun control is funded by billionaires.
Gun rights advocate groups are run by folks that want to be millionaires?
 
All of my money and time spent goes to the NRA and ILA. I have also, at times supported the MCRGO and MGO, but am not a member of either at this time. During those times, it was Michigan in question, and the NRA was not getting anything from me, other than dues. And when on a fixed income, I have to pick my battles.
 
Good Ol' Boy said:
I could care less what G&A or the GC "ranks" states as. Means nothing.
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When you read the report it doesn't say much bad about the Old Dominion.

"30. Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia was hit with more than sixty anti-gun bills during this legislative session but, thanks to the hard work of Virginians on the ground, none of the bills were successful in passing. For a place that has become increasingly “purple” politically, Virginia remains a good state for gun owners. State law allows for open carry without a permit and CCW permits are issued on a shall-issue basis. Additionally, Virginia recognizes permits from all states. The state gets 10 points for its strong use-of-force laws and receives fairly high marks all-around but for a few particulars including a requirement that machine guns be registered with the state authorities in addition to the BATFE."

As to the VCDL, I think they're implied in the line "thanks to the hard work of Virginians on the ground, none of the bills were successful in passing."


While a not completely "free state" there isn't much one cant do gun related in VA. OC is legal, its extremely easy to get a CHP, no mag limits, no purchase restrictions, no wait period, no ammo restrictions, no "assault weapons " ban. And that's mostly thanks to the VCDL because if specifically Northern VA had their way we'd be like NYC.
You obviously know nothing of VA gun law or what the VCDL has done for this state other than what you read online so you can keep your opinions and I'll keep my VCDL, thanks.
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I'd have to say the list is pretty accurate, my birth state of NJ came in at 50.
 
I thought enemy of my enemy is my friend?

If an organization is against anti-gun/2A crowd's ultimate agenda of gun ban, it is then for gun rights and our ally in our fight, the WAR on anti-gun/2A crowd.

To win our war, IMHO, NRA alone is not enough (If it was, we would have won the WAR already ;)). To win the WAR, IMHO, we must vote in enough pro-gun/2A law makers at state/federal levels in coming years to introduce pro-gun/2A bills that become laws with support of federal district/circuit courts and the US Supreme Court overturning gun/2A related cases in our favor.

Bickering over differences in pro-gun/2A organizations WILL NOT HELP our WAR effort.

Sending money and voting in pro-gun/2A law makers and presidents WILL HELP our WAR effort.
 
bds said:
I thought enemy of my enemy is my friend?

Bickering over differences in pro-gun/2A organizations WILL NOT HELP our WAR effort.

Sending money and voting in pro-gun/2A law makers and presidents WILL HELP our WAR effort.
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Amen, brother!:thumbup:

Do your homework, choose the all the pro-2A groups you can afford that you feel gets the most bang for your buck and support them to your ability; badmouthing the others helps the anti-gun groups. Simple as that.

Lately, the anti's have found they can be more effective in the state and local arenas and the billionaires such as Bloomberg, Soros, etc. are spending lots of $$$ on local issues. Obviously, they have determined that the NRA, SAF, GOA and other national pro-gun groups are too well organized and supported, thus, not cost effective to oppose.

For this reason, we must also support our state associations as best we can, as well.

To win any battle, we must first identify the enemy and it sure isn't any of the pro-gun organizations; just some are more efficient than others.

Regards,
hps
 
bds said:
I thought enemy of my enemy is my friend?
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Not always.
Although the US and Soviet Union were "Allies" vs Germany in WWII, they held each other as "friends" only long enough to defeat Germany. Once that was done the Cold War commenced.
If an organization is against anti-gun/2A crowd's ultimate agenda of gun ban, it is then for gun rights and our ally in our fight, the WAR on anti-gun/2A crowd.
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Not necessarily.
Organizations that solicit contributions on behalf of a cause aren't always unified in their goal. THATS why I caution against giving to groups like GOA or NAGR.....they spend very little on actual lobbying for Second amendment rights and most of their efforts in fundraising to enrich themselves.


To win our war, IMHO, NRA alone is not enough (If it was, we would have won the WAR already ;)). To win the WAR, IMHO, we must vote in enough pro-gun/2A law makers at state/federal levels in coming years to introduce pro-gun/2A bills that become laws with support of federal district/circuit courts and the US Supreme Court overturning gun/2A related cases in our favor.
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Well no kidding.
But contributing to GOA will not result in a single "pro-gun/2A law makers at state/federal levels" because GOA doesn't spend its revenue on electing candidates, political campaigns or lobbying. You keep advising folks to contribute to GOA, but ignore that fact.



Bickering over differences in pro-gun/2A organizations WILL NOT HELP our WAR effort.
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It sure as heck will. Getting rid of the phony's, charlatans and scammers keeps the gullible from donating.
Every dollar counts. If you choose to donate to organizations like GOA or NAGR expecting them to spend it on political campaigns......you didn't read their Form 990's.
If you truly believe in a WAR effort, you should know who will actually fight and who is a 4F. (and no one is more 4F in gun rights than GOA and NAGR)
I'll ask again..... Ever hear of the American Hunters and Shooters Association? They endorsed Barack Obama.....did you donate to them?
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