Gun Rights Groups Worth Joining
When you carry, you’re carrying under rules somebody wrote. Those rules don’t stay put. They get fought over at the Capitol in St. Paul, in Congress, and in court, and the people pushing for more restrictions are organized and well funded. The groups below do that work on our side, and they pay for lawyers and lobbyists with member dues. If you carry, I think you should belong to at least one of them.
I’m not affiliated with any of these groups, I just think they’re worth your support. The links go straight to their own sites.
Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus
This is the Minnesota group. They’re at the Capitol every day the legislature is in session, tracking bills, grading lawmakers, and sending alerts when something is moving. They also go to court here, including a challenge to the age limit on Minnesota carry permits. If you live in Minnesota and only join one, this is the group working closest to the laws you actually carry under.
Join the Minnesota Gun Owners CaucusGun Owners of America
GOA is a national lobbying group out of Virginia that calls itself the no-compromise gun lobby. They work on Congress and state legislatures, put out alerts when your rights are on the line, and file lawsuits against gun laws they see as unconstitutional.
Join Gun Owners of AmericaSecond Amendment Foundation
SAF does most of its work in the courtroom. They’ve been at it since 1974 and were behind McDonald v. City of Chicago, the case that made the Second Amendment apply to state and local governments. They’ve worked with the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus on cases here too. SAF is a 501(c)(3), so your dues are tax-deductible.
Join the Second Amendment FoundationNational Rifle Association
The NRA is the oldest of the four, started in 1871, and it’s the one most people have heard of. Along with lobbying at the national, state and local level, it runs firearms safety and training programs all over the country. Members get a magazine and a list of member discounts.
Join the NRAThese groups don’t agree with each other on everything, and you won’t agree with any of them on everything either. That’s fine. Read through their sites, pick the one or two that line up with how you see it, and sign up. If you’ve got questions about any of this, or about carry law in Minnesota, email me at chris@mnselfdefense.com or text 507-533-5774.