Getting Started in Advocacy: Put Some Skin in the Game

Are you an advocate and/or activist? How do you support the Second Amendment? Looking to engage and get to work, but don’t know how to start? Here’s some pointers.

Recently I had a chance to be on the Gun For Hire Radio Podcast. GFHR is hosted by master firearms trainer, NRA director, and co-owner/founder of the Woodland Park Range, Anthony Colandro. Colandro and his co-host, Sandy Berardi, have been doing the show for over a decade and Listen Notes ranks them in the top 1 percent of all podcasts — regardless of genre. (To put that into perspective, Joe Rogan is the top .01 percent.) “Unity and activism is key,” is something Colandro often says on the top-rated podcast.

Colandro has been an advocate/activist dating back to the years of former New Jersey Governor Florio. How long ago was that? I can remember reading “Florio free in 93” bumper stickers when I was a kid. That means Colandro was there when the first so-called “assault weapons” bans were taking hold in America (a fun fact many don’t know, New Jersey would have been the first to ban semi-automatic rifles over California if it were not for some fumbles).

This is a Modern Battle

Things for the Second Amendment are looking up. It may not always feel like it, but let’s consider that most of the jurisprudence on the topic is modern. Like post 1900s modern. Set our zero hour to 2008 when the Heller decision came down, the U.S. went from a place where handgun bans were okay, to a few short years later — 14 — where the banning of carrying firearms in public was found unconstitutional. Are things perfect? No. But they aren’t bad.

This is Also Cultural

From an advocacy stand point, look at the legislative pushes for allowing concealed carry. The modern movement started in 1987 in Florida. Outside of Vermont, there were close to no permissive carriage laws in the country. Now we have 29 permitless carry states and 50 — on paper — “shall issue” jurisdictions.

None of this happened by accident. Grassroots activism, professional lobbying, legal scholarship, and litigation played important roles in how we’ve reclaimed our rights in the U.S. 

This leaves the question on the table for each of us to ask ourselves: “What can I do?”

Here are some pointers to get you started if you feel like you don’t know where to look.

Direct Donations

First and foremost, the groups that do the heavy lifting — whether it’s lobbying or litigation — they need financial support. If you have the means, stroking a check off to the national groups doing the work and/or your state-level organizations. Donating is a great way to be in the fight.

Membership Has its Privileges

For example, the National Rifle Association is the only national “membership” organization. That means you, as a member, have a voice in the direction of the organization. You also may have access to discounts, training, and their publications.

Look at the Second Amendment Foundation and Firearms Policy Coalition. There have been a number of lawsuits that they’ve been in as organizational plaintiffs and injunctions only apply to their membership base. The same with Gun Owners of America. These are more ways we benefit by supporting the organizations.

Do your research to find a group that suits you. There are plenty.

All Politics are Local

On the topic of organizations, many local and state groups are happy to take volunteers. Whether your expertise is in training and you can donate time to outreach programs, or if you’re a door knocker and can get out there to whip up votes and support for measures, there’s a group for you.

If there isn’t a group for you? Well, grab some friends and start one. I know of three well-established groups that sprouted up over the last two or three years because folks wanted to make a difference but they wanted to do it their way. So, there’s that.

The local groups are a great place to look for a direction and get your finger on the pulse of what’s needed in your area and not.

Grassroots Activism

See a cool initiative going on in your state or in another state and you want it in your area? Be the change you want to be. There are a slew of very effective grassroots programs across the country and they all run on volunteers.

Back to Colandro’s “unity and activism” charge; working together with others — playing nice — and working towards a common goal can get a lot done. That does not mean we all have to be the same, but let’s be pointed in the same direction. There can be a lot of big egos out there; let’s all try to get along. The opposition has no issue being on the same page all the time.

Part of grassroots activism includes political engagement. That means talking to, writing, calling, and emailing your representatives and executives. Let your elected officials know what your expectations are. Be polite, but let your voice be heard. There’s strength in numbers, so bring people together to get on a similar page, plan, and then go forward. This may mean showing up at town meeting or to testify at your legislative bodies.

Become a Media Mogul

Okay, that’s a bit over the top, but everyone has the power to create. Whether it’s social media, blogging, hard news generation, or letter writing campaigns to local publications, there’s something that everyone can do.

Something going on in your state or area? Send off a letter to the editor to the local paper to get your position known. Create an account with your local crowd source supported news site.

Think it’s pointless? Do it anyhow. Be a reminder to whoever is on the other end that you are here and you are an active participant.

Learn and get Equipped

There are a number of great events out there that I have participated in and/or are a part of that I think helped forge my personal path. I may be a journalist, but I came this way via being an advocate. Consider traveling to a conference or two. Some of the upcoming ones are:

New England Firearms Advocacy Conference May 30 in Chicopee, Mass.

The New England FAC is hosted by the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms — a group I serve as a volunteer board member of. The conference will be focusing on regional and state-level issues. Grassroots activism, legislation, and litigation are key things being covered. For more information about that, visit CCRKBA.org/FAC

Alternative Mass Media Conference September 25 in Dallas, Texas

AMM-Con is a kickoff event that’s scheduled the weekend of Gun Rights Policy Conference. Hosted by the Second Amendment Foundation and CCRKBA, AMM-Con is an event that works to educate aspiring or established members of the 2A media. This event is great for activists too as many of the same tactics are universal when it comes to messaging. For more information about that, visit AMM-Con.org

Gun Rights Policy Conference September 25 – 27 in Dallas, Texas

GRPC is an annual meeting and conference put on by SAF and CCRKBA. Hear from some of the movers and shakers in the Second Amendment community. At the conference you’ll hear about the tactics, tips, tricks, and what’s going on in the litigation and legislation world of the Second Amendment. For more information about GRPC, visit SAF.org/GRPC

Just Do it

Whatever your fancy is, there are plenty of ways to get involved if you want to. We can’t just sit back and expect things to change on their own. If you’re in this fight already, thank you! If you want to get in this fight, come on over, the water is fine — we’d love to have you.

If you’d like to tune into my segment on Gun For Hire Radio talking about some real-life case studies of what’s going on today, you can do so HERE or in the embed below.

Editor’s Note: President Trump and Republicans across the country are doing everything they can to protect our Second Amendment rights and right to self-defense.

Help us continue to report on their efforts and legislative successes. Join Bearing Arms VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.