Virginia Shooting Sports Association

Richmond Finally to Host‏ @FriendsofNRA Event

2012-05-30T16:45:00.000-04:00

After an all too long hiatus, the Richmond area will once again play host to a Friends of NRA (FNRA) Event. Once the home to one of the most successful Virginia FNRA events, the auctioneers went silent several years ago. Attempts to restart events failed to generate the needed volunteers or attendees at local banquets in the area.

Late last year, NRA Field Rep. David Wells took on the task of rebuilding the Friends committees in the eastern half of Virginia. Richmond was one of the areas he hoped to generate interest. He and the folks with whom he has been meeting with over the last month have hit on the winning idea of coupling the new Richmond Friends of NRA event with the longtime Virginia Outdoor Sportsmen Show. The Outdoor Sportsman Show is a joint venture of the Virginia Deer Hunters Association and promoter Hugh Crittenden.

The new FNRA event will be held on Thursday, August 9th, the day before the start of the 29th Annual Outdoor Sportsmen Show, at the Richmond International Raceway Complex. Only 250 tickets will be sold for the event. Crittenden is going to advertise the event in his sportsman show flyer. Attendees of the FNRA event will receive a one day admission to the sportsman show.

The Richmond committee is also partnering with Green Top Sporting Goods who will act as the event FFL and will also provide a link for ticket sales on their web site.

It appears that the event is off to a great start. If you live in the Richmond area and are interested in attending, tickets can be purchased online at www.friendsofnra.org/va.

2013 GOP Nominating Process May Change

2012-05-30T15:31:00.000-04:00

WTVR 6 reports that the Republican Party of Virginia is contemplating changing next year's nominating process from a primary to a convention. If approved, most pundits believe it will enhance Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's prospects of winning the nomination againt Lt. Governor Bill Bolling.

Both candidates are pro-rights, having received the endorsement of both VSSA and NRA in 2009.

Firearm Courses Booked for Months at Lynchburg Range

2012-05-30T13:21:00.003-04:00

Guns.com reports that firearm safety courses are booked months in advance at a range in Lynchburg, VA.

Part of the increased demand stems from the fact that higher numbers of ladies are buying guns now. Mayard Lawthorne, a manager at the Lynchburg Arms and Indoor Shooting Range, reports, "About half the class are usually women, and a lot of women are taking up the shooting sports actually. Some of our clients are buying guns also not only for self defense, but for sports shooting."

Add this to the fact that NRA Women on Target clinics are extremely popular at Virginia gun clubs and you understand why many say there is a new face on the shooting sports, and it's the face of women shooters.

Another Gun Friendly Deal from Groupon

2012-05-30T10:23:00.001-04:00

Looks like shooting ranges are taking advantage of the far reach that Groupon has with the public. Yesterday it was a range in Maryland. Today it is Guns-n-Gear LLC in Fairfax, VA, that is offering this deal for people who would like to learn to shoot. You have four days left to take advantage of this deal. But hurry, there are a limited number available.

14th Annual Crush'n Clays Event Sold Out

2012-05-29T13:41:00.001-04:00

VSSA's 14th Annual Crush'n Clays® event, scheduled for June 9th, is sold out and no additional entries can be accepted. Crush'n Clays® is VSSA's annual clay target event benefiting St Jude Children's Research Hospital. Over the last 13 years VSSA has raised over $230,000 to support this worthy charity. The event has been covered by NRANews and the NRA has been one of our annual sponsors. Those interested in supporting this charity event can still make a tax deductable donation (Crush'n Clays is a 501c3 organization). You can also support the event by purchasing official Crush'n Clays merchandise.

Thanks to all of our supporters and sponsors that will make this year another smashing success.

Groupon Shooting Outing Offer

2012-05-29T10:47:00.003-04:00

We all know there is no place for DC gun owners (or at least the few lucky enough to navigate the gun licensing system) to shoot in the District. Here is something that might interest those in the DC, Maryland area; this offer at Gilbert Indoor Range located in Rockville, Maryland via Groupon. But hurry, there is limited time remaining.

So far over 1000 people have taken advantage of this offer. For those not familiar with Groupon, the company offers discount offers at venues from restaurants to movies, to, well, shooting ranges.

Virginia Congressman Sponsors Bill Related to Transporting Firearms Across State Lines

2012-05-29T09:05:00.001-04:00

Washington Times Senior Editor for Opinion, Emily Miller, reports that Virginia's 9th District Congressman Morgan Griffith has introduced legislation that would amend current law to make it clear that individuals who transport their guns from state to state may stop for food, gas and vehicle maintenance. They also may seek medical treatment, tend to an emergency, stay overnight and conduct other activities incidental to the transport.

“The beauty of this is that the fear of having to pay the legal fees will make sure they bring charges that are valid and founded,” said Mr. Griffith, a former defense attorney, in an interview with The Washington Times. “It only has to happen one time, and every risk-assessment manager in the United States of America is going to inform their police that you better make sure he’s violated the law before you arrest him for having a locked gun in a case in the trunk, because that’s going to cost them a lot of money.”

Representative Griffith's bill has special significance as just such an outrage was committed by the D.C. Police two years ago but recently gained national attention. Army 1st Lt. Augustine Kim, was arrested in the D. C. two years ago while transporting his guns from his parents’ home in New Jersey to his home in South Carolina. The firearms were cased and in the trunk of his car under his duffel bag, clothes, books and other belongings. The case took on a high profile in the last couple of weeks when two U.S. Senators were successful in getting Lt. Kim's confiscated firearms returned after two years.

It's no surprise that Griffith would take on this issue. As a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, he served as House Majority Leader and a leading member of the House Militia, Police, and Public Safety Committee, which heard a number of firearms related bills during his time on the committee. He has long be a champion of the right to keep and bear arms.

HR 4269 currently has 37 cosponsors. Please contact your congressman and urge them to sign on as a co-sponsor to this important legislation.

@NPRNews Must Be Reading @TimKaine Talking Points

2012-05-17T16:00:00.000-04:00

The NPR Web Site has an article titled "Tale of the Tape: Ex-Governor's Duke it Out in Virginia" discussing the Virginia U.S. Senate race between former U.S. Senator and Governor George Allen and former Governor Tim Kaine. It starts with a blurb about the race then gives a side by side comparison on the issues. Here is what they have for Tim Kaine on the issue of "Guns":

Supports gun owners rights. After the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, as governor he advocated gun limits including preventing felons and the mentally ill from purchasing weapons.

It should be noted they did at least list under "Dumb Move" that Kaine used taxpayer funds to send buses of gun ban advocates to the 2000 "Million Mom March."

Here is a look at Kaine's record on Second Amendment legislation while governor:

Kaine is no friend to gun owners. While he signed some legislation supported by gun owners when he was governor, he twice vetoed legislation to allow carrying concealed handguns in restaurants like Applebees and Olive Garden that serve alcohol in addition to food. He also vetoed legislation that would have allowed a person who may lawfully possess a firearm to carry a handgun in a private motor vehicle or boat if the handgun is locked in a container or compartment. Both pieces of legislation were later signed into law by Governor McDonnell.

Kaine also vetoed legislation that would have allowed active duty service members of the United States Armed Forces or the Virginia National Guard to purchase more than one handgun within a 30-day period, legislation that would have required localities operating compensated confiscation schemes (so-called gun buy-backs) to sell by public auction, or sealed bids, to a person licensed as a dealer, any firearms acquired through the schemes.

Kaine vetoed legislation that made it clear that the training required to apply for a concealed handgun permit could be completed online or other electronic format. Fortunately, the House and Senate overrode that veto.

This year, Kaine was quoted in RVA News saying this after the passage of handgun rationing:

I am very disappointed in the General Assembly’s actions toward repeal of one of Gov. Doug Wilder’s signature achievements,” said Tim Kaine, another previous governor. Kaine is now the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate.

“I strongly urge Gov. McDonnell to veto this legislation and urge all of Virginia’s leaders in Richmond to renew their commitment to a focus on jobs and the economy,” Kaine said.
McDonnell has indicated that he would sign the repeal measure.

NPR should look beyond what a candidate puts on his website and look at his record when detailing where they stand an issue.

Amendment Protecting Active Duty Military From DC Gun Laws

2012-05-17T13:05:00.001-04:00

The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence sent this email today regarding Representative Phil Gingrey's (R-GA) amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of FY 2012 (H.R. 4310) that would protect our nation's active duty military personnel from the District of Columbia's draconian gun ban laws.

Eleanor Holmes-Norton, DC's elected non-voting delegate to the House of Representatives ( as a non-voting member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Norton may serve on committees, as well as speak on the House floor; however, she is not permitted to vote on the final passage of any legislation), is quoted in the email decrying that pro-rights congressmen who espouse federalism seem to only do so until it includes the borders of DC.

According to D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, "Like the upcoming D.C. abortion ban hearing, the Gingrey Amendment reminds us that many Republican who claim to support federalism leave their principles at the District's borders ... Republicans have spent a week bullying D.C. instead of focusing on jobs."

Just a reminder Ms. Norton, federalism describes the relationship between the states and the federal government. As much as you may wish otherwise, the District of Columbia is a not a state, and Congress has oversight power over the District. If DC was not so intent on making it almost impossible for residents to own firearms after their ban was ruled unconstitutional, maybe this amendment would not be necessary. But the story below probably has more to do with Rep. Gingreay's amendment than anything else. And these laws are not even understood by the Metro Police.

Representative Gingrey's amendment is scheduled to be voted on today. Urge your congressman to support the amendment.

Richmond Times Dispatch Bought By Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway Subsidiary

2012-05-17T08:38:00.001-04:00

The Richmond Times Dispatch (RTD) reports that all but one of Media General's newspapers have been sold to a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, BH Media Group. Media General is the holding company for the RTD.

The newspapers being purchased by BH Media Group include 63 dailies and weekly titles in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama, in addition to digital assets, including websites and mobile and tablet applications. The newspapers also have a substantial commercial printing business.

“In towns and cities where there is a strong sense of community, there is no more important institution than the local paper,” said Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. “The many locales served by the newspapers we are acquiring fall firmly in this mold and we are delighted they have found a permanent home with Berkshire Hathaway.”

It will be interesting to see what the change in ownership means for the direction of the local newspaper in the future.The RTD is considered conservative compared to other newspapers in Virginia. The editorial page has long been opposed to the various gun ban schemes put forward by the gun ban lobby and their supporters in the General Assembly.

Second Amendment Day Celebration

2012-05-16T19:10:00.000-04:00

The Smith Mountain Lake Pistol Shooting Association in Hardy, VA, is sponsoring a Second Amendment Day celebration at the John G. Rocovich Jr. Sports Shooting Complex at the 4-H Conference Center, located in Wirtz, Virginia. The event is scheduled for June 23, 2012, and will include an open house to the indoor range, a catered BBQ meal on site and a speaking engagement by Alan Korwin - noted author and publisher. For more information including how to purchase meal tickets, click here.

Spotsylvania to Consider Shooting Ordinance Change

2012-05-16T10:16:00.001-04:00

From the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star:

The Board of Supervisors is considering amending the county ordinance to state that discharging guns in subdivisions is illegal only on lots of one acre or less.

Some think the proposed law is too strict, and others believe it may be too lax.

Residents currently face misdemeanor charges if they discharge firearms in any subdivision, regardless of how many acres their lots are. Additionally, the current ordinance is vague as it does not specifically state what constitutes a subdivision as neighboring Stafford County does. Stafford's ordinance notes specifically where it is illegal to discharge a firearm in the county.
According to the Free Lance-Star, Supervisors have been discussing the law privately since March. The Board plans to hold a public hearing in the near future. VSSA will notify members when the meeting is public hearing notice and the proposal are published.

These Ladies Started Mother’s Day Weekend with a Bang!

2012-05-15T10:12:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, 12 May, 51 ladies attended a Women on Target (WOT) Shooting Clinic at the Rappahannock Pistol and Rifle Club (RPRC), a VSSA affiliated club, near White Stone VA. RPRC president, George Chagalis, welcomed the ladies to a day which had been tailored specifically for women to enjoy the shooting sports in a non-intimidating environment. The day included instructions on the basics of firearm safety and the shooting of pistols, rifles and shotguns.

A safety overview was provided by the Club’s Training Officer, Barry Kennedy, before the ladies headed to the firing lines. Two informational sessions provided additional learning opportunities. Barry Kennedy provided some key points on personal protection inside the home while Diane Danielson, the NRA’s National Women on Target Clinic Coordinator, spoke on some things the ladies needed to consider in selecting and carrying a pistol.

On the firing lines, each lady had one-on-one instruction and by the end of the day, the ladies proudly displayed their pistol or rifle targets or pointed to broken clays on the shotgun range. To say these ladies were enthusiastic was an understatement. From rapid firing of semi-automatic pistols and rifles at reactive targets to shooting 40 MPH moving targets on the shotgun range, it was great to see women gaining confidence in the shooting sports. A testimony to their enjoyment was that 6,500 rounds of ammunition was expended during the day reported Susan Hudson, the Club’s WOT clinic director.

Participant feedback was consistently positive and mentioned how much fun they had doing things they never thought possible. More than once, Hudson heard about how they were going to post their targets and certificates on the refrigerator at home or over their desks at work.

Hudson continues to stress that the repeated success of these events hinges on the Club’s volunteers that chose to spend their Saturday supporting this clinic. Forty RPRC members loaned firearms, instructed ladies on the firing line, led an information session or helped in many of the other tasks that made the day possible. The National Rifle Association provided informational resources while Red Nex’s in Tappahannock and the Bass Pro Shop in Ashland were eager to donate supplies which offset some of the cost of ammunition and made it possible for more reactive targets to be on the firing lines. Springfield Armory also provided various give away gifts.

The RPRC was founded in 1982 and includes 25, 50 and 100 yard firing ranges as well as a trap and wobble trap shotgun ranges. The club offers programs open to the public that covers basic instruction in pistol, rifle and shotgun as well as additional coursework required to become a certified instructor or to qualify for a concealed carry permit. In addition to firearm education and training, RPRC members enjoy a full range of ‘friendly’ competition shoots that include proficiency in pistol, rifle and shotgun matches.

For more information about RPRC WOT clinics, visit the club’s website at www.rprclub.com.

Thanks to Susan Hudson of RPRC for writing this post and sharing the photos.

PPC Match at Cavalier Rifle and Pistol Club

2012-05-13T16:41:00.001-04:00

The Cavalier Rifle and Pistol Club will hold a PPC match this Saturday at 9 a.m. on Range 4. In addition to the regular match they will have a second "Backup Gun"match for J-Frame size 5-shot revolvers and small semi-autos. All the same stages and distances will be shot, but the round count will be 50 instead of 60. So bring out your carry gun along with your regular PPC gun and see what you can do with it! For more information contact Ken.

NRA-PVF Endorses @GeorgeAllenVA in GOP Primary

2012-05-10T13:39:00.000-04:00

No surprise here; NRA-PVF has endorsed former U.S. Senator George Allen for the GOP nomination ahead of the June 12 primary. Allen has been a long time friend to gun owners and sportsmen, signing Virginia's "Shall Issue" concealed carry law in 1995 and voting for numerous pro-rights measures as a U.S. Senator. Should he win the primary as expected, he will face anti-rights former governor Tim Kaine. Kaine vetoed repeal of the restaurant ban as well as several other pro-rights bills. He also opposed this year's repeal of Virginia's gun rationing law.

All Virginia gun owners are encouraged to vote for George Allen in the June 12, 2012 GOP primary.

House to Vote on Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bills with Pro-Rights Riders

2012-05-08T09:49:00.002-04:00

Via NSSF:

Today the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the 2013 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Spending Bill that contains ATF appropriations that include many pro-industry, pro-Second Amendment riders such as the so-called "Tiahrt Amendment" that protects sensitive law enforcement gun trace data from public disclosure. The ATF rider also includes the "Rehberg Amendment" that would block ATF from requiring firearms retailers to report "multiple sales" of (AR-platform) modern sporting rifles, a requirement that NSSF is challenging in court (NSSF v Jones).

Please contact your congressman and urge them to support the 2013 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Spending Bill (the bill does not have a number). Additionally, it is expected that anti-rights representatives will propose amendments to strip out any provisions in the ATF rider. Urge your respresentative to oppose anti-rights amendments.

To reach your representative, call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or refer to the list below:

01	Rob Wittman	R	Westmoreland
02	Scott Rigell	R	Virginia Beach
03	Robert C. Scott	D	Newport News
04	J. Randy Forbes	R	Chesapeake
05	Robert Hurt	R	Danville
06	Bob Goodlatte	R	Roanoke
07	Eric Cantor	R	Richmond
08	James P. Moran	D	Arlington
09	Morgan Griffith	R	Salem
10	Frank R. Wolf	R	Vienna
11	Gerald "Gerry" E. Connolly	R	Fairfax

Ezra Klein on an Obama Second Term

2012-05-06T09:09:00.001-04:00

Ezra Klein writes on a Washington Post blog about what we could expect from a second term of the Obama administration. Klein begins by referencing Mitt Romney's warning to the NRA Annual Meeting - that Obama would be "unrestrained by the demands of reelection" and would "remake" the Supreme Court in a second term. All it took for Klein to dismiss that real threat was Obama's jokes at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.

But make no mistake, if Obama's health care monstrosity is tossed by the Court in June, his only legacy will be what changes he can make to the Supreme Court. In a second term it is highly likely Obama will have two additional appointments. A third would give him the opportunity to shift the balance of the court from a constitutionalist majority to a statist majority that could last for a generation. So while media apologists like Ezra Klein work to make a possible second Obama term nothing to fear, gun owners and lovers of Liberty have much to fear from a second Obama term and his pen ready to sign any executive order he can conceive.

Richmond Meeting to Organize a Friends of NRA Committee

2012-05-03T15:21:00.002-04:00

Richmond used to be home to a very active and successful Friends of NRA (FNRA) Committee. But after over 10 years, a combination of volunteer burnout and a change in NRA Field Reps left the area without a committee. The new NRA Field Rep, David Wells, wants to change that and he is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers in the Richmond Area. To this end, there will be an FNRA meeting in Richmond on Tuesday, May 15^th at 6:30 PM at Green Top Sporting Goods (Upstairs Meeting Room), 10193 Washington Highway, Glen Allen VA, 23059. For More Information Contact David Wells, NRA Field Representative at Dwells@nrahq.org

Rep. Issa Circulates Holder Contempt Resolution

2012-05-03T11:08:00.001-04:00

The Hill is reporting that Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) has circulated a draft copy of a resolution that would hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress.

“The Justice Department’s failure to respond appropriately to the allegations of whistleblowers and to cooperate with congressional oversight has crossed the line of appropriate conduct for a government agency,” reads a 17-page memo attached to the draft copy of the resolution on contempt circulated to members.

It is yet to be seen if the House leadership (i.e. Speaker Boehner) will allow the resolution to move forward.

VSSA High Power Juniors Win Spring League

2012-05-03T09:58:00.000-04:00

Enough can't be said about VSSA Board Members Mike Jamison and Bill McKaig. Mike is chairman of the VSSA Highpower program and Bill McKaig is the team coach. Both have worked hard to build a strong junior high power program. This group of junior shooters won the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club Spring League.

From left to right: Christopher Howell, Anne Slota (from the Brooke Point High School JROTC Air Rifle team), Zach Lively, who also took #2 Service rifle Junior, and Jonathan Howell, who won the Marksman class, High Match Rifle Junior, and team member. Their proud team captain, Mike Jamison, is standing behind them!

Mike Darnell (MAJ, USMC, ret) coaching Anne Slota

Kirk Sawyer, also from Brooke Pointe HS, winning an individual award!

“The Coach”

Great job and keep up the good work.

VSSA's Repeal of Gun Rationiong Raffle

2012-05-03T08:30:00.001-04:00

July 1, 2012 is the day that gun rationing officially ends in Virginia. To celebrate this great accomplishment, VSSA is raffling the Sig Sauer P250 2Sum in 9mm.

You get a full size frame and a compact frame with one trigger action that you insert so that you can go from full size to compact in a matter of seconds or vice versa. It's like getting two pistols for the price of one. All you have to do to get a chance to win this combo is click here to download tickets, complete and mail with your donation to VSSA, PO Box 1258, Orange, VA 22960. The address is on the raffle tickets. Click here to find out more about this combo. Prize drawing will be July 1, 2012 so download and send in your tickets now.

Open Carry in State Parks Rule to be Published May 7th

2012-05-02T16:00:00.000-04:00

Open Carry in state parks is set to be officially published May 7th. In 2002, Jerry Kilgore, Attorney General at the time, issued an official opinion concluding that the department exceeded its authority by banning the concealed carry of handguns by permit holders. Mark Warner, who was Governor, told the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the department responsible for state parks, to amend the regulation in line with the opinion, and the amendments allowing concealed carry became effective in February 2003. That was followed with an opinion by Bob McDonnell, who was Attorney General in 2008 that also said the department could not ban open carry. Tim Kaine, who is currently a candidate for U.S. Senate and who was Governor at the time, disregarded the opinion and told the department to continue enforcing the ban. Governor McDonnell has finally gotten the department to follow through on changing the regulation.

It should be noted that since Governor McDonnell ordered the department to stop enforcing the regulations, Virginia officials have not had any incidents directly related to the law no longer being enforced, according to regulatory documents.

Hat tip to the DC Gun Rights Examiner.

Update: Heard from Virginia State Parks via twitter Thursday morning (May 3rd) that the policy was actually changed in January 2011, that this was actually just code cleanup.

Florida Governor Rejects Tampa Mayor's Request to Ban Concealed Carry Near GOP Convention

2012-05-02T14:04:00.000-04:00

USA Today reports that Florida Governor Rick Scott has rejected a request from the mayor of Tampa to ban concealed carry near the site of the Republican National Convention in August.

"It is unclear how disarming law-abiding citizens would better protect them from the dangers and threats posed by those who would flout the law. It is at just such times that the constitutional right to self-defense is most precious and must be protected from government overreach," Scott said in his letter.

Kudos to Governor Scott. He knows GOP convention attendees have nothing to fear from law abiding gun owners.

Why Did @PilotNews Not Report This?

2012-05-02T12:38:00.000-04:00

A chilling story of two Virginian-Pilot reporters, beaten by a pack of teens roaming the streets.

Wave after wave of young men surged forward to take turns punching and kicking their victim.
The victim's friend, a young woman, tried to pull him back into his car. Attackers came after her, pulling her hair, punching her head and causing a bloody scratch to the surface of her eye. She called 911. A recording told her all lines were busy. She called again. Busy. On her third try, she got through and, hysterical, could scream only their location.

Yet, the Virginian-Pilot did not report the story. It took a Pilot opinion columnist to break the silence.

Forster and Rostami's story has not, until today, appeared in this paper. The responding officer coded the incident as a simple assault, despite their assertions that at least 30 people had participated in the attack. A reporter making routine checks of police reports would see "simple assault" and, if the names were unfamiliar, would be unlikely to write about it. In this case, editors hesitated to assign a story about their own employees. Would it seem like the paper treated its employees differently from other crime victims?

Even worse, there was chatter about the incident on Twitter.

The next day, Forster searched Twitter for mention of the attack.

One post chilled him.

"I feel for the white man who got beat up at the light," wrote one person.

"I don't," wrote another, indicating laughter. "(do it for trayvon martin)"

One commenter on the Pilot web site wonders if the paper's reaction would have been different if the race of the perps and the victims had been reveresed?

Economist: "NRA's Star on the Wane"

2012-05-01T14:03:00.001-04:00

The writer of this story must not have been at the same NRA Annual Meeting I attended.

One also has to wonder if the organisation has a winning strategy for the future. Although the number of firearms in the country continues to rise, most of these sales are to repeat customers. Over the last three decades the number of households with guns has steadily declined. Changing demographics are blamed. For one, America has become more urban (gun ownership is less common in cities). White males, the gun-loving sector of American society, also make up an increasingly smaller percentage of the population. What the industry actually needs is more Latino, black and female gun enthusiasts. But the NRA isn’t delivering these.

The people who turn up to NRA conventions, like the one held this week in St Louis, remain older white men. At this year's event, the main sign of women in the hall were the skimpily clad girls advertising guns. The NRA's magazines feature ads for leaf mulchers and Viagra, but not apparently the "sexy, fast and practical" bra gun holster.

I'm not going to address what has become boilerplate text for the gun ban crowd and their lap dogs in the MSM - that all those gun sales are being bought be repeat buyers. In fact, Bitter does a much better job of debunking that line over on Shall Not be Questioned anyway. And while the Economist may have a point that the NRA (and pro-rights organizations in general) need to do a better job of reaching out to blacks and latinos, I saw a lot of women attending the exhibit hall the three days I was in town, many with children in strollers or walking with mom and dad. A number of the Women on Target clinics put on by VSSA affiliated clubs sell out. So, I think we are doing a pretty good job of reaching new female shooters.

But the point of the post on the Economist web site is that the NRA's political clout is not what we are told.

But Paul Waldman, of the American Prospect, has recently argued that the NRA's dominance is a myth. He has looked closely at the figures and writes, “Despite what the NRA has long claimed, it neither delivered Congress to the Republican party in 1994 nor delivered the White House to George W. Bush in 2000.” He also argues that NRA money has no impact on congressional elections, as it spreads its money over so many races, and that NRA endorsements are “almost meaningless” as most go to incumbent Republicans with little chance of losing.

Most of those endorsments go to incumbent Republicans because increasingly, Democrats are anti-gun. And on those rare occassions that NRA (or VSSA) endorses a pro-rights incumbent Democrat, more times than not, the organization(s) gets an ear full from members. Furthermore, in 2000, gun owners were energized like never before since I have been involved in pro-rights politics, so show me the evidence that gun owners did not make the difference in states like Tennessee. Had Gore carried his home state in 2000, he would would have won the election.