What RMGO does?

[RMGOdirector]

It's funny: some here criticize RMGO for tooting it's horn, and then others say "What does RMGO do?"

So, yes, we'll toot our horn. And why shouldn't we? I'm damn proud of the hard work of members and staff for RMGO.

An AR-15 forum should be as well: it's no coincidence that RMGO's main logo is an AR-15. We think it symbolizes real freedom (not just freedom for shotgun shooters or more politically correct firearms).

So let's just make a few points:

Do you like carrying concealed in your church, bar or restaurant that serves alcohol, public sporting event, etc? Thank RMGO -- we had to fight against "You-know-who" to make that a part of Colorado law.

Do you like having your name entered into CCIC in the Permit Holder Database (i.e. dangerous persons)? If not, thank RMGO (and get involved with what we're doing in the next few days, which I'll post up). When RMGO brought this up in 2003, CSSA and NRA pooh-poohed the issue, saying we were being paranoid. Now, at least the NRA is onboard with us (CSSA is largely dead now, which is probably a good thing).

Do you want Aurora PD arresting people for guns in their car (which state law says is ENTIRELY legal)? Thank RMGO (and John Sternberg, who drove this bus) for completely revamping Aurora's illegal ordinance and even changing the Aurora Police Department's training materials on guns in cars.

CSU carry? Thank RMGO.

McDonald Supreme Court Case? RMGO filed a brief in that case, and was even quoted by Alito.

Happy we have hardcore pro-gun legislators in the Colorado House and Senate?

There's only one reason weak-kneed Republicans have not joined with Gov. Hickenlooper to enact new gun controls, and that's because of the threat of being unelected by RMGO -- and the stiff-spined leadership of the pro-gun conservatives RMGO got into office (Sens. Brophy, Harvey, Kopp, Renfroe, Lambert, Lundberg, Grantham, and Reps. Holbert, Szabo, et al).

In fact, ask one of those legislators who they trust on gun issues. I know what they'll say, because if you drive around the Capitol during the session and look at member's cars, you'll see one of our decals on most of the pro-gun legislators' vehicles or on their laptop computers. Many were members before they ran for the legislature (and we recruited them).

Do you like the idea of Constitutional Carry (i.e. no permit needed carry for law-abiding citizens, which used to be called a "Vermont Law")?

If so, no other group is working for it. No one.

We could go on and on. But you get the idea.

---------------------------------------------

Why are we tooting our own horn?

Because politics is a team sport. Lone-wolfing it can only get you so far. If that's what you want to do, go ahead, but don't be surprised when you don't get anything done.

co-ar15.com itself is a group of people, banding together with common interest.

RMGO just does it on a much bigger scale, and with a more specific purpose.

I'll guarantee you won't like SOMETHING we do at some point. We'll goof something up. But I can guarantee you we'll err on the side of freedom.

[wctriumph]

The House of Murphy is with you 100%. Proud to be a member of a truly effective organization that looks out for the working man's rights. Keep up the good fight and may God speed you to victory again and again.

Wayne, Susan and Sheelagh Murphy

God bless the RMGO
God bless America

[jmg8550]

I tried joining your organization. Dudley's business card was left on my windshield while parked at NAPA in Windsor. Your organization has a Windsor PO box. I didn't have a debit/credit card at that time to pay for a membership. I called and left numerous messages and emails concerning paying for a membership with cash, personal check, or money order (I live in Windsor, I could have dropped it in your PO box) My phone calls and emails were completely unanswered.

I gave up on joining your organization after that.

I'll stay an NRA member, I'm a little more important to them.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

RMGO!

Thank You!!
DSB

[RMGOdirector]

jmg8550, I do remember the complaint though still, to this day, I have no knowledge of how you fell through the cracks.

If it happened during a campaign season, it shouldn't be surprising (though I still do my best to make sure it doesn't happen).

The NRA has $370 million annually to hire staff to answer phones, and send you mountains of mail. But they have one lobbyist (a good guy, really) who covers 6-7 states, and truthfully, he's often forced to side with our opponents (the NRA endorsed hardcore lefty Betsy Markey in Colorado's 4th CD, over gun rights hero Cory Gardner).

If you think your money is better spent there, have at it, of course.

[alxone]

personally my money is spent on gas ,trash bags , ect to make a change in public option of the shooting community.
but i do have a question where does all the money go ???
honestly i do not see the need to throw tons of money at the problem of gun legislation unless your bribing people ? im sure there is at lest one gun owning lawyer that is down for the cause and if you were not constantly sending me doom email along with asking for a hand out (in a spam letter ) i might be willing to donate some time.also please dont say well we need the money for printing as im sure there is at least one printer who is down for the cause .
honestly it seems to me that rmgo , nra ect are just lining there pockets with our green backs by using fear as a tactic
although i do appreciate the work rmgo and the nra has done i just dont see the need for millions to filter through a non profit organization unless someone is making a profit .

[RMGOdirector]

You should cast a critical eye on non-profits.

RMGO is a very public entity. We file our 990 forms (where money is spent and raised), which you can view at guidestar.org for free.

We raise about $200,000 a year nowadays, with much of that going to postage. Mailing broad groups of like-minded people to tell them their elected official is a gun-grabbing scumbag isn't cheap, nor is the apparatus to get those written and out the door.

RMGO's size is now a bit inflated, since we share staff with NAGR (which is a much, much larger organization). So you'll see RMGO do things that NAGR has paid for.

[Ranger]

Like any political lobby, it takes money to make changes. For one, the staff needs paid. And how effective can you be unless you have a LOT of people supporting you, so you have to solicit membership to A) pay the bills and B) convince politicians that you are a force to be reckoned with. $200K isn't much, but if you think about how well known RMGO is and their role in gun politics in Colorado then I think $200K is an impressive amount of money for that kind of exposure.

If you have ever worked in non profit (and I have) then you know that it really is all about money, it's what keeps things moving. I don't agree with everything Dudley and his group have to say but I agree with enough of it to support RMGO - the same way I support politicians who aren't 100% on my page. If I only supported groups that agreed 100% with me then I would end up supporting nobody!

Pick your battles - and for me fighting gun control is worth the fight. I hate a lot of what the NRA does and how they are run, but I'll support them because they have a massive voice in gun legislation. RMGO is a much smaller player, but still has a voice.

[alxone]

Like any political lobby, it takes money to make changes. For one, the staff needs paid. And how effective can you be unless you have a LOT of people supporting you, so you have to solicit membership to A) pay the bills and B) convince politicians that you are a force to be reckoned with. $200K isn't much, but if you think about how well known RMGO is and their role in gun politics in Colorado then I think $200K is an impressive amount of money for that kind of exposure.

you are correct ,thats not a lot and that is a lot of exposure , or as some would say thats a good ban for the buck .

If you have ever worked in non profit (and I have) then you know that it really is all about money, it's what keeps things moving. I don't agree with everything Dudley and his group have to say but I agree with enough of it to support RMGO - the same way I support politicians who aren't 100% on my page. If I only supported groups that agreed 100% with me then I would end up supporting nobody!

yes i have done a ton of non profit work (maybe thats why im so broke ) and yes it takes money to get a lot of it done . at the same time in all the rmgo emails dudley has only asked for money , not time or some sort of physical donation beyond cash!!!!really if thats the extent that one can be a part of rmgo count me out !

Pick your battles - and for me fighting gun control is worth the fight. I hate a lot of what the NRA does and how they are run, but I'll support them because they have a massive voice in gun legislation. RMGO is a much smaller player, but still has a voice.

i do and your welcome to join me in changing public opinion by helping clean the mess of other shooters .
if the nra or rmgo asked me to help by putting out flyers or making call to inform people about gun rights (without asking them for money) im down .
but the doom , sky is falling tactics dont make me want to help in the least bit .

[alxone]

im really not trying to bash rmgo or dudley but id like to see less money begging and more asking people to get involved with time spent helping out .just like everyone else i get sick of people asking for money . if thats all you expect out of the community then please dont include me in it .
i joined coar15 to meet folks ,trade,info on shooting events ,and if possable make a small helpful impact onto the local shooting community .i have gotten that and much more and not one person has asked me for a dime .