Gun Ban Opponent? 6 Ways You Can Express Right to Bear Arms

Gun rights advocates are a passionate and vocal bunch who spend considerable time fighting for their Second Amendment rights, even amid mass shootings and calls for tighter restrictions, such as gun bans.

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Many organizations large and small exist for those who wish to become involved in the quest for individual liberty. Here are six examples:

1. National Rifle Association of America — "Liberty needed a big win and she got one," NRA chief lobbyist Chris W. Cox once said as he commended gun owners and NRA supporters who voted in midterm elections. Formed in 1871 primarily to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis," according to a magazine editorial written by co-founder Col. William C. Church, the NRA has evolved into a staunch defender of Second Amendment rights and financial contributor to candidates who share their gun-rights-for-all ideology.

2. KeepAndBearArms.com — "A grass-roots movement of the people, by the people, and for the people," according to the website. "It is a call to action, a call for self-education, and a 21-gun salute to the many good men and women who fought and died to bring America into being."

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The group describes its purpose as helping law-abiding citizens to "protect themselves and the people they love" through legal, private ownership of guns, and work tirelessly to repeal any gun legislation that infringes on the right to keep and bear arms.

3. National Association for Gun Rights — Listing its membership at 3.5 million activists, the NAGR has fought against what it calls "the radical anti-gun agenda across the nation." The organization's website says it is uncompromising when it comes to gun control, and "holds politicians accountable for their anti-gun views," all for the purpose of preserving the Second Amendment.

4. Gun Owners of America — The nonprofit lobbying organization was formed in 1975 to defend Second Amendment rights of gun owners as it sees firearms ownership as a freedom issue. Retired Sen. H.L. (Bill) Richardson founded the group and still serves as its chairman. The organization's website states, "Americans have lost some of our precious gun rights and WE WANT THEM BACK! This is why GOA is considered the 'no compromise' gun lobby."

5. The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms — This is another grass-roots organization designed to protect the firearms rights of Americans, through education, legislation, and the media. As its website states: "Our programs are designed to help all Americans understand the importance of the Second Amendment and its role in keeping Americans free."

6. The Virginia Citizens Defense League — One of many state-specific groups, the VCDL has seen a sharp membership increase since its October 1994 founding, according to its website. It also declares that it is nonprofit and nonpartisan, and dedicated to furthering the right of Virginians to keep and bear arms.

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