American Hunters & Shooters Association

[Pullo]

Are they just posers?

At first glance, the appear to be a gun rights and sporting/conservation group. But looking a bit behind the curtain reveals this organization has strong ties to the Brady Bunch. For instance, their president Ray Schoenke, has donated heavily Brady's and other antigun organizations. AH&SA founder John Rosenthal formed the group http://www.stophandgunviolence.com/">Stop Handgun Violence in the '90's. Suffice to say, AH&SA leaders shares many of the same views as the diehard antigun groups.

They heavily endorsed Obama, as can be seen by their campaign commercials still on the AH&SA web page. The group also used a large direct mail campaign. The main goal of the group seems to be to blunt criticisms of the NRA and other pro-gun organizations. Between the smackdown of the "collective right" view of the 2nd in Heller, and the AH&SA autumn campaign, the NRA had a much tougher row to hoe.(not to mention, by endorsing McCain, the NRA seemed less than sincere, IMO)

That was then, however. Guns and ammo sales are now booming, and are showing no signs of letting up. With one notable exception, the AH&SA seems to have gone into the weeds. The organization puts out no outdoor/shooting/hunting magazines, and has rarely updated its website now that the the autumn election is behind us.

The exception I mentioned above happened on March 2nd, the AH&SA's most recent update on the website, when Schoenke posted his letter to Eric Holder http://www.huntersandshooters.com/">urging the Admin NOT to seek renewing the AWB. I find that interesting, AH&SA seems to know where the gun-owning public stands on this issue, but I can't help but wonder, given its leadership's history, if this is just some sort of sleuth organization for frustrated anti-gun politicians and lobbyists who seek to extend an olive branch to gun owners who aren't plugged in with gun politics. The AH&SA says up on its website it wants some tighter restrictions on firearms, such as reclassifying .50 cal rifles to Class III and repealing the Tiahrt Amendment.

Over a week ago I sent AH&SA an email, hoping to get some clarity organizations views. I asked if they support "shall-issue" CCW permit programs available in most states. I also asked since they wanted to heavily restrict .50 rifles, where they'd would draw the on the size/power of rifles available to the public. With that I thanked Ah&SA for supporting the 2nd and commitment to conservation.


I have yet to receive any response what so ever. AH&SA seems either dormant, or unwilling to answer my questions. I find that telling.

[villager]

1. Damn! They're not pro-unchecked-proliferation, like those good citizens at the NRA!

Welcome to DU!

[inkool]

3. Could you please...

provide some evidence showing that the NRA is "pro-unchecked-proliferation".

[doctor jazz]

4. faith needs no evidence.

...

[villager]

6. agreed -- in this forum, it never has...

n/t

[doctor jazz]

17. Well thank God irony isn't dead after all.

:eyes:

[villager]

5. right! I forgot how hard they're working to provide background checks at gun shows

...for example!

[rl6214]

9. Background checks are done at gun shows.

[inkool]

11. Gun dealers

Have to do background checks at gun shows, or anywhere else they sell guns for that matter.

Also the NRA supports NICS which is used to run the background checks.

[Hangingon]

12. Lots of buyer checks at gun shows

[X_Digger]

13. You mean when the NRA supported the NICS in

'94, '03, and '07??

Glad to remind you.

Every time I see a post by you, your username reminds me of the phrase "Somewhere, a village is missing its idiot."

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

14. Quit confusing her with the facts.

[doctor jazz]

16. LOL...good one

:toast:

[jody]

15. Once again, you are wrong about "background checks at gun shows". How many times must someone point

out your errors re RKBA before you finally learn?

[villager]

19. Because there are? And you're in favor of them?

n/t

[Pullo]

10. Pres. Obama is the Proliferator in Cheif....

.....just check out the massive uptake in guns and ammo sales. About once a week somebody from his Admin appears to float a trial balloon re reinstituting the AWB. I wished he'd just let it be, the only thing its accomplishing is selling truckloads of "assault weapons" and corresponding ammunition.

Is that the goal?

[jody]

2. If AHSA is inactive, does that suggest it was just a front to lull or gull voters into voting for an

anti-gun candidate?

[gorfle]

18. I believe so.

AHSA always smelled fishy to me, like astro-turf. You can't have a pro-gun firearm group so closely linked with the Brady Bunch.

[jmg257]

7. Yes, they are. n/t

[Tim01]

8. Started by people from gun control groups. About 150 members.

They are hated by pro 2nd amendment groups.