PA Bill Number: HB1472
Title: In primary and election expenses, further providing for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons and for late contributions ...
Description: In primary and election expenses, further providing for reporting by candidate and political committees and other persons and for late contrib ...
Last Action: Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT
Last Action Date: Apr 22, 2024
Are Some Gun Groups Just In It For The Money? :: 02/09/2019
Gun owners are generally more politically engaged than most segments of the population. They’re engaged and willing to battle to preserve their Second Amendment rights.
However, there are groups out there that talk a big game and don’t seem to do much of anything, at least as far as some folks can tell.
One group–or, more specifically, a network of groups–is being called out by the media as being just that.
Minnesota Gun Rights, a group that promotes itself as a registered nonprofit, had its tax-exempt status revoked in 2016 and hasn’t been reinstated, a FOX 9 investigation has found.
The group’s nonprofit status is the latest question to be raised about the group’s operations in Minnesota. For years, lawmakers and other pro-gun organizations have accused the organization of taking donations while doing little to advance the cause of gun owners.
Ben Dorr, the group’s political director, initially told FOX 9 that Minnesota Gun Rights is an active nonprofit and said questions about the issue were “fake news.” But later, he and his brother Chris acknowledged that they had not filed the proper forms with the Internal Revenue Service and would correct the issue.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s officeissued a Feb. 6 inquiry requesting that the group register with the office or cite an exemption.
“It has come to the attention of this office that Minnesota Gun Rights may be soliciting charitable contributions in Minnesota without being registered as required by the Minnesota Charitable Solicitation Act,” wrote Julie Brengman, the attorney general’s charities registrar.
Now, of course, this is the mainstream media and we all know how trustworthy they are.
However, Minnesota Gun Rights is part of an entire “network” of groups in ten different states all with websites boasting an identical layout.
In and of itself, no big deal. Why wouldn’t groups share information and personnel when they’re all ultimately in it for a common goal? However, I’m going to urge you to read the whole of the above-linked article, because there are some hinky-looking things going on.
For one thing, there’s this part from the article:
Concerns about the group’s lobbying efforts have been raised for years, and many of the concerns have come from Republicans.
Sixteen state representatives — five Democrats and 11 Republicans, including then-House Speaker Kurt Daudt — wrote a 2015 letter to constituents and gun owners warning them that Minnesota Gun Rights was a “fake” group. The organization “relies on constant postal mailings, warning you of terrible gun control if you don’t send them money,” the lawmakers wrote.
“They’re not working with us, and they’re not working for you,” they said.
Now, I’m not going to lie, I’m troubled by this. Groups like this can bring in a whole lot of money, yet it sounds like at least this one isn’t bringing any results for those who “donate.” They’re not a non-profit, yet are presenting themselves as such.
At least one group in their “network,” Georgia Gun Owners, fails to show up in Guidestar as well. Another, Missouri Firearms Coalition, does, however.
Look, I’m not sure what’s going on here. I will say that when a group is hitting you up looking for money, it behooves you to make sure they’re legitimate. If they’re not registered as a non-profit, don’t treat them like one. Further, make sure they’re actually doing work they say they’re doing. Talk to lawmakers to see if they’re actually seeing lobbyists from these groups. Make sure they’re legit.
Now, what constitutes legit enough? That’s your call. Minnesota Gun Owners does appear to be involved in rallies and things of that sort, which certainly make them look legit and may well be legit enough for you.
Just be cautious here and expect to see more on this topic in the future.
Tom Knighton is a Navy veteran, a former newspaperman, a novelist, and a blogger and lifetime shooter. He lives with his family in Southwest Georgia. https://bearingarms.com/author/tomknighton/
https://bearingarms.com/tom-k/2019/02/09/gun-groups-just-money/
