N.J. activist Colandro earns Gun Rights Examiner endorsement for NRA Board

Colandro has put himself on the line with his candid and honest responses. For guts alone he deserves a nod. Name one other candidate who has publicly given this much specific information and indicated a willingness and approachability to give more. For that reason, and because of my agreement with most of what he pledges, he has my support and endorsement, and will likely be the only candidate who does unless more choose to unequivocally and properly answer these questions. [More]

This evening’s Gun Rights Examiner report notes we can complain or we can work for change. If NRA members actually vetted their board candidates with the same level of scrutiny they do politicians, many of the reasons for complaining about the way the Association does things would go away.

You'll Have to Forgive My Cognitive Dissonance Confusion Here

 In addition, Gun for Hire owner Anthony Colandro, who is a Stigma Free Task Force member, also supports the Be SMART gun safety initiative, and will provide this vital information to range patrons. [More]

Teaming up with Moms Demand and publicly validating those working for "lock up your safety" to be the "law"? Seriously? Who does he think he is, Rob Pincus?

First, he was endorsed by the "Saviors", who reject immigration voting demographic changes as a "single issue" concern, despite his publicly stated position:

As for as immigration goes, yes, the politicians should pay the price for not securing out Nation for the immigration invasion. We now have a three-tier system in the US. Political elites first, criminals and illegals second, and we the tax paying law-abiding citizens third. I have had enough!

He also promised he would "inform members of [his] performance and voting record [and] let us know when he dissent[ed with NRA management] and why":

Yes I will, and I will use my podcast and all social media platforms to state my voting record as well as my dissent. I am an open book with no filter. I am not doing this for the title or the free Danish. If elected I represent the members not management. Something our politicians long forgot as well.

Anybody see that after he was seated?

So what falls on me now is did I get suckered?

Feel free to post a comment to tell me (and everyone who reads this) why I've got you all wrong, Mr. Colandro. 

[Via Andy M]

‘Gun for Hire’ Colandro asks how N.J. will afford 900,000 new felons

“And as a bonus to most of you,” Colandro added, earning laughter and applause from attendees, “we will all be felons as well, and many of us will lose our jobs and become wards of the state, like the majority of your constituents are now.” [More]

Today’s Gun Rights Examiner report notes New Jersey has a math problem if it thinks it can go after every gun owner who tells them “No.”

Completing the Lineup

Anthony Colandro Elected NRA 76th Director [More]

I'd say a follow-up in a few months will be in order.

[Via Felix B]

'I Told You So'

“People are waking up, saying, ‘Wait a minute, what do you mean I need a gun?’ All of a sudden they're realizing that this affects them.” [More]

When he initially approached me, I declined to speak with contributor Joshua Hersh because of past differences with the way Vice News has treated the gun issue. I've also come across my share of reporters who have tried to set traps, manipulate statements out of context, and flat-out lie.

Hersh asked me to review some of his work, including:

• Profile of Anthony Colandro
• ATF's Rick Vasquez on Bump Stocks
• Doug Ritter/Knife Rights

I decided he focuses on the facts, plus I've gotten pretty fair at smelling setups and taking care of myself, so I agreed to talk with him.

What you're seeing in his report is a distillation down to highlights-- only seconds of our conversation made its way into this. Hersh and I spoke for around half an hour, pretty cordially, and I expect the others did as well.

I'm glad I did. This piece strikes me as fair, even though I know Hersh and I still have our differences, so that says a lot. I think he did a good job and based on this, if he approaches anyone else on "our side" for an on-the-record chat, I'd say do it.

My only points of clarification: I emphasized the "I told you so" I was seeing was not as gloating as the statement implies. I also don't consider myself a "gun lover" and think that characterization trivializes -- with SEO-conscious editors, I'm not sure how much control Hersh had over that title.

The Quarantine Crawl

Anthony Colandro goes on the road to interview pro-Second Amendment New Jersey small business owners allowed to remain open. [More]

Good idea. I'd suggest he also interview some still ordered closed to give us a feel for the devastation -- economic and otherwise -- being forced upon them.

it Ain't Over 'til It's Over

It’s now time to vote for ANTHONY COLANDRO for 76th Director at the NRA Annual Meeting in Indianapolis April 25-27. [More]

Yes, the general ballot has been turned in, but there is still this seat to fill.

This is why I support him.

[Via Felix B]

NRA BOD Endorsements

Several of you have asked for mine. I have none at the moment but am working on a revised questionnaire to define my criteria for a "thumbs up."

In the meantime, WarOnGuns Correspondent Andy M sends his:

They all say the right things to questions on the 2A and claim to be stalwarts of gun rights, but how will those who seek your approval answer these questions intended to ferret out the status quo, establishment, and obsequious Board seekers best personified by Tom King and Scott Bach? How will Anthony Colandro answer them? 1.) Do you approve of the continued employment of Josh Powell and his salary of $700,000? (Or whatever it is.) 2.) If not, what do you intend to do to change this situation? 3.) What reforms do you think are necessary to put the NRA back into financial order and regain the trust and general backing of the gun community? 4.) Will you publicly disagree with NRA leadership if you thought they were doing something not in the best interests of the membership and preserving the Second Amendment? 5.) Do you think that legal immigration must be checked/restricted? 6.) Do you agree that the below listed salaries of NRA senior managers are fair given the current downdraft in revenue caused by ongoing controversies? Would you support a salary cut of 40% for these managers with the money saved put into the 2020 presidential election? 7.) Do you approve of the stripping of committee assignments from the following Board Members who were critical of the CEO? 8.) Define "Independent Board Member". 9.) Will you seek to reduce costs associated with Board meetings by housing Board members in rooms that cost no more than $135 a night? 10.) Ex SEAL Eric Frohardt was reportedly paid over $525,000 as the director of NRA Education and Training in 2018. Do you agree with this salary? If not, will you seek to reduce it immediately to a amount commensurate with the industry?

A Good First Step

2A Attorney: 70% of N.J. gun laws could go away if SCOTUS takes up this case on May 23rd. [More]

Nappen and Colandro are fighting the fight.

If SCOTUS punts, it will tell us much.

[Via Michael G]

Anthony Colandro Deserves Spot on NRA Board – Interview

Here are his answers to my questions[More]

His is the only bubble I've filled in on my ballot. Whether there are more depends on whether any other candidates view public agreement with my unequivocal criteria as an asset or a liability.