If I recall, it was the now defunct MA dealers association that fought the AG regulations (as the regulations solely target the dealers) There was a deadline to file some motion that came and went. Since nothing was filed, the matter is forever untouchable by those that it directly impacts.
GOAL was founded by combining a bunch of smaller organizations in 1974 to combat the ballot question that year which would have enacted a statewide ban on handguns.
Regardless of the results of this year's legislative push, GOAL's history alone is worth supporting. Just imagine having NO handguns at all.
And I'm not just a director, I'm also a life member.
Seriously, if you don't like what you see - GET INVOLVED!
I'd love to be more active. However, I currently have two young kids that take a lot of my time, but I still make the effort to do a few major things every year. AND, I continuously stay in touch with my local senator and representative on ALL matter, not just guns. Nothing huge, just a quick e-mail every so often to thank them for their position on whatever or to express my position. I do this so that when the gun stuff DOES come up, my comments carry a little history and respect.
Jim does this 'press the flesh' every day. Most of the legislators KNOW full well what is going on in regards to the gun bills. The question is if the pressure of doing the right thing or the pressure of toeing the political line is the better choice. The more voices a rep hears, the more the scales tip to the 'right thing'.
You would be amazed at how few voices it really takes to tip the scales. Few people are 'regulars'. Fewer still of those are reasonable and coherent thinking people that make good arguments on topics of all kinds. If you only comment on the gun issue, you can easily be filed as a "Gun Nut". If you are known to cover all kind of issues, you can be filed as "a voter".
How long does it take to send 2 e-mails a week or even every other week just letting your reps know your position on whatever topics are hot at the moment? Takes me about 20 minutes to compose and send the two messages.
If every MA resident who has more than 100 posts on this forum did the same thing, this group would EASILY represent the largest single voice that the people on Beacon Hill hear from regularly.
That, my friends is political POWER.
If you are not on a first name basis with your rep and senator, get writing. Doesn't have to be anything serious. Just a quick intro. You don't even have to mention your positions in the first letter. Just who you are, what you do, and the fact that you have concerns and want to start a regular dialog. THEN, keep with it. Every week or two make the effort.
Once this is established, you can inject your concerns as they arise and when the gun issues become hot, you can mention you are a shooter and voice your concerns.
The time to start is TODAY. Right now. Just do it.
If you are not a part of the solution, you ARE the problem.