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About
GOAL
Gun
Owners' Action League is the official state firearms association in
Massachusetts. We are an association of law-abiding citizens who
believe in the basic right of firearms ownership for competition,
recreation and self-protection.
GOAL works hard to defend the
Constitution and the Bill of Rights against those in Massachusetts who
wish to infringe upon the freedoms guaranteed by our forefathers.
The programs sponsored and developed by Gun Owners' Action League are
supported by competitors, sportsmen, recreational shooters and law
enforcement throughout the state.
We were formed in 1974 to protect the
right to keep and bear arms for lawful purposes in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. We are recognized as the state's premier gun rights
association.
Why You Should
Join GOAL
Every
intrusion on our gun rights is an intrusion on all rights. The
Constitutional rights and freedoms that you enjoy - an may take for
granted - are becoming more fragile each day. Secure your rights
for yourself, your family and future generations.
Join
GOAL and become part of the
solution today.
What
Does GOAL Do?
Gun Owners' Action League is a
grassroots organization whose members actively participate in the many
facets of protecting our Second Amendment rights and passing on the
shooting sports traditions.
No one has any reason to fear the
possession of firearms by law-abiding citizens. GOAL publishes
materials to bring the truth about gun ownership to the public, the
legislature and our members. We also promote public education and
junior shooting opportunities through our 501(c)3 sister organization, The
GOAL Foundation and pro-rights candidates for office through the Gun
Owners' Political Action Committee (GO-PAC).
Our GOAL is
Education
We believe that safe firearms handling
lessons serve as a core element of preserving the public safety.
Our staff provides quality training for individuals interested in the
proper use, handing and safe storage of firearms. Through The GOAL
Foundation, we
provide
courses to new shooters, as well as certification training
for those wishing to become firearms instructors. We also provide
referrals
to instructors around the state.
Youth Education
GOAL firmly believes that the future of
our nation depends on our youth.
If we don't want our children to think of guns as toys, or worse
yet, as a way to solve arguments, we must education them.
Therefore, we promote the National Rifle Association's award-winning Eddie
Eagle® GunSafe program, which teaches children and
important safety message.
Our members and activists have been
successful at getting the program into elementary schools across the
state to teach the life saving message to young children. If they
find a gun, "STOP! Don't Touch! Leave the area. Tell an
adult."
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For older youth, GOAL offers
firearms training through its many club affiliates across the
state. Junior rifle, pistol and shotgun programs teach
young people firearms safety, discipline and responsibility. GOAL staff members have
traveled to schools to speak teach student not only about
firearms safety, but also about the rights and responsibilities
of firearms ownership.
Gun Owners' Action League is
also the primary sponsor of the Massachusetts
Junior Conservation Camp. Annually, more than 100
teens attend the camp and learn important life long lessons
about wildlife, hunter safety, firearm safety and the importance
of conservation in our communities.
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Gun Owner Education
Due to the overwhelming number of
local, state and federal firearms laws, GOAL is a highly respected
source of information for the state's licensed gun owners. Our
popular Massachusetts Firearms Law book is currently in its
eighteenth printing.
We have researched and created fact
sheets on subjects ranging from the licensing structure of Massachusetts
gun laws to the transportation and storage requirements for gun owners
in the Commonwealth.
Our monthly newspaper,
The
Outdoor Message, informs current members of
pending legislation on both the state and national levels.
Through The GOAL Foundation, we have
debuted several courses for current gun owners and sportsmen and women
on intermediate topics or introductions to new shooting sports and
disciplines. For the full range of these seminars, check out the training
and education schedule.
Voter Education
GOAL members often take an active
interest in the legislative and political processes. We provide
our members with information on candidates for office and their views on
firearms related policies. As a public service, we also offer
candidates the opportunity to make a statement to our members through
The
Outdoor Message.
Public Education
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In addition to the wealth of
information we provide through our website and other means of
communication, we often sponsor public outreach and education
events such as the Women
on Target® program and Firearm Safety and
Education Days. GOAL also maintains a library
of books, pamphlets and fact sheets concerning firearms issues
and history. A collection of information videos is
available for loan to civic groups and clubs.
The staff of Gun Owners' Action
League is ready to address Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs, as
well as Chambers of Commerce, veterans' groups, scout troops,
schools and sportsmen's clubs on all aspects of sportsmen's and
firearms related issues.
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Legislative
Action
GOAL
employs a register lobbyist who maintains a close watch on firearms and
sporting related legislation pending before the Massachusetts General
Court. GOAL offers testimony at public hearings and communicates
our position in writing to the members of the legislature. GOAL
sponsors bills each legislative session to make necessary improvements
to our state's firearms laws.
Recognizing
that the GOAL staff cannot make changes to the laws by themselves,
however, we work closely with our members to see that they take an
active part in the legislative process. We keep in constant
communication with our members through our monthly newspaper, website,
email alerts and by calling the Sportsmen's Legislative Hotline (800)
338-6999.
Grassroots
Efforts
GOAL encourages its members to take an
active interest in the legislative process. We work with affiliated
clubs through our Club
Representative program. We also organize members in various
grassroots campaigns for legislative reform with themes such as letter
writing, phone calls and legislative contact in the community.
Legal Action
At
our office, GOAL maintains a list of qualified attorneys who provide
legal advice on matters affecting the law-abiding gun owner.
Although we offer referrals at no charge, the high cost of court
appearances means GOAL cannot generally afford to provide legal
assistance to individual members.
Public
Information
GOAL
provides instruction on the safe handling of firearms to legislators,
assistant district attorneys, members of the media and administration
officials. We also present research and written material to the
general public on all aspects of the right to keep and bear arms.
Gun
Owners' Action League publishes a monthly newspaper, The
Outdoor Message, with political, legislative, sporting and
commercial information from all over New England. The
Outdoor Message's Sportsman's Calendar carries all the news and
information about competitions, sporting events, shows and courses in
all regions of the state.
How
is GOAL Organized?
The day-to-day operation of GOAL's
programs and activities are carried out by a small full-time staff.
The Executive Director supervises the many legal, clerical, fundraising,
publication and legislative activities of the organization. The
policy and direction of GOAL is established by the member elected Board
of Directors, all of whom serve without pay.
The GOAL headquarters are centrally
located in Massachusetts, right off Route 20 in Northboro, just 3.5
miles west of I-495. The offices are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
GOAL has a full-time staff and an answering machine for after hours.
You can reach GOAL by email, fax,
phone or traditional mail.
Directions
to the GOAL Headquarters
Gun
Owners' Action League
37 Pierce Street
PO Box 567
Northboro, MA 01532
Phone: (508) 393-5333
Fax: (508) 393-5222
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