Would you guys please explain to me what's going on?
I received a direct mail fund raising solicitation from the Gun Owners of America and was thinking about donating some money, but decided to first go online to check out their credentials. There are, I'm told, some left-leaning organizations masquerading as being for gun rights, and I certainly didn't want to give my money to them.
Anyway, I found out that a Larry Pratt is the head of the Gun Owners of America (gunowners.org). His organization requests "donations" to the tune of $250.00 to support gun rights, but gives no indication that it is a non-profit.
The Gun Owners Foundation (gunowners.com) appears to be related somehow -- they share the same online store with books by Mr. Pratt -- and it also requests donations, but it claims to have non-profit status. Indeed, a search of non-profits at guidestar.org shows that Larry Pratt is Executive VP of the Gun Owners Foundation and receives $35,000 in annual salary for 15 hours/week work.
http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2004/521/297/2004-521297380-019f0731-9.pdf
Okay, but that still did not answer my question about where my potential donation to GOA was going, so I did some more trolling on google.
ReligiousTolerance.org lists Mr. Pratt as a leader in a Christian church that wishes to return to biblical law and, among other things, enslave our wives.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/reconstr.htm
I don't know about you guys, but, much as I try, my wife refuses to be enslaved. 'Tis I who am in chains around here.
Anyway, further trolling pulled up more websites that raised more questions. Mr. Pratt linked with white supremacists. Mr. Pratt linked with armed militias.
Woah! Mr. Pratt is certainly entitled to hold any views he wants, however, it would be helpful to know exactly where money to GOA goes.
Am I supporting gun rights or a hidden Christian agenda? Is there any accountability for funds that the organization takes in? Discerning doners would like to know.
I received a direct mail fund raising solicitation from the Gun Owners of America and was thinking about donating some money, but decided to first go online to check out their credentials. There are, I'm told, some left-leaning organizations masquerading as being for gun rights, and I certainly didn't want to give my money to them.
Anyway, I found out that a Larry Pratt is the head of the Gun Owners of America (gunowners.org). His organization requests "donations" to the tune of $250.00 to support gun rights, but gives no indication that it is a non-profit.
The Gun Owners Foundation (gunowners.com) appears to be related somehow -- they share the same online store with books by Mr. Pratt -- and it also requests donations, but it claims to have non-profit status. Indeed, a search of non-profits at guidestar.org shows that Larry Pratt is Executive VP of the Gun Owners Foundation and receives $35,000 in annual salary for 15 hours/week work.
http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2004/521/297/2004-521297380-019f0731-9.pdf
Okay, but that still did not answer my question about where my potential donation to GOA was going, so I did some more trolling on google.
ReligiousTolerance.org lists Mr. Pratt as a leader in a Christian church that wishes to return to biblical law and, among other things, enslave our wives.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/reconstr.htm
I don't know about you guys, but, much as I try, my wife refuses to be enslaved. 'Tis I who am in chains around here.
Anyway, further trolling pulled up more websites that raised more questions. Mr. Pratt linked with white supremacists. Mr. Pratt linked with armed militias.
Woah! Mr. Pratt is certainly entitled to hold any views he wants, however, it would be helpful to know exactly where money to GOA goes.
Am I supporting gun rights or a hidden Christian agenda? Is there any accountability for funds that the organization takes in? Discerning doners would like to know.
