These guys are doing a fantastic job resolving local and state issues. Only $15 a year. http://www.vcdl.org
Virginia Citizens Defense League
- Thread starter pbass
- Start date
Leatherneck
New member
VCDL just won the "Grassroots Organization of the Year" award from the Citizens' Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA). The placque reads:
“In Recognition of the Tireless Hard Work and Dedication to the Preservation of the Individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms by its [meaning VCDL’s] Members.”
Tireless and dedication certainly describe Brother Van Cleave and others.
“In Recognition of the Tireless Hard Work and Dedication to the Preservation of the Individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms by its [meaning VCDL’s] Members.”
Tireless and dedication certainly describe Brother Van Cleave and others.
VCDL is definitely on the job. They work (all?) the guns shows across VA and I always make it a point to take some extra money to drop in the jar for them. The renewal forms that are going out come with an extra membership app, so get someone you know to sign up or give one as a gift!
flashbackn
Inactive
where are thw virginians?
i also am a vcdl member, from va beach.. vcdl have acomplished great things for the support and fight for our second amendment rights here in va. kmart.. stopped gun carrier when purchasing ammo? at hampton days celebration..husband & wife gets stopped with legal carry permit ? etc etc..
please support these type of organizations..."WE DO IN VA"
save shooting folks.... don (vcdl, goa, nra)
i also am a vcdl member, from va beach.. vcdl have acomplished great things for the support and fight for our second amendment rights here in va. kmart.. stopped gun carrier when purchasing ammo? at hampton days celebration..husband & wife gets stopped with legal carry permit ? etc etc..
please support these type of organizations..."WE DO IN VA"
save shooting folks.... don (vcdl, goa, nra)
Apple a Day
New member
I'm a member. There's a gun show this weekend in Hampton and another in Va. Beach the first week in January! Anyone who's not a member come sign up or check out the website if for no other reason that lots of great information about what's going on in the Commonwealth.
VCDL is great - and there are more. In NC it Grass Roots North Carolina (www.grnc.org). In SC it's GrassRoots South Carolina (www.scfirearms.org). Ga is getting fired up again - it's Georgia Firearms Owners Defense League (www.gfodl.org). All are doing great work.
Not sure what the Fl group is - if anyone knows, please post it here.
Visit all the sites often - a good exchange of ideas is important and can do nothing but help us in the fight to maintain our rights.
Howard
Not sure what the Fl group is - if anyone knows, please post it here.
Visit all the sites often - a good exchange of ideas is important and can do nothing but help us in the fight to maintain our rights.
Howard
Enough accolades, already. 
What is it that explains their success? I'm somewhat familiar with what they have done, some of their successes, and how mainstream gun rights groups don't particularly get along with them (I'm in the same boat.)
I'd like to use some of their techniques here in Arizona, where applicable.
Rick
Taking notes
What is it that explains their success? I'm somewhat familiar with what they have done, some of their successes, and how mainstream gun rights groups don't particularly get along with them (I'm in the same boat.)
I'd like to use some of their techniques here in Arizona, where applicable.
Rick
Taking notes
Apple a Day
New member
RickD,
One of the most effective tools of the VCDL is the ALERT! emails which get sent out about every Friday. I think one of the biggest problems with gun owners getting involved in politics is that no one knows what the heck is going on. The VCDL has guys who keep an eye on the legislature and who email messages in to the exec's and all that info gets sent straight out to the members almost instantly. Then, inside the emails is contact information for members to get in touch with representatives and let them know what we think. All a member has to do is click on the address, fill it in, and hit "SEND" and a politician hears from him/her. Often there is a sample letter sent along with the email so the member can cut and paste it into the text field. It's all so quick and easy that members can swamp a politician in no time flat... and that gets their attention.
A lot of folks take the time to go to city council meetings and such. It makes an impact when a dozen or so VCDL members show up at a meeting, stand up and speak, are very polite about the whole thing when the opposition - when they show up - aren't nearly as numerous or well organized. It also helps when our people are preceded by a flurry of emails, letters, and phone calls.
We have some really hard-working guys and ladies at the top levels. Email alerts IMHO make an easy way for everyone else to get involved, too. Go to the website, sign up for the email alerts and you'll see exactly what I mean.
One of the most effective tools of the VCDL is the ALERT! emails which get sent out about every Friday. I think one of the biggest problems with gun owners getting involved in politics is that no one knows what the heck is going on. The VCDL has guys who keep an eye on the legislature and who email messages in to the exec's and all that info gets sent straight out to the members almost instantly. Then, inside the emails is contact information for members to get in touch with representatives and let them know what we think. All a member has to do is click on the address, fill it in, and hit "SEND" and a politician hears from him/her. Often there is a sample letter sent along with the email so the member can cut and paste it into the text field. It's all so quick and easy that members can swamp a politician in no time flat... and that gets their attention.
A lot of folks take the time to go to city council meetings and such. It makes an impact when a dozen or so VCDL members show up at a meeting, stand up and speak, are very polite about the whole thing when the opposition - when they show up - aren't nearly as numerous or well organized. It also helps when our people are preceded by a flurry of emails, letters, and phone calls.
We have some really hard-working guys and ladies at the top levels. Email alerts IMHO make an easy way for everyone else to get involved, too. Go to the website, sign up for the email alerts and you'll see exactly what I mean.
Leatherneck
New member
I think a large part of their (our) success derives from the energy and smarts of Phil VanCleave, plus a few other close associates. He's a credible, non-inflammatory spokesman who never hesitates to directly question/challenge the many wrongs perpetrated on us by our gummint.
And the e-mail updates are a great tool to rally the troops when there's a need. A very good role model for other grassroots organizations.
TC
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
Every state ought to have a V.C.D.L.
cool hand luke 22:36
New member
Great Organization. Well worth the $15 annual membership.