VGOF and VSSA - A Partnership to Get the Job Done

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VGOF would like to welcome the Virginia Shooting Sports Association (VSSA) as a new advertising partner as both organizations do our part to fight for our freedom under the Second Amendment and promote shooting sports throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

VSSA has a new banner in rotation near the top of VGOF - if you see it, please click it, and consider joining VSSA.

The VSSA mission statement is as follows (from http://www.myvssa.org/content/about-vssa captured 6/10/2013):

The Virginia Shooting Sports Association (VSSA) was originally founded as the Virginia State Rifle and Revolver Association in 1938. VSSA is the official state association of the National Rifle Association. VSSA is also closely affiliated with the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), Virginia Outdoor Sports Information Network (VOSIN), National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), Virginia Gun Collectors Association, and the Virginia Wildlife Federation (VWF).

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide shooting opportunities for, and to protect the Second Amendment rights of, all law abiding Virginians.

VSSA supports many shooting disciplines including junior air rifle, shotgun, pistol and high power rifle. As the official state organization for the NRA, we are responsible for conducting state level shooting championships and selecting the "best of the best" to represent Virginia in the individual and team competition at Camp Perry, Ohio. These "Team Virginia" members are selected from individual members of VSSA and affiliated clubs.

VSSA also promotes hunting. As part of our legislative efforts we work to protect all shooting sports from the anti-gun and anti-hunting crowd.

VSSA annually sponsors one of the most successful charity shooting events of its type with the proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Goals

The goals of VSSA are to:

unite shooters, hunters, sportsmen, collectors and all other law abiding firearms enthusiasts to promote the safe and responsible use of firearms;
promote the development of the shooting sports and the facilities necessary to the shooting sports; and,
provide a united voice to all levels of government to defend the shooting sports, and firearms ownership.

Protecting the Second Amendment

VSSA works hard to protect your right to keep and bear arms. We monitor legislative activity at the State and local levels to protect the rights of law abiding Virginia shooters, hunters and firearms collectors. The VSSA legislative team works closely with members of the General Assembly in writing and passing legislation. When necessary we ask VSSA members to contact legislators to ensure that the collective voice of Virginia shooters is heard. The larger our membership base, the louder our voice at the State Capitol.

VSSA helped lead the charge to reform the Virginia concealed carry statute in 1995. We have continued to make positive adjustments to this statute each year. VSSA also worked with leaders in the House of Delegates to improve the Virginia pre-emption statute.

VSSA was a driving force behind the gains Virginia gun owners enjoyed in 2004 - the best year for firearms rights since 1995. A total of 17 pro-gun bills were passed and signed into law - including full pre-emption - making the General Assembly the sole governing body with the power to regulate firearms, as well as the first attempt to begin rolling back the Virginia handgun rationing bill, patroned by VSSA member, Delegate Bill Janis.

Women & Junior Programs

VSSA Youth Programs offer many opportunities for youths who are interested in the shooting sports and our firearms heritage. VSSA junior shooters have won national championships and some have competed at the collegiate level. Working with the NRA Foundation, we provide mini-grants to gun clubs to put on NRA Shooting Sports Camps. We also provide mini-grants to clubs for Women on Target clinics. These clinics introduce women to the shooting sports in a fun and safe atmosphere.

Civilian Marksmanship Program

VSSA is affiliated with the Civilian Marksmanship Program. Membership in an official CMP organization is a prerequisite to purchasing (at a very reasonable cost) surplus firearms that CMP occasionally makes available from U.S. arsenals.

Protecting Shooting Ranges

VSSA continues to lead the way by continuing our legislative work to protect firearm ranges. Ranges are increasingly coming under pressure from local governing authorities because of urban sprawl that causes suburbanites to move into rural areas. Many of these new residents are not used to the fact that rural life includes folks frequenting firearm ranges or target shooting on private property and they complain about noise levels. Localities have responded by attempting to put noise restrictions on gun ranges as well as limit your right to target shoot on private property.

In an effort to protect ranges from continued threats, VSSA requested Delegate Bill Janis to introduce HB2282 during the 2005 Session of the General Assembly. Thanks to his hard work and the support of our members, the final version of the bill forbids localities from changing the rules for the operation of a firearms range after an application has been accepted as well as after an application has been approved.

Working with gun owners in Culpeper County in 2005, VSSA helped defeat a proposal that would have prohibited the discharge of a firearm on private property consisting of less than 20 acres. We recently help defeat a similar proposal being considered by the Louisa County Planning Commission.

VSSA will continue to monitor localities for further assaults on ranges and your rights.

We Need You to Join the Fight

There is only one thing standing between the anti-gun agenda and the preservation of our rights - you! Although we are the official Virginia affiliate to the NRA, we are a completely separate organization. The National Rifle Association does not provide financial support in any way for our organization. VSSA must raise 100% of its own funds. Your membership in VSSA will help us introduce the next generation to the shooting sports and protect our freedoms for years to come. Your membership and support are much appreciated!

Visit VSSA at http://www.myvssa.org/

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