33.  SUPPORT OTHER PRO-RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS

``ETHICAL INSIGHTS ARE BORN IN ATTACKS UPON CONFORMITY TO EXISTING
MORES.'' Rollo May.

	One of the greatest strengths of the anti-gun lobbies is their
ability to network with like-minded organizations and leaders. The
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (formerly the National Coalition to Ban
Handguns) has relatively few actual members. But the Coalition
networks with powerful organizations whose leaders support gun
prohibition, and thereby achieves far more influence than it could
solely on the strength of its membership base.

	Likewise, Handgun Control, Inc. does an outstanding job at
reaching out to important political and other leaders to enlist them
in the cause. While these leaders are usually not interested enough in
the gun issue to play a major role (otherwise they would already have
volunteered to help HCI), they are happy to add their name to a press
release, or put in a good word with a Congressperson they know, if HCI
comes to them, and makes it easy for them to help.

	Just as the anti-gun lobby has increased its clout by copying many
of the tactical innovations of the pro-rights lobby (such as effective
use of direct mail), pro-rights folks should take a leaf from the
opposition, and work to build bridges with sympathetic community
leaders.

	For instance, suppose you're friends with a physician. Also
suppose that your state legislature is considering whether to require
that licensed, trained citizens be allowed to carry concealed handguns
for protection. At an appropriate moment, ask her what she thinks of
the gun issue. If she says ``I think people ought to be able to have
guns for protection, but I don't see why the NRA is so crazy that it
won't even accept a waiting period.''

	At this point you do not engage her in a debate over waiting
periods. Instead, you express your agreement with her basic attitude
about guns. Then bring up the concealed carry bill in the legislature,
and see what she thinks of it--especially in light of the fact that
licenses would only be issued after there is a background check, and
proof of safety training.

	If she likes the general idea, suggest that her support might help
the carry reform bill get enacted. Perhaps she could testify before a
legislative committee, and explain why doctors--who must sometimes
carry controlled prescription drugs while traveling--are robbery
targets, and need guns for protection. Or maybe she would just want to
write a letter to her State Senator. If she says she'd like to help,
you could offer to draft a letter for her consideration.

	There's no limit to the kinds of folks who can approached for
assistance: religious leaders, union officials, professional
associations, teachers, professors, scientists, and more. Some will
rebuff you; others will be delighted to be asked and will be willing
to do something major (such as give a speech to a local group like the
Rotary); some will do something smaller, like write to their
Congressperson; and others may just ask you to send them more
information.

	Prior to a meeting with anyone you don't know well, it always
helps to learn a little bit about what makes them tick. As detailed in
chapter 22 (finding out more about your legislators), computer
databases such as Prodigy, Compuserve, and Nexis; and the Martindale
Hubbell legal directory can provide you with some basic background
about community leaders. Public libraries contain numerous other
biographical guides which you may find helpful.

	Making alliances with local activist groups involved in other
issues is often an effective tactic. One obstacle to such alliances is
that each group wants to stick to its own agenda, for fear of
alienating members on peripheral issues. For example, your local gun
group probably wouldn't want to take a stand on abortion, since the
gun group probably includes members who are pro-choice and other
members who are pro-life. Likewise, the local tax limitation group may
feel uncomfortable taking a stand on gun control. But there is a way
to finesse this problem: each group can pick an angle to the issue
that fits within the group's own agenda. For example, your gun group
and the local anti-tax group might agree that they both oppose a
proposed increase in gun licensing fees.

	The more you can get other groups involved, even if peripherally,
in the gun issue, the more impressed elected officials will be about
the importance of gun rights. For instance, the anti-tax group might
send legislators a 20-item questionnaire to determine election-year
endorsements. If one of the questions is ``Do you support or oppose
Governor Baldbreath's proposal to double the fee for gun licenses?''
the legislator reading the questionnaire will start to get the idea
that gun freedom is important to more than just gun organizations.

	And if an organization just flat-out turns you down, don't walk
away in a huff. Accept their decision, but ask if you can send them
information about the issue from time to time. Over the long run,
patient outreach can make quite a change. In the early 1960s, the
Sierra Club favored nuclear power, and Planned Parenthood opposed
abortion. Over time, dedicated activists convinced those groups to
change their mind.