Thread by @StephenGutowski

I spoke to legislators, staffers, and activists in Pennsylvania about how the permitless gun-carry bill moved through the legislature there. While the bill was vetoed, there's an interesting story about dueling strategies as smaller groups try to challenge the NRA's dominance.

https://twitter.com/TheReloadSite/status/1482003265525063680

A permitless carry bill has been floating around Pennsylvania for nearly a decade before it finally passed last year. Other states moving forward helped create momentum. But, of course, gun-rights groups argue their efforts pushed it over the line. thereload.com/how-pennsylvan…

While they all say it was something of a team effort, each group argues its efforts were paramount. The NRA says its efforts to persuade Rs from swing districts paid off. GOA says its confrontational lobbying pressured legislators to move the bill. thereload.com/how-pennsylvan…

State-based Firearms Owners Against Crime was instrumental in writing and shepherding the bill through, according to multiple legislators. But, the fight for credit between the NRA and GOA has implications beyond Pennsylvania as well. thereload.com/how-pennsylvan…

Some of the more hard-line MAGA elements in the PA statehouse, like Senator Mastriano, claim GOA's Val Finnell has overtaken the NRA in influence. Others, like Rep. Matcalfe (R.), say he's alienated many members and hindered the process. thereload.com/how-pennsylvan…

More interesting to me is the stark contrast in lobbying approaches. House Judiciary Chairman Rob Kauffman (R.) said the NRA used "quite diplomacy" to convince several members from swing districts to vote for the bill. Finnell credited GOA's confrontational shoeleather lobbying.

There is a lot more in the piece. You should read the whole thing. thereload.com/how-pennsylvan…

I've also got a member-exclusive piece where GOA's Finnell expounds on why passing a bill everyone knew would be vetoed anyway was a worthwhile endeavor. thereload.com/goas-pennsylva…