Are they just posers?
At first glance, the appear to be a gun rights and sporting/conservation group. But looking a bit behind the curtain reveals this organization has strong ties to the Brady Bunch. For instance, their president Ray Schoenke, has donated heavily Brady's and other antigun organizations. AH&SA founder John Rosenthal formed the group
http://www.stophandgunviolence.com/">Stop Handgun Violence in the '90's. Suffice to say, AH&SA leaders shares many of the same views as the diehard antigun groups.
They heavily endorsed Obama, as can be seen by their campaign commercials still on the AH&SA web page. The group also used a large direct mail campaign. The main goal of the group seems to be to blunt criticisms of the NRA and other pro-gun organizations. Between the smackdown of the "collective right" view of the 2nd in
Heller, and the AH&SA autumn campaign, the NRA had a much tougher row to hoe.(not to mention, by endorsing McCain, the NRA seemed less than sincere, IMO)
That was then, however. Guns and ammo sales are now booming, and are showing no signs of letting up. With one notable exception, the AH&SA seems to have gone into the weeds. The organization puts out no outdoor/shooting/hunting magazines, and has rarely updated its website now that the the autumn election is behind us.
The exception I mentioned above happened on March 2nd, the AH&SA's most recent update on the website, when Schoenke posted his letter to Eric Holder
http://www.huntersandshooters.com/">urging the Admin NOT to seek renewing the AWB. I find that interesting, AH&SA seems to know where the gun-owning public stands on this issue, but I can't help but wonder, given its leadership's history, if this is just some sort of sleuth organization for frustrated anti-gun politicians and lobbyists who seek to extend an olive branch to gun owners who aren't plugged in with gun politics. The AH&SA says up on its website it wants some tighter restrictions on firearms, such as reclassifying .50 cal rifles to Class III and repealing the Tiahrt Amendment.
Over a week ago I sent AH&SA an email, hoping to get some clarity organizations views. I asked if they support "shall-issue" CCW permit programs available in most states. I also asked since they wanted to heavily restrict .50 rifles, where they'd would draw the on the size/power of rifles available to the public. With that I thanked Ah&SA for supporting the 2nd and commitment to conservation.
I have yet to receive any response what so ever. AH&SA seems either dormant, or unwilling to answer my questions. I find that telling.