SAF, CCRKBA Acquire KeepAndBearArms.com
by Dave Workman
Senior Editor
One of the busiest pro-gun Internet websites in the nation has been acquired jointly by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA).
KeepAndBearArms.com (KABA), launched by gun rights activist Angel Shamaya in April 2000, has become a daily source for news and information about firearms rights, gun control legislation and grassroots gun-related activism. SAF and CCRKBA purchased the website, domain name and related assets, according to SAF Founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb, who also chairs CCRKBA, and Shamaya.
The transfer became effective Sept. 1. Terms of the agreement were not immediately available, although SAF and CCRKBA announced that KeepAndBearArms.com will continue to function as an independent gun rights website owned by KeepAndBearArms.com Inc. whose shareholders consist of SAF and CCRKBA. The website will continue to be hosted by the NetSalon Corporation.
Negotiations had been quietly under way for several weeks prior to the announcement.
“SAF and CCRKBA combined have over a million members and contributors nationwide, and we are confident that we will be taking KABA to the next level of growth and development,” Gottlieb stated.
Gottlieb estimated that upwards of 40,000 people visit the KABA website every day. He told Gun Week that the website will continue striving to post gun-related news and links, reports and other information. Links to SAF, CCRKBA and SAF-owned publications, including Women & Guns and Gun Week, began appearing prominently on the site several days before the official transfer and announcement.
“This move is in the best interest of KABA and in the best interest of my family,” said Shamaya, who recently moved from Arizona to North Carolina, in a prepared statement. “While we haven’t had the resources to help KABA realize its full potential, SAF and CCRKBA have much greater resources and a commitment to immediately implementing needed changes to assure the website’s success and longevity.”
Shamaya spoke highly of the two gun rights organizations.
“They’ve been in the gun rights fight for over three decades, and they’re prepared to lead KABA to new heights at a time where we’re rubbing nickels together,” Shamaya said. “Their ability to reach many people who don’t currently know about the website can only strengthen public awareness about the war being waged against gunowners’ rights. We thought about this situation for a long time before concluding to hand over the reins, and I believe we’ve made the right choice.”
Shamaya was grateful for the support he’s gotten from gunowners over the past four years.
“It is my sincerest hope that the site will continue to receive support so it can continue to expand public awareness in defense of liberty,” he stated.
“KeepAndBearArms.com has been the premier daily website for gun rights news and information for quite a while now,” Gottlieb noted. “They’ve done a great job in providing needed services to the gun rights community, and we salute them for their valiant efforts. We are working closely with key KABA staff to assure a smooth, seamless transition.”
Gottlieb announced that one of the first changes is something users will never see. He said the new owners have invested in a new server, and there will be “new development in key areas to begin expanding KABA’s reach and influence.”
“We are confidant in our abilities to build upon what KeepAndBearArms.com has become while continuing to provide valuable services to the gun rights community for which KABA has become famous,” Gottlieb stated.
“SAF and CCRKBA are committed to taking care of all existing members, including Life Members,” Gottlieb assured, “and we are eager to hear from KABA members about desired changes and upgrades to the site and services provided. And of course, new memberships and donors are always welcome.”
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