CCRKBA HONORS DEREK LEBLANC AS GRASSSROOTS ACTIVIST OF YEAR
BELLEVUE, WA – The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is founded on grassroots activism, and this year’s “Grassroots Activist of the Year” award goes to a man who is relatively fresh to the fight, Derek LeBlanc, founder of the Oregon Gun Owners Action League—which became a CCRKBA affiliate this year.
Not only was LeBlanc active in the state capitol in Salem, he is also tackling the Portland city council’s controversial effort to ban licensed concealed carry in “certain city-owned buildings where official government meetings are held.”
In addition, LeBlanc is heavily involved in the Kids S.A.F.E. Foundation, which has been on the leading edge of gun safety efforts in Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, and Nevada, reaching some 30,000 youngsters.
Upon accepting the award, LeBlanc modestly noted, “I’m honored to be up here and accept this award on behalf of myself but also Oregon Gun Owners. We did a tremendous fight this year and I look forward to the next session…because we’re going to take the power back.”
CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb observed about LeBlanc and the ORGOAL, “They’ve been extremely successful during their first year and I look forward to seeing great results from them in future years.”
In a subsequent conversation with CCRKBA, LeBlanc stated, “Portland has been a war zone for many years now, and the rates of violence will never decrease because of policies.”
While Oregon has drifted farther to the political left, LeBlanc is on the front lines trying to correct course. On the group’s website, their mission is simply stated: “Unlike traditional advocacy groups, ORGOAL prioritizes real-time legislative engagement and citizen mobilization. Members are equipped with the tools, information, and opportunities needed to take action—whether that means contacting legislators, testifying in Salem, or participating in coordinated campaigns that impact public policy.”
