El Cajon Gun Exchange donates to the American Legion Post 303 raffle to benefit wounded warriors

Military veterans sacrificed part of their lives defending the nation’s freedoms. Some sacrifice a part of themselves and return home as wounded warriors. Advances in combat-related medicine have brought back many more than from previous hostilities, and suffering but recovering from more grievous wounds. The need has never been greater for programs providing for these veterans and their families.

Military veterans sacrificed part of their lives defending the nation’s freedoms. Some sacrifice a part of themselves and return home as wounded warriors. Advances in combat-related medicine have brought back many more than from previous hostilities, and suffering but recovering from more grievous wounds. The need has never been greater for programs providing for these veterans and their families.

Two East County organizations are partnering for the third time in a fundraising venture to benefit wounded warriors. El Cajon Gun Exchange offered donation of a firearm as a prize for the winner of a raffle conducted by El Cajon American Legion Post 303. The past two donated guns from the El Cajon Gun Exchange have been black powder weapons. Two years ago, the Exchange’s donation, an 1851 Black Powder Navy Pistol, brought in $1,200 in proceeds given to the Armed Forces YMCA for the organization’s Wounded Warriors Program. 

Ron Godwin, vice president and general manager of El Cajon Gun Exchange, said, “It is unfortunate that the government is not doing what it’s supposed to be doing to help wounded warriors. Post 303 is doing a fantastic job of picking up the slack, providing for wounded warrior programs and doing that very effectively. What we’re doing is very small by comparison,” he said. “The focus right now should be in the wounded warriors and those in Post 303 who support them. We are happy to join with fellow veterans and the causes they support.”

The gun that had been selected as raffle prize was a 9mm Military and Police Compact Pistol manufactured by Smith & Wesson. However, that firearm has run afoul of changing California laws, so Ron Godwin explained he would soon choose another firearm of equal value and equal appeal as replacement grand prize for the raffle.

The American Legion is a longtime sponsor of early training in firearms safety and marksmanship, especially for youth pondering military service. On June 15, 1991, the Legion hosted the first annual Junior Shooting Sports National Air Rifle Championships at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. More than 2,000 high school students compete in the contest each year.

California’s gun-related laws, although strict, recognize the training and responsibility military service conveys in firearms safety. Active-duty military troops, active reservists and honorably retired veterans are all exempt from acquiring the state’s Handgun Safety Certificate for buying revolvers and pistols.

El Cajon Gun Exchange further provided for handling the required paperwork for the transfer of the prize firearm to the raffle winner in compliance with all relevant California laws. The Exchange is veteran-owned and has been in business for 34 years, currently employing 15 workers, eight who are veterans. Five Exchange employees are Legionnaires at Post 303. The owner is Lou Baldridge, a retired Navy Commander who served as a fighter pilot.

General Manager Godwin’s philosophy of building and growing business is to enhance success through a base of loyal customers, given superior customer service based on a pro-active approach to the ever-changing environment of gun ownership and firearms sales in California. He touts the veterans the business has hired as having a high work ethic, being skilled and mission oriented, and possessing a keen sense of customer service. Godwin notes that younger veterans from recent conflicts have brought enthusiasm into the business, and he praises the women veterans who are employees as among the best in the store. Godwin further relates that the fastest growing segment in the gun-owning community consists of women, and that the store’s female workers are much more capable than their male counterparts in evaluating gun gear for effective redesign for women versus male-targeted products simply repainted pink.

Less martial items on sale in time for Valentine’s Day at the El Cajon Gun Exchange include chocolate ammo (“20 Rds. .50 caliber standard issue”), a milk chocolate pistol for those seeking a different “sweet spot” than in target practice, and milk chocolate MK2 Fragmentation Grenades for Cupids intent on really capturing a sweetheart’s attention.

El Cajon American Legion Post 303 conducts general meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Bostonia Recreation Center, 1049 Bostonia Street, and can be contacted for more information, including more information about the wounded warrior benefit raffle, at (619) 443-1778. The El Cajon Gun Exchange is situated at 427 Broadway in El Cajon, and reached at (619) 579-5152 or www.elcajongun.com.