[jsalcedo]

I've been an NRA member since 1986 (remember the bright orange NRA hats?) Recently I've become somewhat disenchanted with the NRA's compromise on issues and support of anti gun candidates.

My membership is up in a few days and I'm considering jumping ship and giving my money to a more "no-compromise" group.

What do you guys think? If I get some good arguments either way it may help me with this difficult decision.

[Standing Wolf]

I believe the N.R.A., of which I've been a member since 1976, is good as far as it goes, but that's not the whole distance. I'm a member of and contributor to the Gun Owners of America and the Colorado State Shooting Association, and may join and contribute to other Second Amendment civil rights groups, as well.

http://www.gunowners.com
http://www.cssa.org

[campergeek]

I've seen several people who have stated that they left the NRA because, as an organization, it doesn't take a firm enough stance for the RKBA. In my eyes, this doesn't help the situation any. The NRA is an organization of members. They send out an annual poll to get a feel for what their members want to see done. The NRA board is no better at mind reading than politicians; they will work to appease their consitutuents but only to the degree that they hear from the constituents.

If you do not actively communicate your interests to the NRA board, what makes you think they are motivated to act upon those interests? Hypothetically, if the people they hear from the most are hunters saying "we can live with the AW ban, but don't let the feds take my deer rifle", then why should there be surprise when that is the stance the organization stands behind? And when those who believe strongly in the RKBA back out of the NRA because the org. doesn't take a firm enough stance, then the organization is left to those who have a more compromising view on gun rights.

This is not to say that I am naive enough to think that change will happen overnight. However, if voices in growing numbers speack loudly and regularly, then the direction of the NRA at large can be swayed over time. My recommendation, then? Stick with the NRA, but more than keeping your membership, become an active, participating member working to support the organization's efforts and push toward increased vigilance in defending the RKBA. At the same time, participate in those additional organizations which are already willing to take push for greater change.

[ReadyontheRight]

Stick with the NRA. Get more involved. Shift the NRA to our way of thinking. They've suffered through a lot, seen the ups and downs and been a key player in preserving our rights.

ALSO join other organizations that may fit more closely with your beliefs.

Suggestions:

www.jpfo.org (not just for Jews. There're the purest RKBA organization we've got)

www.gunowners.org/

www.a-human-right.com (gotta support whatever Oleg's doing!)

www.odcmp.com

and any local shooting organizations you can find.

THINK GLOBALLY SHOOT LOCALLY! ;)

[jsalcedo]

I agree with both you both Wolf and camper.

However I've never received a poll asking me what I want from the NRA.

They respond to my requests by generic form letter and when I asked them to rate a politician's voting record that I was curious about, they told me they could not direct me to the NRA's grades for candidates.

It just seems like the NRA is too big to worry about me as a member, not unlike huge corporations that fail to take a personal interest in their customers.

I'm worried that my donations go to huge salaries and administrative costs rather than to actual lobbying and pro 2nd amendment lawsuits.

Am I off base with these complaints?

[Wild Bill]

If you’re already in and realistically think you can change the direction of the organization then stay. Major uphill battle from my perspective.

Too much compromise in the Canadian scene brought on the horrendous laws our northern neighbors now suffer under. Been there, done that – ain’t going back (physically or politically).

Realistically we won’t always win. Some compromise is often the lesser of available evils. But my money goes to those who will fight the hardest and most effectively. The NRA ain’t it from where I stand.

Flame suit on.

[Zundfolge]

If you belong to any private ranges, you'll probably need to keep that NRA membership.

And while I agree that the NRA hasn't been judicious enough in defending our RKBA, abandoning them is not going to help our cause all that much.

[fallingblock]

We need every bit of organizational muscle and skill we can get to protect the 2nd Amendment.

I've managed to convince a few Aussies to join the NRA...those who realize the global nature of the anti-gun phenomenon. Even the Australian anti-gunners use the NRA as their straw villain.:D

[Tommy Gunn]

With what you spent on your annual membership dues, you could have been a life member already.

My advise is to become a life member of the NRA and get active in the organization to make it more steadfast on the RTKBA.

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

I've been a N.R.A. Life Member since 09 SEPT 1975,
but I support other beneficial organizations as well.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Orthonym]

Not real happy, but just sent in yearly dues w/extra $5 against AWB renewal. I let my membership lapse for a couple of years when I heard LaPierre on radio seeming to agree with some NYC pigs that it was OK to murder Amadou Diallo. I'm now resolved to grit my teeth and stay joined up long enough to vote. Maybe we can throw the cops and other statists out.

[Kharn]

Stay with the NRA, use your vote and your mailbox to change the organization to what you want it to be. Send back every request for more money with a note saying "No more money except my dues until __________ happens."

Kharn

[Hal]

I join on a year by year basis, depending on the political "mood" of the times.

With the AWB looming, it make sense to rejoin IMHO.

The NRA is the 600 lb gorrila in DC.

Having the membership numbers of the 600 lb gorilla fall at this point could send the wrong message to Bush and to Congress.

[FPrice]

I seem to have voted with the majority. The NRA is still the only national organization with any clout to take on the anti-gun crowd in the public forum and make a difference. But I encourage you to support other organizations (within your financial means) to help them make progress where they can.

I think every gun owner should belong to at least THREE organizations:

National: The NRA.

State: Your state organization.

Local: A local gun club/range.

We need to make progress on all three fronts if we are going to have any chance of winning.

[SC_shooter]

I recently resigned my life membership in the NRA. I instead support a state level grassroots organization. I will joining GOA shortly.

The NRA has opposed many of the CWP reforms in my state (SC). They have a political and legislative agenda that is often contrary to the Second Amendment. I won't be supporting them in the future until such time that I see they have made profound changes in the way the organization is run. But that ain't ever going to happen. I'd rather support those that have the restoration of my Second Amendment rights at the top of their agenda.

Paul
ex-Life Member

[redneck2]

which is the most powerful lobbying group in Washington???

which group do the leftist's and anti's always single out???

Someone can complain and whine about the NRA, but if they weren't around, I suspect we'd be shooting sling shots instead of rifles and shotguns.

I believe the only reason we still have firearms is the NRA. YMMV.

[jsalcedo]

SC_shooter

Your experience in SC is what sent me over the top and urged me to post
this question. "camel, straw and all that rot"

Granted my NRA membership is just 30 bucks and they send the best gun-rag going but its getting to the point where they are beginning to act like my enemy.

The best example I can give is the Republican party which I also joined in 1986. I was all gung ho until Reagan signed FOPA (with its no more machineguns clause) and 41 signed an the assault weapons import ban in 89 and then resigned his lifetime NRA because someone called his goose-steppers JBT's.

With friends like that who needs enemas?

Granted, I've read a lot of good arguments both ways so far maybe I'll wait and make my decision in a few days.

The majority says stay and I respect the opinions of my fellow THR members. Unless Janet Reno or Michael Moore takes Kayne Robinsons place, I'll probably re-enlist.

[fmjcafe]

No organization is perfect but the NRA has one thing going for it over other RKBA groups. Numbers. It`s the only thing politicians respect. I`d stick with them.

[geekWithA.45]

I reup the NRA 3 years at a time,

and every time I get a human on the line begging for cash, I let em have an earful, and then toss em some money.

Apparently, there's some mechanism for the cash beggars to forward comments.

[jsalcedo]

Thanks guys,

I signed up for their 2 year promotion for 50 bucks.

I'm going to push them on the important issues until they are tired of hearing from me.

[Matt1911]

I dropped my membership in the NRA 2 years ago because i would get at least 1 letter a month begging for money,since then it been almost 1 A WEEK!!!The postage they've spent on me alone would've paid for a newspaper add,flyers,.............something constructive!!
Matt

[keyhole]

jsalcedo

Great!
Like the others have said, join another group also. It'll help out more, than taking away from the NRA, still the best bet, imho.

[Ohen Cepel]

I see the NRA somewhat like my relationship with women.

I'm not always happy with them. However, I don't like the options.

The other groups are great and I have belonged to some of them over the years. However, the NRA is too big to ignore.

I need to look into some of the others again. JPFO maybe.

[JerryN]

It has always amazed me that people who are still able to shoot their favorite rifle resign their NRA membership because of some personal slight.

I occassionally hear people say stuff like, "I resigned my NRA membership because they are anti- second amendment". Stuff like that makes you wonder if the statement is caused by mental illness or anti-second amendment covert propaganda.

NRA against the second amendment? Please, somebody explain to me how that is. And use facts and quotes, annotated by the ISBN number and date and issue of where the quote came from because I really dont believe that drivel.

Thats like saying Ducks Unlimited hates ducks. Give me a break.

Not all of us are stupid enough to bail on the primary defender of our Second Amendment rights.

On the other hand, I also have substantial respect for the Second Amendment Foundations (www.saf.org). And I contribute to them as welll as the Gun Owners of America.

I heartily recommend that you contribute early and often to pro-second amendment groups, ( sarcasm on) even if it does make you irritable to toss those fund requests once a week. I know its SOOOOOOO much work to toss that envelope. Probably causes carple tunnel syndrom ( sarcasm off)

I know how much personal trauma it causes me to ignore a pro-gun fund raising request.. damn, I lose sleep and everything :rolleyes: Stop whineing and send some bucks. Either that or get rid of your evil firearms like the fascists want you to do.

Its amazing that we even have these debates. Makes you wonder about the superiority of humans over algae. :rolleyes:

[jsalcedo]

I know how much personal trauma it causes me to ignore a pro-gun fund raising request.. damn, I lose sleep and everything Stop whineing and send some bucks. Either that or get rid of your evil firearms like the fascists want you to do.

Are we jusrt supposed to sit back and take it when the NRA fouls up and
steps on their collective D***? There is very little recourse for a pissed off NRA member other than to quit and support someone else.

When an organization gets too big they sometimes lose sight of the big picture and begin protecting their own existance rather than the rights we expect them to fight for.

I like that the liberals hate the NRA, I like having the 800Lb gorilla on my side. But sometimes that 800Lb gorilla takes a 40 Lb dump on the floor.
Are we supposed to smile and say it smells like roses?

Blind obedience to the NRA is not the best way to keep our rights.

[manwithoutahome]

Since 1986, gee, why didn't you just do the payment plan for life-time member? It would have been paid off by now. You've spent about $425 and the LT is only around $700 or so (I got the disabled vet rate). When you are an LT, you have abit more "say" in what they do and they treat you abit better then just a yearly member. Also, you get to vote in the elections. The reason that I bring this up is due to you would have abit more power to wield if you did so.

But, I voted to keep with the NRA and join other groups. I am a member of the NRA (LT), JFPO (paying my LT membership), Gun Owners of America, an honorary member of the the Second Amendment Sisters (men can't hold office which I agree with), the Pink Pistols (international), Pink Pistols (Portland) and the Oregon Firearms Federation (OFF)(our grass roots organization). I know that it seems like allot and allot of money but the NRA costs $100 per year (four quarterly payments), JFPO (I pay $100 per year now since my NRA membership is paid off), GOA is $35 per year, OFF is $20 per year and I give around $30 to the SAS and PP each year. So, that's about $295 per year (if you are paying for LT memberships to the NRA and JFPO). This is 24.59 per month. To save our Rights, I think this is a very small price to pay (I also give donations to Kenn Blanchard (Blackmanwithagun.com ; US Shooting Team (for the olympics) and others that I think are helping the cause).

Does this make me a "great activist for our gun Rights"? Heck no. Giving money is the easy part. Getting involved is the hard part. I need to do more letters to my "guberment" in this state, I need to get my arse to Salem when a bad gun bill comes up to protest. I need to do more local spreading of the word about gun Rights. I need to use my computer and my printer to make pamphlets(sp) and go around the mall or someplace and put under wipers. There is allot more I should be doing.

So, giving money is the easy part. Voting is the easy part (here in Oregon, they make it too easy to vote, just punch the card and mail it back. I go to the actually office because they "compare" your signature and you know how that goes). Actually giving up your time (other then writing, sealing, mailing a check) is the hard part. Just something to think about.

M

[cosmos7]

Silveira v. Lockyer is a perfect current example of NRA bs. This case has a fair chance of being heard by SCOTUS, and the NRA filed a brief in support of sustaining the 9th's ruling that the 2nd is not an individual right.

The NRA has now flipflopped on the issue, as Silveira is gradually gathering momentum and support for a SCOTUS hearing. First they attempted to merge the case with one of their own, which is ill-prepared and has virtually no chance of winning. Finally after losing the motion to merge they came out in support of Silveira, but have now been trying to take credit in the press for the work done thus-far in the case. :rolleyes:

[SC_shooter]

JerryN,

The NRA opposed CWP reforms in SC because they didn't initiate the bill. It was written by GrassRoots SC. They fought against the bill at every turn, as it when though the SC legislature. The CWP reforms were only passed due to the efforts of the membership of GrassRoots SC. A coalition of state-level grassroots organizations is now working to ensure that the AWB is not put back into law. The NRA seems to care less, except as it affects their fund-raising.

They give good marks to politicians that consistently vote for more gun control.

If you want to support them, it's your money. I think my money is better used for organizations whose only goal is a restoration of the Second Amendment. The NRA seems to have a political and legislative agenda that is often at odds with the Second Amendment.

Paul
ex-NRA life member
Member of GrassRoots GunRights SC
No compromise, No surrender

[Dan from MI]

I am an NRA member on the EPL plan. There are good and bad parts to the, and I've been PO'ed at them lately myself, specifically with them sending a video and charging money for it.

But they are the 800 pound gorilla.

I am also however a member of IMO a better group. Second Amendment Foundation(The national group brains behind Emerson and fighting Ohio's Affirmative Defense CCW law). I'm disapointed that I didn't see them mentioned here.

http://www.saf.org

[atek3]

http://www.nraila.org/media/misc/fables.htm#FABLE%20III:


The 1986 federal law prohibiting the manufacture and importation of "armor piercing ammunition" adopted standards NRA helped write. BOOO!!!

The truth is, NRA supports many gun laws, including federal and state laws that prohibit the possession of firearms by certain categories of people, such as convicted violent criminals, those prohibiting sales of firearms to juveniles, and those requiring instant criminal records checks on retail firearm purchasers. BOOO!!!!


atek3

[JerryN]

Nobody is talking blind obediance. Make your views known when the gorilla dumps on your floor. But don't get rid of our gorilla because the enemy has one as well and we need ours to fight theirs.

Which horrendous problems/mistakes comitted by the NRA were you referring to, by the way? Just curious.

[Bartholomew Roberts]

The NRA has now flipflopped on the issue, as Silveira is gradually gathering momentum and support for a SCOTUS hearing. First they attempted to merge the case with one of their own, which is ill-prepared and has virtually no chance of winning. Finally after losing the motion to merge they came out in support of Silveira, but have now been trying to take credit in the press for the work done thus-far in the case.

Cosmos, you are mixing up two separate cases in your criticism of the NRA. It is important that we stick to the known facts when discussing these things so that we aren't contributing to misinformation and confusion among our own.

On Silveira, the NRA filed an amicus brief supporting Attorney General Lockyer's contention that the California AW ban was legal. After the case was heard by the Ninth and it became apparent that the case was going to SCOTUS for review, NRA filed an amicus brief supporting it. To date, I haven't seen them make any effort to claim credit for the work done so far.

I believe you were thinking of the Washington DC lawsuit, where lawyers from the CATO Institute sued to remove the ban on firearms ownership based on Second Amendment grounds. NRA tried to merge the case with one that was much more complicated and had a more unfavorable judge and failed to do so. After failing in that, they proceeded to push Orrin Hatch to author a bill rescinding the ban in DC - good for DC residents; but bad news for getting a nice simple up/down 2nd Amendment case to SCOTUS.

[Shooter 2.5]

Stay with the NRA.

No other group does it better. They have more programs and they work on more levels of government than any other group.

[Country Boy]

NRA is a shield. Organizations like GOA are the swords.

[atek3]

I like the way you phraised that country boy

atek3