[NY Patriot]

As most of us know, the NRA's leadership has publicly stated that it is a top priority of the organization to prevent the renewal of the "assault weapons" ban.

Unfortunately, it is also well known that the NRA has a tendency to buckle when the chips are down. They bargain & "compromise" our rights away in the name of pragmatism, and while the NRA faithful claim victory, the 2nd. Amendment dies a death of a thousand cuts!

12 months out from the expiration date, the NRA is talking a good game, but will they go to the wall for our "black rifles" when the things tighten up, & the anti gun media and politicians are doing their best to demonize anyone who opposes the ban???

Well... they are much more likely to hold a hard line against the ban IF they hear from their membership, en mass, and a message of No Compromise rings loud & clear.

To this end, NRA members should take a few minutes out of their busy lives to write the NRA leadership (national, regional, & local), to let them know, in no uncertain terms, that "compromise" is not an option in regards to the AW ban, and that if the NRA mishandles this issue, they will likely see their membership numbers & financial support dwindle!

The names of, & contact information for your Regional & Local NRA Representatives (bet you didn't even know you had these reps.) can be found HERE (www.nrahq.org/fieldreps/index.asp)

Both NRA President Kayne B. Robinson, & NRA Executive Vice President Wayne La Pierre can be contacted by writing them at...

11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030

Here are a couple of letters to mix & match, cut & paste, and generally cannibalize. Please use them for ideas & inspiration (or just copy them in your name if you are feeling lazy)...

Dear Mr. XXXXX,

As a long time NRA member, gun owner, and politically active American, I want to bring to your attention a matter that is of the utmost importance to our Second Amendment freedoms.

As you know, the Federal ban on so-called "assault weapons" expires in Sept. of 2004. The political battle to prevent it from being replaced with a permanent, more restrictive ban stands to be a bench mark in the struggle to roll back the tide of unconstitutional gun "laws."

Countless American gun owners are already gearing up for the challenge, by organizing on the grass roots level, and on the Internet. Thousands of letters are already being sent to our elected representatives, which implore them to respect & uphold every individual's Constitutionally protected right to bear arms that are appropriate for militia use. In short, a ground swell of Second Amendment activism is underway, and many, many American gun owners are looking forward to the day when "...shall not be infringed" moves one step closer towards meaning what it clearly states.

It is with this in mind, that I must inquire about the NRA's intentions concerning this coming struggle. Does the NRA plan to marshal all of it's considerable resources & influence in an effort to defeat any new Federal "assault weapons" ban that is proposed? Does the NRA plan on taking a strong, "no compromise" position on our God given & Constitutionally enumerated right to bear arms that are particularly suitable for defending one's life, liberty, & country? Will the NRA stand shoulder to shoulder with all American gun owners, and proclaim that as a free people, we have the inalienable right to decide what type of arms we bear?


I sincerely hope that the NRA's answer to these questions is a resounding YES!


The upcoming fight over the renewal of the "assault weapons" ban is not only a test of the courage of America's gun owners and politicians, but it will undoubtedly serve as a litmus test for the NRA's continued relevance in the years to come. I would love nothing more than to look critics of the NRA in the eyes, come September of next year, and proudly say that the NRA fights for the rights of ALL gun owners, not just hunters & sport shooters, and that all of the membership dues & donations that we have paid have gone toward a real and meaningful restoration of our rights.

As an NRA member and proud American gun owner, I emphatically ask you to keep the NRA relevant, & with it, our right to keep and bear arms.


Thank you for your time & I look forward to your reply.


Regards,

Jon Doe
NRA member # XXXXXXXX

…and the short, but sweet version:

Dear Mr. XXXXX

As we move ever closer to the expiration of the so called "assault weapons" ban, I want to make it perfectly clear that America’s gun owners expect the NRA to utilize it’s vast resources to defeat any and all efforts to reauthorize the unconstitutional ban. Needless to say, any push to replace the ban with an even more restrictive piece of legislation should also be met with fierce, unwavering opposition.

I realize that compromise is a hallmark of the NRA’s negotiating style, but as a long time member of our organization, I know that I speak for many gun owners when I say that compromise is neither desirable nor possible in this circumstance. The "assault weapons" ban is clearly an infringement of our God given, and Constitutionally enumerated right to bear arms suitable for militia use, and as such, it needs to be cast upon the ash heap of history. Any political compromises, back room negotiations, or last minute concessions that result in the extension of the ban will be viewed as a betrayal of both the NRA’s mission statement, and of the millions of gun owners who make the NRA’s very existence possible.

Thus, I once again implore you to do everything within your power to ensure that the NRA fights to protect and restore our birthright as free Americans. If the NRA is to remain relevant in the coming years, the "assault weapons" ban must die. It’s time to take the gloves off, be proactive, and fight to win!


Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your reply.

Regards,

Jon Doe
NRA Member # XXXXXXXX

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know…"He wants us to write MORE letters!?!?!?"

Well, no one ever said that the struggle for freedom was short, easy, or without inconvenience!

CARPE DIEM!!!

[NY Patriot]

Guys... love or hate the NRA, they are the 2nd. Amendment advocacy group that we are stuck with during this particular fight.

No other pro gun organization in existence has the clout, contacts, and cash that the NRA does, and while I certainly have problems with the way the organization is sometimes run, I realize that with a scant 12 months until the ban's expiration, they are the only viable game in town.

This is why we need to hold the NRA's feet to the fire!

Of course they are speaking out publicly against the AW ban. Realistically, could it be any other way? They are throwing red meat to America's gun owners, in hopes that strong talk & promises will appease us.

We have to let them know that talk is cheap!

The threat we must make (and really mean) is that they go to the wall on this issue, and fight like they have a pair, or we resign our memberships, en mass, and they experience a serious drop in funds raised!

As with most matters in life, money talks & BS walks! The NRA just might exhibit a fit of ideological fervor & political resolve come September of 04 IF they truly fear for their financial future!!!

[jimpeel]

The NRA sent me a request for early renewal of my membership. I am going to send it back with a letter stating that I will re-up -- or not -- based on the outcome of the AWB and not before.

If they "squat-n-pee" like they usually do, I will not only not re-up, I will revoke the NRA member discount I instituted when I took over management of the motel I manage.

Compromise is unacceptable on this issue.

[stevelyn]

Good idea jimpeel!
I recieved a solicitation for membership too and was considering at least a 3 year. I think I'll use their envelope to mail back a letter stating that membership from me rests on them fighting an uncompromising offensive battle to ensure the AWB sunsets and the more restrictive proposed replacement goes down in flames. Enough of just bending over and taking it. The problem with that organization is they are too busy pandering to republicans with the mistaken belief that they are somehow our friends instead of fighting for libertarian ideals of gun rights and ownership.
Any sign of "spinal missingitis" on this one and me and my dues go to another organization. :fire:

[Mark Tyson]

I think we should support the NRA financially now, but say that future contibutions depend on their performance on this issue. They can't fight without the cash. But I like the ideas being expressed here.

Remember, let's do our part too. We have to write letters and call representatives. Letters and phone calls to our congressmen may be more important than cash and checks to a lobbying group!

[NY Patriot]

Agreed Mark!

While we definitely need to hold the NRA accountable for their actions (or inaction’s), ultimately the buck stops with US... the gun owning, freedom loving citizens who vote, pay taxes, etc...

The time for apathy & sheer laziness is OVER!!!

During the next 12 months we all need to get politically active & involved with a zealotry that has yet to be seen. We need to stop waiting for someone else to carry our water for us, and do it our damn selves!!!

Don't count on the other guy to write those letters, send those faxes, make those phone calls, donate that money, or attend that rally.

BE PROACTIVE... we have a second chance to defeat the AW ban. Let's not blow it because we were too busy watching TV & growing a second chin to even pay attention or care!!!

When it comes to the struggle over the right to keep & bear arms, the choice is yours to make...

Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way!

[NY Patriot]

Thought I would post this very well written letter for your consideration & use.

Thanks to "RoverDave" over at UziTalk.com....

Dear Mr. La Pierre,

Last night I read your Standing Guard column in the latest issue of American Rifleman and was again disgusted by the fraudulent reporting by CNN on the assault weapons ban. I applaud the NRA and your personal action taken to expose the lies being told to the American public. Your article said “We forced a major TV network to back down…” and that is important to note. For too long, gun owners have been put on the defensive by people who want to take away our rights. It is time to make those people back down.

As the political situation heats up over the assault weapons ban, I’m asking you to remember that the NRA membership is counting on you not to compromise. We are not interested in trading the assault weapons ban for a lesser evil. Our rights should not be on the bargaining table. As a life member and father of a future life member, I’m counting on the NRA and you personally to deliver our message – no compromise. We can support the NRA in word and in action but we need you to show the membership and the politicians that deals will not be cut. The assault weapons ban is wrong and it must go – no compromise.

I look forward to the moment next year when we are all celebrating the end of the assault weapons ban. It will be one important step back to the rights we once had.

Regards,

“RoverDave”
Life Member # xxxxxx

[FPrice]

All very nice rhetoric indeed. Yes, let's hold the NRA's feet to the fire and MAKE them make the AWB go away.

After all, we all know that it's the NRA, and not the Congress which makes laws and it's the NRA and not the President who leads the nation.

So let's all write these letters to the NRA and threaten to withhold our money if they don't do this. And let's all forget about writing our Congressmen and our Senators and just keep them in the dark about what we want. After all, Charles Schumer anf Diane Feinstein and Jon Corzine ALL take their cue from the NRA and do exactly what the NRA tells them, right? And if the NRA tells them to make the AWB go away, why these Senators will just listen to the NRA and behave.

And while we are at it, let's all just write letters to the NRA and threaten not to support them and on Election Day just stay home because it doesn't matter who we elect because the NRA can just tell them what we want and whoever is elected by the liberals who do vote will do exactly what the NRA tells them to do.

You know, I really feel dumb after reading this thread. All this time I wasted trying to elect politicians who would represent me and my Second Amendment beliefs when all I needed to do was to write the NRA and threaten to withhold money until they MAKE all these politicians do what we want them to do.

After all, it's not the politicians, it's the NRA.

Rant mode off?

Heck no. I'm just starting.

Sarcasm mode off.

[Partisan Ranger]

Um, some of us actually write to the NRA AND write to our congressional representatives. I sent in the postcards, wrote to La Pierre, and also sent a letter to Rep. Frank Wolf, VA. I don't think I've hit my senators on the AWB ban yet, but will do so this week.

[Jack T.]

I decided a while back that when my renewal is due ( December ) I would send it directly to Chris Cox, who is one of their chief lobbyists (sp) with a note saying "If the AWB is renewed, this is the last check you will every see from me."

Whether or not I carry out that threat is a moot point. . .

[NY Patriot]

FPrice, what in the world gave you the idea that I was advocating that we petition the NRA as the sole course of action in the fight to end the AW ban???

Of course we need to write, fax, call, E-mail, and personally visit our elected reps. and let them know that it is in their best interest to stand in opposition to any continuation of the ban. Pretty self evident, if you ask me.

What's wrong with waging this battle of ours on multiple fronts, and contacting as many influential groups, organizations, and individuals as possible to let them know where we stand & what we will & and will not tolerate?

I'll tell you what... absolutely nothing, my friend! Hence, this thread.

You are obviously passionate about the RKBA, and that's great... so am I. That's why I'm sure that you have already written the RNC leadership & the president's top political advisor concerning the AW ban (www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35338), as well as taking the time to urge your Senators & the Senate leadership to pass The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. (www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33490)

It's also why I am positive that you will gladly add your own inspirational letters to my upcoming "Essential End the AW Ban Contact List & Sample Letter Thread"!!!

FPrice, your ranting & raving is misplaced & counterproductive. We all want to see an end to the blatantly unconstitutional AW ban. Writing the NRA on the subject is but one step on a long list of actions that need to be taken by each & every American gun owner in order to achieve this goal. It's not the be all & end all of the fight, but it most certainly has a legitimate place in the scheme of things.

For future reference, you might want to save your righteous indignation for those who actually deserve it. You know, scum bags like Chuck Schumer, Diane Feinstein and Jon Corzine... NOT other gun owners who are making a damn effort to change things for the better!

For what it's worth...

[Partisan Ranger]

Oh, sorry to pile on :D but I have to mention that most or all of those postcards go to congresscritters, the President, elected officials, etc. I have better things to do with my time than bombard the NRA with letters. I sent one to them, and the rest of my efforts will go toward Congress and our elected officials.