NRA

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Do join. I hesitated after hearing about their shortcomings. Then I realized they weren't talking exactly like us (e.g. Back off you :cuss: Tyrants) for good reason. For pro-gun people to bail out would make the NRA turn into AGS, which would let the bradyites win. Plus you can call up and get put on the Reduced Mailing List. I get very little mail from them.

-Jrob24 N.R.A. member since 03
 
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Join! Like others I don't agree 100% with them (or anyone else), but they are the main reason that we have the RKBA today.

Yes, you will get mail "begging" for money. You will also get mail stating that they don't expect you to contribute every single time and no one does. I recently became a life member and dollar for dollar they are the best organization out there. Not only do they fight the battles in Washington, but also on a state level, and they train and promote guns as no one else does.

I try to send them some $ everytime I purchase a gun, because if they weren't around I'd probably not be buying any.
 
I agree with many of the prior posts. I am a member of the NRA but don't always agree with what they do or how they do it. The primary reason I'm a member is to add one more to their numbers. When the politicians looks at who-wants-what it is the numbers they care about. Members = potential votes which translates into power.
I am also a member of GOA(life). I like the way the GOA presents the issues and alerts to members regarding anti-gun legislation and provides postcards to send directly to the appropriate government reps.
 
I'm at a loss as to why people think the NRA doesn't know how to lobby. From the perspective of any one in DC, they are far and away the most successful of all the lobbying outfits with by far the most well planned and well executed strategy. No one in DC comes close.

I work for one of the only organizations in DC thats bigger than the NRA and while we are just as high profile, we are constantly amazed at how much success they have, year after year.

Part of the secret to most organizations success in DC is to take credit for other peoples work and claim things that would have happened anyway as victories of your own. Everyone does it, including the NRA. But what incredible about them is that in most cases the NRA isn't talking out of their derrière, but is really responsible for the victory. Look at Bush's election - both 2004 and 2000. Lots of people are claiming credit for parts of his success, but the only group with hard numbers to back them up is the NRA.

As for the GOA - its an utter waste of money if your looking to them for anything other than good vibes and op eds in second rate newspapers that preach to the choir. I am also a member of GOA, but folks, their clout is exactly zero. If its a financial choice between one and the other, I wouldn't waste my money.
 
I upgraded my NRA membership to Benefactor status this year (they had a special price of $250 instead of the usual $1500). I will also send them a little money from time to time, but as others have said, they do not expect you to contribute every time they ask.

Am also a member of TSRA (life), JPFO, SAS, and NMLRA. The NRA is the one that gets the attention.

I was a member of GOA for several years, but dropped out because even tho I agree with most of their positions, their hard-line stance is ineffective.

Jim
 
Just renewed my membership today, as a matter of fact. I almost signed up for the Life Membership easy pay plan. Maybe next year on that...my finances will look better then.

I really enjoy the First Freedom magazine I get, even if it is mostly 'preaching to the choir'. It did come in handy during the elections though, to have a verifiable source for debate info and candidate quotes, etc.
 
Life member. Don't know much about their internal politics, but I wish Neal Knox was running it. That man was very scrupulous and accounted for every dime.

I think Wayne LaPierre borrowed some money from the NRA and then made a fortune with it (Blue Sky Imports) before refunding the NRA. I didn't realize the NRA served as a banker.
 
1) For all their shortcomings, no other organization has done as much as the NRA to protect 2nd Amendment rights, advance marksmanship competition, provide training in firearms use and promote gun safety.

2) Great magazines, very professionally produced, informative and up to date.

3) Annual convention is best place anywhere for a non-dealer to see all the latest in guns, ammo, accessories and reloading stuff, plus meet some of the nicest, most intelligent and interesting people in the industry.

No, they're not perfect. Neither am I. And if I ever do find a perfect 2nd amendment organization, I'll join it as well. But my wife, stepson and I will always be NRA members.
 
The NRA does a LOT more than just lobby.

The lobbying arm of the NRA is just the part that gets all the publicity. They also sanction a lot of shooting competitions, train a lot (nearly all) of firearms instructors, including most law enforcement instructors. They have a lot of publications, safety programs, ....
You know what, why don't I just let you get it from the source:

http://www.nrahq.org/Default.asp
 
The NRA is the most effective gun lobby in DC, period.

The GOA has better politics.

Join both. (Yes, I'm a member at ARFCOM.) :D
 
The NRA is certainly not perfect but they do more across the entire spectrum of shooting activites from sponsoring competitions to teaching shooting and shooting safety programs to lobbying for our RKBA than all other national organizations combined.

I strongly urge that you join and do what you can to help make it an even better organization.
 
NRA Life Member - As others here I can't agree with everything they do or the way they do some things but they are the the only real game in town. In time, with growth, the GOA may be able to grow in stature and power. I also support local groups in my home state.

Be well. . .
 
I'd been an annual member for several years, but I became a life member shortly after the expiration of the AWB. Like others have said, I prefer the positions taken by GOA, but no other group has the clout of the NRA. One should join both organizations.
 
Yeah, the NRA can be a bit stodgy, awkward, and clumsy, but when it is pointed out that the NRA has 4 million members, it can strike abject fear in the hearts of the anti-human rights, anti-family protection, anti-gunners. I only wish we could get all NRA members to renew their membership every year. I think that these 4 million members are NOT the same 4 million every year, but represent those who remember/chose to join in any given year, selected from a group that is many times larger. I have found that there are many people who you THINK are NRA members, whose membership has lapsed. We need to encourage our fellow gunnies to be sure they have paid up.

Needless to say, my answer is then: Please Join! and yes, they make mistakes. And they are some asleep at the wheel.

But, they have power, especially at the National Level, and they ARE our Capitol Hill Gun Lobby.

Boltaction
http://www.individ.us
 
Been a member for a year and a half.

They used to send me requests for money all the time but they've cooled down considerably. Guess it was just because of the election year. ;)

The NRA is the big dog in our fight, as others have said. How many non-gun people have even heard of the GOA/JPFO/etc.? The non-profit arm of the NRA also gives lots and lots of grants to shooting clubs around the country.

I'm sure a portion of the money we send them is lost to bureacracy/individual selfishness, but I think the majority of any donations/membership fees you send will be used in good ways.
 
What bugs me is people talking big down at the gun store but unwilling to plunk down $35 for an annual membership. As pointed out numerous times, the NRA is the only effective organization lobbying in Washington. They may not be right all the time but no one is. They at least have the mojo to get things done.

With all the comments here I am considering signing up for the Life Membership. Any comments pro or con on the benefits of this?
 
The thing is, I believe they can't use membership money for lobbying fees. Could be wrong on this.

Consider donating directly to the NRA's political fund. Also, many fine retailers around the web and through mail-order participate in the NRA "round-up" program that benefits the NRA foundation that gives grants to shooting clubs (the CEO of Midway USA, one of my favorite websites for buying gear, thought it up). Buy stuff from those guys at a regular clip, and you'll end up contributing plenty to the NRA - way more than most "guns are for hunting" types. :D
 
At the National level they're very good with lobbying.

At the State level they can be a train wreck. Their endorsements for candidates and legislation will leave you scratching your head at times.

Join, and support their National lobbying efforts, the Nat. Firearms Museum, etc. But get involved in an independent State-level RKBA group as well.
 
Consider that even the libs give the NRA credit for successes. No less than Bill Clinton gave the NRA credit for the Congressional turnover in '94.

The hatred of the Left for the NRA constitutes a ringing endorsement, IMHO.
 
Life Member.

They nag at you by sending you letters every other day asking for more money, but most inteligent folk can toss the stuff in the trash without complaining about it. ;)

Thier magazine publications are top notch- I think the subscription to Rifleman is worth it alone.

If you want to join a shooting club, many require NRA membership, at least in my area.

The NRA also classifies you in certain shooting sports- the scores of a match are turned over to the NRA who keeps track of them and sends you a classification card.


The hatred of the Left for the NRA constitutes a ringing endorsement, IMHO.
Click to expand...

I agree with Shep. Nothing like belonging to an organization that is effective in influencing lawmakers, can swing elections against antigun incumbents, and gets the lefties in this country so seething mad. :D
 
It should also be pointed out that while the normal price for joining is $35 - many gun stores and ranges and members can sign up new members at a reduced rate of $25 and you can also sign up for the $10 membership without a magazine if you want. But as others have said, the magazine alone is worth the $35.

As for the lobbying - your contributions to the NRA are not tax deductible but can go to support their lobbying/political efforts to the extent they pay salaries, etc. They can't be used to finance advertising or make political donations (at the national level) though - thats what the NRA-ILA does.


Its actually a bit more complicated than that (not surprising) but I'd prefer not t get to deep in the details. If someone needs more info, just PM me and I can send you a lifetimes worth of it.
 
I've been a member for around 30 years, and am now a Life Endowment member. I don't regret a minute or a dollar -- they're the best thing we have going for us and our 'hobby'.
 
I think a lot of our military personnel will be joining after they return from Iraq and Afghanistan; a lot of them will do so after they become civilians and realize there are forces working to disarm them and make the world easier and safer for criminals to victimize law abiding citizens.
 
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