Saw this over on archerytalk this morning and thought I should post it over here along with a question. Was this really the reason the NRA was founded?
http://youtu.be/Uk46HZzuG48
http://youtu.be/Uk46HZzuG48
NRA Created To Protect Free Slaves
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Honest John
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Didn't bother watching the link, but I'm positive the answer is no. It was founded by United States Army officers who had been dismayed by the marksmanship ability of their soldiers.
That's what I always thought. The video is pretty good though.
It wasn't specifically created to help freed slaves. The NRA granted charters to establish chapters led by black citizens who wanted to train their friends and neighbors against the threats and actions of the KKK. The NRA is committed to upholding the 2nd amendment rights of ALL citizens. I like the video because it flies in the face of those who distort NRA members as racist, etc...
Sounds more like it. And that's also why I thought the video was good.
The NRA wasn't started to help freed slaves, but its important to note that gun laws in the US were started in southern states to prevent newly freed slaves from owning guns.
Until the early 1900s in Britain, everyone knew that the sole purpose of weapons laws was to stop conquered people (slaves) from rebelling against their conquerors. Someone finally smartened up and started to market laws against owning weapons as public safety instead of oppression. That way potential slaves would vote for their own oppression.
Right now we're seeing a reverse of that type of thought in the US because of how bad the last two presidents have been. Now both sides of the political spectrum are getting worried. This all feeds into the gun and ammo shortage.
Until the early 1900s in Britain, everyone knew that the sole purpose of weapons laws was to stop conquered people (slaves) from rebelling against their conquerors. Someone finally smartened up and started to market laws against owning weapons as public safety instead of oppression. That way potential slaves would vote for their own oppression.
Right now we're seeing a reverse of that type of thought in the US because of how bad the last two presidents have been. Now both sides of the political spectrum are getting worried. This all feeds into the gun and ammo shortage.
Here's something I came across that may or may not be of value to the conversation. It concerns the rifle club that was created by civil rights activist Robert Franklin Williams and chartered by the NRA.
http://docsouth.unc.edu/sohp/K-0266/...erpt_8789.html
I've said this elsewhere on THR, but I'd love to read the letter Robert Franklin Williams sent to the NRA... I doubt it's available though.
http://docsouth.unc.edu/sohp/K-0266/...erpt_8789.html
I've said this elsewhere on THR, but I'd love to read the letter Robert Franklin Williams sent to the NRA... I doubt it's available though.
Nope, the NRA was not founded to help protect freed slaves any more than the Second Amendment was created to help round up escaped slaves or the NRA is a branch of the KKK. Those are the kind of nutcase tales that are put out by pro/anti gun activists whose ideas have taken a vacation from reality.
Every time guns are "in the news" the loonies come out of the woodwork, spewing their hatred (and yes, we have some on our side), running their mouths, and waving their illiterate signs.
Just FWIW, there are many black NRA members (I know some of them) and no one in the Association cares, in fact they are more than welcome. Unlike the FEDERAL 4473 form, there is no "race" or "ethnicity" section on the NRA membership application.
Jim
Every time guns are "in the news" the loonies come out of the woodwork, spewing their hatred (and yes, we have some on our side), running their mouths, and waving their illiterate signs.
Just FWIW, there are many black NRA members (I know some of them) and no one in the Association cares, in fact they are more than welcome. Unlike the FEDERAL 4473 form, there is no "race" or "ethnicity" section on the NRA membership application.
Jim
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Beaux Nehr
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While Wiki is always poo-poo'd by academic scholars, but sometmes even 10,000 blind monkeys can write accurate history.
The National Rifle Association was first chartered in the state of New York on November 17, 1871 by Army and Navy Journal editor William Conant Church and General George Wood Wingate. Its first president was Civil War General Ambrose Burnside, who had worked as a Rhode Island gunsmith, and Wingate was the original secretary of the organization. Church succeeded Burnside as president in the following year.
Union Army records for the Civil War indicate that its troops fired about 1,000 rifle shots for each Confederate soldier hit, causing General Burnside to lament his recruits: "Out of ten soldiers who are perfect in drill and the manual of arms, only one knows the purpose of the sights on his gun or can hit the broad side of a barn." The generals attributed this to the use of volley tactics, devised for earlier, less accurate smoothbore muskets.
Recognizing a need for better training, Wingate traveled to Europe and observed European armies' marksmanship training programs. With plans provided by Wingate, the New York Legislature funded the construction of a modern range at Creedmore, Long Island, for long-range shooting competitions. Wingate then wrote a marksmanship manual.
I find it ironic that New York is originally to blame for creation of this now iconic antithesis to their current aims to regulate citizens into near helpless dependency.
The National Rifle Association was first chartered in the state of New York on November 17, 1871 by Army and Navy Journal editor William Conant Church and General George Wood Wingate. Its first president was Civil War General Ambrose Burnside, who had worked as a Rhode Island gunsmith, and Wingate was the original secretary of the organization. Church succeeded Burnside as president in the following year.
Union Army records for the Civil War indicate that its troops fired about 1,000 rifle shots for each Confederate soldier hit, causing General Burnside to lament his recruits: "Out of ten soldiers who are perfect in drill and the manual of arms, only one knows the purpose of the sights on his gun or can hit the broad side of a barn." The generals attributed this to the use of volley tactics, devised for earlier, less accurate smoothbore muskets.
Recognizing a need for better training, Wingate traveled to Europe and observed European armies' marksmanship training programs. With plans provided by Wingate, the New York Legislature funded the construction of a modern range at Creedmore, Long Island, for long-range shooting competitions. Wingate then wrote a marksmanship manual.
I find it ironic that New York is originally to blame for creation of this now iconic antithesis to their current aims to regulate citizens into near helpless dependency.
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wally
Member
+1
I think I'll steal it, and paraphrase a bit to add to my signature!
Edit:
Interesting how the website's engine adds my updated signature to old posts when viewed again!
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threefeathers
member
M E Havey, thank you for taking the time to look this up.
Honest John
Member
Although New York State helped pay for Creedmore's construction, I don't think they can otherwise be credited for founding the NRA - which is at any rate a very different organization than it was before the Cincinnati revolt.
Cosmoline
Member
By GAR vets specifically, and they were concerned that the CSA boys had been better shots than their own people. Ambrose E Burnside was the first president. I'm not sure what it's position was regarding reconstruction. It was primarily a shooting sports organization for folks in the north. It didn't get aggressively into politics until much more recently.
Speedo66
Member
I don't see how the issue of race is relevant. The gov't form has to do with identification, not membership in an organization.
Vern Humphrey
Member
You are correct. On the other hand, the earliest gun control laws after the Civil War were intended to protect the Ku Klux Klan -- to keep persecuted Blacks from shooting back.
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