Feinstein is going to attach a rider to the Lawsuit Protection Bill. AWB 2 in march.

[TimRB]

"Yes, the NRA does good things. But how much farther are we supposed to carry the hunters without some return from them?"

Numbers are the key. To be effective, the NRA must be able to go to the politicians and say "We represent X million voters..." If they cannot do that, we all lose.

We already know that pro-gun activists (such as frequent this group) are carrying the ball. If every person who owned a gun in this country joined the NRA (or *any* pro-gun group, for that matter) politicians like Feinstein would have a tough time even getting elected, let alone getting AWB-type legislation passed.

A year's NRA membership costs less than what most of us blow downrange on a typical Saturday afternoon. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water by quitting in disgust.

Tim

 

[fallingblock]

I agree with TimRB......

As long as we have the NRA as a strong and LARGE organization, we've got the clout to make changes happen. If it needs an adjustment of focus, by all means, accomplish that.

To abandon the NRA is to weaken our own cause.

Even though I live in Australia, I remain an NRA member.

There is no other large & effective pro-gun organization out there, folks.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Bump to remind others that there is a big fight coming in the Senate starting March 3rd.

NRA, GOA, JPFO, whatever... make sure you are a part of that fight or forever surrender your right to whine about how XXXX doesn't fight hard enough for YOUR rights.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

To those who don't see the difference between Repubs and Dems -- Repubs (barring a few exceptions like McCain) don't pull stunts like this.

And for those who don't like the NRA -- Without a strong NRA, this stuff would slip by more often.

Short-term -- call and write your congress critters (e-mail isn't as powerful) and protest this stunt.

Long-term -- Rather than form or join splinter groups -- get involved and change both the Republican party and the NRA for the better.

Remember -- you can belong to the NRA, JPFO and GOA. All are good. You don't have to pick sides and choose between them. We're all basically on the same side.

 

[benEzra]

I know that many here and elsewhere disagree with the fights the NRA chooses and how it chooses to fight them, but I am *begging* you, regardless of how the AWB issue turns out, *please* don't quit the NRA.

If the NRA sells out and takes the position (explicitly OR tacitly) that the AWB is OK--that the antis can ban any firearm they feel is "scary looking"--then I WILL cancel my NRA membership (member since ca. 1987) and take my dollars to another organization that WILL stand up for my family's freedoms.

My feelings on the Republican party are similar. Although I voted for Bush Sr. in 1988 and 1992, Dole in 1996, and GWB in 2000, I will NOT vote for an anti-gun Republican again, and if the Republicans actually pass a permanent AWB, I will probably leave the Republican party as well.

 

[fallingblock]

well, "that'll show 'em", benEzra.....

Then the Brady Bunch and democ-rats will just walk over us.:banghead:

 

[benEzra]

Then the Brady Bunch and democ-rats will just walk over us.

And they won't if the NRA were to give them everything they are asking for? You are aware, I'm sure, that one of Feinstein's proposals is to allow a government official to essentially ban any magazine-fed firearm by decree? What if they decide my S&W 3913 is "nonsporting"? (Well, it isn't--I've never taken a deer with it.) My point is, the AWB issue can take the antis 90% of the way to a total ban. If Feinstein's bill passes and remains on the books, we've pretty much lost.

And I'm not saying giving up fighting for our freedoms. I'm just saying if the NRA gives up the fight, then it will no longer be the best venue for carrying on the fight.

Nor am I saying that having John Kerry (or Clark, or Dean, or Edwards) for president would be better than Bush--they most certainly wouldn't, given their disdain (and in Kerry's case, apparent hatred) for gun enthusiasts who aren't hunters--nor am I saying that I wouldn't vote for pro-gun Republicans in the future. I realize there is also an argument for staying in the Republican party to affect the primaries, and as long as we can be effective in doing so, maybe we should.

I personally think Bush is doing a pretty good job on a lot of things. But I also believe we should hold him accountable in the polls if he were to sign Feinstein's nightmare.

Remember, it wasn't all that long ago that a debate was going on in Republican circles about whether to drop support for gun rights from the party platform. It was fear of mass desertions from the party by gun enthusiasts that pulled the party more to our side. If they lose that concern, we're sunk.

 

[fallingblock]

That's true, benEzra......

"I personally think Bush is doing a pretty good job on a lot of things. But I also believe we should hold him accountable in the polls if he were to sign Feinstein's nightmare."
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That we surely have to do.

I try not to become discouraged by "W" when he seems ambivalent on the issue.


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"Remember, it wasn't all that long ago that a debate was going on in Republican circles about whether to drop support for gun rights from the party platform. It was fear of mass desertions from the party by gun enthusiasts that pulled the party more to our side. If they lose that concern, we're sunk."
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You've got my agreement here as well.....

Unfortunately in politics they have to fear us, not like us...

I would be a lot happier if NRA could get more gun-owners into the organization, and at the same time move aggressively against such abominations as the Feinstein bill. I am a JPFO and GOA member as well as NRA, but we need the large membership to get political attention these days.

Sometimes the alternative options don't look all that promising .