I am sick and tired of the NRA!

[popbang]

I think some people are missing the point here. Just because the NRA is a big lobbying group and is effective on some issues doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make it better. Many members of the NRA are hunters, target shooters, or shotgun sport participants that aren’t as concerned about the right to carry. As a group, we as concerned responsible citizens should take back some semblance of leadership in the NRA. This is not slamming the group, but rather bringing it into line with our views. One person on the board isn’t going to make much difference, but one person can lead the argument on the board against support of legislation such as the 10 round magazine limits. An outspoken director can word things in a manner that may lead other members to support the concerns of handgun users. As members in the group shouldn’t we elect people to the board that share our concerns?

 

[MountainPeak]

I think the NRA has a pretty good record in recent elections. They have been aggressive in the fight to get rid of AWB. They aren't perfect, but they have been a positive force in the 2nd Amendment battles.

 

[Monte Harrison]

I am sick and tired of people bashing the NRA.

At least someone suggesting our own little version of the Free State Project is a different twist.
The bottom line is that TALKING about something is a helluva lot easier than DOING something. Take a look at the people on that board of directors. The least qualified and dynamic person on that board is still a Rennaisance man compared to anyone I personally know. If there is anyone here with that level of commitment and experience, let them throw their hat in the ring, and I'll back them 100%. If not, then quit bitching to us and bitch at them instead.

 

[toro]

I think the NRA does a great job. I think you need someone famous to get the membership and money. Someone like Charlton Heston. They had the most members join during his time in office. You need name recongnition.

As far as this list having 5,000 members. Getting someone elected is pretty remote. Considering the last place board member was elected with 42,158 votes. The best known person who has been trying to get on the board is Neil Knox. He gets voted down almost every election. He is the one who bad mouths the NRA every chance he gets. I think that is why he can't get elected. Also, he is a radical and don't appeal to the regular members.

Toro

 

[Owen]

I live in South Carolina. In South Carolina, the NRA "has no opinion" on pro-gun legislation proposed by the more successful (non-NRA) lobbying group. Several Legislators have made comments that behind closed doors, the NRA actually opposed many of the concealed carry reforms proposed by Grassroots South Carolina. The common feeling is that the NRA opposed the reforms, because they weren't originated by the NRA. As far as I can tell, the state NRA affiliate (Gun Owners of South Carolina) does NOTHING!!!

The NRA is piggybacking onto pro-gun lawsuits, and adding plaintiffs that basically sink the laswsuit on the spot. For instance, adding Ashcroft to the lawsuit against the city of Washington DC, created a defendant with inexhaustible resources. Why did they do that!!!??? But now the NRA can say they did something. Something is called sabotage, but they won't say that.

As effective as the NRA may be, the NRA has problems. The problems need to be addressed, but I have no expectation that the current leadership will make those changes.

I have 3 requirements of any NRA Board Member Candidate from THR.
1) The candidate must not be a rabid dog in demeanor. For Instance, I think Ted Nugent is a terrible representative of the American Gun Owner

2) The Candidate must beleive in and support going on the offensive and rolling back gun laws. Holding actions and compromise are not acceptable.

3) The Candidate must be willing to let non NRA orgs do their thing, without stepping on their toes. The must not have the Not Invented Here mentality.

Owen


PS Oh, and about all the politicians they "get elected". A lot of them aren't nearly as good as the NRA claims they are. When I lived in Mass, they recommended an openly antigun republican over a libertarian.

 

[Smoke]

So if someone from THR did get elected would you want him to push his own personal agenda (or THR's) or to do what the membership decided?

I think the NRA does a good job. What may help more than anything else is if they would educate their membership to vote religously in general elections, and to not be judgemental of others choice of shooting sports. (ie: IPSC vs. Clay games vs. Benchrest vs. SASS, ad nauseum)

WE have to stick together people.

 

[Quantrill]

NRA

I have been a member of the NRA since 1957. I would like to point out that the NRA has other responsibilities than RKBA. The RKBA is foremost on their agenda and they are the most feared and the largest RKBA organization. But they have ranges, they have matches, they keep the records and the classifications of all competitive shooters, they have instructors, they are actively involved in hunting etc. etc. There are certainly more radical groups (and I am glad that there are) but the NRA is the one that wields the big stick. And while there are 4 million members or such, only the 5 year members, life, endowment, benefactor etc. do the voting. How many THR members are of the classification that can vote in the NRA elections? Sure I would like to see more being done, but the finances can only go so far. Just my two cents. Quantrill

 

[Dan from MI]

The NRA is a mixed bag. They do some things great, and some things extremely poor. There is room for improvement.

I'm an NRA member(since 99 - 3 year, now EPL) working on a life membership(Easy Pay Life). Unfortunatly, I couldn't vote in the Board Elections. I'm looking at making a run in a few years, if I think I can pull it off. I have some campaign experience.

GOOD:

1. The 800 lb gorilla.
2. Knows how to get bills passed.
3. Can be the best friend around election time.
4. WINS.
5. Excellent training.
6. Can play the PR game very well. Wayne LaPierre is an excellent person for the talk-show circut. Represents our side well. Charlton Heston(Yes, I know is anti-gun past in 68) was a great speaker for the rallies. Ted Nugent does his part very well firing up the troops.


BAD

1. The 800 lb gorilla.
2. Some NRA reps on state level play games on endorsements. I know this firsthand. This is one of the WORST things they do. Mike Hanley(A bonifide GUN GRABBER) was given an A? He wasn't endorsed, but c'mon.
3. Wishy-Washy. Not aggressive enough. I don't expect overaggressiveness, but there's a time to fire.
4. Steps on other orgs toes, especially on the STATE level. This is the worst think that they do.
5. Oftentimes too REACTIVE, not PROACTIVE.


-------------------------------------------


The NRA is the best we got numberswise, and SAF is the best "pound for poind' we have. We need them both.

Now, I want to fix the bad with the NRA, especially with their state level crap with a couple of their deputy reps. Where's the plan. I'd love to see a Jim March run.

How can we get the 69, 234 votes required to win?

How I would do it?

1. Post candidacy online - webpage, email address for questions, etc. Call it "Joe Smith for NRA Board of Directors". List the credentials and platform there. Honest and Open.

2. Post candidacy on gun message boards, conservative political boards, libertarian political boards, and even liberal boards if pro-gun views are allowed there. Ones interested in the issue are more likely to vote.

3. Go to pro-gun rallies and shooting matches. Go to events like the Gun Rights Policy Conference, Camp Perry, the machine gun shoot in Kentucky(Damn! forgot the name), etc. The die hards vote.

4. Set up booths at gunshows accross the country. It's smaller numbers, but not everyone is online.

It may work, it may not work, but that would be my plan.

 

[George Hill]

I'm not looking for a nomination. That wasn't my intent.

I would be a poor choice for this calling. I'm far too salty for the likes of the NRA. I do not look that good in a suit either.
But If called, I'd serve.

I'm not bashing the NRA... I want it strengthened and bolstered. We have the Whitehouse, we have the Senate, and we have the House of Reps... We have the Government and yet we are still acting as if it was 4 years ago. We gotta PUSH OUR ADVANTAGE here because we might not have it for very long and GOD HELP US IN 2008 if Hillary wins. That will be the END of it. Push now... and push as far as we can. Enforce the existing laws?
ROLL THEM BACK!
What about Chicago's CAGE unit? Virginia's Project Exile... Zero Tollerance BS... Roll this crap back while we can.

 

[pytron]

I know at least five members of the NRA who are qualified to vote and do not frequent THR. They respect what I have to say and I could probably sway them to vote for a particular person. I would guess that many THR members also know NRA members who do not frequent THR.

As a seperate thought, perhaps we need a NRA BOD scorecard with candidate's ratings. Kind of like the ones GOA puts out.

-Pytron

 

[Cosmoline]

Know why I love the NRA?

BECAUSE OUR ENEMIES ARE SCARED TO DEATH OF IT! They hate it and fear it like no other group. Michael Moore has made it his personal crusade to destroy it. I'll start getting worried when they stop worrying about its power--about our power.

 

[ArMa]

I nominate Art Eatman or ... why not Oleg its his forums. I think they would both do a fine job, Oleg is very serious about rkba as most of us are but I think as the founder of the forum and a-human-right he would be a good representitive of all of our thoughts. As for Art, well Art is a Texan, need I say more? .

 

[KMKeller]

Frankly, I think Tamara would be the best choice, with Art running a close second. Both have a common sense approach to the issues at hand and have vast amouts of both intelligence and charisma... or something like that.

 

[willyjixx]

form a new group that will bolster the first beliefs that founded the NRA. second there needs to be a name change.

N-National
R-Rifle
A-Association.

all that sais to me just hearing it they believe in Rifles.

change it to a more broader name that gets point out that we are a group of responsible concerned citizens that believe in the support of all "Weapons" of self defense, all "Weapons" of hunting an of the RKBA an also of the Concealed Carry laws to law abiding citizens an also support collectors.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

-NRA
-JPFO
-GOA
- www.a-human-right.com
- www.flashbunny.org
- www.thehighroad.org
- www.ar15.com

Support and be an advocate for all of the above - plus anyone else who supports RKBA. Why choose just one?

And probably the most important:
-Ask ALL political candidates their stance on gun control
-Volunteer to help the good candidates
-RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE YOURSELF

 

[Owen]

willyjixx,

the founding principles of the NRA had nothing to do with politics. It was a competition organization that was formed to encourage rifle marksmanship. The goal was to improve the performance of the american military, by having a large number of good shooters in the civilian population.

Found a new org, and get to the level of clout of the NRA? It will actually be easier to change the NRA from the inside. The NRA has piles of name recognition, gobs of members, and lots of politicos that owe favors.

"a group of responsible concerned citizens that believe in the support of all "Weapons" of self defense, all "Weapons" of hunting an of the RKBA an also of the Concealed Carry laws to law abiding citizens an also support collectors." is kinda long for a name, dontcha think?

 

[MicroBalrog]

Oleg for President!

 

[willyjixx]

owen :

Thanks for the history lesson! i did not know that about the NRA.... (no sarcasm i rally did appreciate it)



a group of responsible concerned citizens that believe in the support of all "Weapons" of self defense, all "Weapons" of hunting an of the RKBA an also of the Concealed Carry laws to law abiding citizens an also support collectors." is kinda long for a name, dontcha think?


yeah that is kinda long winded!

how bout


W.L.O.G.S.L.E'.A

we love out gund so leave em' alone

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Changing the NRA's name is a very bad idea. Inaccuracy is no reason to change a powerful brand.

Micro Soft - Quite a successful brand name, despite the name being comprised of two words with which no man wants to be associated.
Kodak - Uh - what exactly does that word mean? Oh yeah -- the world's most recognized brand name.
Coca-Cola - Two drugs. Are either of them still in the product? The world's second most recognized brand name.

HCI -- Changed their name. On their way to obscurity and inclusion only in "Trivial Pursuit - The 1990's".

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Know why I love the NRA? BECAUSE OUR ENEMIES ARE SCARED TO DEATH OF IT! They hate it and fear it like no other group.

Exactly.

As much as I love the concept, I don't get quite the response wearing my "Molon Labe" hat as I do my NRA hat.

The best response I've gotten so far from a complete stranger is "What...do we live in Texas now?"

To which I responded "Minnesota IS still the USA -- right?"

 

[telewinz]

I still don't know what's wrong with the NRA. It's track record is great and as cosmoline says "it's a much feared organization by our enemies". Over the decades their power and membership has grown, I can remember when they were still trying for 1 million members.

I won't support any fanatical group on any issue be it political or religious in nature. I don't think it's reasonable to expect perfection from any one person or group. The NRA has been a success because it has performed in a responsible manner and is respected. The NRA knows how to play the political game and is a master at it. They are the envy of more than a few special interest groups and their methods for success are often cited by the news media and political science instructors.

If their is a better pro-gun organization, please let me know.

 

[Dan from MI]

Another good group is Second Amendment Foundation. They fought the Ohio CCW and Emerson case in the courts, not to mention, put on GRPC each year.

http://www.saf.org

 

[Monkeyleg]

ReadyontheRight: "Micro Soft - Quite a successful brand name, despite the name being comprised of two words with which no man wants to be associated."

*************
"Kodak - Uh - what exactly does that word mean? Oh yeah -- the world's most recognized brand name."

From Archive Magazine: I recall, on one of my visits across the pond to the USA, hearing a little tale about one George Eastman (1854-1932) the US photographic inventor who introduced plates (1879), paper roll film (1884), celluloid film and camera (1888) and much more. Eastman needed a name for his company and new products and searched for something simple, easy to remember and rolls off the tongue whatever your native language.

Eastman came up with "KODAK" a purely made up word first registered as a trademark in 1888, and he later (1892) called his company Eastman Kodak Co. The name Kodak is now synonymous with anything photographic and recognised world wide and is a protected name.

The letter 'K' had always been a favourite of Eastman and he found it a strong, incisive sort of letter. He tried out a great number of combinations of letter that made words starting and ending with 'K'. The word Kodak was the end result which along with the distinctive yellow trade dress, which Eastman also selected, is one of the companies more valued assets.
***************

Now, as to the topic at hand, I think there's any number of TFL members and moderators who would do a fine job as hard-line NRA board members. Let's settle on one and get the ball rolling!

 

[Selfdfenz]

As a point of reference, I'm an NRA Lifer.
While they have done some things that PMO I think the NRA has done some great things, some remarkable things.

Imagine where we would be if there was no NRA.

If you really feel our rights as owners and users of firearms would be stronger today if there had been no NRA down through the years, I'd like to hear why. Ditto for the future.

I like GOA and JPFO but what have they DONE. Where's the beef!

Something about dividing your forces in the face of the enemy comes to mind. When the GOA and JPFO provide us with more that great opinion pieces I may have dollars for them but untill that day comes I'm sticking with the only result-producing organization I know of, and that is the NRA.
And yes I expect the NRA will PMO in the future but as long they keep moving forward and scare the BGs I will not give up on the organization.

OTOH, I also like the idea of taking no prisoners. I too wish the NRA would be a little less PR company sometimes and start taking a few more political scalpes from time to time. Regardless of the cost, if we/us/gun owners/the NRA could un-elect a Schumer once in a while it would do wonders for our cause.

Mr. Hill if you or one/some of the other THRers care to articulate a platform and run on a no-compromise RTKBA position you have my vote and support.


S-

 

[Matt G]

Good idea. I nominate George Hill for the Office of President of the NRA!

And while I'm doing things that might tick off a Mad Ogre, I'm moving this thread to Legal And Political, where I believe it belongs. (This being a mighty political topic, and all...)

--Matt.