I just joined the NRA

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greyhound

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I have been back and forth about it; at forums like these I hear lots of pros and cons about the NRA (and about their constant telemarketing and solicitations). So I compromised and signed up for the $10 1-year Associate Membership. I won't get a magazine, (get too many already) but I do hope I at least get a membership card. After a year, I'll evaluate where I stand and either up my membership to 5 years or not renew. But in the end I felt like I at least have to give it a shot. Anyone out there who wasn't sure they wanted to support the NRA and either ended up a long term member, or in the other extreme got disgusted with their politics and dropped their membership? Thanks.
 
To be honest, I'm not sure the NRA is always doing best for me, but neither am I sure that the GOA or any of the other pro 2nd groups are always doing the best thing either.

I do know that giving $25 to ANY pro 2nd group is a lot better for our rights than not supporting any or spending it at Walmart or the Olive Garden.

With this in mind, I like to diversify my support. Over the course of the year I save around $100 and then split it four ways between the Gun Owners of America, The NRA, the NC Rifle & Pistol Association and Grass Roots NC. Perhaps this year I'll scrape up with another $25 for the JPFO also.
 
I'm a lifer and while I don't agree with some of their politics, you got to have some lobbyist working on your behalf. If you don't, your congresscritter will hear only the other side.
 
I've also gone "up and down" in relation to the NRA. I am still a member (EPL) because even though they sometimes tick me off, I still like the way the anti's hate them and spew out their name every chance they get.

I belong to the following:

NRA (EPL)
GOA (2 years at a time)
JPFO (2 years at a time)
OFF (yearly) (grassroots for Oregon, Oregon Firearms Federation)

I also like to support those on our side by buying stuff from them:

Kenn (Blackman with a gun)
Robert Waters (Waiting for the next book)

(I will sign my real nick later)
 
When I first got into shooting as a young man, I wouldn't have dreamed of joining the NRA. Thought they were a collection of nuts and nerds. As the years have gone buy and the threats to our second amend. rights have increased I felt I had to do something. Joining the NRA was how I acted. Like others here I do not always care for their politics but they are the gun rights organization with the most clout and therefore the most effective. I am considering joining another gun rights group in addition to the NRA. We need as many voices out there as we can get.
 
Congratulations.

It's a fine organization. If you're concerned about the mailings I believe there is a number you can call to get off the list.

Just understand one thing. While some people complain about the mailings, the solicitations do work. There are members who do give what they can while others complain about getting off the couch to throw an envelope away.
 
I'm similar to andy, in that I used to think the NRA were a bunch of extremists. I originally joined simply to use their range, before I even owned a gun, when I attended a TFL meet three years ago. However, like others I can see the value in joining them and other groups like GOA and JPFO, since they give gun owners a national voice.

I think it's a mistake to expect others to do all the legwork of defending our rights, though. I try to do what I can at a state and local level by working with the Virginia Citizens Defense League. We're lucky in Virginia to have a very effective state group, but it only happens due to the time and effort of volunteers. I know some THR members up in New Jersey are starting to fight the good fight at the state level as well. A few hours spent speaking about the right to keep and bear arms costs less in dollars than sending contributions to national groups, but it can be even more valuable in preserving our rights.
 
There is no perfect organization out there. For me I am a life member of both the NRA and GOA. I figured it is better to give money to a group(s) that are at least on our side even if they dont go all the way.
 
Just remember folks the NRA cannot use membership dues to fight for gun rights and lobby politicians. Member dues only go to youth shooting, sponsorships, administrative etc...

If you want to support legislative action that will have to be a seperate donation.

I also recommend joining your state association and other grass roots
2nd amendment groups.
 
The NRA ain't perfect. No organization is perfect. Take a look at the entire picture rather than one small part.

Direct mail and telemarketing from the NRA is a bother. Best way to deal with it is to not respond. Don't respond and they'll quit sending stuff.

Many on the thread said the NRA doesn't necessarily represent them. True. But one sure fire fact of reality is the NRA causes the fascists to grow piles. The NRA is loathed because it is effective. It is the single most effective grassroots organization out there.

Now while any number of the anti universe claim to hate guns "for the children", it is the NRA's Eddie Eagle who has been presented to 12 school children.

So take pride in being part of an organization that is unquestionably effective.
 
Been a member of the NRA since 1957. Now, I am an endowment life member. If the liberals hate us, we must be doing something right. Besides the #1 priority of RKBA, don't forget the myriad other shooting related functions they have done and are doing still. Quantrill
 
Welcome to the NRA, greyhound....

I was a member for years when I was a teenager/young adult, then drifted away....guess I was swayed by all that "right-wing gun-nut" propaganda of the late 70's.

I now live in Australia and I rejoined a few years ago.

No, the NRA isn't perfect, but Australian firearms law is a perfect example of what happens when there is no powerful lobby working for gun owners.
:what:

Don't stop with your NRA membership....get active locally as well and get as many friends and family to vote for their Second Amendment freedom.

It's a never-ending struggle...as long as we struggle :D
 
Yup, the NRA is a mixed bag. I am Life Member and even though the constant solicitations drive me nuts, they do pack a punch. We have made headway in some gun control issues in the face of the lunatic left. I am also a member of GOAL. The most important thing that I do, however, is to take a friend or an anti-gun fool to the range. It is amazing how a few safety lessons and couple of dozens rounds can change someone's mind!
 
I'll tell you straight up that I disagree with a lot of the stuff the NRA does.
Regardless, I joined this year because I figured that they have a positive net benefit for gunowners, even if some of the stuff they do is so obviously bone-headed.

If nothing else, once I've been a member for five years, or once I scrape together the cash to get a life membership, I will have a voice (albeit a small one) in deciding where the organization should go. Which is certainly better than just bellyaching on the internet.

Of course, once I get the dough together, I'd also like to donate to JPFO and GOA.
 
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