NRA Life Membership, is it worth it?

[dekibg]

I just renewed my membership for 5 years. I'm almost 80 so 5 years is being fairly optimistic.

God bless !
Have a long and healthy life !

 

[vito]

When the NRA speaks, many political leaders listen. They listen because the NRA is representing over 4 million members, not just because it is some gun rights oriented organization. If they only represented 4 thousand members, no one would pay them any attention at all. Being a Life Member means you stay on the roster for the rest of your life, adding yourself to the millions who support the 2nd Amendment. I think it is estimated that about 100 million American own at least one firearm. If even half were NRA members we would never have to worry about a Congress, or State Legislature passing anti-2nd Amendment legislation. So yes, it is well worth what it costs to protect our rights for future generations.

 

[DeepSouth]

It's worth it solely because you can quit giving to the NRA and start giving to the NRA-ILA and NRA Defence Fund where the money is more needed and effective.

I give more minutes net now than I ever did before I was a lot fe member, I also make more

 

[Candyman87]

How does me being a life member benefit the NRA? That's what I want to know.

Because they will still have the member count that they need to have sway. Having 5 million members is better than 4 million, right? So having some that no longer contribute financially still help that count.

On the other hand, after life member there are additional membership levels. When I'm done paying off my easy pay life, my donations will then go to the ILA instead of membership, and that's the branch that gets things done!

 

[Zeke/PA]

The politicians hate the N.R.A. because we can and DO help decide elections !
The Second Amendment issue is protected mostly because of the NRA and it's membership!

 

[tuj]

yearly member of NRA, reluctantly.

avid supporter of USA Shooting, who actually advances the shooting sports.

Have you seen the state of Camp Perry? Its a disgrace to the USA to shoot bullseye there...

 

[StrutStopper]

Just paid the balance I owed for my Patron Life membership. Was doing the $25/year thing, figured I'd just pay it off.

 

[IL Guns]

Yearly because of stuff like this:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-lyons-gun-shop-ordinance-20151027-story.html

"Village Attorney Burton Odelson said the National Rifle Association helped advise Midwest as officials crafted the new ordinance."

This is VERY personal to me because this is where I learned to shoot when I was a kid with my father. The NRA should have advised Midwest Sporting Goods to fight this to the bitter end because in the end it will probably put them out of business anyway.

Michael Pfleger and Annette Nance-Holt are showboats and most people don't take Pfleger seriously in Chicagoland, many people believe he should be defrocked as a Catholic priest or excommunicated outright.

To say I'm mad at the NRA for agreeing to any of this is an understatement.

While there are strength in numbers and the NRA does have some clout, the ILA is where the real clout is. Politicians also use the NRA as a tool to attract anti gun people to vote for them. "I'm not afraid to take on the NRA" the far left candidate says in his commercial. That attracts the anti gun people to vote for him so it's a double edged sword.

 

[kimberkid]

Honestly it depends on how long you live. If you die next week then, no it wasn't. I plan to live forever so I became a lifer a few years ago.

Ditto ... Our range is insured by the NRA so membership is a requirement to be a club member. A few years ago I crossed the break even point of the cost of my life membership, however I also went to the next level as an Endowment member and got a beautiful Bowie knife ... Made in China

In a few more years I'll retire and be a life member at our club
By that time I probably won't be able to afford to shoot

 

[Poper]

How does me being a life member benefit the NRA? That's what I want to know.

Our life memberships in the NRA are a great benefit to the organization: It says "You can count on me. I am there for the NRA today, tomorrow and for as long as I live; unless, of course, I cancel my life membership in writing." For the NRA to use us as positive support when they go before congress says a lot. Especially when they can quote numbers of life members and annual members.
Also, the life membership fees give a considerable boost to NRA's immediate bottom line. Remember, NRA is NOT an affiliate of NRA-PVF! They are completely separate entities!

If I sign up as a 1 year, 5 year, or lifetime member, and never throw any additional money at them, how am I helping? (see above) In that regard, seems as though the NRA benefits far more from people who renew a 1 year membership for decades on end, than they benefit from the person who buys a lifetime membership for an infant at a steeply discounted price.

In the short run, you may be correct. However, think of life membership as paying it all up front. Now NRA can bank our money and make money on our money. Over the time span of our lives, they are possibly able to recoup their investment in us and then some. Regardless, NRA can count on us in their statistics if nowhere else. NRA is taking the chance that we will also be there to assist with donations if an urgent need arises for our participation with money, manpower or letter writing.

IME, from what I've been able to see, the only good my NRA membership does is it puts my name on a mailing list for them to ask for additional money to fight specific things as they come up. I'll happily concede there may be other benefits I haven't seen or considered, but that's all I know of.

Yes, we end up on mailing lists, unless, of course, we specifically opt out. I opted out of a couple of their classifications for information and opted in for a couple others. One of my favorite entities for information and donation is the NRA Whittington Center at Raton, NM. I have stopped there a couple times when passing through but never for more than an hour or so. I have been a sponsor multiple years just because I think it is a good cause and it is an amazing facility. It, too, is not funded by NRA but through its own funding mechanisms such as "Sponsor" Donations, fundraising drives and competitions fees. As a matter of fact, I hope to be a 'fees donator' this year for the National Matches for Metallic Silhouette this year for my first time. - Money, time and wife permitting, of course.

I hope this helps.

 

[Aim1]

Just paid the balance I owed for my Patron Life membership. Was doing the $25/year thing, figured I'd just pay it off.

What is a patron life membership?



I just signed up and paid my Lifetime membership.

 

[Bobson]

Yes, we end up on mailing lists, unless, of course, we specifically opt out.

I hope this helps.

It does, as did the other reply to what I posted (Candyman87). Thank you both.

FWIW, I wasn't trying to be negative about the mailing list thing, though I realize that's generally the idea when people mention them. I actually think the NRA mailing list is helpful, because it helps keep me updated on what current issues/threats we may be facing. I view it as a good thing, at least in this case.

 

[readyeddy]

I've been a life member for several years and I'm glad I did it. I'm a member for the rest of my lifem and I don't have to pay an additional cent. They send me offers to upgrade my membership, but so far I haven't had the urge.

Think of it this way. What if you were twenty something or thirty something and you were offered a lifetime deal on your federal income taxes, buy a lifetime membership to the USA for a one time fee, no need to pay taxes thereafter. If the numbers make sense, what's not to like?

 

[Bobson]

I've been a life member for several years and I'm glad I did it. I'm a member for the rest of my lifem and I don't have to pay an additional cent. They send me offers to upgrade my membership, but so far I haven't had the urge.

Think of it this way. What if you were twenty something or thirty something and you were offered a lifetime deal on your federal income taxes, buy a lifetime membership to the USA for a one time fee, no need to pay taxes thereafter. If the numbers make sense, what's not to like?

For one thing, I think many people have a hard time wrapping their head around the idea that they need to pay money and be proactive about keeping a right that was already present when they took their first breath.

 

[Hummer70]

Actually I would put it this way, what is value you place on keeping your guns?

What politician do you know that can stop legislation by himself.

I have been a member since age 12. Got out of highschool, first job I had I signed up for life member deferred pay plan. Paid it off. Been Life Member since 1972. Never regretted doing it.

I tried to get my Dad to join life when he was 60. He said he wouldn't live long enough to get 100.00 worth. He lived another 24 years.

I am now a Benefactor. Haven't regretted that either.

 

[Llama Bob]

If I sign up for a lifetime membership does that mean I'll get scammy telemarketers blathering about Obama and mail ads trying to sell me massively overpriced gold coins for the rest of my life?

I don't think I could take it. One year was enough. Never again.

 

[Bobson]

I am now a Benefactor. Haven't regretted that either.

I was going to ask what this means, but decided to look it up myself.

Here it is, for anyone else wondering, along with the other "levels" available after Life Membership is paid for: https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/superlife.asp

- - -

Is it worth it?

Honestly it depends on how long you live. If you die next week then, no it wasn't.

I guess that depends whether you view the Second Amendment as being about your personal enjoyment, or about the preservation of American freedom for generations to come. If the latter, and if it's ever "worth it," then it's still worth it even if you buy it on your deathbed. Not like you're taking that extra cash with you anyway, and despite what most people think, it's likely not going to your kids either - for the great majority of Americans.

 

[readyeddy]

I'm just answering the question from my point of view. Other people can do what they want. It's a free country, for now.

 

[HRnightmare]

I recently received a promotion for a life membership for $500 in quarterly installments. I actually planned on paying it at once but when I saw that was an option i opted for it. Better the money sit in my account than anyone else's...in my opinion.

I'll still give to them occasionally but at least now I don't need to worry about forgetting my yearly dues.

 

[courier de bois]

I think of this as more for the rights of all gun owners in future, not our finances at the moment. I paid $750 in 1997, it was to fund the new building in Fairfax? and I still donate +/-100 a year- 20 each at the 4 or 5 gun shows I attend. Equal to the parking, admission and a hot dog right? So as of this year? 20 years a lifer? I was what? 30 something then? 50 something now, but the fight to keep and win- firearms freedoms for the next generation will be going on long after we are all long gone. I hope and pray our belief will win out, but in the mean time, some one's got to pay for the fight.... that's GOT to be ALL of us...

 

[Poper]

If I sign up for a lifetime membership does that mean I'll get scammy telemarketers blathering about Obama and mail ads trying to sell me massively overpriced gold coins for the rest of my life?

I don't think I could take it. One year was enough. Never again.

It's easy to get under your skin, isn't it? I learned a long time ago that the easiest way to end telemarketing calls was to hang up the phone. It only takes a couple seconds.

"I'm not afraid to take on the NRA" the far left candidate says in his commercial. That attracts the anti gun people to vote for him so it's a double edged sword.

Show me one anti group with 4 million members and I might go along with what you are saying. Otherwise it just sounds like an excuse to do nothing, IMHO.

 

[Poper]

the fight to keep and win- firearms freedoms for the next generation will be going on long after we are all long gone. I hope and pray our belief will win out, but in the mean time, some one's got to pay for the fight.... that's GOT to be ALL of us...

Well said and thank you for your contributions.
I like the way you think.


I became a NRA life member at age 53. I'm 60 now. Will I get my money's worth? Yes, for me I believe I already have.
But then I am the eternal optimist. For example: I was laid off early December 2015. I have been unable to find a job in my profession since. And I have over 30 years experience. (You can see it in their eyes when you walk into the interview - "This guy is too old...") However, I start a new job in a new profession on Wednesday......

 

[Llama Bob]

some one's got to pay for the fight

Money donated to the NRA or paid as NRA memberships does NOT go to political action for gun rights.

 

[courier de bois]

And I am glad they don not donate directly. It causes more fingers to point...and if it went to a backstabber, as sometimes happens, our money wasted. Endorsement yes, a briefcase full of cash... nooooo.....
But for youth and safety education, for 'educating' or reminding? law enforcement who they really work for? Remind all who the real 'enemies of the state' are? Hey that good press is worth a lot more than a sleezy politician in your pocket. I am hoping for 2 terms or longer- of a freedom based government, then the US gun owners can really push back- by helping Canadian, Mexican, Australian and UK gun owners win back their rights- ones once insured by the Magna Carta... which isn't mention much anymore... that's why gun ownership-rights and freedoms- must stay in the spotlight for the long term. And like everything, that will cost money....

 

[tuj]

You know, its really funny how some people think that the NRA has ALWAYS been a RKBA, ultra-conservative, hyper-political organization. Because that's not the case. It wasn't until the lunatic fringe of the organization orchestrated a take-over at the Cincinnati convention, that the NRA became what it is today. By which I mean a lobbying, money-soliciting, fear-mongering and predatory group.

The NRA was organized to advance marksmanship in the US. And yes, I will admit that to a certain extent it still does that. The NRA organizes the annual Camp Perry competitions, but the state of Camp Perry and the general state of marksmanship in the United States should put all American gun owners to shame. In 1977, the incumbents planned to build a $30M recreation facility. However that money, and subsequent millions more, went to political action instead.

So now we have an organization that tells me the UN/Clinton/Obama/whoever is trying to take my guns away. If you're really dumb enough to believe that the government will EVER be able to confiscate the 300 million firearms we have in this country, then there's no point reasoning with you. If you think you need to stockpile gold coins or bury your AR's in tubes out in the desert, then you've already lost. You're living a life of fear and the NRA is preying upon you to buy-and-bribe the Republican wing of Congress. And some Dem's too.

Puerto Rico has been a US territory with limited self-governance since AT LEAST 1950 (it depends on how you look at it). When the NRA came calling in 2013, they didn't even know that Puerto Rico was part of the United States, let alone have a chapter in Puerto Rico or any affiliations with the local ranges. And when they learned I couldn't vote for President and didn't have any representation in Congress, they quickly tired of me. Actually I heard they finally have an organization on the island after mine and others complaints.

But here's what make me really sad: go watch an International shooting sport and you'll quickly see the USA is almost non-existent in competition. And those competitors that do proudly represent the USA are sponsored generally entirely by USA-Shooting. While the NRA doesn't disclose what it spends all its money on, I am entirely convinced that its not "advancing marksmanship". Sure Sgt. Kevin Saunderson has the ISSF rapid fire record, and we have a group of gifted shooters like himself, Kim Rhodes, and others, but we're non-existent in Biathlon, Modern Pentathlon, small bore position rifle, air rifle, free pistol, and rapid fire pistol. There is no really good reason for this, except for the fact that USA-Shooting is under-funded and there is a real dearth of quality shooting and training facilities in the United States.

Seems like all the people I see, be it at ranges in Cincinnati to Houston to San Juan, just want to shoot Zombie targets at 3-7 yards, or take their AR's out to the unbelievable range of 25 yards!

Yes I know we have some of the most gifted snipers in our military and long-range match shooters here in the country. But part of that is an artifact that our country, proudly, has facilities for 1000-yard shooting, albeit usually only casually affiliated with the NRA. Which is to say maybe they get insurance from the NRA and thus require their members to be NRA members (a policy I most-dislike), but rarely do ranges get any substantial monies from the NRA, as best I can tell.

So, to get back to the OT, is a life membership worth it? Sure if you like buying Congressmen in aggregate. If you like funding their expensive hunting and fishing junkets. If you really enjoy calls at dinner-time, spouting straight-up LIES about things that will never come to pass. If you think Obama is STILL after your guns. Or if you enjoy being played as a sucker for physical gold or other dubious schemes.

Or you can be a member of USA-shooting also and actually contribute to advancing marksmanship in the USA, something the NRA seems to have forgotten about...

(still NRA member)