NRA: Yay or Nay

[MoNsTeR]

Well I must say I'm encouraged. The story I heard regarded a Virginia governor's race where the R candidate was mildly anti and the D candidate was mildly pro, and the NRA was silent.

But this looks like evidence rather than an anecdote, so I guess my earlier statement doesn't apply.

If someone can show me that the NRA gave a single dollar to, or ever endorsed in writing a Libertarian candidate, I'll join right this instant.

(And I bet you all thought I was a Democrat, shame on you!)

 

[WAGCEVP]

I got a call from NRA a couple weeks ago wanting me to take their creit card thingie - every time you use it, it pays NRA a % age......... I told !) I don't use plastic money. his reply: would you rather us call you once a week? My reply: it wouldn't do you any good?
Why Not?

Because I don't like the way the NRA compromises my rights away.

he hung up on me

Give ir to GOA, - a lot more bang for the bucks!

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Join the NRA and the ILA and add numbers to the millions of pro-gun voices during anti-gun legislation. More numbers=more action in our favor. They get my money every year, and always will. The MCRGO also gets mine, as they got us our current carry laws.

 

[AUTIGER04]

Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DJ E.]

Whew, alot of great replies in this thread. I might even print it out and archive it for future reference.

I just wanted to let all of you guys know that I have decided to go ahead and send my membership payment in. I actually did it a couple of weeks ago. But as one of you guys suggested, I only sent in payment for 1yr, keep an eye out, and see if I want to renew my membership after I see what they are doing.

One last question: What can I expect to get from joining? I mean, I can see the obvious membership with a major pro gun organization and my support, but what else? What will I be getting in the mail? I'm thinking a welcome packet. Do they send out any newsletters or anything? Invite me to NRA sponsored events? And what exactly does the membership fee get applied to? Will my name be put on some list, either by the pro guys or the antis? Could they possibly use my membership against me if I was ever involved in a shooting, painting me as some Rambo wannabe? I know, kinda ridiculous, but you never know Thanks alot....

 

[Hal]

What can I expect to get from joining?

Lot'sa junk mail

And American Rifleman <-- best magazine of the ones offered IMHO.

I use the NRA just to PO the liberals. Long as they get all wound up about the NRA, that's reason enough to be a member.

 

[ninjaj448]

It's not much of a stretch to say, without the NRA, we quite possibly would be limited to owning only single or double barrel shotguns. There are others, but the loudest and most respected voice to those on either side of the 2nd Ammendment is the NRA. Period.

Heck, 'The American Rifleman' (or The American Hunter, etc.) is worth the membership dues.

 

[The Reaper]

One last question: What can I expect to get from joining? I mean, I can see the obvious membership with a major pro gun organization and my support, but what else? What will I be getting in the mail? I'm thinking a welcome packet. Do they send out any newsletters or anything? Invite me to NRA sponsored events? And what exactly does the membership fee get applied to? Will my name be put on some list, either by the pro guys or the antis? Could they possibly use my membership against me if I was ever involved in a shooting, painting me as some Rambo

You will get a monthly magazine. There are three to choose from IIRC. You will get discount numbers for different services, a base level firearms insurance policy and access to addition insurance at a discounted rate. There are other things, but that is the big stuff.

You will get plenty of mail from their direct mail house asking for money and they will also send you postcards addressed to your elected reps. Just a note on those. Send them if you want, but a personal letter carries a lot more weight with the elected reps. I usually incorporate what is on the postcard into a letter.

Call them and ask to be put on the reduced mailing list, that will cut your NRA solicitations by half or more.

The NRA will should send you a privacy policy, read it to find if and who they share your info with.

Pretty unlikely they will use your NRA membership to paint you as a Rambo should anything happen. They will more likely interview people who know you to find out if you talked up shooting someone or anything like that.

Now you may want to find a grassroots organization in your area or state to join also. That way you can support changes to your local laws.

-Scott-
NRA Patron
GOA Life
VCDL

 

[TechBrute]

Get a membership to the NRA. Much of its lobbying force comes from its membership volume. If you ever bother to loosen your purse strings past $25, then send that to an org like GOA or JFPO that may be more to your liking.

I am a member of the NRA, and I have been a volunteer for tre fNRA, as well. I have not, however, made any significant monitary contribution to them. I prefer less compromising orgs for that.

 

[Sunspot]

Nice thread with a lot of good points. I have been a GOA member for 7 years now. Johnny Roland had Larry P on his shooting show and I was impressed with him, so I joined and I am active in contacting my lawmakers.
I have never liked the political side of the NRA but I think I will join to help them gain clout.

 

[freedomlover]

Gonna have to reply with a muffled "yay." I just can't bring myself to become a Life Member due to the compromising mindset of the NRA bureaucracy. I've been renewing my annual membership for over 10 years now, but a long-term commitment is out of the question for now...

The magazine (American Rifleman) is worth the annual dues, IMO.

 

[straightShot]

If we had 10 million members in the NRA, we could concentrate more on shooting rather than politics. It would be awesome.

That's one reason why I am an NRA recruiter. I believe in it.

Take a kid shooting,

straightShot