NRA
- Thread starter Cactus Jack Arizona
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Chris-bob
Member
While I do not care for the majority of the NRA, I do support it in our fight for our 2A rights. They, like any organization, can only push as much as their supporters push. And it takes a lot of money to feed that 800# gorilla. I try to feed all of the pro 2A organizations I can so the politicians hear it from the 800# gorillas and the 150# chimps. Someday I will have the extra money to spring for the lifetime membership.
If you have any concern for individual liberties, you should join the NRA.
I have no idea how any gun owner could be so upset with the NRA that they refuse to support them. The NRA has never been perfect, but for many years they were the only barrier between America and total loss of gun rights. If we lose gun rights, all other rights will follow.
There are other groups that have also done great work over the last few decades, like SAF, GOA, CCRKBA, Firearms Coalition, and more recently JPFO has answered the call. You should support as many of these as you can, and also join your state level equivalent(s) to the NRA.
My personal observation is that some people are too cheap to pay $35 a year to join (you can often find discounted memberships at $25) and then rationalize their cheapness with a bunch of psychobabble. These folks are of no value to the rest of us.
We have to accept the fact that individual liberties are being constantly eroded, and we need to support organized efforts to slow or reverse that erosion, even if the organizations are flawed in some way. Any large organization is going to have flaws.
The only people who have a right to criticize the NRA are voting members, or people who support other similar organizations. If you donate significant time and money to GOA, SAF, CCRKBA, etc, then you have some call to criticize the NRA, although I bet at that point you would understand how badmouthing the NRA could never help gun rights to move forward.
I have no idea how any gun owner could be so upset with the NRA that they refuse to support them. The NRA has never been perfect, but for many years they were the only barrier between America and total loss of gun rights. If we lose gun rights, all other rights will follow.
There are other groups that have also done great work over the last few decades, like SAF, GOA, CCRKBA, Firearms Coalition, and more recently JPFO has answered the call. You should support as many of these as you can, and also join your state level equivalent(s) to the NRA.
My personal observation is that some people are too cheap to pay $35 a year to join (you can often find discounted memberships at $25) and then rationalize their cheapness with a bunch of psychobabble. These folks are of no value to the rest of us.
We have to accept the fact that individual liberties are being constantly eroded, and we need to support organized efforts to slow or reverse that erosion, even if the organizations are flawed in some way. Any large organization is going to have flaws.
The only people who have a right to criticize the NRA are voting members, or people who support other similar organizations. If you donate significant time and money to GOA, SAF, CCRKBA, etc, then you have some call to criticize the NRA, although I bet at that point you would understand how badmouthing the NRA could never help gun rights to move forward.
krupparms
Member
I am sadden by the post here about the NRA. As I read the things being said, I wounder if we have lost our ability to think, speak &act toward each other as supporters of rights to free speach &others like the 2nd amendment! The threads on the NRA bother me &should others! The only thing I see is us ( including me) wasting our time &giving the anti -gunners just what they want! Us in a fight &devided .One of the main points I would like to make is anyone who believes that berating me to join an organization that I don't want to is not going to secede! It willnot happen! Saying they carry us is a very arrogant view! You have been caught up in what our enemies want. You have fallen into their propaganda! I have a whole list of things against The NRA. Where we're they when people were being killed by the government? They did not stop anything, it was the people that stopped them! The real 800LB. guerilla! WE THE PEOPLE! THE MILITIA! It was the people of the state of Texas that stopped that. But even they were to late! Those are just a few reasons. But that is not my purpose for writing this. It is to try &get people to stop calling names &think! I don't want to be an NRA member, calling me names &saying you're carrying me willnot change that! You are taking my right to believe &be free! How will that serve our cause? YOU CANNOT HAVE FREEDOM UNLESS YOU GIVE IT AWAY! PLEASE give that some thought. Maybe we aren't as far apart as some would hope we are! Thanks
jcwit
member
That is sure a rambling dissertation, having little meaning.
Name calling?
Name calling?
krupparms
Member
Did not think you would jc. Hope others can!
jcwit
member
Did not think I would what? You're not making any sense!
Where is the name calling? I see no posts have been edited.
BIGGBAY90
Member
Easy guys, we're getting off track. The open post was just one mans opinion that's all and we are all intitle to that.
Johannes_Paulsen
Member
@2075 Rami:
You said:
What information about the NRA do you now believe to be incorrect?
You said:
What information about the NRA do you now believe to be incorrect?
DoubleTapDrew said,
That's why you join as a voting member: to elect directors who reflect your own views.
The fact is inescapable that that 800 pound gorilla is an 800 pound gorilla and you should support the NRA and the NRA-ILA --the Institute for Legislative Action, which doesn't get support from membership dues.
Or at least quit knocking it from the outside.
Maybe that's what your parents were thinking, 2075 RAMI.
Terry, 230RN
That's why you join as a voting member: to elect directors who reflect your own views.
The fact is inescapable that that 800 pound gorilla is an 800 pound gorilla and you should support the NRA and the NRA-ILA --the Institute for Legislative Action, which doesn't get support from membership dues.
Or at least quit knocking it from the outside.
Maybe that's what your parents were thinking, 2075 RAMI.
Terry, 230RN
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jcwit
member
If one has been a member for 5 consecutive years they are a voting member.
krupparms
Member
The post is just 1mans opinion, we all have a right to that! It would seem that is only true if you are an NRA MEMBER. My opinions mean nothing unless I join a organization I don't believe in! You fokes sure have a unusual sense of freedom & that recruiting drive, I bet it works! Is this the new NRA? YOU cannot see what these posts do? Why don't you just send some NRA members over to beat me into joining or take my rights away! O sorry I forgot I don't have any unless I see the light &join the NRA! SOMETHING I'LL JUST GO DO! DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT FREEDOM MEANS ? Then try putting into action!
jcwit
member
Man alive, you sure have anger issues.
No one has even mentioned your posts, and you say we want to take your rights away????????????????????????
Oh well, to each his own, I guess.
No one has even mentioned your posts, and you say we want to take your rights away????????????????????????
Oh well, to each his own, I guess.
krupparms
Member
Well I have been given permission to believe how I would like. Yes JC I have anger issues! That kicks in when I see &hear people trying to flush freedom down the crapper! Thanks for seeing I have a right to my opinion! I will not join any group that has members berating others to join!
jcwit
member
We'll sure try to help you keep your freedoms tho.
We work at it on a daily basis.
We work at it on a daily basis.
Back to the OP (or at least closer) - the NRA does (kinda) represent gun owners, but by virtue of its size and age has become another bureaucratic organization whose first goal is continuing existence and getting larger and larger. Hence the constant harping on "give us money to fight for your gun rights!". And its slowness / reluctance on supporting the cases against gun laws. They do have a place, but it isn't the cutting edge.
Personally, I belong to them (and as many others as I can manage), but not on a lifetime basis. I want to influence them, and if I can withdraw my money and membership on a yearly basis, I feel I have more influence than if they have my lifetime membership dues in their pocket.
Personally, I belong to them (and as many others as I can manage), but not on a lifetime basis. I want to influence them, and if I can withdraw my money and membership on a yearly basis, I feel I have more influence than if they have my lifetime membership dues in their pocket.
gatorjames85
Member
Say what you want about the NRA; if the organization vanished tommorrow, you would see immediate unchecked action to take away firearm rights.
powell&hyde
Member
gatorjames85, you are right and I can guarantee it will be an unprecedented chaos in the US.
Rob G
Member
I know there's a lot of frustration with the fact that the NRA doesn't always jump in guns blazing, figurately speaking, every time this stuff comes up but it's not always because they're too focused on saving their own jobs. Sometimes it's because they want to make sure that they're doing the right thing. If being fast / eager was always the best course of action then teenagers would make the best leaders.
I don't think the NRA is always right in their decisions, but there is often a fair amount of wisdom in them.
krupparms
Member
I hope that this exchange between a NRA member &I was read by all with a open mind. It was written on my part to show just what I believe. There are forces at work to keep us devided ¬ seeing the real issues! I was a member of the NRA! And did not agree with its misuse of funds or them giving in on many important issues! I have considered joining agin. But alot of the PRO NRA TREADS have me thinking otherwise! The things stated by most of the NRA members are attacks on those that who don't belong to the NRA! Statements like your carrying the rest of us, & that the NRA is the 800LB. guerilla in the room! Are attacks against other pro gun rights groups! The MILITIA is the 800LB. Guerilla in the room! It aways has been &always will be! Look up the last MILITIA action at Athens Tennessee! The NRA was around but did nothing! It was the MILITIA! I am glad that NRA member will keep working for my freedom &I will do the same! I will always believe that all groups use propaganda, even the good one's. I believe the NRA is changeing &hope that one day it will be a group that I can agree with more. I am disappointed that more members did not speak up to defend my rights to believe what I wanted to believe, even if they disagreed with me! We can work together but not like this! I spoke with a mod. about this issue &was asked if I wanted to start a new thread. I didn't because of this one. I am sorry if some felt I hi-jacked this one. I would also like to apologize to 2075RAMI .I have said what I came to! FIN.
gatorjames85
Member
Who said anything about your right to hold your beliefs? Those who disagreed with you voiced their opinions, they didn't censor you.
Rob G
Member
You were allowed to voice your opinions without being censored. That is upholding your rights to your ideas and the free expression of them. I'm not sure what else you think we're required to do.
I did as you asked and I think you're confused about what the NRA does. The NRA stands up for second amendmant rights. The Militia action at Athens Tennessee was about a corrupt local government interfering with citizen's rights to a responsible elected government. The article itself states the fact that there were almost no gun control laws in place and that access to firearms was clearly not an issue for either side.
DoubleTapDrew
Member
I did not realize the NRA-ILA didn't get financial support from NRA membership dues. Will try to contribute to them this year. I assume it's tax deductible (up to $50 or whatever the limit is)?
jcwit
member
Not wanting much to do with Militia Groups in general. I remember a few cases of the so called Michigan Militia and the chaos they caused.
FROGO207
Member
That is true the NRA and the ILA are seperate entities. The NRA uses the funds for education/firearms education programs. The ILA is there for lobbying/influence/lawsuit action that is needed for continued RKBA support. As stated they are NOT always where I want them to be but better than any alternative these days. I you want to change them join and vote for what you want and the gorilla will morph (slowly I am afraid) into the one you want.
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