NRA

[mcb]

I don’t personally see having an NRA membership to belong to a shooting range to be an issue. And leaving a great range just to spite an organization hurts that local range way more than it hurts the NRA...they are likely using the NRA membership as a way to reduce costs.

I support anyone’s right to join the NRA. I simply decided to spend my money elsewhere for now. But this current anti-gun environment is making me consider holding my nose and rejoining...just because...

Just my opinion...which may be mine alone.

I would not join a club right now if it required an NRA membership. I feel that strongly against the NRA. If I was already a member of a club that required NRA membership I would, as a member, lobby to have other pro-2A groups added to the options for membership requirements. If my suggestion was rejected I am not sure I would stay with the club if I had to continue to send annual dues to the NRA. Its a non-issue for me since I am regretfully an NRA life member and thankfully the club I shoot at does not require an NRA membership and I have private property to shoot at also. It would be a hard decision no doubt but I feel pretty strongly against them. Each person must come to their own decision on it.

 

[pharmer]

At this point in US history can we realistically abandon the NRA and still keep secure the right guaranteed by the 2nd amendment. Sure, there are "other" 2A groups about, more "conservative" if you will. But every time you hear a "Politicritter" rail on about gun control, they get all foamy in the mouth about "Standing up to the NRA." I met Wayne 25 years ago, believe it or not, coming down in the elevator in the World Trade Center. Stopped to talk with me and my then little boy for 20 minutes. He's just like the politicians he opposes and that's a good thing. Joe

 

[wiscoaster]

.... But every time you hear a "Politicritter" rail on about gun control, they get all foamy in the mouth about "Standing up to the NRA." ....

If the main function of the NRA right now is just to be a political target, then maybe that's not a bad thing if it deflects attention away from other groups that are getting more into the nitty gritty of court cases, legislation and public relations/education. But to be that target and to serve that function, they do have to survive.....

 

[GEM]

This issue for the zillionth time is not abandoning the NRA but a needed change in leadership. I fail to see why that does not get through to people.

 

[pharmer]

Some folks recently tried that "change in leadership" thing and had their seats handed to them. Wayne is the Mar-A-Lago boss of the NRA. Joe

 

[Commader47]

WLP is a tainted leader and by extension so is the NRA as long as he is still in power for a growing number of 2A supporters. He is also untouchable by the organization's membership. There is no way for the membership to "vote" him out his position of power.

Why would anyone in their right mind vote out the most successful defender of 2nd Amendment Rights EVER. You only believe the liberal media and have no idea how politics works.

The people that bash WLP for so called abuse of spending have NO clue. And Oliver North, whom I know personally for many years, is not a reliable source.

WLP did nothing that other CEO's don't do. He has an EXPENSE ACCOUNT. Liberals use this as his personal money, it is not. And he doesn't unilaterally have power to just spend it willy nilly.

The claim that he abused his travel budget is a load of total bunk. NY accused him of abusing 300,000 dollars of air fare. REALLY? That's ALL???? Do you have any idea how much he has to travel every year as CEO of a multi million dollar organization? Many of you just have no clue how this works. If he is going to Colorado for a meeting, and his relative is getting married at the same time in Kansas, then he goes down to the NRA travel office and gets tickets to Colorado with a layover in Kansas so he can go to the wedding. CEO's do this ALL the time. Considering his yearly travel is in excess of 1.4 million dollars a year, and NY found he used 300,000 for so called "personal" expenses (which he paid back), is assinine. All CEO's combine travel.

WLP has an annual travel expense account in excess of 2 million a year. He SAVED money.

WLP is a bargain at any price. Name one person, anyone. who has done more for gun owners. You won't find one.

WLP is not throwing personal parties with Hoe's and drinks for all. He is NOT galivanting all over the country side living it up and having a ball on our dime.

He has an expense account, he has authority of the board to do what needs to be done to get laws passed.

THAT is REALITY. So don't support the NRA, throw your money at "Gun Owners R Us" and let the "Big Lebowski" lobby for your rights.

 

[JERRY]

Even if we assume the media is lying to us, and set aside the stories of those I listed above the were forced out or left the NRA leadership due to the misuse of members funds. This scandal (true or otherwise) has cause me to research and realize that the NRA as an organization is broken. An organization that is suppose to represent a membership has a leadership structure that is not answerable to the membership, this is a fact and not a lie from the media. This is unacceptable for such a political lobbying organization and that alone is reason enough for me to not support the NRA even if there was no alleged misconduct by the organization's untouchable leadership. Such an organizational system invites poor behavior and it appears we might have gotten it with WLP and his cronies.

And more directly to the OP original question. Despite being a life member of the NRA I have come to the conclusion that a life membership in a lobbying organization such as the NRA is a bad idea in general even if the organization is a well run one. Your single loudest voice to influence the organization is with your continued financial support. If you become a life member you give up some of that voice since they have your support for life whether you give another dime or not, they get to always count you as a member. A membership that must conscious be renewed periodically gives you the ultimate voice of taking your wallet and membership somewhere else were if they no longer represent your belief due to changes you or they make. So I support other pro-2A groups financially but I personally will never be a life member of any of them. I am not going to give up my ability to walk away again.

says it all

 

[D.B. Cooper]

...I am regretfully an NRA life member...

If you feel that strongly about it, you could send them a letter resigning your membership. George Bush Sr. did it.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

...So don't support the NRA, throw your money at "Gun Owners R Us" and let the "Big Lebowski" lobby for your rights.

Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion man. LOL =)

 

[D.B. Cooper]

says it all

I'm not sure it does. I'm not an expert on the organizational structure and by-laws of corporate America (or of the NRA), however, isn't it normal amongst publicly traded corporations that the share holders (NRA members in the case of the NRA) elect members of the board and the board members elect or appoint a chairman/executive officer of that board? And if so structured, the shareholders have no direct voice in who the CEO of the corporation is? As I understand it, NRA is set up such that only certain levels of membership are allowed to vote on the board. (I don't believe that an annual member gets a vote, and I suspect this is to prevent outsiders from gaining too much voice in the organization-could you imagine, Bloomberg buys 1-yr memberships for every member of Everytown and they all vote as a block.)

I digress. My point is that NRA is not a democracy, or even a representative republic; it is, at its core, a business.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

There has been a lot of good arguments on both sides here. For me, as much as I agree that WLP and his crew should go, I am equally persuaded that this is the absolute worst possible time for division in the ranks. Let us not succumb to the divide and conquer tactic that works so well. That said, I will not be buying anything more than a 1 or 2 yr membership.

 

[Insignificant bill]

Even if we assume the media is lying to us, and set aside the stories of those I listed above the were forced out or left the NRA leadership due to the misuse of members funds. This scandal (true or otherwise) has cause me to research and realize that the NRA as an organization is broken. An organization that is suppose to represent a membership has a leadership structure that is not answerable to the membership, this is a fact and not a lie from the media. This is unacceptable for such a political lobbying organization and that alone is reason enough for me to not support the NRA even if there was no alleged misconduct by the organization's untouchable leadership. Such an organizational system invites poor behavior and it appears we might have gotten it with WLP and his cronies.

And more directly to the OP original question. Despite being a life member of the NRA I have come to the conclusion that a life membership in a lobbying organization such as the NRA is a bad idea in general even if the organization is a well run one. Your single loudest voice to influence the organization is with your continued financial support. If you become a life member you give up some of that voice since they have your support for life whether you give another dime or not, they get to always count you as a member. A membership that must conscious be renewed periodically gives you the ultimate voice of taking your wallet and membership somewhere else were if they no longer represent your belief due to changes you or they make. So I support other pro-2A groups financially but I personally will never be a life member of any of them. I am not going to give up my ability to walk away again.

Yep, the members are not even allowed to question leaderships behavior. According to Charles Cotton.

 

[GEM]

A good leader knows when they have lost the Mandate of Heaven and retires to contemplate by the lake.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

A good leader knows when they have lost the Mandate of Heaven and retires to contemplate by the lake.

Well then perhaps this natural calamity of a snow storm in Texas portends a change in the dynasty.

 

[mcb]

Why would anyone in their right mind vote out the most successful defender of 2nd Amendment Rights EVER. You only believe the liberal media and have no idea how politics works.

The people that bash WLP for so called abuse of spending have NO clue. And Oliver North, whom I know personally for many years, is not a reliable source.

WLP did nothing that other CEO's don't do. He has an EXPENSE ACCOUNT. Liberals use this as his personal money, it is not. And he doesn't unilaterally have power to just spend it willy nilly.

The claim that he abused his travel budget is a load of total bunk. NY accused him of abusing 300,000 dollars of air fare. REALLY? That's ALL???? Do you have any idea how much he has to travel every year as CEO of a multi million dollar organization? Many of you just have no clue how this works. If he is going to Colorado for a meeting, and his relative is getting married at the same time in Kansas, then he goes down to the NRA travel office and gets tickets to Colorado with a layover in Kansas so he can go to the wedding. CEO's do this ALL the time. Considering his yearly travel is in excess of 1.4 million dollars a year, and NY found he used 300,000 for so called "personal" expenses (which he paid back), is assinine. All CEO's combine travel.

WLP has an annual travel expense account in excess of 2 million a year. He SAVED money.

WLP is a bargain at any price. Name one person, anyone. who has done more for gun owners. You won't find one.

WLP is not throwing personal parties with Hoe's and drinks for all. He is NOT galivanting all over the country side living it up and having a ball on our dime.

He has an expense account, he has authority of the board to do what needs to be done to get laws passed.

THAT is REALITY. So don't support the NRA, throw your money at "Gun Owners R Us" and let the "Big Lebowski" lobby for your rights.

“This is a very complicated case Maude. You know, a lotta ins, a lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.” — The Dude

The accusation are for misuse of funds are approaching 100 million dollars in some estimates. There is evidence of not only lavish spending but cronyisms with large sums of money going to friends and family of NRA senior leadership. I woud also point out WLP is not the CEO of a mega corporation with huge profits he is the leader of a advocacy and lobby organization for like minded individuals. The money he is spending come not from the sale of a product or service but the donations of the membership. So even if everything he spent was appropriate for a CEO I would still be disappointed, I expect better more efficient use of my donations.

And even if we set aside the accusation of financial misdoings. An organization that is suppose to represent a membership has a leadership structure that is not answerable to the membership. It does not matter why I as a member want to remove him as the leader of the organization I should have the right to cast my vote as I see fit. But in the case of the NRA my vote has no teeth, due to the way the organization is structured WLP is untouchable by the membership and even the member elected board of directors. Now that I have learned this fact it alone would be enough reason to choose not to be part of such an organization.

And finally to reiterate this one last time as it brings us back to the OP topic. I would not be a life member ever again of a lobbying organization because my most powerful vote is my money and giving them one large lump sum of my money for a life membership reduces my ability to vote with my wallet at a future date.

If you still think the NRA is the best bang for you pro-2A buck then you go right ahead that is your right and prerogative but for me this scandal (true or false) has forced me to re-exame my pro-2A spending and I find I can get more bang for my buck with other pro-2A organizations. {puns intended )

 

[P5 Guy]

"The White House is weighing a number of gun safety proposals as it looks to deliver on President Joe Biden's campaign promises. But some activists are upset that after one month in office the administration has yet to set a firm timeline or provide specifics about it’s overarching plan."

Biden considers regulating ‘ghost guns,’ other executive actions to curb gun violence (msn.com)

Smell the blood in the water? That is NRA's blood.

 

[HoploDad]

Better than a sharp stick in the eye, and the anti-gunners are lunging with their pointy sticks. Some good will come of it (joining the NRA, Life or otherwise), the timing is now.

 

[JERRY]

"The White House is weighing a number of gun safety proposals as it looks to deliver on President Joe Biden's campaign promises. But some activists are upset that after one month in office the administration has yet to set a firm timeline or provide specifics about it’s overarching plan."

Biden considers regulating ‘ghost guns,’ other executive actions to curb gun violence (msn.com)

Smell the blood in the water? That is NRA's blood.

the NRA in its best day cannot stop a senile puppet from enacting an executive order. you've seen how the house and senate fell also. the NRA was fairly silent during the last election cycle. think about it, they couldn't even save Georgia, and slowly but have now completely lost Virginia. don't pretend the NRA is our savior, especially with captain Bligh at the command.

 

[P5 Guy]

Don't pretend there are other saviors

 

[kwguy]

Bloomberg, and all the other anti groups are LOVING this thread. It’s very much a different tone that what it was back in 2013, when all that mattered was keeping anti-gun legislation at bay. This very topic shows we’ve gotten complacent.

Maybe it’ll change when some huge bill actually makes it out of Committee and onto the floor for a vote.

 

[P5 Guy]

Which pro gun rights advocate group gets the most attention from anti gun rights advocate groups?
Wouldn't that be the NRA? When was the last time anyone has heard an ABC, CBS, NBC opinion piece about how SAF or GOA is standing in the way of common sense gun safety legislation?

 

[hps1]

Bloomberg, and all the other anti groups are LOVING this thread. It’s very much a different tone that what it was back in 2013, when all that mattered was keeping anti-gun legislation at bay. This very topic shows we’ve gotten complacent.

Maybe it’ll change when some huge bill actually makes it out of Committee and onto the floor for a vote.

Alas, that is always the case w/NRA membership. The masses awake every time there is a serious threat to our 2A rights and NRA membership surges.

Sad that it takes a slap upside the head with a 2X4 to get our attention.

Bloomberg has conducted a very successful attack, beginning with VA, to divide and conquer. Coordinated with the direct attack on NRA by the NR AG they just might be successful this time judging by how our ranks are breaking and running.

This issue for the zillionth time is not abandoning the NRA but a needed change in leadership. I fail to see why that does not get through to people.

^^^^

" We Must Hang Together Or Surely We Shall Hang Separately"

Those who do not wish to support NRA, I get that, but do us all a favor and either roll up your sleeves and help reform it from within, or simply move on to whatever organization you choose and help unite our cause from without.

Regards,
hps

 

[P5 Guy]

Bloomberg has conducted a very successful attack, beginning with VA,

Bloomberg got his candidate elected in Florida. Pardon the politics, but state wide candidates only one Democrat won a seat. Nikki Fried Seceratry of Agriculture also over sees all CCW permits. No wonder Bloomberg concentrated on her.

 

[Robert]

5 pages seems like more than enough for this go around. The NRA is what it is and it is not perfect. Let's add this thread to the heap and agree to disagree on some aspects of the NRA.