Range forces members to join the NRA

[Okiecruffler]

Alright, I was trying to stay out of this fight, but now you're bad talking one of mine. Boren had 2 choices, Obama or Hellery. Which would you choose? I know your next arguement, "He could switch parties". I know this is hard for some of you to grasp, much like civility apparently (I'm referring to both dogs in this fight), but there are still Southern Democrats in this world who are trying to get their party back from the socialist who have taken it from them. You check Borens voting record against your favorite Republician, see which one votes in favor of gun rights more often. Of course that would take some effort and we wouldn't want that.

 

[scndactive]

I'm not a member of the NRA, but I'm not a damn freeloader either. I'm active (like many others here are) on a local level, writing letters, calling our representatives, and showing up at hearings to fight gun control on a LOCAL level. Believe it or not, the NRA hasn't really done a whole heck of a lot for us fighting the little local fights, so we're doing it ourselves.

If we lose the big fight those little fights won't mean much will they?

 

[MarcusWendt]

i would give up my guns before I rejoined the NRA.

I think that pretty much goes hand in hand.

The more I read your posts TAB the more I think you are a Brady shill.

 

[PershingRiflesC-7]

For JohnBT & Okiecruffler

I had a well-crafted response for both of you but then realized that I have taken the thread into non-High Road territory while pointing out why I do not belong to the NRA (political reasons that are verboten on THR). I have noted your responses.

To the forum administrators: I am deleting my original post material to avoid further thread deterioration.

 

[fletcher]

There are a LOT of self-righteous NRA members here, and that attitude has deterred me from joining for a few years now. Everywhere I look it's nothing but "we're better and care more because we're NRA members". How does paying $30 a year and getting a magazine beat me paying the same amount (or more) in donations to NRA-ILA? I guess I just don't care enough.

It's not that I dislike the NRA or what they do (they're the best pro-2A group on a national level, and have the most power, as well as have a number of good education and training programs), but I just have a hard time typing in that credit card information for a membership when I recall threads like this.

 

[siglite]

Ok. I haven't read the entire thread. But there's some serious BS floating around here that needs addressed.

Allow me to give you my position on the NRA.

"Completely Neutral."

Yeah, they've done some stuff at the national level. Even done some stuff at the state level here.

But they're not the end-all be-all. There are some people in this thread that think their membership dues and writing a letter or two a year constitute "activism." And as such, you get bull**** like this:

I stand by my freeloader label. If it pisses some people off, I'm not losing any sleep. If the shoe fits, wear it.

What an ignorant thing to say. I'm not currently an NRA member. And observe my response to the following:

How many lawyers have you helped to hire to support the RTKABA? Have you ever been THE ONE to stop a law or ordinance from being enacted which would have limited the RTKABA?

"1" and "yes" respectively. And you know what? The NRA had nothing to do with it. They were conspicuously absent from the committee hearing that resulted in the striking of a ban in WV. I've spent at least a thousand dollars out of my own pocket this year in expenses and time, without asking for a dime from anyone. It costs money to take off work. It costs money to drive to the state capitol. It costs money to print fliers. It cost me $200 in fuel alone driving to every gun store (in a two county area) I could find to spread the word. We're not even halfway through the year. There is much more to come. My wallet's getting kind of thin.

But some folks think that their $25.00 membership donation to the NRA makes them high, mighty, and holier than thou. Let me tell you. Your NRA donation is the CHEAPSKATES way out. You've bought your peace of mind for $25.00. And your freakin membership didn't even go to the right organization. (NRA-ILA)

I'm not saying don't join the NRA. I could care less. I think you should probably send what you can to the NRA-ILA. They screw up sometimes (I've seen it SEVERAL times with my own eyes) but net ends are usually a gain for gun ownership/rights. But I'm damn sure not going to call you the "enemy" because you didn't pony up your $25.00 false peace of mind.

 

[Poper]

that attitude has deterred me from joining for a few years now.

Too bad. If you could have better control of your own thoughts/emotions, other people's actions, thoughts and words would not preclude you from doing the right thing. It appears you are using what you perceive as others' "self righteousness" to allow you to be lazy or a freeloader (or maybe a lazy freeloader) without conscience. I hope I am wrong, though.

Thank you for your expressed support of NRA/ILA. As a NRA member, I am most politely and graciously -personally- asking you become an active, card carrying member of NRA. Please get out of the wagon and help us pull. Our work load is much lighter when shared with larger numbers.

Poper

 

[dm1333]

For those of you who missed this gem of wisdom!

Judging by some studies I've read, apparently something like 40% of Americans own guns, and at last glance I believe the population of America is somewhere around 302 million. Now can you imagine how much work would get done on our behalf if we had a pro gun organization with some 100 + MILLION members?! No one would brush us off, no one would attempt to ignore us, they would be forced to take us seriously. THAT'S why I joined the NRA.

You don't need any better reason than this to join the NRA and to contribute to both the ILA and PVF.

Two other comments were made about the NRA being an organization that fosters hate, and that NRA members were smug about their $35 a year dues and sat back and did nothing. I've never, never, not even once seen anything in all the mailings I get from the NRA that was close to being hateful. I've never been smug about what I give to the NRA each year either.

Think about the math in that quote above, 40% of 302 million is actually just over 120 million, and the member rolls of the NRA are at about 4 million. What are the other 116 million or so doing to protect our rights? Just some things to think about.

 

[Titus]

As a NRA member, I am most politely and graciously -personally- asking you become an active, card carrying member of NRA.

Was the preceding paragraph really polite or gracious?

 

[fletcher]

Too bad. If you could have better control of your own thoughts/emotions, other people's actions, thoughts and words would not preclude you from doing the right thing. It appears you are using what you perceive as others' "self righteousness" to allow you to be lazy or a freeloader (or maybe a lazy freeloader) without conscience. I hope I am wrong, though.

I may be misunderstanding you, but this is exactly what I mean. First of all, you may consider joining to be "the right thing", but I'm completely fine just making my donations to NRA-ILA where it can be used directly for (or against) legislation in some form, and continuing to convert antis and middle-ground people to active pro-gun people. It's very brazen and incredibly ignorant to attempt to label me, or even suggest that I be labeled, as a freeloader.

Thank you for your expressed support of NRA/ILA. As a NRA member, I am most politely and graciously -personally- asking you become an active, card carrying member of NRA. Please get out of the wagon and help us pull. Our work load is much lighter when shared with larger numbers.

This is why I think I may be misunderstanding you, but your first paragraph came across as very offensive (sometimes the typed word just doesn't work). That being said, what exactly am I not pulling by helping ILA, but not the base organization with cash donations? Let me phrase it this way - donating $35 (cost of membership) to NRA/ILA is freeloading, but the same $35 to the NRA would somehow allow me to pull my own weight? That just makes no sense.


Maybe the NRA's new slogan should be "Join the NRA - because if we can make pro-gun people this angry, imagine how the antis must feel!" (I'm just kidding about that one )

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Most gun owners can see through the lies of the clintons or obamma when they say they are pro-2A, but can't withe nra... makes no sense.
find out more:
the nra FRAUD

Well, there are certainly valid reasons to be disappointed or upset with the NRA; but that website is an exercise in deliberate ignorance at best and misinformation at worst.

The NRA tried unsuccessfully to scuttle a rare 2nd Amendment victory -- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that D.C.’s gun ban violates the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The lawyer of the very case you mention has acknowledged that the NRA had valid fears about the outcome of the case for RKBA as well as pointing out that the NRA has since joined him and offered invaluable help to the Heller case. Don't you think it is a bit disingenuous not to mention something like that when bringing up this fact?

The NRA helped craft the 1934 NFA act, the 1968 Gun Control Act just to name a few.

Yes, they helped craft them in the sense that they could have been a lot worse than they were. The original NFA proposal included handgun registration as an example.

Furthermore, people like to overlook the fact that the NRA at this time was an organization of sport shooters who did not have any active political lobby (and would not have one until 1978).

Now in 2007, the NRA has joined forces with the very people who would love to disarm American's -- the Brady Campaign. Who helped craft H.R. 2640? Why Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and FORMER NRA BOARD MEMBER Rep. John Dingell (D-MI).

I think that bill has been pretty well discussed here. You forgot to mention that Sen. Tom Coburn (GOA's 2004 MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION IN THE NATION Senator) also supported the final version of that bill. In fact his support was critical in making it the much better legislation for gunowners that it was. Sen. Coburn has a well-established record of being a solid gun rights supporter - is he a sell-out also or could their possibly be a valid reason for his support?

The NRA currently has on its board of directors, Joaquin Jackson, who was caught on video stating the mere civilians shouldn't be able to own magazines that hold more than 5 rounds.

Wow... here is another current NRA director being caught on video telling Clinton and Obama to "suck my machineguns."

If the purpose of the quote is to evaluate the attitudes of NRA Board Members, then why only present the one board member who has said something anti-RKBA? Aren't the opinions of the other 74 board members relevant? For that matter, do we also care about the actions Joaquin Jackson has taken over the years to protect RKBA?

There are certainly reasons to be critical of the NRA; but the reasoning on display at your link is not anything to be proud of.

 

[Tarvis]

Was the preceding paragraph really polite or gracious?

Not really, but it wasn't rude or abrupt either.

 

[Poper]

Titus:

Was the preceding paragraph really polite or gracious?

I intended it so, yes. Utilizing Fletcher's quote, I only wanted to highlight the apparent willingness to allow others to influence one's emotions rather than utilizing their God given intelligence to filter out the garbage and make a reasoned decision/response. (Please note the

I hope I am wrong, though.

quote.) This is not a behavior of only a single individual. It is much more common than we could reasonably expect.

dm133 makes a VERY good point.

Think about the math in that quote above, 40% of 302 million is actually just over 120 million, and the member rolls of the NRA are at about 4 million. What are the other 116 million or so doing to protect our rights? Just some things to think about.

My empassioned invitation remains. To demonstrate my good will, I will offer to reimburse Fletcher for the first year of a two year membership, with "proof of purchase", so to speak. Of course this is not an open offer and he must accept my public THR offer here, but I will cheerfully accept another new NRA two year member.

Just my 2 cents.

Poper

 

[Gunnerpalace]

There are certainly reasons to be critical of the NRA

As I see a lock I will stat my opinion ahead of time,

I will join the NRA (I'll even become a lifetimer) if Heller goes good I want the NRA to begin the process to get machine guns back, I know there will be hundreds of others but I want them at the forefront, they do that, they will have redeemed themselves from 922o, In my eyes.

 

[dm1333]

Poper,

I'll thow in with you on that offer. If one of you guys who thinks the NRA is a bad organization or part of the problem wants, I'll buy you a membership for a year with only one condition. You read all the mail and see what they are doing and at the end of the year you start a thread here and give a thoughtful paragraph or two about what you believe about the NRA at the end of that year.

For everybody else? The membership of the NRA, GOA, etc. fall way short of the numbers of gun owners in this country. What groups do you belong to that swing a big stick like they do in politics?

 

[Poper]

what exactly am I not pulling by helping ILA, but not the base organization with cash donations? Let me phrase it this way - donating $35 (cost of membership) to NRA/ILA is freeloading, but the same $35 to the NRA would somehow allow me to pull my own weight? That just makes no sense.

Oh! But it DOES make sense! By adding your name to the NRA active member numbers, you help swell the ranks and give additional teeth and strength to the NRA. Additionally, you enhance the other programs NRA sponsors, such as Hunter Safety, Shooting Ranges and Shooting Sports support/sponsorship, etc.
I, and many like minded members, are Annual Sponsors of the Whittington Center, eventhough I have never had the opportunity to use it. (I have seen the Visitor's Center once, though.)

C'mon! Join us! We're not bad people! And it is true that there is strength in numbers.

All the best,

Poper

PS: Neither of my previous posts were intended to offend. Please accept my apologies if they did.

 

[jcwit]

Siglite thank you for letting this disabled American Vet know how much of a CHEAPSKATE I am. I really feel better new.

 

[Plink]

If you want to continue owning guns, you either need to become a "political activist" or join the NRA and let them do it for you.

Never before have us gun owners faced such threats to our rights to own guns. Each of us needs to pull our weight. Some of us are carrying the load for a great many others.

There are how many tens of millions of gun owners? Yet the NRA has what, 2.5 million members or so? They, and other organizations like the GOA are our best, and pretty much our only line of defense to help keep our rights.

 

[dm1333]

siglite

But some folks think that their $25.00 membership donation to the NRA makes them high, mighty, and holier than thou. Let me tell you. Your NRA donation is the CHEAPSKATES way out. You've bought your peace of mind for $25.00. And your freakin membership didn't even go to the right organization. (NRA-ILA)

The NRA is about more than just political action to protect your gun rights. The range that I belong to (remember how this thread started) charges 40 bucks a year, to cover insurance. I'll have to double check but I bet I know what organization helps insure the range.

 

[siglite]

Indeed dm1333. That's why I professed my stance on the NRA as "completely neutral."

And $%^&. Sitting here thinking about all the peripheral stuff the NRA does, I reminded myself that I'm going to be taking my son to a two day, completely free, youth shooting camp completely funded by the NRA. They'll even be providing food. Rifles, ammo, targets, range, and lunchies.

I suppose I'll take enough cash with me to make a donation. Lest I be a cheapskate myself.

*** ETA: It's THIS VERY WEEKEND.

You can't see me, but I'm slapping myself in the forehead.

 

[siglite]

jcwit,

I would say that your contributions to your nations freedoms (including the 2nd) go far FAR above and beyond "hiring a lawyer, being 'the one' to stop some ordinance," and certainly WELL beyond a $25.00 donation/membership.

 

[dm1333]

siglite

I'm a supporter of the NRA because of all the "peripheral stuff" that they do. And because they are the only 800 pound gorilla we gun owners have. I also realize that sometimes the big gorilla isn't really interested in small jobs that the rest of us care about but on the whole life is a lot better with the gorilla in our corner.

 

[dm1333]

I'll be looking for a pm from anybody interested in taking me up on my offer for one guest membership for a year. I'm just a blindly nationalistic person who never really considered the ramifications of joining the military out of a misguided sense of "serving my country", but I have to sign off and go make Michigan safe for democracy.

 

[pbearperry]

Why is it that so many people cannot see the obvious?Picture this...
Pres.Obama:AG Hillary,how many people are involved with the NRA at this point?
AG Hillary:Mr. President,they have had a huge surge in members and are at about 50 million members strong.
Pres Obama: OK who else can we try to control?

 

[owlhoot]

Numbers talk and I suspect that the NRA numbers are the only ones that the anti's look at. I think it is extremly shortsighted not to be an NRA member regardless of any prejudices against the organization. After all, membership costs no more than a single box of ammo.