Took the leap and joined the NRA

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Stretchman

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I got a discount to join for buying a Remington 870, and will continue to get one due to my disabled vet status, but back when I got the first post card from them, I never gave it any thought.

"Why", I would ask myself. Just a bunch of hunters and stuff. Not interested.

Until the new AWB, and the possibility of turning the firearms clock back about 100 years or so, I never gave it much thought. But they are a pwoerful lobbgy, and know what to do when helping us to keep our RKBA. I am not a pro, nor do I really understand the intricacies of DC politics, but these guys seem to be on top of things, and may help us to win the fight in congress. IMO, the best place to secure victory.

You may want to check out their web page at http://www.nra.org. Even if you don't join, there's some things there that make for interesting reading.
 
and the possibility of turning the firearms clock back about 100 years or so
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I'm sure you meant something different with your metaphor, but it seems to me that this might be one of the best things that could happen.

I was a 5 year member. After reading about 3 of the 100 magazines they sent, not subscribing to any of the video series offers, and being told who to vote for, I let it lapse.

It was a little too much like an AAA membership. Great for discounts, and you get a sticker to put on your car, but when it comes down to it you really don't get any direct benefit.

Joining the VCDL soon....
 
What is teh VCDL? Are there any other groups we can throw our support behind when it comes to HR 1022?

I like my hi cap pistol mags. I realize others want what they have. Everyone is at risk of losing something in this. If we need professional lobby support, then we should do that. All is fair, in love and war, and believe me, this ain't love.
 
Beatnik, your post sounds slightly defeatist.

I read quite a few gun related forums and keep seeing anti NRA this and anti NRA that. Why?

There is an estimated 60-80 million gun owners in the USA. If they all voted we wouldn't have to worry/wonder about the second coming of the AWB or strict state level laws that infringe on the 2nd amendment or the possibility of a President Hillary.

This is why we need the NRA.

I strongly believe if it were not for the NRA, we would be as gunless as Austrailia. The threat is very, very real.

Unfortunately there is a lot of what I refer to as "snobby shooters" (not meaning you Beatnik) that are our own worst enemy. They are the ones that wonder why you would need an AR-15 but think their Remington deer rifle is somehow immune to the gun grabbers (i.e.Jim Zumbo:what: ). The anti's want 'em all!

We all complain about silly laws...or the politicians that don't understand...This guys an anti...etc. The NRA I believe is the best hope we have for gun ownership -They're the most powerful lobbying group in the country, it's in our best interest to continually make them even stronger.

It's long overdue that we all stand up for the freedom we believe in. Do you like your guns, shooting, or the ability to protect your family? Then vote like you do! And support organizations that fight for these rights too!

You're either part of the solution or part of the problem. Stand up and be counted!

Fake Name
NRA Life Member and proud of it.
 
Freeloaders

Don't be a freeloader. Join the NRA, the SAF, the GOA, the JFPFO, the TSRA....or all of them. In fact, you ought to join them at the Life Membership Level.

Put your money where your mouth is. Don't let someone else pull YOUR weight.
 
Been an NRA member for many years, I have two memberships at the moment (Join the NRA and get in to the gun show for free, and not stand in the line for an hour)

yes, vote and vote every time.

NRA member
CRPA member

California Rilfe and Pistol Assoc.
 
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Blackfork

Don't be a freeloader. Join the NRA, the SAF, the GOA, the JFPFO, the TSRA....or all of them. In fact, you ought to join them at the Life Membership Level.

Put your money where your mouth is. Don't let someone else pull YOUR weight.
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I was a freeloader, then finally joined at a gunshow. Heck, I blow a minimum of a years membership worth of ammo at the range just plinkin' so heck yeah! TSRA is next!

ps: howdy from down here on I-10 :D

t
 
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The NRA has given up on the gun owners in Mass so I gave up on them. They clearly stated they will not donate any resources to states they consider " lost causes", even if there is a good chance of sucess or stopping legislation that could be passed in other states, with that mindset they all will be lost causes in the near future. I only belong to my local pro gun orginization GOAL.
 
What is teh VCDL?
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Virginia Citizens Defense League

Other states have similar pro-Second Amendment activists groups.

I'm a member of both the NRA and VCDL.

VCDL is right there in the thick of things. The group leader is a lawyer and he is actively going after city, county, and state officials and police departments who tread on Virginians' gun rights. The VCDL board is more knowledgeable about Virginia gun laws than the people in power, and VCDL has to constantly be on top of them.

VCDL is also very active in the business community, convincing businesses to remove their "No Firearms Allowed" policies. VCDL claims credit for getting Lowes hardware stores in the area to reverse their No Firearms Allowed policy and become a gun-friendly store.

VCDL also is active in getting state buildings and state parks to remove their No Firearms Allowed signs, as they are not private businesses and the state law says nothing about disallowing firearms on such properties.

I've been to a VCDL meeting once. Some of the members of the group were, well, I think somewhat over the top. I know we all have these rights and they should be exercised, but while I carry a compact Glock 9mm on my belt, I see it harmful to the mission of the VCDL for some members to be strutting around with 12" barrel revolvers slung across their chest in the general public. Sure, it's their right, but is this how we win the public over to our side? The VCDL group leader, the lawyer, to his credit dresses professionally and just has a sidearm on his belt.

My assessment of the VCDL is that the leadership is fantastic and they are doing a great -- make that, excellent -- job. The members who I've met, are passionate about their guns but some of them are perhaps not the best face to put on gun owners in the non-gun carrying public. VCDL gets my membership as long as I live in or visit Virginia.
 
Hey BigTuna... I recently joined the VCDL (www.VCDL.org) and just went to my first meeting last night and let me tell you it was great! Great direction and leadership with their heads on straight. I went to the OC get together afterwards and met even more of the folks. Last night I sat at the table with members of the VCDL leadership and we talked issues. I'm sorry, but that would never happen with the NRA.

They're both great organizations, each has their place and doing great things for our gun rights and I'm a member of both. But when the crap hits the fan calling the NRA is more like calling the Police, but VCDL is like the pistol on my hip!
 
Anyone know if there's a NC version of the VCDL? I've been a NRA member for about 3 years now and don't see my membership lapsing...they can be annoying with their mailings, but they do their job.
 
Rebecca Peters is what got me to join. Pure and simple.

The plain reality is that we must all hang together or we will hang separately--the NRA isn't perfect, but we need to make sure collectively that it's as powerful as we can make it be. Joining the GOA and other groups is important as well (I'm personally also active in MSI and planning to join VCDL even though I'm a Marylander next week), but the NRA is the bulwark that's protected us thus far.
 
Hey BigTuna... I recently joined the VCDL (www.VCDL.org) and just went to my first meeting last night and let me tell you it was great! Great direction and leadership with their heads on straight. I went to the OC get together afterwards and met even more of the folks. Last night I sat at the table with members of the VCDL leadership and we talked issues. I'm sorry, but that would never happen with the NRA.

They're both great organizations, each has their place and doing great things for our gun rights and I'm a member of both. But when the crap hits the fan calling the NRA is more like calling the Police, but VCDL is like the pistol on my hip!
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Welcome to VCDL, Bob! I'm glad you enjoyed your time with the group.

I agree, VCDL is really there when you need it. After reading about how responsive they are when members get wrongly confronted by law enforcement, because the LEO doesn't know the Virginia gun laws, I was impressed and figured joining the VCDL for $15/year membership was like getting cheap insurance.

I remember reading about a VCDL member who was wrongly kicked out of the DMV by a police officer for carrying a gun in the DMV (which is NOT against the law). Shortly thereafter, the VCDL was able to get a public confession by the DMV and the police department, and a promise that the DMV will better educate their staff of the Virginia gun laws. I was impressed!

Other states are forming groups modeled after the VCDL. I think in one of the last VA-ALERT e-mail updates, they mentioned West Virginia was going to copycat and form their own WVCDL. Good for them!

I think the VCDL leadership is fantastic. One of the board members was the guy who taught my Utah CCW class. I was a little put-off by some of the members touting large hunting revolvers strapped across their chest just so they could be "seen" in public exercising their rights and some guys were bringing up TEOTWAWKI and SHTF kind of scenarios during the meeting (the president quickly brushed them off), which I thought was little out there. But otherwise, everyone was very nice and pleasant, and the VCDL leadership is the greatest.
 
I noticed a couple posts disappeared, one of mine and someone I quoted.

Whats the deal? I don't think there was anything inflammatory (unless the truth bothers a few people) or against the rules in his post, and I just agreed with him.
 
You know, that's happened to me once or twice with only ACRONYMS!! For a place that's all about constitutional rights, I thought I was on a ricer car forum for a while there! Over-moderation and paternalism is the fastest way to lose this member...
 
Beatnik:

I'm sure you meant something different with your metaphor, but it seems to me that this might be one of the best things that could happen.

I was a 5 year member. After reading about 3 of the 100 magazines they sent, not subscribing to any of the video series offers, and being told who to vote for, I let it lapse.

It was a little too much like an AAA membership. Great for discounts, and you get a sticker to put on your car, but when it comes down to it you really don't get any direct benefit.

Joining the VCDL soon....
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Don't worry about not belonging to the NRA. My wife and I both belong and we contribute generously each time the NRA/ILA sends an appeal for money so it can fight for our gun rights and yours too.

When we used to see messages like yours and others, we became a little annoyed about carrying freeloaders. But we realized that most organizations we've ever belonged to have freeloaders of one kind or another. It does no good to tell them that they're freeloaders. They always have good excuses for not carrying their share of the load. They become angry when anyone even mentions that they're freeloading, and other freeloaders come to their defense.

We knew that the NRA can't fight our battles without money every time the anti-gun forces attack. We also knew that federal law prohibits the NRA from using membership fees for those purposes. And we realized that the anti-gun forces and their gun control laws won't be restricted to freeloaders only: we'd suffer too.

Our conclusion was to increase our contributions so we can help carry a few freeloaders each time. If other NRA members would do the same--increase their donations when the NRA/ILA asks for money to fight for our gun rights--we all could carry even more freeloaders.

So we're not even annoyed anymore by people who gripe about gun control but have real good reasons--such as not being interested in the magazines, or the color of Wayne LaPierre's neckties--for getting a free ride on our money. Really. We're happy to pay your way. Just enjoy the ride. It's on us and others like us.
 
congrats, you did good

activism varies from State to State, the NRA was very active in CA
when I lived there, it was great going to meetings.
NV seems really , really lacking:mad: :(
I've been thinking of moving to VA so I could join vcdl and travel to DC
to confront and annoy politicians myself.
 
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