TrainingCounselor
Member
hi-impact
First, let me clarify that the CMP partners with the NRA in sponsoring the most prestigious national and international marksmanship competitions, at their Camp Perry location, their Anniston Alabama location, and at state and local completions at numerous sites across the country.
Originally, the Director of Civilian Marksmanship Program (DCM) was a congressional directive to the United States Army, to develop marksmanship among law abiding citizens, and since its establishment as the Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice in 1903, it has been supported by every Congress and every President to the present day. The Army requested a change, as this was not part of their core mission, and the CMP was established in 1966 to carry on the function, with a congressional charter given to the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety (CMP). Olympic gold medalist Gary Anderson was the first civilian director. They maintain the Congressional Distinguished Rifle and distinguished Pistol awards program. They are all about safety, and receive no federal funds, only surplus firearms from the US military, which are safety checked and sold. They could not function without the NRA volunteer support.
I was introduced to the NRA by a WWII veteran, who let me read every American Rifleman since VE day till we met in 1972. It was clear to me that the NRA was created as, and continued to be, the defender of our right to keep and bear arms.
I joined as a life member, and increased my membership and participation steadily since.
The NRA stands for the need for freedom loving people to be ready to stand up to the worldwide historic pattern of those in power steadily trying to increase their power. The right to defend ourselves against a deadly threat is part of natural law. The constitution's Bill of Rights confirmed that government tyranny was a deadly threat.
"Reasonable" gun laws attempt to limit the ability of those unfit for daily life in a free society to easily access weapons. (Convicted felons, adjudicated incompetents) The failure of every law attempting to block individuals from weapons confirms the NRA stance that very few firearms and knife laws are appropriate or needed.
To the extent possible, the NRA maintains a "single issue" stance, defending the Second Amendment. Politicians of any party have been and continue to be supported by the NRA through the NRA-ILA (created as a political activist entity, it is not tax exempt). However, when the First Amendment was challenged, the NRA and the ACLU both joined the defense. (Citizens United case).
The NRA Training programs are the backbone of this nation's firearms safety effort. Civilian and Law Enforcement programs are the national standard. NRA Certified Instructors are the ones recognized by the laws of the several states for firearms safety training, and most organizations offering shooting sports or concealed carry specify the NRA trained Instructors and Range Safety Officers for their ranges. The Boy Scouts of America put more people on the range for the first time than any other organization, and specify NRA Certified Instructors and NRA Range Safety Officers.
The NRA needs to do a better job of convincing their membership that increased active membership is essential to the defense of our constitution. More face to face, one on one recruiting is needed, and fewer slick ad campaigns offering prizes. The current "I am the NRA" television campaign is great communication, No gimmics, no fluff - "We ARE Freedom's Safest Place !"
Just my 2¢.
~ Don McGaffey
NRA Distinguished Expert, Master Training Counselor, ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator - Michigan, Benefactor Life Member, and certified Good Guy.
P.S. If you don't want so much mail from the NRA, call membership and request DNP (Do Not Publish). And life membership (available as Easy Pay in installments) neatly takes care of the renewal mail. And it's a bargain. Really.
First, let me clarify that the CMP partners with the NRA in sponsoring the most prestigious national and international marksmanship competitions, at their Camp Perry location, their Anniston Alabama location, and at state and local completions at numerous sites across the country.
Originally, the Director of Civilian Marksmanship Program (DCM) was a congressional directive to the United States Army, to develop marksmanship among law abiding citizens, and since its establishment as the Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice in 1903, it has been supported by every Congress and every President to the present day. The Army requested a change, as this was not part of their core mission, and the CMP was established in 1966 to carry on the function, with a congressional charter given to the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety (CMP). Olympic gold medalist Gary Anderson was the first civilian director. They maintain the Congressional Distinguished Rifle and distinguished Pistol awards program. They are all about safety, and receive no federal funds, only surplus firearms from the US military, which are safety checked and sold. They could not function without the NRA volunteer support.
I was introduced to the NRA by a WWII veteran, who let me read every American Rifleman since VE day till we met in 1972. It was clear to me that the NRA was created as, and continued to be, the defender of our right to keep and bear arms.
I joined as a life member, and increased my membership and participation steadily since.
The NRA stands for the need for freedom loving people to be ready to stand up to the worldwide historic pattern of those in power steadily trying to increase their power. The right to defend ourselves against a deadly threat is part of natural law. The constitution's Bill of Rights confirmed that government tyranny was a deadly threat.
"Reasonable" gun laws attempt to limit the ability of those unfit for daily life in a free society to easily access weapons. (Convicted felons, adjudicated incompetents) The failure of every law attempting to block individuals from weapons confirms the NRA stance that very few firearms and knife laws are appropriate or needed.
To the extent possible, the NRA maintains a "single issue" stance, defending the Second Amendment. Politicians of any party have been and continue to be supported by the NRA through the NRA-ILA (created as a political activist entity, it is not tax exempt). However, when the First Amendment was challenged, the NRA and the ACLU both joined the defense. (Citizens United case).
The NRA Training programs are the backbone of this nation's firearms safety effort. Civilian and Law Enforcement programs are the national standard. NRA Certified Instructors are the ones recognized by the laws of the several states for firearms safety training, and most organizations offering shooting sports or concealed carry specify the NRA trained Instructors and Range Safety Officers for their ranges. The Boy Scouts of America put more people on the range for the first time than any other organization, and specify NRA Certified Instructors and NRA Range Safety Officers.
The NRA needs to do a better job of convincing their membership that increased active membership is essential to the defense of our constitution. More face to face, one on one recruiting is needed, and fewer slick ad campaigns offering prizes. The current "I am the NRA" television campaign is great communication, No gimmics, no fluff - "We ARE Freedom's Safest Place !"
Just my 2¢.
~ Don McGaffey
NRA Distinguished Expert, Master Training Counselor, ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator - Michigan, Benefactor Life Member, and certified Good Guy.
P.S. If you don't want so much mail from the NRA, call membership and request DNP (Do Not Publish). And life membership (available as Easy Pay in installments) neatly takes care of the renewal mail. And it's a bargain. Really.