Your Thoughts on the NRA

[andrewdl007]

Ok, let me begin by saying I am a member of the NRA and right now, it is the only all around gun organization I can think of. What is your oppinion on the NRA? Are you a member of the NRA or some organization? Do you think it has lost its way?

 

[security6]

We see these threads about once every few weeks on THR. The general consensus seems to be that the NRA isn't perfect, but no other organization is perfect either. However, the NRA is extremely valuable because it is an "800 lb gorilla" in Washington. Politicans fear the NRA, and that gets things done.

I am a member of the NRA and I do not think it has lost its way. I don't agree with them 100% on everything, but they are on the right path.

 

[trueblue1776]

I quit NRA because I felt like my 25 dollar a year membership was spent on sending me 30 dollars of junk mail. How is that "money well spent"?

 

[Derek Zeanah]

I'd say the consensus is "NRA: more good than bad," actually.

 

[RIDE]

What about the theory that the NRA doesn't really want to win ALL of our rights back?

I mean if we had ALL our rights back, what use would the NRA be? Obviously the NRA would still exist, but to what degree? As a gun club? Certainly not a lobbying power.

Kind of like the curing the common cold... How many companies out of business, how many jobs lost?

just a thought.

 

[kaferhaus]

What about the theory that the NRA doesn't really want to win ALL of our rights back?

I mean if we had ALL our rights back, what use would the NRA be? Obviously the NRA would still exist, but to what degree? As a gun club? Certainly not a lobbying power.

That thinking doesn't wash as some pinko liberal will always be trying to take them away again.

 

[Chui]

Gunowners of America.

The NRA is constantly compromising. How in Hell can one compromise principles??

 

[longhorngunman]

In the coming weeks we're going to need all of them, NRA, GOA(just joined them this week! ), JFPO, FCSA, state Associations etc. We've got to stand together or we'll fall together. I got three co-workers talked into joining the NRA just this week.

 

[Robert Hairless]

How about if we all resign from the NRA next week?

That would get rid of all the NRA requests for money that irritated trueblue1776 and other people.

Let's all do it and see what happens. I'd bet that Hillary Clinton and her friends wouldn't do a darned thing about taking away our guns. They're really our good buddies. It's the NRA that has been causing all the trouble. Just ask them.

By the way, the standard annual cost of NRA membership is $35 a year. Of that amount, $25 pays for the magazine subscription. So what remains is $10 a year to staff the NRA and pay the bills. If you don't want a magazine, membership costs $10 a year.

I understand and sympathize with the people who don't want to spend a whole $10 each year to keep their guns. That's a lot of money. You could buy a few rounds of factory ammunition for that kind of money. Or you could buy an elegant tin hat with a propellor on top that really spins in the wind.

 

[Lucky]

I joined NRA last week. After all they did free Brazil, that's something.

 

[1 old 0311]

Been a member for 30 years. Do I agree with everything they do? No. Do we need them? Yes.
It is a relationship not unlike your family. Is it all roses? No it is not, but when you stand back and look at the big picture it is good.

 

[ProficientRifleman]

life member

I have been a life member since 1991.

I stopped sending money to the NRA when they "allowed" Brady to pass in 1993 by NOT holding legislators' feet to the fire. They were still in defense mode and didn't do what I PAID them to do.

After that time, whenever I received a request for a donation, I would return a letter to them in their prepaid envelope. In that letter, I stated the following:

1. When the NRA advocated the repeal of the AWB of 1994, the MG ban of 1986 (FOPA), and the Gun Control Act (1968), I would begin to think about sending more money.

2. When the NRA began actively working to repeal the NFA of 1934, I would send them the largest donation I could afford.

Very shortly, I stopped receiving fund raising letters. I am still a life member. I have contributed hundreds of dollars on top of my Life membership. I still know that the NRA is the largest pro-gun lobbying group which has a chance of defending our constitution. When MY ASSOCIATION goes on the offensive, I will contribute money again.

 

[eliphalet]

I am LIFE NRA member but if what I read of them supporting any new laws is true I am furious at them! NO! on ANY new gun law of ANY kind! NO to NEW laws NO!!! GRRRRR

 

[camacho]

There are others but the NRA is the most effective organization when it comes to get things done.

 

[thirty-thirty]

The 800 pound gorilla has been turning into an 800 pound rosie o'donell over the last couple years. GOA and others are not really better. NRA still sends me the magazine and junk mail so I guess I'm a member but I have little faith in them. I quit sending them money a couple years ago.

We have to fight our own fight. there is no one to rally behind.

 

[Thumper]

While it's important to be critical of the NRA' failings, it's also imperative to be a member.

If you're a Second Amendment activist and don't support the NRA, you're either hopelessly ignorant of the way the political process works, or you're hopelessly irresponsible.

If your primary gripe is the mailings...? Thousands of studies have been conducted to determine effective methods of advertising. Mailings are effective. You're so busy that throwing away a little unwanted mail isn't worth the protection of your rights?

 

[NewShooter]

I am a member because they are the most powerful organization that is fighting for my rights. I dont always agree with how they spend my money but then I dont always like how my taxes are spent either. The NRA should create a NO MAIL list option for its members.

 

[ARTiger]

+1 Thumper

Without the NRA, gun ownership rights here would already resemble the UK or Australia. Opt out of the mailings if you have an issue with it, but please don't opt out of supporting the single most effective organization working to protect our gun ownership rights.

 

[ATW525]

Strangely I let my membership lapse, yet I still give the NRA money everytime I shop at Midway.

 

[Fly320s]

The NRA is good, but I wish that the GOA had the clout of the NRA.

GOA is for repealing most or all gun laws. NRA is only moderately opposed to new gun laws.

 

[Chui]

It's called "Managed Competition", folks... You THINK they best represent your interests, but the facts speak for themselves.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Ok, I'll rant a bit. I know several folks personally that won't join/aren't members over one little aspect here or there. The NRA won't take an absolutist view on thier pet tangent regarding the 2nd Amendment. Fine.

I guess the NRA has been SO BUSY ignoring getting the 1934 and 1986 problems fixed that the've had NOTHING to do with passing CCW in state after state. And obviously NOTHING to do with the demise of the 1994 ban either. Also NOTHING to do with all the rifle ranges at BSA camps all over the country I guess.

Perfect? Hell no. But unless you have something better or more efficient to give RKBA folks, QYB!!

Look, it's the biggest dog we have in the fight. I suuport A LOT of other groups, but to hammer on the NRA over them not being perfect is VERY counter-productive.

 

[Joe Sacco]

The NRA deals in political reality. It picks its fights. This is the way things get done in Washington. If you "don't compromise principle" and demand all or nothing, you almost always end up with nothing.

This is why neither side is eager to see the Supreme Court decide the 2nd amendment. One side will have to lose and, even with the current composition of the Court, it's not clear which side that will be. A smart player doesn't bet the pot unless he is sure of the outcome.

We need, and should all join the NRA because it has the political clout to bargain in Congress. The more members they have the more influence they have. If gun owners unite as a monolithic unit of one-issue likely voters we can prevail in the current climate. If we're fragmented we lose power. Politicians only care about getting elected. There is recent polling that shows gun supporters are more likely to vote based on this single issue than gun banners are. Herein lies our most significant advantage.

We need to appear united. Just my thoughts. Best, Joe

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Chui- I am not trying to pick a fight here. But I have some questions.

Do GOA, JPFO, CCRKBA, have ANY training arms? No. This is a BIGGIE.

Are they as well respected/feared in Washington? No.

So why the heck do we attack the biggest most effective thing we have, just because it isn't perfect?

Look, I personally am an absolutist, but a realist as well.

I have sat and chatted with a fellow THR member who spent a lot of time on the hill. According to this member, the NRA had lobbyists around somewhere most of the time. GOA? They never seemed to have a lobbyist pulling face time anywhere.

So what did I do? I joined and support both.

Until someone comes along with a better idea what else can you/I do?

The counrty isn't ready for a full return to the Constitution yet, much as most on this board would like. Nor is it bad enough for a second civil war. Just look at the election results. As gun owners, we shot ourselves/got shot in the butt, and good. The "CHANGE, regardless of direction" mandate that this country seems to have voted on was an assinine move. Folks are still thinking/voting with hearts instead of heads. Until this changes, we won't get anywhere nationally.

 

[Derek Zeanah]

It's called "Managed Competition", folks... You THINK they best represent your interests, but the facts speak for themselves.

Well said, Chui.