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Question About NRA and Wayne LaPierre

5K views 89 replies 35 participants last post by  LkWd_Don 
#1 ·
I'm wondering, even some NRA members think Wayne L is a fear monger and that the NRA is way too pushy on allowing no restrictions. How can you be an NRA member and not like him? how can you be pro gun but think some weapons like AR-15 or AK-47 should be illegal? they are after all just a rifle right? I ask this because I seriously want to know. Not trolling. I've only been into guns for about a year or so now. Thanks
 
#3 ·
He is a fear monger. No doubt about it. I can list many examples of his 'newsletter' that reaches new heights of hyperbole and inaccuracies. But they have been addressed in other threads. I am not talking about thinking some guns should be banned. I think most that do not like him don't want assualt weapons banned either. Reading what he puts out has as much pro gun spin on it as possible and using 'certain' stats to support gun rights. That is all well and good except when he omits stats that conflict with his views and NRA goals. All groups do that like the Brady bunch on the other side. So what you get is intellectual dishonesty on both sides. Just like right vs left and dem vs rep. You don't get the whole picture from one side, you have to do your own research to see the totality of the facts.
 
#48 ·
I would rather have a pushy guy representing my interests than a pushover.
Not saying everything he and the NRA put out is perfect or PC (which I think is a good thing),
but without the NRA our rights for guns and self-defense would be in a completely different place.

These are my sentiments too.

My biggest gripe about LaPierre is that he just doesn't seem
comfortable on camera, nor is he glib enough. You need to
be quick-thinking on the interviews, and I think he's lacking
a little bit in that area. The NRA would be better served
with a different front-man IMHO.
Of course, in the back of my mind I am always
comparing NRA's current front-men to
Charlton Heston, and it's pretty
dang hard for anyone to
compete with Moses!!!
:c-yes2:

Still, I've been an NRA member for over 30 years.
If you're a 2A supporter, then you gotta support the NRA.
I hope everyone on this site is a member. :yup:


-
 
#6 ·
I'm still a Life Member and will continue on behind the NRA.
Do they do everything correctly (according to my thinking)? No!
But they do keep the 2A torch alive.OMO
 
#21 · (Edited)
They're not perfect, but they're the best we've got.

Ideally, I'd like a straight presentation of the facts. Spin is for the losers.
:yup:

As as "Distinguished Life Member"* I do and will support the NRA. However, I reserve the right to criticize.

1) I wish the heck they would walk the talk and always hold our meeting where one can carry.

2) I wish the hype was better documented and less speculative as to what will happen when /if ....

------

As to the "best we got" folk might want to look at other organization leading the NRA in the fight until it looks like the fight is a winner then having the NRA jump in front of the parade and claim to be leading.

Check out when the NRA picked up on National Park carry issue [ See: The National Park Service self defense ban repeal effort time line ]. Check out when the NRA joined in the Heller case. etc.

Yes, I support the NRA. However, the real action is in the true grass-roots RKBA organizations, IMHO. And that's where I focus my efforts and resources.

-----
* FWIIW, I'm not sure what I did to become "Distinguished" except just get old.
 
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#9 ·
I think he is a fear monger; he uses propaganda to raise $ for the NRA. However, that $ is used to defend our 2A rights. No doubt, the NRA is the most influential, most powerful pro 2A organization out there. They have my support, even though I do not agree with everything they do.
 
#12 ·
I'm all for defending the 2nd amendment but not in the manner the NRA does. Like Suntzu wrote, I think that LaPierre can be as intellectually dishonest as the Brady Campaign and their ilk.

The NRA offends me on an intellectual level. I'm too intelligent to buy into the NRA's bs, and I don't care how arrogant that sounds. The NRA lies and inpsires fear and the gun companies who profit from the NRA can pay the bill, I'm not donating a single dollar.
 
#15 ·
The hyperbole and 'spin' on the pro-gun side is lamentable, but let me ask this: What if the hyperbole and spin of the Brady Bunch and friends were left unmatched?

Sad to say, our politics have been dumbed down to sound bites and the intellectual level of American Idol. Forget Voter ID laws; I'd happily trade for Voter Intelligence laws with a comprehension test based on a 100-word essay on American history which could be read out loud in a voter's native language, as long as the answers were given in decipherable English. Just show me some evidence of critical thinking, and you get to proceed to the voting booth. Note I didn't say a "history test;" simply read a brief passage on American history and respond to a few questions that show evidence of brain function appropriate to the age of majority in our nation.
 
#23 ·
I understand you sentiment but I look at it like this: The spin and fear mongering by the NRA is not IMO to sway anti's or even for lobbying. It is to get more money from NRA members who all agree with each other pretty much. Same as the Brady bunch.We don't beleive their fear mongering and they don't beleive the NRA's. That is thepart that ticks me off. I am no dummy and I read the 'newsletter',do my own research and find out it is 1/2 bull feces.
 
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#17 ·
I am a life member and support the NRA fully. They are a single issue organization and without their frontline engagement to support the 2A we would be in a world of hurt. Personally I like Wayne a lot. He is a refreshing breath of fresh air in a world of politics reeking of stench! The NRA has the best ground game out there. If you don't belong please join. We are in a political war with Obama and his kind and we need all the support we can muster!
 
#18 ·
Doghandler "...sensitive to anti's"? I presume you mean only in the sense that you must have good intelligence to overcome your adversary!
 
#20 ·
I'd like to ask if anyone cares to respond. What exactly does he spin? is it that Obama will appoint anti 2A congress members? do you think the cartels aren't in every city as he claims? do you think the UN gun resolution isn't as dangerous as he claims? do you think he's in bed with Ruger? do you think that we are in no danger of losing 2A? I'm curious of this. I see comments on You Tube of people saying: "I own guns but would never support NRA" or "I'm an NRA member but don't like Wayne" (as some here have said) so what exactly does he spin?
 
#24 ·
Look, you need to do some of your own research to find the specific answers you are looking for. Most folks have told you that in general he spins things and is a fear mongerer and preys on the fears and ignorance off members. You seem to already know some of the issues. I am not here to validate my opinion, no offense. But I have taught my son since he was a kid he needs to do his own homework and dad will jump in after he exhausted his means of resolving a problem. It is the only way to grow.
 
#25 ·
Sure he's a fear monger, but guess what. That's his job!

Of course if you ask Dudley Brown of the NAGR (National Association for Gun Rights), Wayne LaPierre and the entire NRA is an anti gun establishment. If they put a picture next to the term "fear monger", they would use a likeness of Brown.
 
#28 ·
Ah Wayne...

1. Yes he's a fear monger, but even paranoids have enemies. The threat is real.

2. "This is the most important election in history!" Repeat every 2/4 years to infinity.

3. For years I didn't like him very much. He just impresses me as a bit of a sleazeball elitist. But I was truly inspired by his statement to the UN last year. He was pissed off and very nearly, in my opinion, threatened armed revolt if our firearms were threatened.

4. Compromise is a slippery slope.

5. Does he act on his own, under the direction of the Board, or both?

6. He must be doing something right, but after all these years and political changes, is it time for a new "face man?" Who would it be?

7. Is he on an employment contract, or does he serve a set time, or is he at the favor of the Board?

8. If he ever left the NRA, where would he go? I'm thinking the vast majority of corporations would consider him toxic. Lobbyist probably.

9. Wayne and the NRA seemed to share the same DNA, it's hard to separate the man from the organization.

10. They both have only come lately to modern ideas of concealed carry and self defense, not to mention open carry, and still in my opinion, not fully on board. Hard to shuck off a hundred years of complacency, and then get past the national battles of the past.

11. As much as they harp on training and NRA certified Instructors, they could do a lot more to spread the programs around, and recruit new instructors.

I think I've drifted off topic. Oops!
 
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#29 ·
Perhaps those of you that are so "down" on the NRA and LaPierre should go to Washington and fight for our gun rights, and do so as tireless as they have.
The NRA is not 100% right, and there are many times that they don't stand as hard line as I'd like to see, but for $25.00 a year, try to find someone who has, and will continue to do as much for you as the NRA.

I'm an NRA Life member, I'm also a member of GOA and JPFO.

If every person that owns a gun was an NRA member, we would presently have zero gun control, nor would we have any near future concern of gun control.

Gun owners and members on this forum complaining about the NRA, is very much like complaining about farmers while you sit around the dinner table.

:soapbox:
 
#30 ·
I agree with the end results. But it does not change my mind about either organization using fear mongering to get more money. Since you and I and others have been down this road before I won't get into details, but both orgs presented to US, gun owners, that the small arms treaty at the UN would hurt our rights as Americans. That was 100 percent bull feces. NO treaty signed by us trumps the Constituiton. Period. It is just one example of both orgs using FEAR to confuse an issue. And I hope they were not wasting money on an effort that needed not be addressed.
But in the end the orgs do good for us lobbying. But why blow smoke up our butts when there is no need to? Would you stop giving money to the NRA if they just presented unbiased facts to us or do we need to have fear instilled in us to give??? I like to think and intelligent gun owner would support the NRA. I feel insulted that they think they need to twist facts to try to 'convince' me of their need in my life.
 
#33 ·
I just wish he'd stop mailing me a membership renewal every month.
 
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#37 ·
While the constitution SHOULD prtect us, that doesn't mean that we should let Hillary and Barack swear to the rest of the world that they buy into the treaty, and then have more issues importing quality guns from other countries that would then be bound to not trade in illicit arms to foreign countries. It would be sad not to be able to by Sigs, Glocks, XDs, HK, etc... because they were banned from selling them to us by a treaty. Would we still have guns? Yes, but if the NGOs lobying the UN get their way, they would only be purely domestic made guns.

And while the 2nd ammendment would protect us (for now, depending on the next SCOTUS appointees), why should we let it get to the point where a treaty needs to be challenged? Yes he dramatizes the issues, but that is how you get support from people who might otherwise be sitting on their hands. Getting people interested and involved is important, and LaPierre is good at that.
 
#38 ·
Out of curiosity, have you read the treaty and have done any research except for the rhetoric of the NRA and GOA? And, if both orgs presented just facts to you would you or would you not contribute? That is the main point I am making. If your cause is just you don't need rhetoric and fear mongering.I would still donate because of the overall good they do. But sorry, I don't drink the Kool aid nor do I bow to the alter of the almighty NRA and GOA. I like to be presented with facts so I can figure it out myself.
 
#39 ·
I wish I could be as positive about this treaty as you are "Suntzu".
I DO KNOW we have a Sec'y of State, and POTUS that have pledged their "full Support".
I'm also afraid we have a Senate majority that would ratify the treaty.
I agree with you that the Constitution SHOULD stop it, but then the Constitution Should have stopped the "Healthcare Bill" we had shoved down our throats.

Our beloved POTUS has already banned American made M-1 rifles from being re-imported into the U.S....done by "Executive Order".
This man has zero regard for the Constitution. To him it's just something that gets in his way and slows down his socialist agenda.

Out of curiosity, have you read the treaty and have done any research except for the rhetoric of the NRA and GOA? And, if both orgs presented just facts to you would you or would you not contribute? That is the main point I am making. If your cause is just you don't need rhetoric and fear mongering.I would still donate because of the overall good they do. But sorry, I don't drink the Kool aid nor do I bow to the alter of the almighty NRA and GOA. I like to be presented with facts so I can figure it out myself.
Once again, there is nothing to read...yet. It is still in the drafting stages. But don't worry, Hillary Clinton is watching out for Americans gun rights.
She is working "hand in hand" to assure an "effective treaty".
 
#40 ·
I wish I could be as positive about this treaty as you are "Suntzu".
I DO KNOW we have a Sec'y of State, and POTUS that have pledged their "full Support".
I'm also afraid we have a Senate majority that would ratify the treaty.
I agree with you that the Constitution SHOULD stop it, but then the Constitution Should have stopped the "Healthcare Bill" we had shoved down our throats.

Our beloved POTUS has already banned American made M-1 rifles from being re-imported into the U.S....done by "Executive Order".
This man has zero regard for the Constitution. To him it's just something that gets in his way and slows down his socialist agenda.
Well, this is why I did not want to bring up a specific issue and told the OP to do his own research. We can all disagree on certain issues or in this case how it resolves it self. But pertaining to your post, there are two differences. One is the treaty part has already been ruled on by SCOTUS. The healthcare bill is going through our democatic process right now and is before the SCOTUS.

But back to the original topic. Even folks that like Mr LaPierre admit he is or can be considerd fear mongering. And like I have said numerous of times...I support the NRA, but I do not like being treated like an imbecile by having someone tell me the sky is falling every two seconds or this is the most important election in our lifetime....they are all imp[ortant
 
#41 ·
I guess I'm of the opinion, if a little "fear mongering" will produce the results needed to assure our continued 2A freedoms, well then so be it.

I was a child of the 50's and 60's and can honestly say this IS the most important Presidential election of my lifetime. There is far too much at stake this time around to be taken lightly.
 
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