NRA membership? Why? - Page 2

buzzg · October 8th, 2005, 01:45 PM

NRA go to nra.org. GOA go to gunowners.org
I wish they'd drop the free gift approach too. That's got to cost something and the money should go to legislative lobbying, etc.

P95Carry · October 8th, 2005, 01:51 PM

Kurt - I haven't got exact links to hand but just go Google NRA and GOA etc - there is also Citizens Committee for Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

GOA does IMO have the ''purest'' and perhaps most efficient approach - much about NRA has over time annoyed me (like Buzz mentioned - free gift stuff etc) but - on balance I feel that NRA membership is still valuable - I have contributed quite a lot to RKBA organizations in general.

The other side to NRA membership for me is that by having my Instructor certifications I am better able to utilize an accepted and accredited way to bring in new folks.

LenS · October 8th, 2005, 04:25 PM

I am a NRA Life Member since ~1980, as well as a life member of my state association (GOAL, who I've worked closely with over the years).

I think that NRA is too soft on important issues. They helped bring us the NICS check and Brady Bill! They didn't fight hard enough on the AWB that recently expired. etc.

But they do have the numbers on a national level.

Second Amendment Fdn (SAF) and Gun Owners of America (GOA) are tiny in comparison, but probably more aggressive in protecting gun owners rights without being radical organizations.

Google searches and lots of reading will best answer your questions.

RSSZ · October 8th, 2005, 05:40 PM

Let me know right away if this is(too)personal. Where would we(gun owners,shooters,CCW people) be without the NRA. What have you(any of you out there) done to protect your right to hunt,shoot,CCW,etc.? I have been a member of the NRA for 35 years. I have never become a life member but renew year after year without any breaks in the tradition. I stayed a member all the years that I was deployed/stationed overseas. I feel that I am paying for the NRA to fight for the rights of nonpaying/non careing people. My opinion is that if you don't want to join the NRA or some other group with a very strong lobby for the gun rights that you hold dear,then you have no right whatsoever to complain if these rights are limited or taken away. Remember that and act accordingly.(see how sensative to the feelings of others I have become in my old age) -------------

LenS · October 8th, 2005, 06:30 PM

I don't know if you addressed that to me or someone else . . .

As I stated, NRA "has the numbers", meaning that DC takes notice when they speak. I just wish they didn't "negotiate" our rights away like they do when dealing with the legiscritters in DC!

I have a friend who used to fight the good fight in MA until he gave u and moved to Phoenix, AZ. He picked up the gauntlet there and has been involved in their CCW laws. He also told me that NRA came in and bargained away their rights to carry in places that serve alcohol/public buildings/etc. According to him, NRA "went over the head" of the AZ state organization that was dead-set against giving away any rights. I trust and believe this person!

I've testified at most gun hearings here in MA over the past ~25 years. I've signed up tons of members for GOAL at gun shows, gun clubs, etc. I've served as Legislative Chairman of 3 different gun clubs over a period of ~17 years and I've brought the only real authority on MA gun laws to speak 4 times at a local gun club - open to the public at no charge (the club picked up all expenses). I've talked with my legiscritters at the state level until I'm blue in the face. I admit that I don't bother with our Federal legistraitors since they are Sens. Kerry & Kennedy and Rep. Barney Frank! I also realize that I could do a lot more than I do, but I do a fair amount to protect our rights in our own back yard.

Shotgun Willie · October 8th, 2005, 06:43 PM

I know some members who are not happy with the direction that NRA has taken. I can't comment on that direction because I don't know what that direction is, but some of you and a few I know personally are not happy.

I am in a find out stage here. I am doing my research. I do it with everything I plan to spend money on. I am not opposed to supporting gun rights groups if I feel that they are in alignment with my views.

My original post stated that instead of getting to the issues, all I have heard from the NRA is "free gifts" this and "free gifts" that. Gun rights is a big issue. What exactly are they fighting for and under what terms. They are asking for my money but they are not telling me what the fight issues are. Yeah, they threw out the phase 'Castle Doctrine' but that was in mere passing. No specifics. Just a hey we got it passed in Florida cool huh, now can I have your credit card number.

I am sure that the NRA has done a lot of good in the past. I dont argue that. I all wanted from them was information on what they are doing now. I am willing to do my part. I just want to know what I am supporting.

RSSZ · October 8th, 2005, 08:19 PM

Let me clarify----I'm not happy with everything that the NRA does also. I'm not happy with everything that the Republican party does either but I'm a member. If you do not want to join the NRA that's ok,but please join another pro gun shooting,hunting, group that has a lobby in D.C. Do this for our common goal. I belong to several of these organizations. They fight for me and the rights that I feel strong about.(2nd Amendment,CCW,shooting,and hunting) We are only strong in numbers. Join a group that will fight for what you believe in even if you don't agree with them 100%.---------

AirForceShooter · October 8th, 2005, 08:55 PM

Well:
if your a NRA member you haven't done a thing to advance gun legislation. As has been pointed out the NRA is a sports and training (educational) group.
If you want to twist arms it's the ILA. The NRA can't divert funds to the ILA.
So don't join the NRA and give to the ILA.

AFS

Shotgun Willie · October 8th, 2005, 10:24 PM

I hope no one feels that I am against these aforementioned groups. I am not. The only thing I have expressed dislike over is the NRA's recuiting strategy. Up to this point I have not joined because I was uneducated about the groups and the focus. I am now trying to educate myself so I can take part in the fight for gun rights. I appreciate everyones comments and taken offense to none. I intend to join somebody, just not sure who yet.

LenS · October 8th, 2005, 10:43 PM

Second Amendment Fdn runs an annual symposium, each year in a different part of the country. I attended one many years ago in Boston and Alan Gotlieb (who professionally runs a marketing company), Founder of SAF, explained the freebies/raffles/gifts/etc.

I don't recall his numbers, but marketing studies prove that they are effective and they bring in more marginal revenue than they cost to run.

I also find it irritating that they do this, and you can now refuse the gifts (at least when you respond to mailings).

October 8th, 2005, 01:51 PM	#12
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	Kurt - I haven't got exact links to hand but just go Google NRA and GOA etc - there is also Citizens Committee for Right to Keep and Bear Arms. GOA does IMO have the ''purest'' and perhaps most efficient approach - much about NRA has over time annoyed me (like Buzz mentioned - free gift stuff etc) but - on balance I feel that NRA membership is still valuable - I have contributed quite a lot to RKBA organizations in general. The other side to NRA membership for me is that by having my Instructor certifications I am better able to utilize an accepted and accredited way to bring in new folks. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

October 8th, 2005, 06:43 PM	#16
Shotgun Willie Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 158	I know some members who are not happy with the direction that NRA has taken. I can't comment on that direction because I don't know what that direction is, but some of you and a few I know personally are not happy. I am in a find out stage here. I am doing my research. I do it with everything I plan to spend money on. I am not opposed to supporting gun rights groups if I feel that they are in alignment with my views. My original post stated that instead of getting to the issues, all I have heard from the NRA is "free gifts" this and "free gifts" that. Gun rights is a big issue. What exactly are they fighting for and under what terms. They are asking for my money but they are not telling me what the fight issues are. Yeah, they threw out the phase 'Castle Doctrine' but that was in mere passing. No specifics. Just a hey we got it passed in Florida cool huh, now can I have your credit card number. I am sure that the NRA has done a lot of good in the past. I dont argue that. I all wanted from them was information on what they are doing now. I am willing to do my part. I just want to know what I am supporting. __________________ Kurt - Shotgun Willie

October 8th, 2005, 08:55 PM	#18
AirForceShooter Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,152	Well: if your a NRA member you haven't done a thing to advance gun legislation. As has been pointed out the NRA is a sports and training (educational) group. If you want to twist arms it's the ILA. The NRA can't divert funds to the ILA. So don't join the NRA and give to the ILA. AFS __________________ Gun control is hitting what you aim at

October 8th, 2005, 10:24 PM	#19
Shotgun Willie Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 158	I hope no one feels that I am against these aforementioned groups. I am not. The only thing I have expressed dislike over is the NRA's recuiting strategy. Up to this point I have not joined because I was uneducated about the groups and the focus. I am now trying to educate myself so I can take part in the fight for gun rights. I appreciate everyones comments and taken offense to none. I intend to join somebody, just not sure who yet. __________________ Kurt - Shotgun Willie

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October 8th, 2005, 01:45 PM	#11
buzzg Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 132	NRA go to nra.org. GOA go to gunowners.org I wish they'd drop the free gift approach too. That's got to cost something and the money should go to legislative lobbying, etc.

October 8th, 2005, 04:25 PM	#13
LenS Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: US Posts: 1,334	I am a NRA Life Member since ~1980, as well as a life member of my state association (GOAL, who I've worked closely with over the years). I think that NRA is too soft on important issues. They helped bring us the NICS check and Brady Bill! They didn't fight hard enough on the AWB that recently expired. etc. But they do have the numbers on a national level. Second Amendment Fdn (SAF) and Gun Owners of America (GOA) are tiny in comparison, but probably more aggressive in protecting gun owners rights without being radical organizations. Google searches and lots of reading will best answer your questions.

October 8th, 2005, 05:40 PM	#14
RSSZ Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,847	Let me know right away if this is(too)personal. Where would we(gun owners,shooters,CCW people) be without the NRA. What have you(any of you out there) done to protect your right to hunt,shoot,CCW,etc.? I have been a member of the NRA for 35 years. I have never become a life member but renew year after year without any breaks in the tradition. I stayed a member all the years that I was deployed/stationed overseas. I feel that I am paying for the NRA to fight for the rights of nonpaying/non careing people. My opinion is that if you don't want to join the NRA or some other group with a very strong lobby for the gun rights that you hold dear,then you have no right whatsoever to complain if these rights are limited or taken away. Remember that and act accordingly.(see how sensative to the feelings of others I have become in my old age) -------------

October 8th, 2005, 06:30 PM	#15
LenS Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: US Posts: 1,334	I don't know if you addressed that to me or someone else . . . As I stated, NRA "has the numbers", meaning that DC takes notice when they speak. I just wish they didn't "negotiate" our rights away like they do when dealing with the legiscritters in DC! I have a friend who used to fight the good fight in MA until he gave u and moved to Phoenix, AZ. He picked up the gauntlet there and has been involved in their CCW laws. He also told me that NRA came in and bargained away their rights to carry in places that serve alcohol/public buildings/etc. According to him, NRA "went over the head" of the AZ state organization that was dead-set against giving away any rights. I trust and believe this person! I've testified at most gun hearings here in MA over the past ~25 years. I've signed up tons of members for GOAL at gun shows, gun clubs, etc. I've served as Legislative Chairman of 3 different gun clubs over a period of ~17 years and I've brought the only real authority on MA gun laws to speak 4 times at a local gun club - open to the public at no charge (the club picked up all expenses). I've talked with my legiscritters at the state level until I'm blue in the face. I admit that I don't bother with our Federal legistraitors since they are Sens. Kerry & Kennedy and Rep. Barney Frank! I also realize that I could do a lot more than I do, but I do a fair amount to protect our rights in our own back yard.

October 8th, 2005, 08:19 PM	#17
RSSZ Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,847	Let me clarify----I'm not happy with everything that the NRA does also. I'm not happy with everything that the Republican party does either but I'm a member. If you do not want to join the NRA that's ok,but please join another pro gun shooting,hunting, group that has a lobby in D.C. Do this for our common goal. I belong to several of these organizations. They fight for me and the rights that I feel strong about.(2nd Amendment,CCW,shooting,and hunting) We are only strong in numbers. Join a group that will fight for what you believe in even if you don't agree with them 100%.---------

October 8th, 2005, 10:43 PM	#20
LenS Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: US Posts: 1,334	Second Amendment Fdn runs an annual symposium, each year in a different part of the country. I attended one many years ago in Boston and Alan Gotlieb (who professionally runs a marketing company), Founder of SAF, explained the freebies/raffles/gifts/etc. I don't recall his numbers, but marketing studies prove that they are effective and they bring in more marginal revenue than they cost to run. I also find it irritating that they do this, and you can now refuse the gifts (at least when you respond to mailings).