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NRA - Are you a member

Hawker

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Messages
82
Location
Dover, Delaware, USA
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The best voice we have for protecting our gun rights is the NRA. I personally know John Sigler and the good work he and they do.

How many of you are NRA members? If you are not... why not?
 

bobernet

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2007
Messages
333
Location
Henderson, Nevada, USA
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Life member. There are good reasons to disagree with a lot of what the NRA says and does, and I can understand those who refuse to be a member and who are critical of them. Never the less, I remain a member for 2 reasons that I feel are compelling.

1. It gives me a voice as an insider that would be ignored if I was just some random Joe on the street.

2. Despite disagreeing with them on a lot of things, overall, I feel that they accomplish more good than bad.

It really sucks that we need licensing for CCW at all, but without the NRA, we'd likely have nothing right now. The same thing we had 20 years ago.

The NRA was instrumental in preventing a repeat "assault weapons" ban. They've also successfully lobbied for a LOT of pro-gun legislation over the years.

I agree more with SAF or JPFO's take on the issues, but I very much disagree with their tactics. They spend more time attacking other gun owners than they do lobbying for real change. Rather than teaming up with the NRA where appropriate to leverage greater resources, they are constantly attacking the NRA.

P.S. I have contacted legislators many times about gun-related issues they hadn't yet heard about. Almost without exception, their first response is generally "what's the NRA's position on this?" Like it or not, NRA = gun rights lobby, as far as many/most legislators are concerned.
 

Wynder

State Researcher
Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
1,241
Location
Bear, Delaware, USA
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I'm am, mostly because most of the USPSA/IPSC matches in which I participate require it and the range I'm currently looking to join requires it as well, since the NRA subsidizes them.

I don't necessarily agree with a lot of things the NRA does, but it's a trade-off that I find myself having to accept.
 

BobCav

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2007
Messages
2,798
Location
No longer in Alexandria, Egypt
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Lifetime member, paid to support gun rights, but I don't agree with their compromising on anything. Membership only gives me an inside voice and I don't give another dime. In fact I had to tell the ILA to stop begging as it gets old and pathetic after a while.

They may be the "Anheuser Busch" of the Gun Rights Movement, but I prefer microbrews like VCDL myself.
 

sprat

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2007
Messages
184
Location
, Florida, USA
imported post

I am member and have been and have too be, asthe range I belong toorequires it.

NRA & assualt rifle bans. first hand experience.

I was living in Nevada in the late 1980's, I moved back to the east coast better known as the People s Republic of NJ. After I got settled in the NJ legislature debated ( No Debate, their mind was made up) the assualt weapons ban. let me tell you folks the NRA was nowhere to be found they did nothing, the NJsportmans assoc's and clubs in NJ fought tooth& nail and lost. This has always left a bad taste in my mouth about the NRA. we ralled the capitol building, sign petitions it did nothing. What we needed was the full force of the NRA, after that experience it will take alot for themto get my full attention again.

Since Hawker knows John Sigler maybe he can tell him how embarassing it will be to see Delaware follow suite with him at the helm of the NRA

sprat
 

Hawker

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Messages
82
Location
Dover, Delaware, USA
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sprat wrote:
Since Hawker knows John Sigler maybe he can tell him how embarassing it will be to see Delaware follow suite with him at the helm of the NRA

sprat


I can tell you that John Sigler (almost singlehandedly) was able to get Delaware HB 499 stricken. I know, because I was in the discussion. These are some of the things that the NRA does that doesn't get national attention.

Let's give John a chance. He's new and with his background as a police officer and attorney, It will be good for us. Certainly, I don't agreewith all they (the NRA)say and do.... but they are the best voice we have. Individually, it is hard for us to make an impact, but collectively... it really does make a difference. Sometimes... a big difference.

Thanks for your input, Sprat.
 

Wynder

State Researcher
Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
1,241
Location
Bear, Delaware, USA
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I'm using that the Gun Owners of America would enter the fray of training -- they're a great organization when it comes to activism and fighting for the rights of firearms owners. Right now,a huge advantage that the NRA has over any other group is their recognition as a training program as well.
 

asforme

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Messages
839
Location
Kalamazoo, MI
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I'm a member for the sole purpose of having the insurance my range requires. But you can bet I'm on the cheap $10/year "associate" membership.

After supporting a democrat in Texas over Ron Paul, the only candidate who wants to get rid of ALL federal gun control, I have absolutely no respect for the NRA.
 

Hawker

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Messages
82
Location
Dover, Delaware, USA
imported post

Wynder wrote:
I'm am, mostly because most of the USPSA/IPSC matches in which I participate require it and the range I'm currently looking to join requires it as well, since the NRA subsidizes them.

I don't necessarily agree with a lot of things the NRA does, but it's a trade-off that I find myself having to accept.

I've been a member of the USPSA for many years. I've never heard of that organization requiring membership in the NRA.

A private range may require NRA membership, but what do you mean "subsidize" ?
 

Wynder

State Researcher
Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
1,241
Location
Bear, Delaware, USA
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Hawker wrote:
I've been a member of the USPSA for many years. I've never heard of that organization requiring membership in the NRA.

A private range may require NRA membership, but what do you mean "subsidize" ?
Hrm, I might've been wrong with the USPSA -- I could've sworn they asked for my NRA member number on my application last year.

As a for instance for my other comment, the Delaware State Pistol Club received a subsidy from the NRA a couple of years back for $4000 for renovations to their range... The only reason I've ever been told that a range would require an NRA membership is because the NRA subsidizes (paid financial assistance) the range.
 

eastcheap

New member
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
4
Location
, ,
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Wynder wrote:
asforme wrote:
I'm a member for the sole purpose of having the insurance my range requires. But you can bet I'm on the cheap $10/year "associate" membership.
Ditto. :)
I've been an annual member for years (long enough to have paid for a life membership, in fact), and this year I've finally decided to "downgrade" my membership. I'll lose a magazine which I hardly bother to skim through anymore (the same stuff repeated ad nauseum) and voting rights (the same nominating committee folks elected year after year), but it's either that or just let my membership lapse.

The last straw was when they started spamming me for credit monitoring, term life insurance, and wine...
 

BobCav

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2007
Messages
2,798
Location
No longer in Alexandria, Egypt
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For any Vets with ANY level of disability:

I should have clarified thatI'm a "Distinguished Life Member" and only had to pay $375 instead of the standard $1000 because I have a service connected disability.
(https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/signup.asp)

ANY level of disability qualifies and no proof is needed:

Q: I am a Disabled Veteran. What level/proof of disability is required to receive that discount?
A: Distinguished Membership is extended to all Disabled Veterans of the US Armed Forces regardless of level of disability. No proof of disability is required.


(from https://www.nramemberservices.org/faq.asp)

I would recommend that any vet with any disability take full advantage of that deal as soon as possible!

 

IanB

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2006
Messages
1,896
Location
Northern VA
imported post

Hawker wrote:
The best voice we have for protecting our gun rights is the NRA. I personally know John Sigler and the good work he and they do.

How many of you are NRA members? If you are not... why not?

I will never be an NRA member. They thinkWayne "let's compromise our rights away" LaPierre deserves over one million dollars in compensation, yet they send out mailings weekly to my home telling me the sky is falling if I don't send them some money. The only money of mine they get is when I use their range in Chantilly. I laugh at them every time they try to recruit me at the local gun show.

Young Pretty Girl (YPG): Are you an NRA member?

Me: Nope

YPG: Would you like to join today? If you joinyou get into the gun show for free and save $10 on membership too!

Me: Would you decrease Wayne's million dollarcompensation packageto something more reasonable, like say $100K if I did? Would the NRA change its stance on college concealed carry if I joined? Would the NRAstopnegotiating our rights away?

YPG: [blank stare]

Me: Well, have a nice morning.

Footnote: The NRA has just recently begun supporting concealed college carry
 

XD Owner

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2006
Messages
377
Location
Arlington, VA
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Easy Pay Life Member (I like the installment payment plan.)

Maybe someday when I am a Life Member and can vote at those NRA elections, I can help the NRA get a Board less willing to "compromise".

I probably need to do more research, but I think we should repeal the NFA of 1934 and GCA of 1968 for starters.

And at the state level, let's get National Concealed Carry Reciprocity passed and states need to pass Gun Free Zone Owner Liability legislation. GFZOL makes owners of Gun Free Zones, like posted shopping malls for example, or a bank, liable for the injuries caused by criminals who ignore the Gun Buster signs and shoot people. If the business owner wants to disarm us law-abiding folks, then they are responsible for our safety and well-being since the property owner won't let us carry on his property. Cost to the goverment is Zero, unless we get this to apply to state properties as well. Something to think about.
 

eastcheap

New member
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
4
Location
, ,
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XD Owner wrote:
Maybe someday when I am a Life Member and can vote at those NRA elections, I can help the NRA get a Board less willing to "compromise".

I probably need to do more research, but I think we should repeal the NFA of 1934 and GCA of 1968 for starters.
Ask Chris Knox how well the "voting out the compromisers" thing works. :(

As for the NFA and GCA, I'd just like to see the NRA do something about the Hughes Amendment like they said they would 22 years ago.
 
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