| Author | Message | ||
     Jerry_haughton |
i'm thinking of joining the National Rifle Association. i'm interested in feedback from NRA members on whether you think my time and money to join would be worth it in terms of protecting my right to bear arms. how would you rank the NRA's overall effectiveness on a scale of 1 to 10, and why? thx, Ferris | ||
| Just_ziptab |
I've been a member for neart 30 years. I don't like the high pay that the top people get, but I suppose that is part of the game in big league stuff. I guess the only reason I stick with them is to get the magazine and some fighting on their part for our gun rights. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I stopped being a member because they started sleazing me out. This is what they tried on me: They sent a "gift" to my house to show how they appreciate my membership. The gift was a DVD and a coin thing. The DVD was straight off of basic cable "tales of the gun" I popped it in and watched it. It was VERY boring. I threw it out. MONTHS later, they sent a letter saying that if I intend to keep the DVD, I have to pay for it and then more DVDs will come. If I don't intend to keep it, simply return it in the original packaging. WTF!! I threw it out two months ago!? Now I am a member of GOAL. They don't suck. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
I've been a member for 45 years. Unfortunately in America lobbys get stuff done. The NRA has a very vigilant and active "legislative effort". Gun rights are under constant attack by powerful liberal interests and they need organized protection. I don't always agree with all their positions, but I'm convinced that without their efforts there would be many more restrictions. The American Rifleman mag is a decent read as well. I've been an AMA member for 40 years for similar reasons (plus participating in AMA competition). | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
I'm an NRA life member. While I do agree that some of the marketing stuff is lame, overall they are one of the few organizations with enough of a voice (ours) to be heard. Given the incoming presidential administration, NOW would be a great time to join. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Given the incoming presidential administration, NOW would be a great time to join. my thoughts exactly. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Yes they are effective, and yes they sometimes get a little tacky in their marketing (that tales of the gun stunt was when I let my membership lapse as well). I'll probably be re-upping. Seems like a good time for balance... | ||
| Swampy |
JPFO is an organization that doesn't practice apoligetics like the NRA. The NRA doesn't get involved in state issues, no sharing of mailing lists with state or local organizations. They have a few massive shooting sports complexes that 99% of the NRA rank and file will never see or use. I feel it is a self serving organization that is very lamb like. But you know what? I will still ride with you guys if you will have me. | ||
| Ar15ed |
i have been a life member for nearly 25 years. if you are a gun owner, and wish to continue enjoying that right, you need to be a member of the nra. some of their money-raising does get a little annoying, but if they didn't do it, how much would they still have rolling in? who knows? how much does the brady organization have rolling in? or any of the other anti-gun organizations? the fact is that the nra is by far the most effective lobbying entity in the world that is fighting for your right to keep and bear arms, day-in and day-out-24/7. other than the lobbying and political ties that they offer, there are a number of bottom-line benefits for each member. they keep you well informed of any pending legislation that will affect you in your state, or in the u.s. as a whole, and they tell you who is sponsoring anything that will affect you positively or negatively. the magazine has definitely improved over the last 10 or 15 years, and i actually enjoy reading it. it also includes info in every issue that highlights your regional gunshows, places to shoot, and shooting competitions. the bottom line is: nra is out there fighting for our right to keep our guns. after you are a member you can choose how much you are comfortable helping them out financially, or whether to even volunteer some of your time. i am sure they will be happy with whatever you are comfortable doing, but every gun-owning american needs to be a member! | ||
| Neurorider |
No organization that big can accomplish anything without creating critics. Yes, the marketing is odd at times (how often do I get a renewal offer?  but...the NRA represents a huge number of people in its lobbying. It may be the only thing between Obama/Democrat controlled congress and total gun bans. I will renew my membership. And, before one of you Democrats sounds off about how "Obama supports gun ownership", check his voting record. It is ok to disagree also, and using lobbyists and letter-writing to voice our opinions is part of the political process. NRA does the best job at wrangling votes from politicians! | ||
| Cyclonedon |
the NRA is a waste of your money! Just purchase the guns you want and enjoy them like I do! | ||
| Edgydrifter |
American Rifleman is always an entertaining read, but the daily stream of junk mail from the NRA (and all the "affiliates" to whom they've sold my name and address) drives me nuts. I go back and forth about five times a month on whether or not to let my membership lapse. Of course, like all of you I get almost weekly renewal offers, so invariably they catch me once on a day when I'm not feeling cheap and/or annoyed at them and they get another year's dues out of me. PS: Not to thread jump, but I don't share the NRA's paranoia regarding the incoming admin. In case you hadn't noticed, neither party seems very eager to do anything substantive and final about their pet causes when they're the ones in power. In 2000 the Rs had the executive and legislative branches firmly in hand. Did any significant antiabortion laws even come to up for a vote? Not that I recall. Likewise I seriously doubt the Ds are going to go gung-ho on gun control. If either party ever did anything to resolve the issues they constantly bitch about, what would they have to run on? The only issues left would be difficult ones requiring nuanced solutions that can't be boiled down into slogans and soundbites. That's a politician's nightmare. | ||
| Court |
Kinda my thinking . . . I guess with all the junk mail we get we can toss out a couple more pieces. My hope is that between wars and the economy that the incoming hooligans have their attention diverted. The good news is that the mere mention of Obama's name is the bet thing to ever happen to gun sales. | ||
| Jramsey |
"the NRA is a waste of your money!Just purchase the guns you want and enjoy them like I do." That has to be one of the most ignorant statements I've ever heard. The only reason we can buy guns today let alone the last 40+ years is because of the NRA. I've been a NRA member since '65 and a LIFE member since '71 which was paid for with Award points the NRA used to give to winning match competitors for their achievements. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
thx for the opinions, folks. i'm dead set against any organization, such as the NRA, marketing their members' info database as mentioned above. i know it's common practice, but it doesn't make it right. i also hate all the junk mail and "come ons" that some organizations bombard you with. what a waste of resources, and my time. i'm ok with an executive making a "fair" salary, but i sure hate it when i donate money to a cause and worry that my hard-earned bucks are simply lining some greedy bastard's pocket. but what i hate worse is the fear i have that this country is on the cusp of some serious fundamental "changes" in the way we do business. yes, it can be argued that this has been the case for many years, and i wouldn't toss up too much of a rebuttal. now, however, my Spidey sense is tingling something fierce, in part because of what i read and hear about the new administration's overall view of my right to bear firearms. anyway, i don't like some of what you've said about the NRA above, but i ask: is there another organization stronger in terms of political clout here in America than the NRA when it comes to protecting my right to bear arms? FB | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
"is there another organization stronger in terms of political clout here in America than the NRA when it comes to protecting my right to bear arms?" No. Gun Owners of America(GOA)has a reputation for standing more firmly on issues than the NRA but has much less clout because of its membership size. With that said, they are FAR from being ineffective and are often partnered with the NRA in lawsuits against various "anti second amendment activities" In my opinion, GOA is also $$ well spent. | ||
| P_squared |
Think of it as an investment for the next 4-8 years to be a member of the NRA. Regardless of if you like everything they do or not, they ARE effective against the Federales when it comes to new gun laws. If after the incoming administration leaves office you wish to not renew your membership, then all is well that ends well. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Given the incoming presidential administration, NOW would be a great time to join. I joined at the end of last month.} | ||
| Spatten1 |
I am a member because I believe it is necessary. I sometimes wonder if my entire dues are spent on mail asking me to give more money. Every month or two a letter comes out about how the Dems are pushing crisis legislation and they need more money to fight it. Someone referenced the AMA. I dropped them when they lost the lawsuit to Edmonson. Since then everything I've learned about the AMA has been worse. When they hired Hoover as COO, I completely gave up on them. A completely disfunctional organization that wastes member money. The new President seems to have fired just about everyone, so maybe it will come back as a legitimate organization. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
all I will say is that I'm NOT going to spend any money on a NRA membership! I'll use that money for the purchase of the new Browning I want. I sold both of my Brownings two years ago and I miss them. Best rifles I have ever owned. | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Eh, I am a Remington and Beretta owner but not enough to pay some lobbyist group. I like spending my money on beer and bike parts, not some Acura driving fat cat Washington lobbyist who would switch to the other side for enough dough. Lobbyists suck, NRA included. (Message edited by b00stzx3 on December 10, 2008) | ||
| 99savage |
Best investment in my life. Joined as a junior member in the 1950's to compete in small bore events & stayed on. Pay my dues year x year tho-, just in case they get cross wise to the current. Lobbying is exactly what makes a democratic republic work. We all have special interests; most of them are legitimate; some of them are incompatible w/ others. Our representatives have to sort thru them. We hire people to present our case to our representatives. NRA did an outstanding job during the Clinton years + “The American Rifleman” is a terrific read, when it comes mother knows not to bother me. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Lobbying is exactly what makes a democratic republic work. We all have special interests; most of them are legitimate; some of them are incompatible w/ others. Our representatives have to sort thru them. We hire people to present our case to our representatives. Yep. If you don't contribute, don't gripe when gun rights erode, it's your own fault. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
thank you everyone for your opinions, much appreciated. FB | ||
| Jont |
If you are a bird or clay shooter the NRA is great. If you like the evil black rifles or anything with a capacity over 10 rounds the NRA is a waste of money. (Message edited by JonT on December 11, 2008) | ||
| Mikef5000 |
all I will say is that I'm NOT going to spend any money on a NRA membership! I'll use that money for the purchase of the new Browning I want. We'll see if you still think that way after the price of your Browning triples because the NRA lost a battle against new legislation. It could happen. Hopefully it won't. | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Lobbying isn't democratic, it's whoever has the most dough. Buying influence, not the will of the people. That being said, theyres too much ignorance and misinformation (like about guns) for people to make rational decisions, hence the dumb laws we have now. Some blue blood private school educated politician who lives in a mansion scares the public about whatever boogeyman is next, guns, crotchrockets, etc. The 2nd amenedment is the 2nd amendment, that should be the NRAs new motto. | ||
| Dwardo |
I agree with Natexlh1000. When they pulled that video caper I was more then incensed. Also, they are way too willing to compromise to suit me. But, you can't ignore the clout that an organization like that has. I remain a member. I also belong to the GOA, which is (as it claims) a "no compromise" gun lobby. If I could only afford to belong to one, I'd join GOA. | ||
| Hitman44139 |
NRA's Big lobby with lots of pull. They havel done a lot of good as well as, i guess bad too. there are other gun organizations..... Im joining GOA IN january. We need all the help we can get! The new group in charge at the white house wants to make it hard to get anything forearms related. If I have extra $$ in my change jar..... it's worth it to me. When the NRA asked for donations I pick and choose the ones I donate to. Some are just no brainers. Others they need to fight the good fight all barrels blazing. just my opinion. I teach CW and person defense handgun so I may be a little more passionate than some?? i guess | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
thx again folks for all the feedback - it is much appreciated. FB |
