First of all, I believe that gun owners should support the preservation of our 2nd Amendment rights with more than just our voices. We should support it with our checkbooks as well. With that said, I admit to purposely allowing my NRA membership to lapse a few years ago. I, personally, could no longer support an organization that consistently supports and endorses Harry Reid for the U.S. Senate. I just could not square the fact that a portion of my membership dues were going to support the liberal senior senator from Nevada. Instead, I shifted my support to Gun Owners of America (GOA).
I won't disparage the many good works of the NRA. For me, gun rights cannot be viewed as a singular issue. It is one important liberty outlined within the Bill of Rights. In my mind, it exists, in large part, due to the other 9 amendments. Together they are stronger. If one falls, then the remaining 9 are weaker. Just because a politican has a solid voting record on gun rights issues but deliberately works to weaken other freedoms, he does not deserve my support. I know that I cannot control the contributions made by any PAC. I can, however, control my membership to these organizations.
I'm interested in hearing other's thoughts on this issue.