Why join NRA?..."controlled oposition"

[Guest momuzyk]

I am new to the culture and the forums as well and would like for someone to please explain to me why everyone says you must join the NRA. I have done my research on the NRA and other groups as well and to be honest with you, they seem to just be "controlled oposition" in my opinion. For example, there is nooooo way Soto should have been sworn in as new justice. To me personally the NRA should have been ALL over this way making all kind of noise & threats to politicians so she wasn't confirmed. To me the 2nd amendment is a right and not a privlege and it should not be up for debate at all which is seems the NRA does. Just my .02 cents, but if anyone has another angle I'm not looking at, please chime in.

Thanks,

Edited August 10, 2009 by momuzyk

[TripleDigitRide]

People are no longer quite so scared of the NRA or their members. Those days are long gone.

That's my opinion, and I'm a member of the NRA.

[Guest bkelm18]

Lifetime Member here. There is no such thing as a sure thing. The NRA certainly does more to help protect our rights than any other group out there, but they can't do everything. Which do you think will gain more headway in Washington, a right wing nutjob group who refuses to budge on any issue, or a well organized, well funded organization who is willing to work with lawmakers on the issues. I'm gonna go with the latter. As for Judge Soto, big whoop. A liberal justice replaced a liberal justice. No gain or loss. When Dems have a super-majority, you can pretty much assume they are going to get what they want a lot of the time. The time to worry comes when a conservative justice announces their retirement.

[Punisher84]

Lifetime Member here. There is no such thing as a sure thing. The NRA certainly does more to help protect our rights than any other group out there, but they can't do everything. Which do you think will gain more headway in Washington, a right wing nutjob group who refuses to budge on any issue, or a well organized, well funded organization who is willing to work with lawmakers on the issues. I'm gonna go with the latter. As for Judge Soto, big whoop. A liberal justice replaced a liberal justice. No gain or loss. When Dems have a super-majority, you can pretty much assume they are going to get what they want a lot of the time. The time to worry comes when a conservative justice announces their retirement.

Exactly. The NRA and Friends of NRA do ALOT. Probably alot more than most people realize. The reason other groups like GOA,etc don't hold much clout is because they refuse to compromise. I like the message, but you have to be realistic and work towards a goal.

NRA is really the only major player there is and most politicians will tell you to go against the NRA once they have endorsed you is political suicide.

Best thing you can do as a gun owner is get yourself an NRA membership and become involved yourself. Write, e-mail, call your reps and let them know where you stand. The NRA will push the big battles and you can push just as hard for local battles.

It really is up to ALL of us to defend our rights.

[Guest benchpresspower]

I am new to the culture and the forums as well and would like for someone to please explain to me why everyone says you must join the NRA. I have done my research on the NRA and other groups as well and to be honest with you, they seem to just be "controlled oposition" in my opinion. For example, there is nooooo way Soto should have been sworn in as new justice. To me personally the NRA should have been ALL over this way making all kind of noise & threats to politicians so she wasn't confirmed. To me the 2nd amendment is a privledge and it should not be up for debate at all which is seems the NRA does. Just my .02 cents, but if anyone has another angle I'm not looking at, please chime in.

Thanks,

Gotta disagree with you whole heartedly there. The 2nd Ammendment is a RIGHT that is why it is called the Bill of Rights not the Bill of Privledges. Though too many politicians don't see it that way.

[Guest HexHead]

The NRA isn't perfect. Far from it, but they're still the BEST we have at doing what they do for us.

[Guest joeharris]

Out of all groups, the NRA is the biggest, but most useless, ask Olofson!

They are happy as long as Duck guns are not outlawed!

[Guest bkelm18]

Out of all groups, the NRA is the biggest, but most useless, ask Olofson!

They are happy as long as Duck guns are not outlawed!

Edited: Nevermind. Not worth it.

Edited August 9, 2009 by bkelm18

[strickj]

Out of all groups, the NRA is the biggest, but most useless, ask Olofson!

They are happy as long as Duck guns are not outlawed!

Do you ever have anything positive to say

[Guest joeharris]

Do you ever have anything positive to say

Sure, but never about the NRA or the Hamilton county Barney's!

[strickj]

...or dogs attacking,or,or,or....

Its getting a little old guy,give it a rest already!

[Guest B J Elliott]

I feel the NRA has its faults (always wanting money) but they are better than nothing!!

[Guest momuzyk]

Gotta disagree with you whole heartedly there. The 2nd Ammendment is a RIGHT that is why it is called the Bill of Rights not the Bill of Privledges. Though too many politicians don't see it that way.

I agree with you and wrote that incorrectly. It is a RIGHT and not a privledge. My point is why would people think that the NRA should negotiate or debate our right. As someone stated the Bill of Rights states we have those rights, I dont recall it saying that those rights were to be negotiated!

Thanks,

Edited August 10, 2009 by momuzyk

[TGO David]

Out of all groups, the NRA is the biggest, but most useless, ask Olofson!

They are happy as long as Duck guns are not outlawed!

That's a pretty idiotic statement. The NRA does not exist to save you from prison if you knowingly violate Federal firearms laws.

As others have stated, the NRA is far from perfect but they are the best, largest and most well equipped lobbying organization in our country fighting to preserve our 2nd Amendment rights. Beyond the political aspects, the NRA works to provide funding to youth firearms education programs, training programs for law enforcement agencies, self-protection programs for women, and other educational programs.

The effectiveness of the NRA drives the Leftists up the wall, perhaps best illustrated in a quote from former Clinton spokesman George Stephanopoulos who said, "Let me make one small vote for the NRA. They're good citizens. They call their Congressmen. They write. They vote. They contribute. And they get what they want over time."

It is my opinion that if a Tennessean can afford to financially support just one pro-2nd Amendment organization annually, it should be the NRA. Not TGO, not the TFA... but the NRA. They do more nationally than any other organization, and are immensely effective at the state and local levels as well.

If you decide to join, fee free to use the link provided at the bottom of every TGO page to do so or just visit NRA and sign up there.

[Guest NeuralFizz]

They have a special online now where you can join for a year for free. Anyone tried it? https://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/accept-membership.asp

[Worriedman]

I second the thoughts of TGO David, with one caveat, we each need to support all the organizations that work for our Rights. If the Girl Scouts start selling 2nd Amendment Cookies, I am going to set up a booth! As evidenced by the recent move to legalize carry in Federal Parks, and in State Parks, our Local government can deny a Right that is guaranteed by the Constitution, only to have the Local Yokels steal them.

The NRA is the premier lobbying group on the National level. I have been a Life Member since I turned 18. I have been through the ups and downs of the organization, but day in and out, they are standing up for your Rights.

They have taken on some marketing techniques that aggravate me, but in the long run, they are the bulwark of our National defense against the grabbers. Are they perfect, no, but then neither am I. One effect of being an active member is to have a voice in the way things are done, just as in support of, (or at least working against) a Local, State and Federal candidate, you have no fight to fuss if you are not involved, and voting.

[Guest joeharris]

They have a special online now where you can join for a year for free. Anyone tried it? https://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/accept-membership.asp

I would not join, if they paid me!

[Punisher84]

I would not join, if they paid me!

I gotta second strickj do you EVER say anything positive? All you do is bitch and complain.

[titan14]

I gotta second strickj do you EVER say anything positive? All you do is bitch and complain.

+1000000....dude needs to wake up and smell the gunpowder....

[Guest Bullwinkle]

If one has a different opinion than some of the Administration or a few Brown Noser's on here, seems all the sheeples jump on to that person!

I think the NRA is better than Nothing, but not by much!

There are better but smaller Groups!

[Guest bkelm18]

I would not join, if they paid me!

It's pretty obvious that you have no idea what you are speaking of. Instead of refuting anything that anyone else has said, you've opted to completely ignore everyone while reciting the same old tired and dis-proven rhetoric of those who pee pee their pants at the mere mention of "NRA", thereby ensuring that no one will give two ****s about anything you have to say. Good job.

[strickj]

If one has a different opinion than some of the Administration or a few Brown Noser's on here, seems all the sheeples jump on to that person!

I think the NRA is better than Nothing, but not by much!

There are better but smaller Groups!

I'm not the Admin,nor a ****ing brown noser,or sheeple.

Maybe you should read through his post before you go spouting off about something you know nothing about.

Till then your opinion means about as much as his

[Guest walkingdeadman]

I am not even gonna post what I think. I am sure to get jumped on. Ha.

[Guest Phantom6]

For all you folks that don't care to receive solicitations from the NRA, all you have to do is to call them and ask to be removed from their mailing list. Yup, it's that simple. Rather than bitching and moaning about the requests for donations do something simple like pick up the phone dial the TOLL FREE number and ask to be removed. They'll be happy to do so. You must know however that every time you register for that free bass boat, rifle, 4 wheeler, hunting trip, fishing gear or what ever you think you are being so clever about trying to receive FREE, at places like Dicks Sporting Goods, Gander Mt., Bass Pro Shop, Cabellas, etc. your name is resubmitted to the NRA for solicitation by those companies. The NRA pays for that information and why wouldn't they? Those names are the names of individuals that will be most affected by a curtailment on the 2nd Amendment. Something else you should know is that your dues do not go to pay for the mailings that the NRA sends out soliciting money. Those are paid for by corporate sponsorships by the like of Remington, Ruger, Cabellas, Nosler, Colt and many, many others.

Originally Posted by joeharris

Out of all groups, the NRA is the biggest, but most useless, ask Olofson!

They are happy as long as Duck guns are not outlawed!

You couldn't be further from the truth whith those two bone-headed remarks. When the Anderson County Commission was preparing to vote on whether or not to "opt-out" of the state law which allows for HANDGUN CARRY PERMIT HOLDERS the NRA mailed out cards to everyone on the mailing list in the affected area letting them know about the meeting. They have done the same all across the state as well. As a Training Counselor for the NRA I received a phone call letting me know dates and times regarding all innitiatives in the county so that I could advise students, trainers and instructors that I work with.

The NRA has trained more shooters, not only civilian but law enforcement and military as well than any other organization in the world.

The NRA sponsors all types of shooting activities by providing funding for targets and inexpensive materials for the shooters.

The NRA helps to build ranges through their grants and aid program. They also have Range Development & Operations Conferences several times a year like the one being held in Providence, Rhode Island which is a five-day industry seminar focusing on fundamental aspects of building and maintaining a shooting facility

The list of what positive things the NRA does goes on and on. If perfection is what you demand then you are living on the wrong planet Mr. joeharris.

The NRA and the TFA are your best hopes for the preservation of your Rights. I would take advantage of them if I were you. It certainly beats the alternative.

[Mark@Sea]

Without the NRA, the 94 ban would have been permanent. It would have included every semi-auto.

Without the NRA we'd have had national waiting periods, instead we get NICS (or for Tennessee, a state background check, but still instant, more or less).

NRA isn't the only organization, but is the largest, and reasonably effective. NRA isn't as hard-line as I would like - but neither are 8 out of 10 on this forum. Sometimes NRA doesn't even leading the charge - but they are good to have in your corner.

Besides, it makes the antigunners cry. How cool is that? If you join, it isn't "they", its' "We", and ultimately "I am the NRA". You will be feared and hated by the left, despised as an individual rather than a prole. Thats' gotta be worth cool points, anyway.