Tennessee Friends of NRA

[Guest David Waldrip]

All - here is an email Mike Webb sent out to the email list of volunteers who have previously participated in a Friends of NRA Committee in TN.

-David

________________________________________________

Friends of NRA Supporters,

Hope everyone had a great Holiday and is ready for 2008.

The NRA Foundation and the Friends of NRA Program needs everyone's help & support this year.

On February 23, 2008 the Tennessee State Fund Grant Committee will meet in Nashville to recommend grants for 2008. They will have 68 grants to review with $418,000 in requests with about $60,000 available for funding. As you can see we have plenty of opportunity for people to help with the program in our state.

We need the all the committees that haven't already chartered their event to go ahead and get the 2008 charter in so we can have it posted on the website and get an early start this year.

We are looking for new areas to put first time Friends of NRA events this year. There are several areas in the East end of the state that have never had an event. We had 20 events last year and would like to have 25 this year.

Please forward this email to family, friends, businesses, grant recipients, etc.. and ask them to please get involved with the Tennessee Friends of NRA.

Last year 92.6 % of all NRA Foundation Grants in Tennessee funded youth shooting sporting programs. I've attached some good information on the program along with an example of an Email Blast which is new this year. When committees or people wanting to start a new event decide to have the meeting, just let me know ahead of time and I'll have headquarters to send the Email Blast to all NRA members in your area.

Please call or email anytime with ideas, questions,comments or to schedule a Friends of NRA meeting. The best way to reach by telephone is the cell. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks for the help & support!!

Your Friend in the NRA,

Mike Webb

Tennessee Field Representative

National Rifle Association

7923 Carol Elaine Circle

Bartlett, TN 38133

(901) 382-4789 Office

(901) 373-3325 Fax

(901) 229-2819 Cell

MWebb@nrahq.org

[Marswolf]

Last year 92.6 % of all NRA Foundation Grants in Tennessee funded youth shooting sporting programs.

Interestingly enough David, this is the main criticism I've heard about the NRA in Tennessee. Detractors say that about all it does is fund youth shooting programs.

[Guest David Waldrip]

Mars, that's an interesting criticism from the detractors. Usually it's something along the lines of a wrong strategy or wrong decision as opposed to not doing enough.

I don't officially speak for the NRA - I'm just a volunteer and a recruiter. My two cents worth for someone you describe would be to look over at www.nraila.org if they think more needs to be done politically and legislatively. The Institute for Legislative action sends out daily and weekly alerts about what is going on, and Tennessee is listed in the alert when our legislation is moving. And, each Election Volunteer Coordinator in the state is listed here.

If the folks you describe think more needs to be done in the shooting sports, they should take a look at the state affiliate at http://tennesseeshootingsportsassociation.org. Each board member there is in charge of a respective shooting discipline, inlcuding, I believe, sanctioning the state championship match in the discipline.

In addition, each issue of all three NRA magazines carries a state and regional listing of shooting events, gun shows, and Friends of NRA banquets going on in the state and region.

Now, back to the fundraising, shall we?

The reason that participation this year is key is that fundraising was down last year. The funding for '06 and '07 is attached below. As one can see, there is less money to go around this year, but more groups/teams are asking for more money.

If anyone wants to be involved, now is the time to ask about your local committee, when they are signing their charter, and when they'll be having their first meeting.

[Guest Len]

I'm a committee member for the Sumner County Friends of NRA dinner. Our event is in August. Anyone interested in attending or helping out can PM me. These dinners are a fun time and worth attending. There are worse ways to spend $25.00 and a couple of hours.

I've always been somewhat of a cynic when it comes to the NRA, but I have found my experiences with the Friends of NRA program to be very positive and the goals worthwhile. The NRA Foundation is a Charity Navigator "4 star charity" -the highest rating available. What this means is that the money mostly goes where it is supposed to go.

[Guest dotsun]

Out of curiosity does the NRA offer any financial support to pro gun state candidates? I would think that they would be especially interested in supporting whoever goes against Naifeh this time around.

[Guest David Waldrip]

Yes, for some candidates. Election info is also at www.nrapvf.org.

Back to the Friends of NRA Committees, anyone interested in talking about an event if one has not been held in your area before?

[Marswolf]

David, you already know what happened up here in the Tri-Cities to the Friend's dinner.

I think the problem with the state NRA criticism is that a lot of donors have never been told that the money raised goes for shooting events. They think they are donating to a political and legal defense fund.

[Guest David Waldrip]

Len, thanks for mentioning Charity Navigator. That is a very useful site.

Mars, that's why I'm glad TGO is in place. What a great way to get the word out about the program.

Every little bit helps, and if everyone helped just a little, we could do a lot more......

[FlyboyLDB]

David, maybe you can contact your Georgia counterparts. Here in Georgia the NRA has betrayed it's members. They (NRA) are pushing their own agenda with GA HB 89 (car carry or parking lot bill) - an attempt to force private property owners and private business owners to allow carrying of firearms to be kept in a gun owner's automobile while on company property. The MAJORITY of gun owners and NRA members here in GA believe it should be left up to the private property/business owners. The NRA is de-railing HB 915 which Georgia gun owners & GA NRA members are pushing for. This HB 915 will give GA GFL holders much more freedom by doing away with the "Public Gathering" clause. It would seem to me that the NRA would solicit it's members opinions. I have made several large contributions to the TN Friends of the NRA as my business is in TN. I am denouncing the NRA, have let my membership lapse and am encouraging other members to do the same until the NRA does an about face! The NRA has lost countless members here in GA. The damage done here in GA will only be repaired by a total overhaul of the NRA from starting from the top! Maybe if they got on board with GA HB 915 they could save some integrity, reputation and members in the state of GA. Come on NRA, want to retain members? Get on board with what you membership base desires.

[Marswolf]

Flyboy, I'm mystified why gun supporters wouldn't want to be able to pack a gun in their car. Yes, business owners have rights, but the right to self protection seems more important to me.

Here is why guns should be allowed in vehicles at work. This is from my area.

http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/news.apx.-content-articles-TRI-2006-12-09-0010.html

Woman, man gunned down in parking lot

Saturday, Dec 09, 2006 - 02:00 AM

BY Daniel Taylor

BRISTOL, Va. – A man shot his estranged wife and another man to death Friday afternoon in Dana Corp.’s parking lot and then waited for police to arrive and arrest him, authorities said.

Yellow tape surrounded a section of the parking lot and police scoured the scene for evidence after authorities said Carl David Ray, 35, 19486 Manchester Drive, Bristol Virginia, shot two plant employees.

The victims were his wife, Tracy Ray, 36, 18371 Ironwood Loop, Abingdon; and Randall O’Quinn, 42, 22245 Green Spring Church Road, also of Abingdon.

The pair was shot "multiple times" with a .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol as they sat in O’Quinn’s pickup truck at around 1 p.m.

Authorities said Carl Ray worked near the plant, although police weren’t sure exactly where. He recognized the couple and drove to the plant armed with a pistol, according to city Police Detective Steve Crawford.

Carl Ray, who had a concealed weapons permit, parked his car near the truck, got out and shot the couple, Crawford said.

Police said Tracy Ray was separated from her husband. Several plant employees said she and O’Quinn had a relationship and the shooting likely stemmed from jealousy, but police would not discuss a possible motive.

"We’re not willing to speculate on a motive yet," said city Police Detective DeeDra Branson.

After the shooting, Carl Ray sat down next to his car and surrendered peacefully when police arrived, authorities said.

O’Quinn died at the scene. Tracy Ray was taken to Bristol Regional Medical Center, but was pronounced dead soon after.

Police weren’t sure how many times the couple were shot, but O’Quinn had been shot at least once in the head, Crawford said. The bodies were taken to Roanoke for autopsy.

Crawford said Carl Ray did not have a criminal history and that the shootings did not appear to be planned.

Despite the double-murder, employees continued to come and go as the plant continued operations throughout the day.

It has been about a year since Dana filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and the plant on Thomas Road was expected to close by early 2007 and outsource its jobs to Mexico. The facility employed about 270 people at the time of the announcement.

James Gilley, who has been a sales technician at the plant for 16 years, said all the employees were "numb" after learning of the shooting.

"I’m stunned," he said. "It hasn’t sunk in real good yet."

Carl Ray remained in the city jail Friday night without bond on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of using a gun while committing a felony. He has a court appearance set for Monday.

[FlyboyLDB]

The NRA is pushing GA HB 89 which would FORCE private property owners and private business owners to allow gun carry on their property. This, in most of GFL holder's opinions make the 2nd amendment overbearing on individual property & business owners. I own a business and I want to retain my right to say who can or cannot carry as an employee and even a customer. We have GA HB 915 that would remove the "Public Gathering" clause. This would open up carrying in restaurants that serve alcohol, carrying in churches, carrying at sporting events, etc. But the issue is the NRA will not support HB 915 - but continues to support HB 89 which has no chance of passing. Gov. Perdue has just made a statement opposing HB89. They desire to hinder a great bill (HB 915). It's not that we in Georgia do not desire to carry on private property - but rather respect the rights of private property/business owners - this HB 89 was designed for employees vs. employers - but would apply to any private entity.

Here is a blog from another GA NRA member http://lonelymachines.org/2008/01/06/why-im-leaving-the-nra/

[Marswolf]

FlyboyLDB, I somewhat keep up with Georgia. My parents grew up there and my brother was born there. I still have lots of relatives there between Atlanta and Telfair county.

I understand your point. But my view is that property rights are less important than the individual right to protect yourself. The right of self-preservation is considerably more important than being able to tell someone they can't do so because they are on private property. Some "rights" are more important than others, and self-preservation tops the list.

Do you support Weyerhaeuser's actions in Oklahoma?

I think Governor Perry, in Texas, has the right idea. If you have a permit, you should be able to carry a handgun anywhere you want - no exceptions. That includes your car at work.

I'm familiar with HB 89, and personally I'd support it as a business owner. But I think you have a good point that it is unlikely to pass. That bill should also include elimination of liability for the property owners for crimes and accidents on their property from the use of employees handguns.

I hadn't heard of HB 915 until yesterday and haven't gotten up to speed on it. At first glance, it looks good. But it seems to me it should supplement the individual right to have a firearm in your car at your place of employment.

[FlyboyLDB]

If we lived in a perfect world we would not have the need for guns. But since we don't, we have to battle and protect our 2nd amendment rights. So what we face currently in Georgia with HB 89 is two groups with rights - one being property/business owners and the other being legal GFL holders - and the NRA attempting to speak on behalf of it's Georgia members. Should one set of rights be allowed to trample on another? It's not that we GFL holders would not welcome this privilege, it is just unrealistic to think that property/business owners would set aside their rights. This bill has been attempted in the past and has failed. The GFL holders & NRA members know that HB 915 would go much further to benefit GFL holders than would NRA's HB 89. Let's assume that one is allowed to carry in their carry to place of employment. It is not going to benefit the GFL holder much in his/her vehicle if the gun is needed. But removing a public gathering clause is a huge benefit to all GFL holders. One example is carrying within 100' of a city bus stop - I would no longer be guilty of a crime. Another would be the protection of one's self & loved ones in a family restaurant that serves alcohol. HB 915 would also allow for campus carry - but I think that portion will get yanked. HB 89 is working it's way through - starting to lose some of it's original structure. Like I said earlier, I would love to be able to carry any place and any time - but I don't know if trumping another's rights is an effective way to reach this goal. But the point is the NRA has failed us in Georgia and in other areas of the nation - including DC. jmo

[FlyboyLDB]

Just FYI - anyone interested in this matter can visit the forums at http://www.georgiapacking.org/ & http://www.georgiacarry.org

[Guest Len]

First please take no offense in the title of this post. I have thread-hijacked in the past and understand how one thing can lead to another.

Second, on the matter of where the grant money goes:

Each Friends of NRA Committee in each state (there are about 20 in TN currently) sends one member to a meeting each year to decide how to allocate the money. If you are interested in changing how the $ is allocated (I understand this and wish more money would go to range development and preservation in this era of urban sprawl), then join a friends committee. Then get yourself appointed as the person who represents that committee on the grants review board.

Third, on the need for the money:

This year, TN Friends of NRA will review 68 grant requests totaling $418,000. They will have $60,000 to distribute. Even if only 20% of the grant requests have merit, we won't have enough money to go around.

Fourth, on NRA listening to its members:

NRA has millions of members (it varies quite a bit based on whether its an election year or not) and we don't all agree with every NRA policy or every NRA member. This is to be expected in such a large group. However, there are mechanisms in place for the members to get heard. Here are a few:

1) Contact your NRA Field Rep. The field reps are basically liaisons between HQ and the masses. In TN, ours is Mike Webb. Shoot him an email at mwebb@nrahq.org.

2) Get involved in your NRA State Affiliate Organization. Each state org has representation at the upper levels of NRA. Ours is the Tennessee Sport Shooting Association. (http://tennesseeshootingsportsassociation.org/). In Georgia, its the GSSA http://www.gssa.com/ (which endorses HB-915).

3) Go to the NRA annual meeting and participate.

4) Contact your NRA EVC. (Election Volunteer Coordinator) Most congressional districts have one. List is here: http://www.nraila.org/ActionCenter/GetInvolvedLocally/Default.aspx#evc

I know at least two of TN's EVCs are on the board (Tim Nunan and Dave Waldrip)

Hope this helps.