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This is a personal problem that I have with the NRA. I feel that the NRA should provide discounts for more of us. The following is a list of correspondences that I had with the NRA and their responses to me.

I sent an inquiry about discounts for Purple Heart Veterans. In my correspondence I asked why a disabled veteran can receive such a good discount while the disability in many cases was received from an injury that had nothing to do with combat. I know a person that was disabled while falling down stairs while intoxicated in San Diego. I know several others that were disabled while in an automobile accident in California. I was injured in combat in Viet Nam. I worked through the injuries and am not disabled. I do appreciate the message you sent as is below. It has been a while. When do you think I might hear from a representative? I do hope that you will reach a positive decision for me and others that were injured in combat. Please E-mail me when you have an answer. Or before that if it is being taken into consideration. Thank you.

Message Received at National Rifle Association‏
From: National Rifle Association (nra.auto-responder@nrahq.org)
Sent: Wed 8/27/08 4:38 PM
Reply-to: almcneel@hotmail.com
To: Arthur McNeel (almcneel@hotmail.com)
Thank you for your inquiry to the National Rifle Association. A representative will contact you directly.

My second inquiry was answered the same as the first. This is your answer.

Message Received at National Rifle Association‏
From: National Rifle Association (nra.auto-responder@nrahq.org)
Sent: Mon 9/08/08 8:42 AM
Reply-to: almcneel@hotmail.com
To: Arthur McNeel (almcneel@hotmail.com)
Thank you for your inquiry to the National Rifle Association. A representative will contact you directly.


I have still not received recognition from a representative of the NRA. Please notify me of when I might hear from a representative. I would like to become a life member of the NRA as soon as possible. If this matter is of no interest to you, please notify me. Please contact me by E-mail. You have the address.

My third inquiry was not answered at all. Please contact me ASAP.

My fourth inquiry was answered as follows:

Message Received at National Rifle Association‏
From: National Rifle Association (nra.auto-responder@nrahq.org)
Sent: Tue 9/30/08 9:34 AM
To: Arthur McNeel (almcneel@hotmail.com)
Thank you for your inquiry to the National Rifle Association. A representative will contact you directly.

I did finally get an answer. Their answer was that they did give discounts to disabled veterans and that it was on the honor system. They said they do not check backgrounds. This response made me feel that they think I should be dishonorable. I think that being a veteran with three purple hearts, a silver star and a bronze star earned in Viet Nam I should be given the same discount as a disabled veteran. Actually I think any veteran of a foreign war should be given a discount. There are many disabled veterans that never left the USA. I do believe the NRA has problems communicating with us or it would not have taken them so long to answer.

This said, I am and will continue to be a member of the NRA. They do a great deal of good work for all of us, and I hope all of you that are not members will be soon.