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I became an NRA Member back in 1992, shortly after I inherited my first firearm from my dad after he died. A handful of years later, I upgraded to Life Member and bought my wife a life membership. 2 or 3 months ago, I upgraded both of our memberships to Endowment Member. Our son is now paying off his Life Member upgrade.

To me, the NRA is like any other large national advocacy organization. It isn't going to please me ALL of the time, but I find that neither does it ever out-and-out offend me. Like anybody else, I get tired of the regular phone calls to raise money; but the truth is that every time I have ever donated money, it was ONLY because I was prompted to do so by either a phone call or a letter. So I probably would not have made those donations on my own initiative, proving the point that their fund raising efforts are effective, even if they are sometimes annoying.

But beyond that, the NRA has been the most consistently successful champion of my RKBA, and it has been doing so for longer than I've been alive. You want to know how effective the NRA is? A few days ago, "A Rated" Senator Joe Manchin (D, WV) made a lot of noise like he was deserting the fold in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting incident, and Obama et.al. snapped up that bone like it still had good meat on it. Gun grabbers everywhere joyfully trumpeted his response. But yesterday, he inexplicably backtracked and started walking some of his comments back, and openly avowed that he would NOT support any kind of confiscatory legislation or limiting regulations on gun rights.

Does anybody with a brain believe that he saw the light on his own initiative? Not only "NO!" but "HECK NO!!" He may be a democrat, but he got elected by gun owners in a gun-friendly state. He likes his job, and he wants to keep it. I don't expect that Charles would be indiscreet enough to confirm or deny this, but I am willing to bet that Manchin's jackassery prompted a phone call from Wayne LaPierre, who simply asked him, "Joe, are you sure you want to go up against the NRA in West Virginia in your 2016 reelection bid? Are you sure you want to raise the ire of the nation's gun owners every time you open your mouth? 'Cause we can make those things happen.........Just sayin'....."

So do I think the NRA is a perfect organization? No, I don't think they're perfect, but then neither am I.......as much of a shock that must be to some of you.

AndyC wrote:From the American Rifleman, March 1968, P. 22:

"The NRA supported The National Firearms Act of 1934 which taxes and requires registration of such firearms as machine guns, sawed-off rifles and sawed-off shotguns. … NRA support of Federal gun legislation did not stop with the earlier Dodd bills. It currently backs several Senate and House bills which, through amendment, would put new teeth into the National and Federal Firearms Acts."

"The NRA supported The Federal Firearms Act of 1938, which regulates interstate and foreign commerce in firearms and pistol or revolver ammunition … " (P. 22)

Shall I go on?

By all means, go on. But try to show is something more recent than 1934 and 1938 a time before the NRA was a political organization.

AndyC wrote:"NRA Executive Vice President Franklin L. Orth pointed out that "The National Rifle Association has been in support of workable, enforceable gun control legislation since its very inception in 1871."

And what "workable, enforceable gun control legislation" was Pres. Orth referencing? Could it be that the NRA hadn't see any it could support and the President's statement was defending the lack of support for specific legislation.

AndyC wrote:Joaquin Jackson, on the NRA's Board of Directors: "I think that assault weapons have basically need to be in the hands of the military and they need to be in the hands of the police. But, ah, as far as assault weapons to a civilian, if you, if you, it's alright if you got that magazine capacity down to five."

I was as shocked about that statement as was everyone else in NRA HQ. That was one Director's opinion that was in complete opposition to the NRA's position. I'll also point out that he was reelected by you, the NRA members. The Board can't change that. More importantly, show me any evidence whatsoever that the NRA has backed an assault weapons ban.

AndyC wrote:I haven't seen anything from the NRA that would convince me that they wouldn't throw EBR owners under the bus in a heartbeat.

I guess the fact that we killed the effort to reauthorize it in 2004 when it was allowed to sunset doesn't count in your book.

If the only thing you can point to involves legislation from 74 to 78 years ago, then I think you have refuted your own statement.

Chas.

Charles L. Cotton wrote:You're right, I can't change your mind but the NRA has never supported an assault weapons ban, not ever! In fact, the NRA kept the 1994 (Clinton) Assault Weapons Ban from being reinstated when it sunset in 2004.

The "NRA Fudds" have saved the Second Amendment for Americans numerous times. The fact that you would make such a categorically false statement at the worst possible time for American gun owners is mind-boggling.

Chas.

The way I look at it is washington sure isnt looking out for my rights, and even if the NRA is not doing everything I like at least they are doing something. Better to support someone willing to help than to sit idly by and let it unfold how 'they' see fit.

[quote="TexasCajun"]If the NRA is not your choice of flavor, AndyC, what organization would you rather support?quote]

Or to put it a different way: What other organization (pro-2A, pro-self-defense, or otherwise gun-rights-centric) is CURRENTLY funded, staffed, an mobilized to take on the storm that is now upon us? I'm not asking because I want to be a jerk or pile on AndyC. I want to hedge the bet if possible. If I can throw another couple of bucks at another organization that's going to join in the fight on my behalf, I'm willing.

Just joined myself.

I just re-newed my membership, and also bought 6 additional memberships for my family members... I know 6 is almost nothing but I think every member counts.

--Daniel

daniel2002p wrote:I just re-newed my membership, and also bought 6 additional memberships for my family members... I know 6 is almost nothing but I think every member counts.

--Daniel

No, 6 is tremendous! If all of us would do that, we'd have 24 million Members.

Thanks for your dedication to the cause.

Chas.

AndyC wrote:

Charles L. Cotton wrote:If the only thing you can point to involves legislation from 74 to 78 years ago, then I think you have refuted your own statement.

Chas.

Sorry, I happen to be busy at work and that was the first thing I could find in the little time I have to breathe - I wonder what else is out there?

I believe one also needs to look at the historical perspective. Before the 1930's, the NRA was 100% about shooting, marksmanship, competition, etc. with no emphasis at all on politics.

By the 1950's or so, the NRA gradually started warning members to contact their Congressional representatives because of bad legislation. The NRA was still muddled in it's legislative philosophy through the 1960's.

The GCA of 1968 changed everything. That led directly to the Harlon Carter and the "Cincinnati Revolt" where the "New NRA" was born in 1977. So giving examples from the 1930's-60's is completely irrelevant to discussing today's NRA. It is like comparing IBM and its typewriters in the 50's and 60's to the IBM of today. Different era, different country, different culture and a completely different management team.

Sen. Charles "Chuck You" Schumer (D-NY) has said that the NRA is the most powerful and effective lobbying voice in Washington. I am satisfied to accept his statement at face value.

We are NRA members have been for a few years now. I think they may have messed up a few years ago with some legislation. But in my lifetime they have been the greatest voice for gun rights in this nation. As soon as we have some extra funds we will join other associations.

So the NRA gets a and a from me.

(That is both my husband and I are members)......we will likely become lifetime members when we can.

NRA Press Conference