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Right now, I am not a member, and do not plan to become one (but anything can change), due to this reasoning: a good percentage of people that are in my life are moderate to anti-gun. In fact, long before I was a gun owner myself, I use to tout the same kind of anti-gun, anti-NRA things that these people say. If I joined the NRA, and they found out about it, I feel that I would lose influence with them. What I mean is, if I'm trying to convince these people why it's a good idea to own guns and fight for your 2A rights, and if it comes up that I'm an NRA member, I imagine most of them would dismiss my reasoning at this point with "Oh, well, of course you'd say that...you're in the NRA!"

I think I can make more of a difference out there by not being an NRA member, because then I no longer fit the stereotype that these people (family, friends, students, neighbors) have already dismissed. It's also the same reason I don't subscribe to Guns & Ammo, wear Glock T-shirts, etc. I want to maintain the tactical element of surprise. So, this is not at all to say the NRA is bad, or I don't support them. I definitely support them. But in my situation, I believe the best way to make an impact is from a more covert position.

Example:
Friend: So you went and bought a gun, huh?
Me: Yup, I sure did.
Friend: Didja join the NRA too? Haha!
Me: The NRA? No man, who do you think I am...some kinda gun nut?! I just want to protect my family. There's a lot of bad people out there. Don't you think?
Friend: Hmmm, no doubt.
Me: So why don't you get a gun, too?

But how would they know you were a member? Cant you "just say no" if asked?

rm9792 wrote:But how would they know you were a member? Cant you "just say no" if asked?

Concealed means concealed, right? Haha.

Seriously though, since the NRA is like this bizarre stumbling block to the people I hope to "convert," I'd rather not be carrying that around so I can more easily make some "disciples." And then once they are "baptized" maybe we can all join the NRA together!

ClarkLZeuss wrote:

rm9792 wrote:But how would they know you were a member? Cant you "just say no" if asked?

Concealed means concealed, right? Haha.

Seriously though, since the NRA is like this bizarre stumbling block to the people I hope to "convert," I'd rather not be carrying that around so I can more easily make some "disciples." And then once they are "baptized" maybe we can all join the NRA together!

ClarkLZeuss, I can completely understand your thought process here. My folks are both the stereotypical "East Coast Liberals" and while I keep a bit of that east coastism myself, I've outgrown most of it, too.

I have many issues with the NRA, as you probably know by reading this thread: But I support their basic mission, so I am a member. I feel the same way about the NRA as I do the ACLU. I support their core mission as well, but I surely wish they'd do things differently.

The BEST thing anyone can do in the battle to keep our rights is missionary work. Be the example that breaks the negative stereotype. Be the example that the "East Coast Liberal" would have a hard time disagreeing with. It works.

We can lobby our legislators, but we as a group can only do so much. We need to grow the group.

Until pro-gun folks can look a pro-choice, pro-illegal immigration stereotypical liberal in the eye and say, "You're wrong about guns, and here's why" without engaging them on other things they might disagree about, our numbers will not grow appreciably.

The neat thing is, you'll find once the "pro gun virus" starts its work on the stereotypical "liberal" you'll find some of their positions on other things might change. At worst, you might actually find them listening to other arguments without dismissing them out of hand...

Thanks for the support and the thoughts, nitrogen. Well said.

nitrogen,

I think you may be very surprised if you take the time to look into the formation history of the ACLU.

They're mission is not what you (and the balance of the uninformed) may think it is...

Yes, I'm a conservative, but not a knee-jerk reactionary.

If you do take the time to look into what they're about, I'm going to guess you'll be shocked and disavow them immediately.

I noticed that the ACLU website only mentions the 1st Amendment specifically on its Home page. Interesting.

Purplehood,

Dig deeper...

Abraham wrote:Purplehood,

Dig deeper...

Give me a clue Man~!

Which part of the ACLU's history do you not like? The fact that they were formed due to the Palmer raids, and fought for the right for workers to organize and unionize? Maybe thats it, because all unions are always evil!

Maybe its the fact that they they ban certain political ideologies in their board?
No, Roger Baldwin was NOT a commie.

I actually like the fact that they fight for the rights of disgusting people. The rights of disgusting people are easy to take away, and then make great precedents for taking away the rights of less disgusting people.

And yes, their position on the second Amendment is 100% wrong. Nobody gets it right all of the time, you know.
They can't be THAT bad, I don't think Alex Jones has a problem with them (or does he?)

nitrogen wrote: And yes, their position on the second Amendment is 100% wrong. Nobody gets it right all of the time, you know.
They can't be THAT bad, I don't think Alex Jones has a problem with them (or does he?)

They aren't 100% against the 2nd amendment. The Texas Branch has been pro active in protecting these rights.

I wish they were more libertarian and less leftist though. And take on a few 10th and 14th ammendment issues

O.K. guys...if you want to argue about the ACLU start a new thread please.

flintknapper,

Right you are, I'll start a new thread.

My apologies for getting off topic.

I would join the NRA in a heartbeat (and I have been a member several times in the past before the military), if they had a pro-stance on open carry. All gun rights are important and none should be infringed. I think that would do it for me.

The NRA's not perfect but neither am I. I finally joined last week. Also, the only way to change a system is through the (NRA) system.