Why are some gun owners upset with the NRA?

[Conservative Wife & Mom]

I am a bit concerned as to why some gun owners don't feel that the NRA is proactive enough in protecting the 2nd Amendment. Please educate me, My Fellow Forum Members. I don't understand and need to, since DH and I are members of the NRA and make contributions to same.

We WERE also members of AARP, but decided several years ago that they don't truly represent their conservative membership. But, I digress...

let me know what the hooplah is about the NRA, okay? Thanks.

[Ektarr]

My Opinion Only:

Being an NRA Member doesn't hurt. I'm a 30-something year Life Member myself. But I'm also a Life Member of the GOA and the CCRKBA, both of which are more pro-active and actively involved in getting Concealed Carry laws changed than is the NRA, which seems merely to want the 2nd Amendment protected in a more general way. Here in New Jersey (Ptooey!!) we've been laboring under the yoke of some of the most restrictive laws in the country while the NRA and it's daughter organization, the The Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs seems to be focused primarily on recreational shooting of one sort or another and provide essentially no support to organizations like the New Jersey Coalition for Self Defense which actively works to get restrictive legislation lifted. I'm glad to be an NRA member, but I think the GOA, the CCKRBA, JFPFO and others do a better job of laboring specifically for Concealed Carry.

[Tango Victor]

Some folks think that the NRA has compromised their rights away and therefore refuse to support them. My personal view is this: The NRA has in fact made some compromises in the past that on the surface seem distasteful. But the other side of that is, we may have lost much more if not for the compromise. It's very easy to take an "all or nothing" position but it can be extremely costly if you lose. Sometimes compromise is the better part of valor as distasteful as it may be. No organization is perfect, and no organinzation can please everyone. Some of the other 2nd Amendment groups take a hard line no copmromise stance and that appeals to some people, but the relality is they don't carry as much clout as the NRA. Thats not to say they aren't good organizations. For all their faults the NRA does more to promote, educate and preserve the 2nd Amendment than any other group, mainly due to membership numbers and financial ability. I believe if you can only afford to belong to one organization the NRA is the one. I may get hammered for saying that but I believe it to be true.

[JJFlash]

Got no problems with the NRA and have been a member for more years than I can count. Yes, they play "politics" more than some other more "in your face" organizations, but as has been noted, this is unfortunately necessary. We need an organization which is well-funded and connected enough to be a force on the national political scene, which the NRA certainly is. I also like the "in your face" types too, so it is my belief that we need 'em all to get things accomplished. I also tend to think that if the S really HTF, the NRA will be right in there with us.

My .02 cents

[benjammin]

I agree they are more useful than not (I am a member), but some things they do don't make much sense. My two examples: The nice NRA hat you get when you join is made in china ; They sent me some DVD of shooting stuff/training, and said it's free (1st in a series). Since, they've sent me 3 or 4 letters wanting me to send it back if I don't want the rest, but they send envelopes that need a stamp. I sure as hell am not wasting a stamp to send back something I didn't order. Call me petty, but they could've put a postage paid envelope in the first letter and saved 2 or 3 stamps.

[Bohemian]

I am a bit concerned as to why some gun owners don't feel that the NRA is proactive enough in protecting the 2nd Amendment. Please educate me, My Fellow Forum Members. I don't understand and need to, since DH and I are members of the NRA and make contributions to same.

We WERE also members of AARP, but decided several years ago that they don't truly represent their conservative membership. But, I digress...

let me know what the hooplah is about the NRA, okay? Thanks.

I have made plenty of posts on the plethora of Second Amendment sell-outs by the NRA - National Rifle Association

The NRA Supported the National Firearms Act of 1934, In fact, they've supported gun rights infringements "since...1871."
http://www.keepandbeararms.com/infor...em.asp?ID=3247

"The National Rifle Association has been in support of workable, enforceable gun control legislation since its very inception in 1871.":
—NRA Executive Vice President Franklin L. Orth
NRA's American Rifleman Magazine, March 1968, P. 22

Here's a few more to get you started...

• 1934 NFA - NRA - Endorsed & Supported
• 1968 GCA - NRA - Endorsed & Supported
• 1986 FOPA - NRA - Endorsed & Supported (Contains The Single Biggest Second Amendment Infringement In U.S. History, a total ban of entire class/type of weapon by law-abiding U.S. Citizens, that are not members of the Military, Police or Legislative, Executive Branch, Judicial Branch of the Federal Government). Signed into law by so-called uber Conservative Ronald Reagan... please people stop calling for another Ronald Reagan...
• Brady Bill(s) - NRA - Endorsed & Supported
• So-Called NICS Improvement Act(s) - NRA - Endorsed & Supported

http://www.usacarry.com/forums/2nd-a...fiscation.html

http://www.usacarry.com/forums/2nd-a...pen-watch.html

http://www.usacarry.com/forums/2nd-a...amendment.html

Gun Owners of America (The Only No-Compromise Gun Lobby In D.C.):
http://gunowners.org/

[NRA UR2]

If it weren't for the NRA and its tough stance on protecting the 2nd Amendment there wouldn't be a CCW. The influence they exhibit over the government and its anti-gun policies is the main reason we have our gun freedoms. They don't have an NRA in Canada, UK Australia, etc.So lets not start nitpicking the NRA; Our socialist elected officials are doing it for us.


NRA Benefactor

[Conservative Wife & Mom]

Thanks for your comments, Guys. DH and I also belong to GOA, Virginia Citizen Defense League and USCCA. I will be watching for more replies here, from other members of the USA Carry forums. One further question: Does anyone know if the NRA receives any funding from the government? AARP does and that's why they are such an ineffective voice for Senior Citizens' rights. Once an organization, or individual for that matter, accepts funding from the government, they have to "toe the line". Can't bite the hand that feeds them, can they?

[JohnD13]

The NRA may not be as confrontational as some other groups, but they are still the most influential group looking out for our 2nd Ammendment rights. I support them and my state group, the NYSRPA.

NRA Life Member

[Bohemian]

If it weren't for the NRA and its tough stance on protecting the 2nd Amendment there wouldn't be a CCW. The influence they exhibit over the government and its anti-gun policies is the main reason we have our gun freedoms. They don't have an NRA in Canada, UK Australia, etc.So lets not start nitpicking the NRA; Our socialist elected officials are doing it for us.


NRA Benefactor

The NRA Supported the National Firearms Act of 1934
In fact, they've supported gun rights infringements "since...1871."

"The National Rifle Association has been in support of workable, enforceable gun control legislation since its very inception in 1871."
—NRA Executive Vice President Franklin L. Orth
NRA's American Rifleman Magazine, March 1968, P. 22
Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page - 2nd Amendment Supporters

"We think it's reasonable to support the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act. ... We think it's reasonable to expect full enforcement of federal firearms laws by the federal government. ... That's why we support Project Exile -- the fierce prosecution of federal gun laws...we think it's reasonable because it works. ... We only support what works and our list is proud."

—NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre
Congressional Testimony, May 27, 1999
Hearing Before 106th Congress
House of Representatives
Committee On The Judiciary
Subcommittee On Crime
First Session
(source)

NRA's non-action on CCW...
Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page - 2nd Amendment Supporters

CCW, you mean yet another Unconstitutional Second Amendment Infringement? Back Door Firearm Registration, Electronic Databases of Firearm Owners?
Just what part of the Second Amendment or Constitution does it state any weapon must be carry openly or concealed or that the Second Amendment is subject to any limitations whatsoever?

One of the founding fathers most responsible for the Second Amendment was Thomas Jefferson, whom was known to always be armed, more often than not Concealed...

The NRA's influence is WHY we have the stinking so-called Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986, The Stinking Brady Bill(s) ad nauseam, so-called NICS Improvement Acts...

"The Second Amendment IS my Concealed Carry Permit" - Ted Nugent