Why should I join the NRA?

[jason97496]

I have been arguing with myself over joining the NRA for awhile now. I can not decide. Maybe some of you advocates could clear a few things up for me.

Basically I pay $25 $35 a year for a membership, and I get a magazine subscription and all the other propaganda (which I like) that they mail me. I can not see how they have enough money left over to help them support our cause. I have paid more than $25 a year for a magazine subscription alone.

I hate to sound paranoid, but I keep thinking that all I am doing is adding my name to another list of targets.

I usually end this argument with myself by going to Bi-Mart and buying a box of ammo. I reason that it is in the best interest of the ammo companies to lobby for my rights, so I am lending my support that way, and getting a new box of ammo in the process.

I know my mind works strange.

What do you all think, What are the REAL benefits of joining the NRA?

I have not yet decided if I am joining or not. What do you think I should do, and why?

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[aquariumjunky]

I really like your conclusion on the buying ammo! I think I will go out and support my local ammo company today! (if I can find anything)

I am a member of the NRA if only to add my name to the list of how many people strong supporting 2A rights.

Steven

 

[eldbillbo]

I have been arguing with myself over joining the NRA for awhile now. I can not decide. Maybe some of you advocates could clear a few things up for me.

Basically I pay $25 $35 a year for a membership, and I get a magazine subscription and all the other propaganda (which I like) that they mail me. I can not see how they have enough money left over to help them support our cause. I have paid more than $25 a year for a magazine subscription alone.

I hate to sound paranoid, but I keep thinking that all I am doing is adding my name to another list of targets.

I usually end this argument with myself by going to Bi-Mart and buying a box of ammo. I reason that it is in the best interest of the ammo companies to lobby for my rights, so I am lending my support that way, and getting a new box of ammo in the process.

I know my mind works strange.

What do you all think, What are the REAL benefits of joining the NRA?

I have not yet decided if I am joining or not. What do you think I should do, and why?

If your paranoid Just mail them a money order without your name and let them keep the magazine they then can use the whole amount towards fighting for our rights and

OR you contribute to OFF (icon in the upper left hand corner ) $50 single $100 jointly is a tax credit which means Uncle Sam pays it through you.

this fights for our right locally which is probably the angle the libs will be taking first.

i'm a NRA member but i told them to keep the subscription.

 

[Wenis]

What I struggle with the most about the NRA is the certification of instructors. Certain states require some sort of safety, weapons handling type of training course in order to buy a gun and/or a gun permit/concealed weapon permit. Well these courses are taught by NRA certified specialists, who profit from not only the class people have to pay for, but the cost of certifying the specialist.

So in other words, the NRA is profiting from another hoop gun owners must jump through in order to own a gun. It is in the NRA's interest to lobby for these classes the public must pay for. The more states that adopt these policies, the more money the NRA makes.

Now granted, I'm all for responsible and safe gun ownership, but this backwards way a pro 2nd amendment interest group like the NRA has developed a loophole into profiting from another gun ownership barrier also puts me on the fence in the decision to join.

In my eyes, the best way to advocate for gun ownership is to represent the group is by being a kind, safe, and responsible gun owner, using my dollar to vote for myself in the purchase of ammo or firearms for sport and protection.

 

[oldkim]

To join or not to join?

I guess fundamentally, if you have to weigh the benefits of if you join or not to join... I'm assuming you won't join as there are many reasons not to join. (Heck we're guys - we're born lazy).

For me I put my money where my mouth is.... as a Life Member. I support the largest supporter of our rights to bear arms in America. I am an avid gun hobbist and instructor.

It goes without saying either, "We unite.... or divided we shall fall..."

It also goes without saying if you are on this forum... you must enjoy shooting... or having guns. I think it's really a "no brainer" in the sense if you really want to enjoy this "hobby" then you got to fight for it for yourself, your family, your friends, your neighbors and your kids' future.

We cannot stand here and let our rights GO, simply because no one is paying attention. NRA isn't the cure all but it's a huge bandaid to help fix and ensure our rights.

Where do you stand? I'm not saying you have to join NRA but do support a group that does support our 2nd Amendment Constitutional Rights of this great Land.

There's enough BS on the net.... This is the time to stand up together or we are sure to lose slowly and slowly our rights. Don't be caught surprised and a bit too late. We need to take a strong stance together.

Become active and/or do what you can do. If that means joining NRA or some other group do so.



So, what does the membership give you? Peace of mind knowing you are part of something to keep America Great!



Responses to OP: about magazine cost

If you want to argue about how much it goes to make a magazine from your membership... figure this. It doesn't cost much (pennies) to send you a magazine for millions of copies but it does cost if you are only sending one. It's all in the numbers. The more members the less it cost and the more can go to protecting our rights.



Response to Certified Instructor adding another venue to funds?

You don't know what it takes to become an instructor.

Plus Washington has no requirements to take a class to obtain your CPL (or CCW). Each state has different requirements as to taking a class and also who can teach those classes. NRA does not get a "cut" for the instructor fees that may be charged to the student. Most of the cost is to cover basic overhead of the instructor (e.g. teaching materials, location, and their time). No kick back is given or taken by NRA.

 

[warnerwh]

It appears you like the right to own guns and shoot. If the NRA was not there right now you would be either keeping your guns and becoming a felon or turning in your guns and becoming defenseless. My main concern of defense is defense against our own government more than anything. Do a Google on violent crime in England and Australia AFTER the bans. In both cases it has sky rocketed.

Censorship in England has begun. How would you like to only know what the government wanted you to know or read newspapers, magazines or books the government allowed?

The NRA is the only reason the current politicians have not started the most anti gun laws this country has ever seen and that's a fact. I can assure you they are foaming at the mouth that they are unable to use the recent deaths in various mass shootings to their advantage. They hate guns. Their concern is not saving lives. If it were cigarettes would be illegal. Want to save thousands of children's lives? Don't let them ride in a car.

The politicians that the NRA helped make sure got in office was done with our money. No or weak NRA and the anti's would rule.

The people exterminated in WWII was far from the first genocide. It has happened many times and is happening today. Once we're disarmed you are fair game for anything that tickles their fancy. These people have proven how they will constantly lie and deceive. Not to mention literally giving your money away. Do you want to trust them?

 

[ZombieAssassin]

The people exterminated in WWII was far from the first genocide. It has happened many times and is happening today. Once we're disarmed you are fair game for anything that tickles their fancy. These people have proven how they will constantly lie. Do you want to trust them?

It has never been the politicians that travel around and exterminate people. Think about it, who has it been?

 

[oldkim]

I think the poster really meant that an unarmed population leaves itself easy and defenseless to "others" that may invade or take over.

We all want to live in a world that is peaceful and in an idealistic mentality one that everyone gets along.

Heck, this is the real world and it's tough to be nice to your own siblings and family - just look at your own family tree. I'm sure you can find many examples of a disfunctional family member (one or two).

The buck has to stop! No more passing it onto the next generation or making excuses of it cost money, or it's too expensive or my little one membership doesn't count or, or, or any numerous ones you can make up.

This country has had it good. Now show everyone in this world what American's.... when it comes time can stand and stand strong together.

Freedom is not free! If you think that you are some pansy, lowly educated and just plain ignorant. We live in the Greatest Country in the World!

To be Great it does cost... Right now an American Soldier or Sailor or Marine or Airmen is in harms way to protect OUR Rights. Don't forget that our Freedom Today has been paid by the men and women of time past, present and future. We enjoy our freedom to the poin that we forget we have them and take them for granted. I say no more! Remember our heritage and our history.

Be proud and express your freedom! Vote and Be Counted! Become active and if you decide... join NRA or another 2A group.

Get off your fat butts and off that darn fence. Protect your own rights!

I mean we are hard headed Americans but are you that dumb to see the writing on the wall?

 

[ZeroRing]

The way I looked at it was... it's important for me to say to my kids and future grandkids that I did SOMETHING to stand-up for their rights. I eventually became an NRA Life Member via the Easy Pay Life system.

I figured after renewing my membership for several years I might as well start getting "credit" for future payments by having them go towards eventual Life Membership.

The more members ANY pro-second amendment group has the greater the chance that the "politicians" will listen (or at least "fear") the group as a whole. And we all know how into group-think the liberals are!!

Me, I am a Member of:
NRA - Life
2nd Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Tacoma Rifle and Revolver Club
Northwestfirearms.com

 

[torpedoman]

you can join and elect not to receive the mag or anything else except the membership card. Me I Belong to the N.R.A. the S.A.F.and G.O.A. just keeping all the bases covered. the S.A.F. the one involved in more court cases than the others.

 

[jason97496]

This is a lot of great information. I am learning a lot and I appreciate the various angles people are looking at this question. Please keep the opinions coming.

I need to add that insulting me or anyone else who chooses to do research before making a decision is not necessary.

are you that dumb to see the writing on the wall?

thank you
Jason

 

[oldkim]

That was not meant for YOU so please do not take it personally. It was a generalized statement.

That was meant for anyone that thinks by doing nothing is a good thing.

But, If you think that by doing nothing... it will just go away then I would have to rethink things too.

By doing research and getting the facts - that is doing something. That is educating yourself to what is happening and as you find what is happening to your rights you'll get fired up and help protect it.

Again, get active. If you don't want to join NRA then write or call to your elected officials, investigate, donate (time or money), or just join another that fits for you.

 

[Martini_Up]

Don't forget to join OFF (as seen in the upper left hand box). They'll keep you advised of things happening here in Oregon.

 

[ZeroRing]

Don't forget to join OFF (as seen in the upper left hand box). They'll keep you advised of things happening here in Oregon.

Speaking of that... I'm surprised Joey hasn't convinced the folks at S.A.F., C.C.R.K.B.A., and G.O.A. of the "wisdom" of advertising here.

 

[no5shooter]

I'll add my $.02 worth here, I think NRA is the best organization we have fighting for our rights. I don't always agree with everything they do, but they're far and away the most effective in Washington, and that counts for a lot. Never forget, Bill Clinton publicly admitted the NRA was primarily responsible for the Republican sweep in 1994. That's power, and we need all the help we can get. The current administration is made up of people who make anti-gun Clinton look like a kid in a sandbox by comparison. The next several years are going to be tough on gunowners, so I say by all means join the NRA. And for you folks who are proud of being Life members, send them a few bucks anyway. I do, and I don't regret it one bit.
I'm "no5shooter" here, but for a question this important, I'm Jerry Wright, in Sisters, OR.

 

[motoman98]

We all make choices; everyday
We choose to get up and go to work.
We choose to take care of our wives and families.
We choose to be responsible.
All these choices could be made in another direction, but they are ALL choices we make for ourselves.
Now, this forum is about Firearms.
You have chosen to participate, you could choose to do otherwise.
I choose to defend my freedoms....
My 2nd ammendment rights do not exist/would not exist if gunowners now and in the past choose to not defend them.
"Freedom is not free"
You must CHOOSE to be free, and then fight for it.
This cannot be done from the sidelines. If you think that joining a group that collectively supports our 2nd ammendment rights is "enough" you are kidding yourself.
The NRA being the oldest and biggest is just a start. Local groups need your help/support also. Join a club and share the sport with others and beginners, too.
Think long and hard about what rights are valuable to you.
Then think what it will be like if you do not join others to defend those rights and they are lost forever.
This is real life and no reruns are going to happen.

 

[HappyRoman]

AMEM Brother, and pass the ammunition.. well said moto..

 

[Wenis]

"Freedom is not free"

Freedom costs a buck o' five


I couldn't help myself