Author Topic: public perception of the nra (Read 2768 times)

myronman3 · « **on:** May 13, 2008, 06:59:07 AM »

i was at a gunshop recently with my wife, and someone in there started talking about the nra. what suprised me was the man's perception of them, and how other people in the shop agreed. it was his position that the nra has become a money grubbing bunch of fatcats who care not one lick about the 2nd amendment, but only about lining their pockets. he likened them to the oil excutives; which i agree.
we have had this conversation here many times in the past, and i know there are others out there who agree 1000% with me on this. it did surprise me to hear it in public. and also surprised me that everyone present readily agreed. it seems to me like the word is out, and the jig is about up. but i suppose lapeirre and his cronies still have enough suckers out there with the blinders on to bleed for a few more years before they have to hang it up.
anyone else notice this happening in their neck of the woods?

Sourdough · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2008, 07:49:52 AM »

Up here is seems about 50-50. Some folks feel the same about the NRA being a bunch of money grabbers. Then there are the dyed in the wool hard line NRA members that can see no wrong in the NRA. I personally feel the NRA needs to get back closer to it's roots, they have gotten too big, and they are beginning to compromise too often.

ms · « **Reply #2 on:** May 13, 2008, 08:42:05 AM »

Why would you start this subject knowing it will cause members to start fighting among each others ? We must learn from the past.

myronman3 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2008, 09:01:45 AM »

i am curious if others have had similar experiences or not. and if folks dont behave, it will get taken care of; i aint worried a lick about that.

jimster · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2008, 10:37:19 AM »

I have my own perception of the NRA, and it ain't good, sure they bug me constantly about sending more money, but what really burned me up was when I moved a few years back and my adress got changed, and then my membership ran out....so I finally sent in for another few years of membership ( not again) they found me, and was really rude on the phone to me.
They asked me if I was short on money, waiting for my next paycheck to send them some...this burned me up real good, could not believe the person on the other end would ask me that.
I told them I already renewed, but was damn sorry I did. Got at least six more calls asking me to renew, and a dozen more letters asking for money once they found me. Add to this the stuff they send you without asking, telling you it's a gift, but if you could pay that would be great...then another letter later asking for it back....and for sure...they are making me mad more often than not.

I guess it sounds to me like they are a money grubbing bunch and don't care about the 2nd much either, not to mention they go along with things I don't agree with too sometimes.
I think there are better places that protect gun rights now and keep us informed. Until they clean up their act a bit. I doubt if i will renew when it comes time, just get ready for a ton
of calls and mail I guess.

myronman3 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2008, 10:46:11 AM »

have you heard or witnessed similar opinions in your area?

there are plenty of us who know the score with the nra online, but it seems more and more often i run into people in my community that are finally seeing them for what they are. the days of folks blindly following the nra i think are over.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2008, 10:50:48 AM »

I don't know....but, are there any other viable organizations who have the same clout as the NRA?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2008, 11:07:37 AM »

Quote from: ms on May 13, 2008, 08:42:05 AM

Why would you start this subject knowing it will cause members to start fighting among each others ? We must learn from the past.

Funny how it was brought up as soon as I came back...lol.....

People here can see right through that.... Sorry I am not going to bite....lol

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2008, 11:48:24 AM »

Sure you did kinda sorta.

But to respond to the question asked I guess I don't see or hear much discussion of the NRA one way or another around here in the circles I run in. Dunno exactly what that means to be honest. I think LaPierre is the single biggest problem the NRA has and if he would go away in time they might again become a really worthwhile organization.

To be fair I must admit of late I've seen more good and maybe fewer bad things from them that in the recent past. I don't think I'll ever fully trust them again in my life time nor do I really think that in my life time they will manage to return to what they were and to doing good again and stop hurting us. Still as stated I am seeing more good coming of their actions of late so that is at least a step in the right direction from my perspective.

The folks asking for money are NOT the NRA they are an agency hired by the NRA to solicit funds. The bad thing is they get paid per call or letter not for results but for attempts. That's why they make so many attempts. They really could care less if you donate or buy or whatever as it's nothing to them one way or another. They are paid every time they call or write and if they don't get money then the NRA actually loses on the deal. It got so bad at one time that LaPierre almost bankrupted the NRA from the reports that Neil Knox used to put out before his death. I think things are likely on a more solid footing financially these days.

There has just too much bad gone down for me to stop being bitter toward them tho I think at least until a long time after LaPierre is gone and his cronies are removed. We need another Cinncinati revolution in the NRA to turn it around again and point it back in the right direction. Still it does appear that slowly it's moving in the right direction but too slowly for me.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2008, 12:35:49 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard on May 13, 2008, 11:48:24 AM

Sure you did kinda sorta.

But to respond to the question asked I guess I don't see or hear much discussion of the NRA one way or another around here in the circles I run in. Dunno exactly what that means to be honest. I think LaPierre is the single biggest problem the NRA has and if he would go away in time they might again become a really worthwhile organization.

To be fair I must admit of late I've seen more good and maybe fewer bad things from them that in the recent past. I don't think I'll ever fully trust them again in my life time nor do I really think that in my life time they will manage to return to what they were and to doing good again and stop hurting us. Still as stated I am seeing more good coming of their actions of late so that is at least a step in the right direction from my perspective.

The folks asking for money are NOT the NRA they are an agency hired by the NRA to solicit funds. The bad thing is they get paid per call or letter not for results but for attempts. That's why they make so many attempts. They really could care less if you donate or buy or whatever as it's nothing to them one way or another. They are paid every time they call or write and if they don't get money then the NRA actually loses on the deal. It got so bad at one time that LaPierre almost bankrupted the NRA from the reports that Neil Knox used to put out before his death. I think things are likely on a more solid footing financially these days.

There has just too much bad gone down for me to stop being bitter toward them tho I think at least until a long time after LaPierre is gone and his cronies are removed. We need another Cinncinati revolution in the NRA to turn it around again and point it back in the right direction. Still it does appear that slowly it's moving in the right direction but too slowly for me.

Yea I tried Graybeard...lol

But the local people I deal with, they are still die hard NRA supporters as I am. I agree, LaPierre needs to go. It is time for some new blood in the NRA. And yes the NRA has been making some good headway as of latly. The NRA is not for everyone, but at least gun owners need to support some form of gun rights group.

Kurt L · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2008, 12:59:39 PM »

Just my 2 cents
I think they are over priced.
I checked out a place to shoot in my area,the cost to join x dollars but they said you must be a NRA member first .
So I thought thats cool I will go check it out.
well life time for me is or i think was $1000.00 bucks my boys are 8 and 13 and I think they could join for
lifetime at $500.00 bucks.
my thoughts was are you for real.I am not paying a thousand bucks no way now how. so they lost a
possible member to price and I bet a lot of others are on the same page.
I think I would have done it at the time if it was $500.00 but it's not going to ever happen at$1000.00

oldandslow · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2008, 02:41:51 PM »

Just join by the year. I've been a member since the early '60s and will stay a member. Do I agree with every thing they do? No. But when it comes to gun rights organizations they are the 800# gorilla. No other gun rights group even comes close to the political weight the NRA carries. Use whatever reasons you want to keep your money in your pocket but the NRA is the only reason you can basically still own firearms. That is all right. The ones that share my commitment to firearms ownership will continue to remain members and you can enjoy the benefits The NRA provides. If you are not satisfied with the direction the NRA is going then join and vote to change the direction. When you have a city councilman, county commissioner, sheriff, or other elected official you don't like don't you try to vote them out of office? Why not join the NRA and vote to change it to go the direction you want it to go?

Any time I have had occasion to speak with the NRA, the person I talked to was very helpful and very polite. I have never been treated rudely.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2008, 04:23:03 PM »

Quote from: Kurt L on May 13, 2008, 12:59:39 PM

Just my 2 cents
I think they are over priced.
I checked out a place to shoot in my area,the cost to join x dollars but they said you must be a NRA member first .
So I thought thats cool I will go check it out.
well life time for me is or i think was $1000.00 bucks my boys are 8 and 13 and I think they could join for
lifetime at $500.00 bucks.
my thoughts was are you for real.I am not paying a thousand bucks no way now how. so they lost a
possible member to price and I bet a lot of others are on the same page.
I think I would have done it at the time if it was $500.00 but it's not going to ever happen at$1000.00

You could of joined for $25.00 or $35.00 for a yearly rate. No need to become a life member.

Graybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** May 13, 2008, 05:15:20 PM »

When I became a life member I think the going rate at the time was something like $125 or at most $150. It's just been too many years ago to remember for sure.

Buckskins & Black Powder · « **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2008, 07:24:51 PM »

I joined for a year. Used the range about half a dozen times. Cant afford to the gas bill any more. If gas were reasonable i would have joined up again, i love their shooting ranges. The most annoying part about joining, is all the crap they keep mailing to you.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 14, 2008, 01:12:14 AM »

I don't get any phone calls or mail from the NRA, a simple phone call is all it took.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #16 on:** May 14, 2008, 01:16:53 AM »

What number did you call?
especially on an election year I would like to get on their do not call list.

myronman3 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 14, 2008, 02:40:58 AM »

there was a day that when someone in a gun shop was talking about the nra it was how everyone should be a member. it seems more people than i expected are seeing it for what it is. whether it is because of them signing off on giving our rights away, or because of the constant panhandling for money, or the chest thumping proclaimation that they are the sole reason we can own a gun; it just seems that people are onto and sick of them.
while i was surprised to hear the conversation in the gun shop, i was happy folks seem to be waking up.

alsaqr · « **Reply #18 on:** May 14, 2008, 02:52:09 AM »

Yep, it is fashionable for gun-owners and "hunters" to badmouth the NRA. Were it not for the NRA you would not be able to own a .22 single shot rifle in this country; do not forget that. Every mass mailing by the NRA nets the PVF and ILA about one million dollars. Most NRA members are too stingy to donate the price of one premium six pack of beer to the NRA: This is why you have the phone calls and the mass mailings.

Let another gun control bill get passed and hear 50 million voices crying out in unison: "Where was the NRA?

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #19 on:** May 14, 2008, 03:27:02 AM »

i belong to 3 ranges / clubs 1 you must be a NRA member , 1 has NRA matches and its the same club in both cases . Now that's no big deal as i knew it going in . I guess the club could charge more and not get NRA sponsored insurance or help with the range . But i bet the extra club dues charged would be more than the membership dues to the NRA .
Around here many say as long as there is a NRA we will always be fighting for rights , its big business to them . MAYBE SO but they are the biggest dog gun owners have in the fight ! May not be every-ones choice breed but still on our side .
WL may be a loose cannon but some must agree with him , walking away won't get him out only members can change if they have enough voted to do so !
As far as other companies pestering me , IF THE NRA PAYS THEM THEN ITS THE NRA ! PERIOD ! and that's what pizzes me off they let it continue . Check out the retained funds the NRA has in its disclosure BIG BUSINESS would be proud . They are spending money to make money we do that , we call it business .
Like most big organizations they do some good and some not so good , some things all members like and other things some do not like !
But all should see the need for a big dog in the fight !
As far as bring up this topic , good lets get it out in the open and fix it !

myronman3 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 14, 2008, 03:30:26 AM »

Quote

Were it not for the NRA you would not be able to own a .22 single shot rifle in this country; do not forget that.

this is exactly what i was refering to when i said....

Quote

the chest thumping proclaimation that they are the sole reason we can own a gun

ridiculous.

myronman3 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 14, 2008, 03:35:16 AM »

still on our side? who's side you think they were on when they repeatedly said "we can live with this piece of gun control legislation" and "we can live with that piece, too"? it certainly wasnt my side.

wl a loose cannon? a money grubbing s.o.b. maybe, but a loose cannon he is not. eery time i have seen him on t.v. in a debate, he lost BAD. it is a joke.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #22 on:** May 14, 2008, 03:36:46 AM »

ok they go away then what ?

myronman3 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 14, 2008, 03:49:57 AM »

the nra go away? then i would smile real big. i hate cockroaches and rats, and other such vermin.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #24 on:** May 14, 2008, 04:04:24 AM »

The anti gun crowd is closer to winning than i figured !

Savage .250 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 14, 2008, 04:08:28 AM »

Quote from: victorcharlie on May 13, 2008, 10:50:48 AM

I don't know....but, are there any other viable organizations who have the same clout as the NRA?

I would ask the same question.

rex6666 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 14, 2008, 04:47:40 AM »

I would have to agree that we need some kinda dog in the fight, NRA is the biggest.
I don't care how big the dog is he is not going to win every fight.
Some times you have to give a little, and hope to get back later, you can not just
bull your way through every situation.
NRA has been at it a long time and should know how to do what.
SCI keeps making noise about hunters rights, BUT we know that hunters rights and gun owner rights are not always the same, (i think they should be, we are going to need each other)

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #27 on:** May 14, 2008, 05:23:24 AM »

every bodies dog will have scares

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #28 on:** May 14, 2008, 11:22:45 AM »

People spend a lot of time bashing the NRA, but yet they have no solution to solve the problems with the NRA. To me the only thing NRA bashers add to the equation is another problem. Bashing the NRA does no one any good.

Show me one other group that had actually accomplished anything for gun owners.

You always here where was the NRA, but you never hear anyone asked, where was the GOA.
Has anyone heard what the GOA is doing these days. I don't hear one thing from them. 95% of the gun owners I talk to don't even know who the GOA is.

Now I am not bashing the GOA here, but if they are the up and coming Pro-gun group, how come no one even heard of them.
What has the GOA done since they bad mouthed the NRA?

Can anyone tell me what is gained by the NRA going away? Who is going to step up to the plate for our gun rights? And please don't tell me the GOA is going to do it, I have not seen them step up to the plate yet.

Guy Pike · « **Reply #29 on:** May 14, 2008, 11:34:51 AM »

JFPO is a viable alternative.