public perception of the nra

[six_gunz]

United we STAND or divided we FALL . Make your choice now BEFORE it's too late.

[Redhawk1]

JFPO is a viable alternative.

They need a bigger following than 4000 members. But yes by all means join them, they are after all a pro-gun group.

[Redhawk1]

United we STAND or divided we FALL . Make your choice now BEFORE it's too late.

You can be merely an observer, or pick up a sword and enter the battle. The choice is yours.

[myronman3]

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

american veterans.   
     and the elephant in the room the nra doesnt like to talk about,  AMERICAN GUN OWNERS!   the only time the nra mentions them is when they whine about "others freeloading off of our hard work" when the FACT  is that the nra is just good at stepping up and taking credit for anything good that comes, and blaming the libs and non nra people for the bad.   all the while they are stock piling their bank accounts with the sheeples money.
    how many gun owners are there? and how many are members of the nra?  that says more than i ever can.  and, save your whining about "if it werent for the nra..."  bull.   that is what people say when the well is dry.  fact is the nra doesnt represent the average gun owner, they just SAY they do.  it is like me saying i represent all white people because i happen to be white.  simply ridiculous. 

[SHOOTALL]

So who represents the gun owner better ?

[Cement Man]

I don't think I'm a sheeple.  I first joined the NRA in 1962 and I certainly don't agree with everything about the organization, but I think the benefits of its mission and existence far outweigh the things I disagree with.  I also belong to the Illinois State Rifle Association - allied with the NRA, and two shooting clubs that are as well.  One thing I appreciate about these organizations is that they keep me informed about issues that I contact my legislators about and voice my opinions.  I hope all who claim to be 2nd amendment supporters do the same.  It's free to do so and you don't have to be a member of anything.  If you don't, I urge you to start using your PC to contact your lawmakers instead of name-calling and bashing.

Sturm Ruger apparently thinks the NRA has value as well.  I received this via e-mail yesterday.

 
Dear Ruger Firearms Customer,

Gun owners are facing a pivotal battle for the future of the Second Amendment on November 4th, 2008.

Remember that Presidential influence extends beyond the White House; Presidents direct key Federal agencies and appoint Federal judges who can shape the law for decades to come. Combined with the power already wielded by Congress, politicians so inclined may be tempted to enact a spate of new laws that further marginalize your Second Amendment rights.

Now, more than ever, we must protect our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms from those who would affect that right. 

The best organization to do that is the National Rifle Association, and we urge you to JOIN NOW.

Join by calling 1-877-672-2000 or by visiting NRA’s website, www.insureyourgunrights.com.

NRA membership is regularly $35 per year. But if you join today, NRA will sign you up for a full year of NRA membership for a special election year rate of just $25.

When you join, you’ll get great benefits including: a year’s subscription to American Rifleman, American Hunter or America’s 1st Freedom magazines, $1,000 in firearms insurance, plus you’ll receive a 20-piece, rosewood handle multi-tool – a $29.95 value – free with membership.

Remember…the NRA’s strength to save the Second Amendment comes from you. And with the biggest battles just ahead, they need your help more than ever. Resolve to take a stand for America’s gun ownership rights, and JOIN today.

Sincerely,
Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
 
Myronman, if you had a "white people association of America" and people paid dues to support it, then you could say you represent (some) white people.  I suspect that is not the case, so I think your analogy is rather weak.


So, if we can all agree that the NRA is not perfect, why continue the bashing and name-calling in place of a sensible, reasoned discussion?
 

[SHOOTALL]

If nothing else they alert members when new laws are being voted on . Whats that worth since the Clinton news network and other left wing media would not do so .

[myronman3]

i have a few ruger guns.. but i dont let them do my thinking for me.  who ever said ruger was a TRUE friend of the 2nd anyhow?  they have had their hand in some undermining over the years.   

It's free to do so and you don't have to be a member of anything. 

there you go, kids.  we have a winner.   there are much better ways of supporting the 2nd amendment than throwing your money away (into lapierres account).   it just takes some personal effort. 

at anyrate,  this aint what i was asking anyhow.  i was curious as to what the 'word on the street' in different parts of the county was.  aka what members have heard locally.

[SHOOTALL]

My replies repsent what has been said localy as we have supporters , partial supporters and knee jerk loud mouths around here also !

[Redhawk1]

I think when you answer his question he will still not be satisfied.
I stated in my post that the people I see and talk to still support the NRA. NO CHANGE.

I deal with people in gun shops, Department of natural resources, Master Hunter program and at the ranges I go to, and legislative hall. I am in contact with hundreds of gun owners weekly and they are happy about the NRA and still support them.

How many people do you talk to in a weeks time? Maybe a handful and from my perception, they are people with the same NRA bashing quality you possess.

Yea there are a ton of gun owners that don't belong to the NRA, but they also don't support any other pro-gun group. That does not mean they don't like the NRA or any other pro-gun group. Some people are just to lazy to join and some just don't care to get involved.

Why is it just the NRA you spot light, what about all the other gun rights groups people don't support or dis-like.?  Everyone knows you don't like the NRA, you make that clear every time an NRA thread is started.

Give it a rest, the NRA will be here for a long time coming... 

[SHOOTALL]

Who ?

[myronman3]

dont you mean  "who!!!!"    lol

I stated in my post that the people I see and talk to still support the NRA. NO CHANGE.

was that so hard? 

Why is it just the NRA you spot light

because i have rarely heard people talk about other groups in the past.   like i said before,  the perception seems to have changed in this area.  if you dont like it,  too bad.  it aint my fault, although i wish it were.   

[SHOOTALL]

Gee you started using my style !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why the personal attacks ? Still trying to get points ?

[myronman3]

personal attack nothing.  like i said, it is painful to read. why not  just use all caps? 

[SHOOTALL]

I never realized that i could have this much control over someone on a site like this ! WOW ! Is it like the moth and the flame for you ? Just can't leave it alone ?
GB asked me not to use all capitals and since its his site and he has respected my post I honored his request !
To keep on topic , it seems the NRA and the Federal Govt. are alot alike . Both are big , nothing to replace them and most see a benefit and a curse with what they do !

[myronman3]

control, er, yeah, right.   people dont back down from you and you dont like it.  whatever.  i have seen you and tm7 go at it so save! your! lectures!!! 

[Graybeard]

Alright let's get this one back on topic or I will have to end it. Don't turn it into an NRA bashing thread. The topic is the public's perception of the NRA. Once you've stated your own personal perception it's time to either move on and talk about someone else's perception or to drop out of the conversation. It's not a bash the NRA thread if ya want one of those start a new one and assign it the correct subject line for bashing.

There will be no personal attacks and no name calling allowed here that's the standing rule around here.

[SHOOTALL]

Back down from what ? opinion ?
What did TM-7 do ? I don't think he gives a hoot if i agree with him or not ! and it does not bother me either !
The neither of us are trying to impress anyone !
Do you have an AXE to grind ? If so that is fine as at least it is entertaining somewhat !

Oh well back on topic , some seen to like some of the NRA , some ( few ) like all and others display some dislike !
Then the knee jerk crowd , hate every thing crowd sees the NRA as something to attack and shows a total lack of reality IMHO !

[Fazak]

The good news concerning the NRA is,.. a former member of their board of directors, Bob Barr, has recently announced his candidacy for President of the U.S.,... so we all now have a candidate to get behind instead of that gun grabber, John McCain.

[Graybeard]

As much as I'd like to see Bob become President (him or Newt Gingrinch either) he is NOT going to be elected. Taking votes that otherwise would go to McCain and giving them to Bob will do nothing but assure that the dumocrap candidate is elected and more and more that is looking to be the muzlim not the Klinton.

[oldandslow]

I agree wholeheartedly. Voting for someone who is not electable is just throwing your vote away and helping ensure the election of the democrat. Remember Ross Perot and what that led to? We don't need that again.

[bkraft]

Having given much thought to this question and being an "on again off again member of the NRA," I have come to this conclusion. It may not be the prettiest gal at the dance, and it may not be the most popular gal at the dance, but warts freckles, pimples, facial hair and all, it's still our gal at the dance. It is a known fact that like it or not politicians listen to one thing, numbers; money or votes don't really matter it's a numbers thing. And right now at this point in time the NRA generates numbers.

[rebAL]

3 comments:  1) Gunshop hangouts can be a very crusty bunch, at least the shops I frequent.  I would place no credibility in what they have to say when they just hang out & B.S. for hours when they should be home with family.  2)  NRA members are not to be considered as "Public Perception"  NRA gets blasted hard enough by major media  for that.  3)  This is what a lobby organizaion does;  Their  sole existence is to raise money & spend it fighting their cause.  Who better to beg $$$ from than past contributors.  If you think NRA is bad, try donation to your favorite political party.   

[blackhawk45]

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

That sounds like an Anti-Gunners statement !Do you think that preserving OUR gun rights is FREE ? Well it aint ! I'm a life Member and proud of it,18 years. But I've been a member for 44 years. and it sickens me that  80 Million gun owners ,in the U.S.A. Reap the benifits the 4 MILLION N.R.A. members. If every member would sign up just one friend,or family member, we could double our ranks,and become a stronger Pro gun ,Pro Liberty orginization. But I doubt that will ever happen,Because, TOO many Gun Owners just dont see the threat of the Antis, and wont depart with $25 a year in membership fees. And when the Gestapo shows up to confiscate your firearms,Don't blame the N.R.A. you can only blame YOURSELF !

[myronman3]

 

it sickens me that  80 Million gun owners ,in the U.S.A. Reap the benifits the 4 MILLION N.R.A. members.

it sickens me that you think the nra gave you those rights or even helps you protect them.   that is laughable.

[nw_hunter]

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.

******************************
If you haven't seen the GOA step up to the plate, you haven't opened your eyes!
If your looking to controlled mainstream media for your news, you won't.

Get on their e-mail list, and you'll see what they are doing for you and me.

The NRA has gone the same way the Republican party has gone.
Still claims to be conservative, but is controlled by the left wing half of it!

The GOA is made up of (STRONG) conservatives, and they DO fight the good fight on a daily basis. "Just like the NRA did in days of old!!

I think if everyone would keep their NRA membership, but start supporting the GOA, we could see an improvement in our gun laws!
It might make the NRA see the error's of their ways, and make them the NRA of old again.

 

[SHOOTALL]

If we had the NRA of yesteryear fighting the no holds barred anti's of today they would get creamed ! It down and dirty fighting ! Go to a gun show and see what gun owners look like today , it ain't grandpa's old school shooting club ! The NRA represents all gun owners not just the good old boys ! A fact that is hard to get used to !

[myronman3]

  it ain't grandpa's old school shooting club

i have no idea what that is supposed to mean.

[Redhawk1]

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.

******************************
If you haven't seen the GOA step up to the plate, you haven't opened your eyes!
If your looking to controlled mainstream media for your news, you won't.

Get on their e-mail list, and you'll see what they are doing for you and me.

The NRA has gone the same way the Republican party has gone.
Still claims to be conservative, but is controlled by the left wing half of it!

The GOA is made up of (STRONG) conservatives, and they DO fight the good fight on a daily basis. "Just like the NRA did in days of old!!

I think if everyone would keep their NRA membership, but start supporting the GOA, we could see an improvement in our gun laws!
It might make the NRA see the error's of their ways, and make them the NRA of old again.

 

My eyes are very open, I visit there site and I see they still do nothing more than a local gun group does. The GOA may baffle some with there BS, but they are not a strong pro-gun group.

Show me one accomplishment the GOA has done on there "own",....... you can't because they have not. If you support the GOA, that is good, at least you are supporting a so called pro-gun group, unlike some gun owner other there.

I support the NRA, and my local pro-gun organization here in Delaware, which also supports the NRA.  I am a life member of the Delaware Sportsman Association. I also voice my opinion at legislative hall and call my representatives, congressmen and all local Government offices and urge them to support pro-gun bills in legislation. I am very active in the pro-gun movement.

You want us to keep our NRA membership and support the GOA?  Why, how many GOA members actually support the NRA?  The GOA bashes the NRA in the public mainstream and you want NRA members to support a so called Pro-gun group that bashes the NRA?  I think not.

[SHOOTALL]

figures , in the DAY , shooting clubs were accepted , people allowed others the freedom to enjoy their sport . Today living in the land of the offended it seems people need to see how many other people they can pizz off by shutting down as many pass times as possible . So in the day the NRA supported clubs , made rules for competition , helped build ranges etc. Today much is spent on politics and defending the right to shoot and own guns . That my friend is the problem , you fight fire with fire ! ( excuse the ! but it seemed to fit ) . You need aggressive , political experts , and law knowledgeable people leading the NRA to meet the aggressive attacks from the gun grabbers .
You wouldn't want to neuter our big dog in the middle of the fight would  ya ?
Lets save our rights then clean up the NRA.

Consider on this site when I offer my opinion it often sets some posters off because I don't care for their choice . The stating of my reason often is like pouring gas on a fire .  Instead of supporting their choice and letting the chips fall where they may they often make personal attacks . THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO THE NRA . some one doesn't get their way and they attack the NRA . There are some

 things I don't care for with regard to the NRA but as long as the good out numbers the bad i will support them as many around here are

doing .

Also don't forget the NRA is national not local so don't expect them to ride in on every little problem and save the day , local clubs need to pick up some fights !