Is it time to rejoin the NRA

[spencer60]

The key thing they need to do is get rid of that insane 70+ member 'board of directors'.

It really should have been a red flag as to how centralized power was when you have an honorary board that simply rubber stamps everything the executive does.

I'm sure some members will push back on that one. I kind of wish the NY judge had simply dissolved the existing board and called for new elections, but I guess that would have introduced a lot of confusion as well.

 

[Alpha5717]

I do agree with you that the gun control lobby does something right (for them) in constantly pushing bills that won't pass. Something we on the 2A side don't seem to grasp.

We only put forward bills like FOPA when we know there are votes to support it. That should have gone through without an issue but it turned out that the Hughes amendment was the only way it would actually get enough votes.

It could have sat there, in stalemate for another 10 years, while innocent gun owners were sent to jail in CA, IL and other repressive states. That seems to be what you are advocating.

Instead the NRA offered a 'compromise' that protected millions of gun owners and didn't harm any existing gun owners. That seems like a 'win' to me, not a loss. It improved the state of the Second across the US at no real cost to existing gun owners.

Yes it was a compromise, and one that was galling and could very well be overturned in court fairly soon, but it certainly didn't 'destroy the militia' as you claim.

We didn't get our rights restricted in one fell swoop, and anyone who thinks we'll get them back that way is dreaming.

But I do agree that every legislative session we should have bills on the table moving 2A rights forward. We need to keep the same pressure up that the anti-gunners do against us. I completely agree that we should be on the offense 100% of the time even if we only win once in a while.

As I mentioned, I'm a life member of GOA and I would be ecstatic if they could push an agenda like that.

The NRA has been a decent 'defender', but if the GOA is going to be the group that goes on the offensive in the legislature, that would be amazing. So where are they?

The simple answer is that words are easy and deeds are hard. Spinning up a national lobbying organization that legislators actually respect is no small thing.

If GOA wants to take over for the NRA in the legislatures they need to start doing it now. I'd be 100% behind seeing them start introducing bills pushing for 2A causes, but as far as I can see they haven't stepped up to the plate.

Which leads me back to my case that we need the NRA. They may compromise and play defense most of the time, but for all their faults that's a heck of a lot better than a group that isn't in the game at all.

You're all over the board and making allegations, implications and little digs at me. What?

I never said that gun owners lost the battle in one fell swoop. Repeatedly on this board I have stated that the left wins via incrementalism. Nor did I EVER imply we could get our Rights back instantly.

As for where the GOA is, I'm right here, partipating and making sure people get the right information and not just spouting stuff that the left can trip them up on. We got MTG top submit a bill to abolish the BATFE. Where was the NRA? Maybe you need to make an appointment with an optometrist?

You say you are a GOA member, but imply they aren't in the game at all. Why are you paying dues? Or do you pay dues? Just claiming to be a member?

 

[GarandDawg]

I read an interview with the new NRA president. He sounds well-meaning but I also got some major Fudd vibes from him. He was asked directly about trying to get the NFA overturned and he gave a mealy mouthed response about how he enjoys using suppressors....

I'm glad LaPierre is gone but at the this point the only useful purpose the NRA serves is as a boogeyman for the anti-gun rights groups. They are still under the strong delusional belief that it is the NRA that is lining the pockets of legislators and that is what is stopping gun control measures.

The reality of course is that the NRA is a shell of itself, barely still operating, and has not been on the front lines of defending gun rights for decades. The advances we are seeing for gun rights are almost solely coming from the courtroom right now thanks to the Second Amendment Foundation, Firearms Policy Coalition, and GOA. NRA is a no-show in many of these cases but that is where we are seeing wins right now.

We have a somewhat 2A friendly Supreme Court and we have to take advantage of that as much as possible. It could be gone in a matter of years but the precedents will (hopefully) remain for a long time.

If you want to put your money where your mouth is on gun rights, send it to SAF, FPC, and GOA, not the NRA.

 

[spencer60]

You're all over the board and making allegations, implications and little digs at me. What?

I never said that gun owners lost the battle in one fell swoop. Repeatedly on this board I have stated that the left wins via incrementalism. Nor did I EVER imply we could get our Rights back instantly.

As for where the GOA is, I'm right here, participating and making sure people get the right information and not just spouting stuff that the left can trip them up on. We got MTG top submit a bill to abolish the BATFE. Where was the NRA? Maybe you need to make an appointment with an optometrist?

You say you are a GOA member, but imply they aren't in the game at all. Why are you paying dues? Or do you pay dues? Just claiming to be a member?

No, not taking shots at you personally. Just trying to say that the GOA 'no compromise' tagline is mainly marketing. It doesn't advance the cause in the real world of politics.

As for why I did finally join... GOA started doing some really good work a few years ago.

On the advocacy side they started holding some really effective rallies in some of the more restrictive states (VA comes to mind), reminding politicians that there are a LOT of gun owners.

They have also sponsored several court cases recently that had a real effect on the ATF. And if they are starting to sponsor legislation, so much the better. That's been the NRAs bailiwick forever but I won't cry to see another group compete with them on that front, just like other groups compete with SAF in the courts.

The topic of the thread was about whether people should join/re-join the NRA. Your answer was 'no' because they 'always compromise'.

I'm simply saying that in politics, like in life, compromise is inevitable if you want to get anything accomplished. What's the old saying? "Perfect is the enemy of good". Same deal.

 

[Fatal_Bert]

 

[Gunanddoglover]

No, not taking shots at you personally. Just trying to say that the GOA 'no compromise' tagline is mainly marketing. It doesn't advance the cause in the real world of politics.

As for why I did finally join... GOA started doing some really good work a few years ago.

On the advocacy side they started holding some really effective rallies in some of the more restrictive states (VA comes to mind), reminding politicians that there are a LOT of gun owners.

They have also sponsored several court cases recently that had a real effect on the ATF. And if they are starting to sponsor legislation, so much the better. That's been the NRAs bailiwick forever but I won't cry to see another group compete with them on that front, just like other groups compete with SAF in the courts.

The topic of the thread was about whether people should join/re-join the NRA. Your answer was 'no' because they 'always compromise'.

I'm simply saying that in politics, like in life, compromise is inevitable if you want to get anything accomplished. What's the old saying? "Perfect is the enemy of good". Same deal.

Don't waste your time with him he knows everything. Read his postings in other threads the man is extremely arrogant and condescending.

 

[Gixxer]

Don't waste your time with him he knows everything. Read his postings in other threads the man is extremely arrogant and condescending.

Sounds like he fits right in.

 

[Edog537]

Can I get an Itemized receipt of where all the donated funds go? I would send them my personal reporting requirements if they are interested in my membership. No?

GFY!!!!

 

[Inatree]

I love to see yall whine about how the NRA spent your money but stick your head up your butt when it come to how, Mcdonalds, Sony , Disney, NFL, MLB, Target, Walmart, Comcast, Direct TV etc....etc... spends your money
You patronize literally countless restaurants and stores that actively fund your demise because you WANT.
You are losing and you are funding it.
Why are Liberals so much more pro-active and strategic and Conservatives so re-active and too lazy to take action.
Im not making an arguement for the NRA, Im just saying "Stop whining while you are cutting your own ***** off ! "

 

[Edog537]

I love to see yall whine about how the NRA spent your money but stick your head up your butt when it come to how, Mcdonalds, Sony , Disney, NFL, MLB, Target, Walmart, Comcast, Direct TV etc....etc... spends your money
You patronize literally countless restaurants and stores that actively fund your demise because you WANT.
You are losing and you are funding it.
Why are Liberals so much more pro-active and strategic and Conservatives so re-active and too lazy to take action.
Im not making an arguement for the NRA, Im just saying "Stop whining while you are cutting your own ***** off ! "

None of the businesses named pander a book of lies and claim to represent the American gun owner. They are for profit businesses. I, like you choose to not patronize many of these businesses because they mostly suck. It’s not a relevant comparison.