Where would we be today without the NRA?

[sunnyd]

In light of recent discussions on this forum criticizing the NRA, it seems only fair to ask the question: Where do you think gun owners would be today if the NRA had never come into being?
While I may not agree with everything the NRA says or does, or doesn't do, I do believe they represent gun owners powerfully and effectively in the world/war of politics. During my lifetime of 60+ years I have witnessed the NRA protecting and preserving the rights of gun owners numerous times. IMO if it weren't for the NRA, our guns would have been gone long ago. What do you think?

[Arney]

Ageed, we would of lost all or a great part of what we have today. Hopefully, we will be able to retain our stand in the future with the support of the NRA.

[Stu1205]

I personally can't understand why every gun owner is not a
member of the NRA. I joined about 30 years ago with a yearly
membership. Fortunately over the years I have been able to
increase my membership to Life Benefactor. I don't do it for any
prestige, for I don't get anything really special out of it. I do it
as a way of giving back and supporting an organization that is
fighting tooth and nail for our gun rights.

I encourage everybody on this Forum who is not a member of the
NRA to join. Right now it is only $25.00 for a yearly membership.
I am sure we have all pissed away more than that of foolish things.

If you think you can't afford to join, think again.
YOU CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO.

Stu

[Squarebutt]

Regarding the CNN town hall program, the NRA was offered the opportunity to appear and ask ONE question. I think they had a pretty good idea what the rest of the "discussion" would have been like. They have a lot of experience in the ways of politicians, and I think they made the right decision.
I totally agree that we need a 500-pound gorilla in Washington to protect our interests, and the NRA does a good job of it. Our fellow citizens are joining at a rate of 5000 per day. I've been a member for decades.

[smithman 10]

I couldn't agree more. I just today wrote a check for $250 to up my membership to Patron or something else a couple steps up from Life Member. Mainly because it's just a way to give them some more money to keep up the good fight.

The NRA is demonized at every turn by much of the media, that champion of the First Amendment, for championing the Second Amendment. We must use the First Amendment to keep the Second, and doing so requires money - simple as that.

If you are not an NRA member I encourage you to join. I'm an old fart but I'd like to think when I'm gone my son and grandchildren will still live in a free country and be able to enjoy the rights we do.

Please join and if you are already a member thanks!

[Ed Fowler]

I agree 100% with the op, without the NRA we would have lost the freedoms we enjoy today. I encourage all who are not members to join and encourage others to do so.

[shotgun693]

If you want the NRA to do more, you do more. They have all kinds of local programs that need people and I mean political stuff.

[chud333]

Sent in a renewal today as well. 8 months ahead of schedule.
They are not perfect. I am not perfect.
But they are the Loudest, most Efficient, advocate we have
guarding our rights guaranteed under the 2nd Amendment.
To answer the OP's question:
We would be in the same boat as Australia, Canada, England,
or possibly worse at least 20 years ago without the NRA.
So i'm kinda' bias towards helping this organization out
whenever i can.



Chuck

[Long Barrel]

...... of the NRA membership since he took office may well be his most significant and lasting "achievement". Maybe if we work hard, it could be a tripling.

After being an annual member since 68, I went "Life" last month.

[Capt.Jim]

Like I mentioned here before 300 million guns in the country and 5 million NRA members.

Either every average NRA member owns 60 guns or a lot of gun owners never heard of NRA

I can only dream what would it be like if NRA had 50 million members instead of 5 million.

Just imagine it for a second!

[YeshuaIsa53]

Maybe all gun manufacturers could place a plea with every gun they make for joining the NRA. Some may already do that, I think. Get the guys at the LGS to push for it.

You need a gun, a holster, bullets, and the NRA...

[Whitwabit]

Where would we be with out the NRA ..

This forum instead of being called the Smith & Wesson Forum it would be called the SlingShot Forum .. or the Sharp Stick Forum .. take our pick !!!

Just renewed my NRA Membership for another 5 years !!!

[vytoland]

Join, Support, Contribute to the NRA.

NRA = the BIG dog in our fight.............

[Inusuit]

Disarmed? As with others above, I recently upgraded my annual membership to life.

[johngalt]

They are better than 25 years ago. They were too willing to compromise back then. If we had the NRA of today back then, we might not have NICS.

[hoosierone]

Originally Posted by Capt.Jim

Like I mentioned here before 300 million guns in the country and 5 million NRA members.

Either every average NRA member owns 60 guns or a lot of gun owners never heard of NRA :roll eyes:

I can only dream what would it be like if NRA had 50 million members instead of 5 million.

Just imagine it for a second!

I agree 1000%! If the majority of gunowners were NRA members, I sincerely believe we wouldn't hear any more gun control proposals on any level.

[LoboGunLeather]

Without the NRA most of us would consider ourselves lucky to live in places like California, New Jersey, Massachussetts, etc. Some of us would be constrained in states resembling the UK, Australia, and perhaps a few former Soviet republics.

I have had my differences with the NRA over the years, but I remain a Life Member and support the NRA at every opportunity.

At every opportunity to discuss these things with leftist/liberal/progressive types I always like to ask the question: What is the NRA? The reply is always the same; i.e.: the "Gun Lobby", created and supported by those who wish to continue the carnage of gun violence, etc. When I explain that the NRA was chartered by the Congress of the United States in 1873 at the request of active and retired general officers, specifically for the purpose of creating and maintaining general civilian training in safe handling of firearms and musketry skills, in light of their experience during the Civil War with draftees who had no idea whatsoever about basic firearms skills (in a nation that prohibits a standing army and relies upon a citizen militia to fill the ranks in time of need), that the NRA created the first significant training programs for military and law enforcement, that the NRA created the only real effective training programs for hunter safety and safety with firearms, there is usually some shaking of heads and general consternation as all of their bubbles are popped at once.

Have some fun with your "progressive" friends every chance you get.

[tcon]

Without the NRA, by now we would have a federally-maintained database of who owns what and would not have access to the effective means of self protection that we currently have.

This ownership database would no doubt be public and owners of firearms, their address, and a list of their property would be available for anyone to see on an interactive online map like they currently do with sex offenders.

All additional gun control and background check requirements are baby steps that lead toward federal registration and "outing" of firearm owners. The NRA knows this.

[Geno44]

Where would we be without the NRA? Easy. We'd be on the S&W Bow and Arrow Forum discussing our favorite 15 pound pull bow as limited by Federal law. (Registered of course)

[mauser9]

Would be none of these fine collections of S&W to view. So sick of hearing of gun control and only disarming the law abiding I could throw-up.

[msjdgman]

I have no doubt that without the NRA we'd be very lucky if we had guns at all anymore. I am a life member and donate additionally when I can...to the organization as a whole, the ILA, and the PVF.

[Edknn123]

It's about time that gun manufacturers bite the bullet, no pun intended, and offer a free NRA membership for purchasers like Taurus has. Membership would rise, which would not only help protect gun rights, but also the gun company's bottom line. As our rights disappear, so do their profits.

[Irn-Bru]

I think every gun manufacturer should donate 10% from every gun sold. Yes without them we may not have guns. But they would not have a business. Add in memberships and that 10% and you have a pretty big kitty.

[Geno44]

Originally Posted by Irn-Bru

I think every gun manufacturer should donate 10% from every gun sold. Yes without them we may not have guns. But they would not have a business. Add in memberships and that 10% and you have a pretty big kitty.

While this may be true, the number of members in the NRA compared to the total number of gun owners is pretty pathetic. When you listen to the complaints from the anti-gun politicians about the NRA, it is impossible to believe the NRA is ineffective-absolutely impossible. "Gee, I don't agree with it 100%". Show me any perfect organization, church or political party and I can't wait to join and that seems to be the excuse by some for not joining. As I roll out of the gun show with arms loaded, I spent all my money and can't afford to help row the boat. You other guys do it.

[brucev]

Re: OP. Agree completely. The NRA has been and remains the single most effective advocate of the 2nd Amendment currently in operation. No other organization even approaches their record of what they have done for firearms owners and users. Absent the NRA, we'd all have to just be content looking at pictures and remembering what had once been our Constitutional right. Sincerely. bruce.