Well, I decided to let one gun go and spent the same amount on the current NRA Life Membership promotion. I almost did this last year but wimped out at the last minute. The check is on its way.

I know they are not a perfect organization, and a lot of the mail I get from them is too heavy on the frantic and a little light on matters of serious strategy. But they are still among the best RKBA organizations out there, so I'm happy to do this.

Also, I'm looking forward to telling some of my anti-gun or gun-neutral friends that I am not only a member of the NRA, but a Life Member to boot. One gets one's pleasures where one can.

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David Wilson

Congratulations, David. I did it in 1992, and I'm glad I did. I read their direct mail with a grain of salt, and look at their results and support for hunting and competition shooting. I don't agree with everything they do either, but when the NRA speaks, Washington listens. There is indeed power in numbers.


Bullseye

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Five screws and 3-1/2 inches.

Good on you Dave. I have been a Life since 1976 and recently went to Endowment and bought life memberships for my son and daughter.
The NRA often has payment plan specials which is the only way I can afford it.

Your right, they are not perfect but they are the ONLY pro gun org that the politicians fear or listen to.

Welcome to the club .

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Non illegitimae carborundum

Good choice.

I'm working on mine.

Congrats !!

I went through the payment route to upgrade to a Life Member about 20 yrs ago. Recently after getting a decent income tax refund, I popped for the upgrade to the Endowment level.

I haven't always agreed with the NRA's stance on some issues, and the constant "gloom and doom the sky is falling" tone of their mailings does get old... but, I'd rather be on this side of the fence than the side where a gun owner silently sets on the sideline letting our gun rights die a death of a thousand cuts (Especially in California) by not becoming an NRA member or a member of another pro gun rights organization.

For my fellow Californian's, I would also suggest looking into joining the CRPA (California Rifle and Pistol Association), which is our State's affiliate to the NRA.

They have recently taken steps to address the issues that were within the organization that drove many members away from them, me included. I'm giving them another chance and would hope that other Californian's would do the same.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I've been a lifer since they first came out with the payment prog. which I think was about 15 years ago. I feel they've been the only reason our rights as gun owners have be maintained. Look at the gun rights in the rest of the "world community" that we (not me) have sadly chosen to join.

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SOS USA

way to go my friend!!!

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George Jamison

Welcome aboard. Hopefully the gun buying money you sacrificed for a Life Membership will save the rest of your collection, and the collections of others.

I don't remember excatly when, but I think it was in the early '80's, I was paying off my Life Membership at something like $25 every 3 months and got a letter from NRA saying they would send me a leather jacket with a Life Member patch embroadried on it if I paid off what I owed on my Life Membership in full. I only owed about $150 and similar jackets in my size (XXLT) were selling for twice that price, so guess what I did....

Like me, that jacket has a lot of miles on it, but I still wear it with pride. The only problem I've encounttered while wearing it is that the NRA patch resembles the Marine patch and I hear an occasional "Semper Fi" , to which this ex-Air Force guy responds with a "Ooo-raaa" so as to not embarrass the aging ex-Leatherneck with failing eyesight.

Like others, I don't always agree with the way NRA handles issues, but when I step back and look at the situation from a Constitutional point of view, I can usually understand where they are coming from.

Over the years, I've upgraded my Life Membership level a couple of times, my wife is a Life Member and I've donated Memberships to several members of our Armed Services. Be sure to check out the perks for Life Members on the NRA website. Some of them are pretty good, others not so much.


John

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Age + Treachery = JohnnieB

Welcome, I have been a life member since 1969 as my signature indicates.Glen

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NRA Life 1969
OGCA

Back in 1970 Life Membership went from $100 to $125. So I started the payment plan-$25 down-$25 a calender quarter. Prior to enlisting in Jan. 1971 I went and paid it off. Been a Lifer since 14 Jan. A few years ago upgraded that to Endowment.

I went the EZ Pay plan. Painless and it didn't take long.

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ASA/NSA 67-71
NRA Benefactor

Good on you, David, welcome aboard. In addition to the NRA, I'm also a life member of the GOA - Gun Owners of America - which does a very credible job in keeping Congress aware of our rights - check them out.

Pete (The Oldfella)

Welcome! I've been a lifer for 6 years now. EZ pay makes it simple. I've also gifted a life membership to my nephew.

I finally paid off my life membership in 1966. As I recall I paid $20 or so every quarter until it was paid and it was something of a sacrifice at the time. After 44 years, I think it can officially be called a bargain!

Thank you for your contribution to our cause. I've been a Lifer for many years now, just need to do the easy-pay on my wife, then start on my kids.

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I hope I copied that right

I think Life was $250 when I upgraded back in the early 80's. I did get a free belt buckle at the time. I don't agree with everything they say or do, but are the most powerful lobby we have to protect our gun rights. And, when you have the opportunity, be sure to support the "FRIENDS OF NRA", which hold fund raiser banquets and raffles to provide money for youth shooting sports. Youth shooting sports are the future of gun rights, keep them strong.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I started annual membership in 1967 and upgraded to Life in late '77 or early '78. As others posters have noted, I am not always in complete agreement with what is done, or how the NRA does it. It is however the largest and I think most effective RKBA organization we have.

Good investment, and welcome to the club. The NRA isn't perfect, but it's the 1,000 pound gorilla of lobbying in Washington. In addition to being an endowment member of the NRA, I'm also a Life member of GOA (talk about no compromise on gun rights issues!), and a Life member of LEAA, the Law Enforcement Alliance of America. The latter, a consortium of crime victims, pro-gun citizens and law enforcement officers, is a staunch pro-gun organization and speaks effectively for the probable majority of rank-and-file officers who beg to differ with their often anti-gun politically correct superiors.

All of these organizations need a constant inflow of cash to further their objectives. I'm a member of other pro-gun organizations, but these three seem to have the most clout. The NRA does have more clout than anyone.

Again, glad you have taken that step. Congratulations.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Well, I joined in 1968 and have been paying by the year ever since.

Some people are smarter than others, don't remind me which group I'm in.

Fixed that for you, sir. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I too am a Life Time Member. Welcome to the club David! I do however wish they would get their act together in regards to sending current Life Members letters to join the NRA. I can only imagine how much they could save on paper, printing, ink, postage, etc. in not wasting these materials on MEMBERS! I have actually called them several times to ask why the heck they do this; all I have gotten is - - "sorry Sir", but it does go on. I have learned to ignore it, but it does piss me off!

But like you said Dave, they are not a perfect organization as most aren't, and they are the best we have so we have to support them to the best of our abilities.

chief38

Been a member since the early 70's, Life member since the late 70's. Presently a Patron Member,(felt guilty about all the yrs at such a low price). Heard all the ****, still think it's our best bet to beat the anti's, and can't understand why every gun owner isn't a member!

I was constantly bombarded with mail and talked to one of their field recruiters who advised me to call them and ask not to receive all the bulk mail, it worked and I am able to carry mail from the box to the house without having to stop and rest. Should have learned this sooner, I'm a proud Endowment Life member, having joined in late 1963 as a life member, congratulations David and welcome.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

yup me too as of today im a life time member

Good choice. I paid for my life membership on the quarterly payment plan of $25.00. They are indeed our guardian of maintaining our 2nd Amendment rights and they have won a number of legal decisions in our courts regarding our 2nd Amendment rights. Victory is only won by huge numbers.
Nick

I can’t imagine what this country would be like without the NRA and its members.

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"I also cook."

hobby i went for the same plan too thats a great deal

Welcome aboard. I've been a Life Member since 1975..the original payment plan and I had to have my Company Commander vouch for my honor and integrity in order to get in.

Geoff
Who notes standards have slipped a bit.

I became a life member in 1968, I used to enjoy American Rifleman magazine but switched to American Hunter a few years ago.

I got my Life Membership about 25 years ago and have been upgrading as finances permitted. I finally became a Benefactor Life Member this year and gotta' say the white shield sure looks good in the back window of the truck. I heartily recommend taking advantage of the upgrade program.