I believe you're reading between the lines with your own interpretation,
but you're not reading what posters wrote.
Your Thoughts on the NRA Today?
- Thread starter JeffKnox
- Start date
- Status
I believe you're reading between the lines with your own interpretation,
but you're not reading what posters wrote.
There's very good reason for past NRA members are currently skeptical, mainly the result of past leaderships' skimming ways.
Life Member here for many years, nothing from me until a reduced number of BOD's installed absent past directors that clearly understand their responsibilities leading the NRA and prove it for awhile.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
We live in an age where Selena Gomez has 500 million followers on Instagram. And yes - they vote. The creaky old NRA with 4 million members and enormous overhead in staff and mailing costs has become a paper tiger.
I've been an on/off member for 50 years, mostly on but completely off the last 4 years.
I'll bet the average age of the membership has been climbing steadily as we age and no new members join. I interact with younger shooters every week at the range. I don't know a single one who is an NRA member.
Its time for the NRA to rethink, revamp, or retire from the field.
I've been an on/off member for 50 years, mostly on but completely off the last 4 years.
I'll bet the average age of the membership has been climbing steadily as we age and no new members join. I interact with younger shooters every week at the range. I don't know a single one who is an NRA member.
Its time for the NRA to rethink, revamp, or retire from the field.
Last edited:
Jeff, Allow me to say thank you for making this effort to listen to views of members here. After reading the various comments, I trust you know the views expressed are not a finger pointed at you. To the contrary, we are saying thank you for caring enough to ask our opinions. Healing starts by expressing what is hurting us. Thanks for listening. You have started that Healing.
Grayfox
US Veteran
Mr. Knox, reading through this thread it should be obvious that the members here feel that the NRA has betrayed us by compromising and lining your own pockets. Regaining our trust will be extremely difficult and will require serious action.
WLP may be gone, but many of the board members who allowed his actions to happen are still there. Many are just as culpable as he was. Members here have almost universally commented that the board is far too big and only have their own self interests at heart. A major house cleaning is in order. Frankly, I doubt it will happen as the current board would never allow it.
Here's my proposal, since the NRA loves spending money on mailing letters to its members, how about you mail each member a ballot with questions as to if they want the board reduced in size as well as other topics as referred to in this thread. Let the members decide and set the goals and direction for the future. That would be a good start in regaining our trust.
However, failure to do so would signal that nothing is going to change and its gonna just be business as usual for the NRA.
Frankly Sir, we need to see some real change before we'll trust you again. Have you got the balls for it?
WLP may be gone, but many of the board members who allowed his actions to happen are still there. Many are just as culpable as he was. Members here have almost universally commented that the board is far too big and only have their own self interests at heart. A major house cleaning is in order. Frankly, I doubt it will happen as the current board would never allow it.
Here's my proposal, since the NRA loves spending money on mailing letters to its members, how about you mail each member a ballot with questions as to if they want the board reduced in size as well as other topics as referred to in this thread. Let the members decide and set the goals and direction for the future. That would be a good start in regaining our trust.
However, failure to do so would signal that nothing is going to change and its gonna just be business as usual for the NRA.
Frankly Sir, we need to see some real change before we'll trust you again. Have you got the balls for it?
I've been a Benefactor life for more years than I can remember. I started questioning some of the NRA's compromises way back when your old man was doing battle with them. I still gave them $$ but haven't in the last few years because I didn't think Wayne needed another new suit. I still think there needs to be a little house cleaning and I plan on waiting to see how things are being handled before I send anymore of my pension money to them.
They need to regain some credibility with me and the rest of the membership and that may take some time and honest rhetoric.
They need to regain some credibility with me and the rest of the membership and that may take some time and honest rhetoric.
1. Are you a current or past NRA member? Current
2. Have you rejoined or are you financially contributing to the NRA now, or planning to do so in the near future? yes financially contribute.
5. What internal issues (in priority order) do you think the NRA Board most urgently needs to address?
The NRA needs to be financially more responsible and transparent with donations and expenditures .
Unless there is some compelling legal reason, get out of New York NOW. This should have been done long ago. Any money spent defending the NRA against its state of incorporation is wasted. It does not support the mission of the organization. I continue to support the NRA because there is no perfect organization and it has been effective in the past. It needs to regain its political power and cannot do that while spending money to defend itself against self inflicted infractions.
2. Have you rejoined or are you financially contributing to the NRA now, or planning to do so in the near future? yes financially contribute.
5. What internal issues (in priority order) do you think the NRA Board most urgently needs to address?
The NRA needs to be financially more responsible and transparent with donations and expenditures .
Unless there is some compelling legal reason, get out of New York NOW. This should have been done long ago. Any money spent defending the NRA against its state of incorporation is wasted. It does not support the mission of the organization. I continue to support the NRA because there is no perfect organization and it has been effective in the past. It needs to regain its political power and cannot do that while spending money to defend itself against self inflicted infractions.
Are you an NRA member
I am and have been a member for several decades. I also am a "Golden Eagle". I will continue to contribute to all supporters of the 2nd amendment.
I am and have been a member for several decades. I also am a "Golden Eagle". I will continue to contribute to all supporters of the 2nd amendment.
revolver4954
Member
1. Life member of NRA and TSRA.
2.Have contributed $$ in the past but not for several years.
3. N/A
4. Will see how the NRA.2 actually evolves. Encouraged by the new EVP/CEO and reformist Board members.
5. Believe the Board is way too large to be effective in providing oversight to management.
DWL
2.Have contributed $$ in the past but not for several years.
3. N/A
4. Will see how the NRA.2 actually evolves. Encouraged by the new EVP/CEO and reformist Board members.
5. Believe the Board is way too large to be effective in providing oversight to management.
DWL
NRA
I was a life member till they lost be back in the 90s or so. I did make donations for a while, and ever sprung for a 5-year membership while they said they were resurrecting my life membership. Never happened, so I guess I am no longer a member. Not going to spring for a new life membership at my age-I am the same age as our president; however, I can walk, chew gum and mumble all at the same time.
I was a life member till they lost be back in the 90s or so. I did make donations for a while, and ever sprung for a 5-year membership while they said they were resurrecting my life membership. Never happened, so I guess I am no longer a member. Not going to spring for a new life membership at my age-I am the same age as our president; however, I can walk, chew gum and mumble all at the same time.
- Joined
- May 11, 2024
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 3
I'm a long-time (over 40 years) PAST member of the NRA.
I now financially support GOA and FPC. $100 per year to each.
I'm done with the NRA. They overspent donor funds for too many years, and refused to listen to the people who supported them. They refused to initiate lawsuits against CLEAR Second Amendment violations. They did nothing for YEARS but fund the extravagant lifestyles of a few.
As far as I'm concerned the NRA is defunct.
I now financially support GOA and FPC. $100 per year to each.
I'm done with the NRA. They overspent donor funds for too many years, and refused to listen to the people who supported them. They refused to initiate lawsuits against CLEAR Second Amendment violations. They did nothing for YEARS but fund the extravagant lifestyles of a few.
As far as I'm concerned the NRA is defunct.
Last edited by a moderator:
lawandorder
Member
Life member for years .
Have donated a bit when I could.
Turned off the tap after learned donations were supporting the lavish lifestyle of a certain individual.
Quote the raven never more.
He did a tremendous amount of damage to a great organization.
It will take a long time to recover the reputation and trust if it ever can
be.
Have donated a bit when I could.
Turned off the tap after learned donations were supporting the lavish lifestyle of a certain individual.
Quote the raven never more.
He did a tremendous amount of damage to a great organization.
It will take a long time to recover the reputation and trust if it ever can
be.
My wife andI are Benefactor membersfor a long time. Now and for years we've been most disappointed. What's the membership? Wheredid our clout go?
Sure membership is down and we all know why.
Hope things change for the better, but I'm not convinced.
Sure membership is down and we all know why.
Hope things change for the better, but I'm not convinced.
rmbrad
Member
1). I have been a life member for 40 years and an Endowment Life member for 10 years.
2). My contributions have been as an NRA instructor, and NRA/USAShooting appointed Olympic Pistol Coach but not direct monetary contributions to the NRA.
3). NA.
4). I was made aware of some of the things that Wonderful Wayne was doing around the time that USA Shooting took over being the Governing board for Olympic shooting from the NRA in 1994. I hoped that as the word got out things would get better, they didn't. That is when I started answering every call from the NRA with: " Not one red cent more until Wonderful Wayne is gone". Even though he is now history, I will not contribute to the NRA until they start showing me they are doing things to right the ship. My money is going to Gun Owners of America.
5). The first thing that the NRA needs to do is a forensic audit done by an outside source. The results of this audit needs to be made public to the members. I know that there were some underhanded dealings with the outside supplies that Wonderful Wayne negotiated. These contracts need to be evaluated by an outside source and the findings made public to the members. Any of the members of the board of directors that had knowledge of or participated in these deals needs to be removed. The Board of Directors needs to be reduced to 25 members and maybe have some term limits. on the Executive members. Back when I was teaching NRA classes and Coaching pistol, dealing with the NRA employees was like dealing with Washington bureaucrats. The attitude needs to be changed. And now to pick a nit. Why are all of the "Free gifts" that are used to get people to join or upgrade they membership all made in China? I have several knives and a ranch coat that are made in China. You would think that the NRA could find some "Made in the USA" products for these "Free Gifts".
6). The NRA is going to have to do some work to win back the trust of the members. There is going to have to be some public bloodletting involved. Wonderful Wayne didn't do the things he did without anyone else knowing what was happening and letting it continue for years. You have a lot of work to do and I wish you good luck.
2). My contributions have been as an NRA instructor, and NRA/USAShooting appointed Olympic Pistol Coach but not direct monetary contributions to the NRA.
3). NA.
4). I was made aware of some of the things that Wonderful Wayne was doing around the time that USA Shooting took over being the Governing board for Olympic shooting from the NRA in 1994. I hoped that as the word got out things would get better, they didn't. That is when I started answering every call from the NRA with: " Not one red cent more until Wonderful Wayne is gone". Even though he is now history, I will not contribute to the NRA until they start showing me they are doing things to right the ship. My money is going to Gun Owners of America.
5). The first thing that the NRA needs to do is a forensic audit done by an outside source. The results of this audit needs to be made public to the members. I know that there were some underhanded dealings with the outside supplies that Wonderful Wayne negotiated. These contracts need to be evaluated by an outside source and the findings made public to the members. Any of the members of the board of directors that had knowledge of or participated in these deals needs to be removed. The Board of Directors needs to be reduced to 25 members and maybe have some term limits. on the Executive members. Back when I was teaching NRA classes and Coaching pistol, dealing with the NRA employees was like dealing with Washington bureaucrats. The attitude needs to be changed. And now to pick a nit. Why are all of the "Free gifts" that are used to get people to join or upgrade they membership all made in China? I have several knives and a ranch coat that are made in China. You would think that the NRA could find some "Made in the USA" products for these "Free Gifts".
6). The NRA is going to have to do some work to win back the trust of the members. There is going to have to be some public bloodletting involved. Wonderful Wayne didn't do the things he did without anyone else knowing what was happening and letting it continue for years. You have a lot of work to do and I wish you good luck.
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2005
- Messages
- 9,336
- Reaction score
- 11,606
Certainly among the best posts here; good job.
Jeff, you asked us to be brutally honest, and many have been so. And let me state that I appreciate you willing to at least listen.
In my previous post, I was brutally honest. I need to share one more thing that tended to cause me some concern.
During the past five or so years, I was somewhat shocked over the amount of money paid to several of the board members under the category of "consulting fees"...amounts of which were sometimes two or three times what the annual salary of an average person would be. Exempli gratia, two hundred fifty thousand dollars, four hundred thousand dollars, six hundred thousand dollars. Granted, consultants and lobbyists do cost money, but I think this is just one other thing that shook the trust of some members.
In my previous post, I was brutally honest. I need to share one more thing that tended to cause me some concern.
During the past five or so years, I was somewhat shocked over the amount of money paid to several of the board members under the category of "consulting fees"...amounts of which were sometimes two or three times what the annual salary of an average person would be. Exempli gratia, two hundred fifty thousand dollars, four hundred thousand dollars, six hundred thousand dollars. Granted, consultants and lobbyists do cost money, but I think this is just one other thing that shook the trust of some members.
Last edited:
Father was a lifelong member, I was a member for 30 years. No longer a member.
It is abundantly clear that the fight for 2A rights is through the courts. I came across Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and have a $10/mo ongoing contribution for several years now. They are doing the work that the NRA should've been doing. It's shocking the contrast between what they do and what NRA does for 2A. I feel so betrayed by the NRA.
The NRA is a marketing machine with the primary purpose of sucking money from me. FPC is no-frills and takes the fight right to those who would see us disarmed.
It is abundantly clear that the fight for 2A rights is through the courts. I came across Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and have a $10/mo ongoing contribution for several years now. They are doing the work that the NRA should've been doing. It's shocking the contrast between what they do and what NRA does for 2A. I feel so betrayed by the NRA.
The NRA is a marketing machine with the primary purpose of sucking money from me. FPC is no-frills and takes the fight right to those who would see us disarmed.
Folks, I'm going to respond honestly. I'm a lifetime firearms owner and user, but I'm neither inclined to Republican views nor a big fan of the NRA. It's hard for me to post sometimes because I am very much in the middle when it comes to many firearms issues, and stating any unpopular opinion tends to get very extreme replies.
But the gent asked for very honest responses. Here are mine, and I appreciate your respecting them.
1. Are you a current or past NRA member?
I was a member for years. I stopped renewing in the late 80s. The reason was that before that time, the NRA was involved in more honest discussions of firearms issues, but over time they simply adopted a policy of refusing and blocking any changes in firearms laws. It appears to me that they are no longer part of the effort to find solutions.
2. Have you rejoined or are you financially contributing to the NRA now, or planning to do so in the near future?
Not under the current policy positions of the NRA.
4. If not, what is holding you back? (Please be as specific and brutally honest as you can. We need to understand your issues.)
Why not? Because I believe that the Supreme Court interpreted the Second Amendment incorrectly and that there should indeed be some limitations and qualifications for firearm ownership. The NRA has resisted every effort to take moderate new steps like background checks and has resisted red flag laws, which I believe are both an exercise in common sense, and very important. Unless the NRA becomes involved in actions to improve national record keeping about firearms, supports ways to keep firearms out of the hands of those who should not own them, and accepts the fact that society is changing and firearms play a different role than they did more than 200 years ago, I don't plan to support the NRA.
5. What internal issues (in priority order) do you think the NRA Board most urgently needs to address?
I'm glad that the financial malfeasance has been uncovered and that sincere NRA member donations can be put to better use. NRA heeded a house cleaning. Now it needs to become engaged in real ways to reduce firearms deaths rather than blocking all new ideas.
I don't apologize for my views being different than many others here, but I hope that those who read this realize that I am simply stating my position. It's a valid one even if we may disagree. Please recognize that I'm one of the millions of firearms owners who do own and use guns, but who are deeply concerned about finding new ways and new laws to reduce firearms deaths in the US.
But the gent asked for very honest responses. Here are mine, and I appreciate your respecting them.
1. Are you a current or past NRA member?
I was a member for years. I stopped renewing in the late 80s. The reason was that before that time, the NRA was involved in more honest discussions of firearms issues, but over time they simply adopted a policy of refusing and blocking any changes in firearms laws. It appears to me that they are no longer part of the effort to find solutions.
2. Have you rejoined or are you financially contributing to the NRA now, or planning to do so in the near future?
Not under the current policy positions of the NRA.
4. If not, what is holding you back? (Please be as specific and brutally honest as you can. We need to understand your issues.)
Why not? Because I believe that the Supreme Court interpreted the Second Amendment incorrectly and that there should indeed be some limitations and qualifications for firearm ownership. The NRA has resisted every effort to take moderate new steps like background checks and has resisted red flag laws, which I believe are both an exercise in common sense, and very important. Unless the NRA becomes involved in actions to improve national record keeping about firearms, supports ways to keep firearms out of the hands of those who should not own them, and accepts the fact that society is changing and firearms play a different role than they did more than 200 years ago, I don't plan to support the NRA.
5. What internal issues (in priority order) do you think the NRA Board most urgently needs to address?
I'm glad that the financial malfeasance has been uncovered and that sincere NRA member donations can be put to better use. NRA heeded a house cleaning. Now it needs to become engaged in real ways to reduce firearms deaths rather than blocking all new ideas.
I don't apologize for my views being different than many others here, but I hope that those who read this realize that I am simply stating my position. It's a valid one even if we may disagree. Please recognize that I'm one of the millions of firearms owners who do own and use guns, but who are deeply concerned about finding new ways and new laws to reduce firearms deaths in the US.
Last edited:
sigp220.45
US Veteran
I'm back for one more point.
I know guys who scrimped and saved and denied themselves and their faimilies things so they could be "Life Members" or some higher tier.
You took their kid's Christmas money and bought suits and vacations with your girlfriends.
Shame on you all at the NRA.
I know guys who scrimped and saved and denied themselves and their faimilies things so they could be "Life Members" or some higher tier.
You took their kid's Christmas money and bought suits and vacations with your girlfriends.
Shame on you all at the NRA.
NRA going forward
I have been an NRA member since about 1976, life for about last 10 years. I haven't contributed lately and will wait on changes before doing so. I liked the "I am the NRA" ad campaign and think it should be restarted. I almost quit when LaPierre came out with the "jack-booted government thugs" comment regarding Waco and David Koresh. I don't want to be associated with defending anti-government child molesters. I don't like supporting such items as bump stocks and Glock switches. The NRA needs to lead the charge for incarcerating convicted criminals who commit crimes with firearms. A good percentage of gun crimes are committed by repeat offenders. Bail reform should include increasing bail for violent offenders. Again, the NRA should be leading the charge to remove violent bad actors from society.
I have been an NRA member since about 1976, life for about last 10 years. I haven't contributed lately and will wait on changes before doing so. I liked the "I am the NRA" ad campaign and think it should be restarted. I almost quit when LaPierre came out with the "jack-booted government thugs" comment regarding Waco and David Koresh. I don't want to be associated with defending anti-government child molesters. I don't like supporting such items as bump stocks and Glock switches. The NRA needs to lead the charge for incarcerating convicted criminals who commit crimes with firearms. A good percentage of gun crimes are committed by repeat offenders. Bail reform should include increasing bail for violent offenders. Again, the NRA should be leading the charge to remove violent bad actors from society.
I am a Life Member of NRA. I do not currently contribute to the NRA, but have in the past. I did not want to fund WLP lavish lifestyle. His leaving is a start. But many of those board members who allowed and condoned him and his lavish spending are still there. They failed to act, and were it not for the NY AG lawsuit, he would still be there.
The NRA affiliate in Florida has been active in supporting gun control in the state, opposing open carry. Absolutely unforgivable! (Florida is one of a handful of states that essentially bans open carry.)
Clean out the board room. Send Marion Hammer to join WLP. Then you will get my financial support.
JeffKnox, I wish you the best of luck. We need the NRA to be strong, powerful, member supporting organization. Sadly, it currently is not.
The NRA affiliate in Florida has been active in supporting gun control in the state, opposing open carry. Absolutely unforgivable! (Florida is one of a handful of states that essentially bans open carry.)
Clean out the board room. Send Marion Hammer to join WLP. Then you will get my financial support.
JeffKnox, I wish you the best of luck. We need the NRA to be strong, powerful, member supporting organization. Sadly, it currently is not.
Last edited:
They're doing the right thing
The 'new' folks in charge at NRA are doing it right. I wasn't much interested in continuing to support them until I saw WHAT and HOW they are doing it: they are doing the kinds of things I would, if I were part of the management.
So, I re-upped. They want to fight to protect my rights and my country, so I will help.
The 'new' folks in charge at NRA are doing it right. I wasn't much interested in continuing to support them until I saw WHAT and HOW they are doing it: they are doing the kinds of things I would, if I were part of the management.
So, I re-upped. They want to fight to protect my rights and my country, so I will help.
Annual member for a LONG time. A lot of dinner money, etc. given to politician's to influence their thought's on legislation for the 2nd Amendment. Those day's are GONE. It is lawyer up time in America. Take them to court if they dot the i wrong in a bill to infringe on our right's. GOA is doing a EXCELLENT job. Merge with them.
NRA today
#1 - I've been a member for 40+ years, currently an Endowment member.
#2 - For the last several years I didn't donate any extra. This year I have donated again. Also donated to Gun Owners of America, FPC, 2nd Amendment Association & Rocky Mountain Gun Owners.
#3 - Getting LaPierre out and some other positive steps made me decide to donate again.
#4 - NA
#5 - Do more with less. Less staff, less mailing asking for money, less phone call center calls asking for money. I'm very tired of getting almost daily letters asking for more money. Fight for our rights....no compromise.
#1 - I've been a member for 40+ years, currently an Endowment member.
#2 - For the last several years I didn't donate any extra. This year I have donated again. Also donated to Gun Owners of America, FPC, 2nd Amendment Association & Rocky Mountain Gun Owners.
#3 - Getting LaPierre out and some other positive steps made me decide to donate again.
#4 - NA
#5 - Do more with less. Less staff, less mailing asking for money, less phone call center calls asking for money. I'm very tired of getting almost daily letters asking for more money. Fight for our rights....no compromise.
I am a Benefactor Member and NRA Instructor, joining in 1970. I'm thrilled that we've finally rid the association of Wayne and his acolytes, it's been too long in coming. Now we should do something about reducing the size of the Board of Directors. Most corporate boards are a fraction of it's size. We don't need a bunch of directors just because they are celebrities or politicians.
I have continued to financially support the NRA but only the ILA. I think that they should spend money fighting Washington and not on postage for Win a Gun/Truck promotions. I hope Wayne enjoyed the suits and private plane rides I paid for.
I try to look at the big picture and see the good things done by the NRA over the years. Maybe we can get back to what we were before money and power corrupted the association's leaders. Our new officers have a lot to do to convince the rank and file members that things will be different.
I would like to thank you Jeff what you did, you'd make your father proud.
I have continued to financially support the NRA but only the ILA. I think that they should spend money fighting Washington and not on postage for Win a Gun/Truck promotions. I hope Wayne enjoyed the suits and private plane rides I paid for.
I try to look at the big picture and see the good things done by the NRA over the years. Maybe we can get back to what we were before money and power corrupted the association's leaders. Our new officers have a lot to do to convince the rank and file members that things will be different.
I would like to thank you Jeff what you did, you'd make your father proud.
We Tried Being Reasonable
I appreciate your honest views, and I know it's challenging to hold views different from the majority within a group.
As you might expect, I strongly disagree with your position.
I have been involved in the gun rights war for my entire life, with my father being one of the early activists in the field.
The reason we (gun owners) won't be "reasonable," is because we tried that for years, and every time, we were stabbed in the back.
Lyndon Johnson said something like: "You don't judge a law by the good it would do if properly administrated, but rather by the harm it could do if improperly administrated."
If you and I were in charge of enforcing and administering the "commonsense" laws that you are advocating, gun owners would have nothing to worry about. But you and I don't get to do that. Bureaucrats who have nothing but enmity for guns and gun owners are the ones who administer and enforce these laws, and they have ALWAYS used them to the detriment of responsible gun owners. It's way easier (and safer) to pursue and prosecute regular gun owners than it is to pursue and prosecute real criminals.
The NRA was "reasonable" in not strongly opposing the NFA in 1934, and compromising on the GCA in 1968, and in agreeing to the Brady Bill, with the transition to NICS, in 1993. In every case, the anti-gun politicians and bureaucrats used those laws to come after regular gun owners.
Universal background checks are only "universal" when applied to regular, law-abiding gun owners. Red flag laws specifically target guns, ignoring other threats and due process, and judges have demonstrated an attitude of being more willing to "suspend" a person's gun rights, than they are to suspend a person's drivers license. Every state has laws allowing a court -- or a regular street cop -- to require a person to be held for a 72-hour mental health evaluation. That takes the person away from guns, cars, knives, flammables, etc., and provides them with mental health support, and an opportunity for due process. It's a much more invasive and burdensome action all around, but if a person is a serious threat to themself or others, it's a much more reasonable response than banging on their door and demanding their firearms, then just leaving.
At the risk of appearing self-serving, I would encourage you to read "Neal Knox: The Gun Rights War." It is a compilation of my father's writings from the mid-1960s to the early 2000s. In it you can see the progression of the fight, and the slow shift in attitudes over the years. Even Dad, who was considered a "no compromise" extremist by many on the NRA Board of Directors, started out trying to be "reasonable." I believe the Kindle version is available on Amazon for a dollar.
Again, thank you for your comment. I will take your viewpoint into consideration, and I hope the folks here don't beat you up too badly over your honesty.
-- Jeff
I appreciate your honest views, and I know it's challenging to hold views different from the majority within a group.
As you might expect, I strongly disagree with your position.
I have been involved in the gun rights war for my entire life, with my father being one of the early activists in the field.
The reason we (gun owners) won't be "reasonable," is because we tried that for years, and every time, we were stabbed in the back.
Lyndon Johnson said something like: "You don't judge a law by the good it would do if properly administrated, but rather by the harm it could do if improperly administrated."
If you and I were in charge of enforcing and administering the "commonsense" laws that you are advocating, gun owners would have nothing to worry about. But you and I don't get to do that. Bureaucrats who have nothing but enmity for guns and gun owners are the ones who administer and enforce these laws, and they have ALWAYS used them to the detriment of responsible gun owners. It's way easier (and safer) to pursue and prosecute regular gun owners than it is to pursue and prosecute real criminals.
The NRA was "reasonable" in not strongly opposing the NFA in 1934, and compromising on the GCA in 1968, and in agreeing to the Brady Bill, with the transition to NICS, in 1993. In every case, the anti-gun politicians and bureaucrats used those laws to come after regular gun owners.
Universal background checks are only "universal" when applied to regular, law-abiding gun owners. Red flag laws specifically target guns, ignoring other threats and due process, and judges have demonstrated an attitude of being more willing to "suspend" a person's gun rights, than they are to suspend a person's drivers license. Every state has laws allowing a court -- or a regular street cop -- to require a person to be held for a 72-hour mental health evaluation. That takes the person away from guns, cars, knives, flammables, etc., and provides them with mental health support, and an opportunity for due process. It's a much more invasive and burdensome action all around, but if a person is a serious threat to themself or others, it's a much more reasonable response than banging on their door and demanding their firearms, then just leaving.
At the risk of appearing self-serving, I would encourage you to read "Neal Knox: The Gun Rights War." It is a compilation of my father's writings from the mid-1960s to the early 2000s. In it you can see the progression of the fight, and the slow shift in attitudes over the years. Even Dad, who was considered a "no compromise" extremist by many on the NRA Board of Directors, started out trying to be "reasonable." I believe the Kindle version is available on Amazon for a dollar.
Again, thank you for your comment. I will take your viewpoint into consideration, and I hope the folks here don't beat you up too badly over your honesty.
-- Jeff
Thoughts
I've only been a life member for a few years. I would not donate money to the NRA again until I was convinced that the NRA was moving in the right direction. I have been donating to GOA and to a California organization. As far as I'm concerned, the biggest change needed, going forward, is a reduction in the size of the Board by 2/3 or more and term limits. Ideally, we should start with a new Board of 25 or so.
I've only been a life member for a few years. I would not donate money to the NRA again until I was convinced that the NRA was moving in the right direction. I have been donating to GOA and to a California organization. As far as I'm concerned, the biggest change needed, going forward, is a reduction in the size of the Board by 2/3 or more and term limits. Ideally, we should start with a new Board of 25 or so.
- Status
