NRA - good or bad?

[David]

I've been a member of the NRA a couple of different times. I've since let it expire and have no plans to rejoin. I see them as a money-grubbing organization that only exists to sell product and give certain individuals a high priced salary and benefits while not doing what they claim they exist to do.

For example, my state has a CCW permit. They've had that for decades. But why is a citizen effectively paying for a Constitutional right? Where is the NRA fighting to make my state a Constitutional carry state...which it should be anyway? About a decade or so ago an individual who was handicapped sued the state with a class action lawsuit. It was in regards to the handicap parking placard. The argument was why a person that was handicapped needed to pay the State for a placard. As a result the placard is now free. Same should have been done with CCW decades ago i.e. no payment to the State for a right. Why hasn't the NRA done this? Plenty of time has passed in my State and other states.

Simply as long as there is a 'war' against the 2A they rake in money. Win the war and their cash cow dries up. So they really don't have any real interest in winning the war. A small battle here and there to make the gullible think they're doing something but that's about it.

[Bob]

I have not been a fan or member of the NRA for a decade plus.

Everything you said, plus they do as much harm as good I think sometimes.

[Mac66]

I've been a life member of the NRA since the early 1980s. If I wasn't already I would join again. Yes they screw up from time to time and their money grubbing is irritating. IMO their value is that they are the big dog on the block when it comes to gun rights. Their name carries a lot of weight in congress. When it comes right down to it, they are primarily responsible for protecting our 2A rights since the 1960s. We tend to take that for granted but they've been on the front lines for decades. As I said they are the big dog on the block. At their peak they still only had 4 million members. Imagine what they could/would do if everyone who owns a gun belonged to the NRA!

For those who don't think the NRA does enough...remember they are only as good as their membership. If their membership is active in state politics then they will have a presence. If you want them to do/be better, join, become involved. Instead of saying "what have they done for me" ask yourself "what I have I done to support their efforts". They are after all the big dog on the block.

[Erich]

I have been a member since the mid Eighties, though I dropped out during the Klinton Kapitulation and rejoined after the coup. Honestly, I've been pretty horrified at the nonsense that has been surfacing with their finances over the last couple years and downright disgusted at the money-grubbing that's been going on for the past couple decades (Wayne's Wine Club? Really?) and I was ready to let my membership drop until the NY AG shot her mouth off - then I went and re-enrolled for another five years.

Based on what I've seen I don't think the NRA is trustworthy in the political arena as a guardian of our rights. I'm a member of GOA and SAF for that, and I'd encourage everyone to donate to SAF which really carries the water in terms of supporting lawsuits on behalf of the Second Amendment.

[Mac66]

I have been a member since the mid Eighties, though I dropped out during the Klinton Kapitulation and rejoined after the coup. Honestly, I've been pretty horrified at the nonsense that has been surfacing with their finances over the last couple years and downright disgusted at the money-grubbing that's been going on for the past couple decades (Wayne's Wine Club? Really?) and I was ready to let my membership drop until the NY AG shot her mouth off - then I went and re-enrolled for another five years.

Based on what I've seen I don't think the NRA is trustworthy in the political arena as a guardian of our rights. I'm a member of GOA and SAF for that, and I'd encourage everyone to donate to SAF which really carries the water in terms of supporting lawsuits on behalf of the Second Amendment.

I agree that SAF is the go to for 2A rights lawsuits. I'm a life member and contribute money to support their lawsuits.

As for the NRA, every big organization has it's faults, problems and issues. The NRA is still the big dog on the block. I joined as a life member in the 1980s. Am a NRA pistol/rifle instructor and range officer. There are some discounts and benefits to belonging. Kind of have to be an NRA instructor to teach CPL classes in my state.

[David]

Kind of have to be an NRA instructor to teach CPL classes in my state.

Not to drift the thread too much, in Florida you have several options as far as instructor certifications when teaching CCW classes. One option was to be an FDLE firearms instructor, which I've been since 1996 and taught for my agency (as well as other agencies). I called FDLE a couple of weeks ago to ask about keeping the certification active now that I've retired. Unfortunately, you have to be employed to keep it active i.e. can't renew it when the 4 year renewal comes up. For me, that's March of this year. So I don't think I'll be able to sign the paperwork any longer after March for CCW.

I could do something I'm sure through the USCCA which I'm a member, just haven't looked into it that much. If I have to go through a class or such I'll probably just skip it and stop teaching CCW classes. I didn't do it that often or for $ anyway. And haven't taught one since I retired.

[Erich]

That makes sense. I jumped through the NRA instructor hoops back in college, right before FL changed its law to "shall issue" (I had an IN pink slip at the time, which required $20, a trip to the copshop and no felonies. Indiana has some shortcomings, but CCW isn't one of them. ).

[Mac66]

Well I was taught shooting by NRA instructors in the police academy in the mid 1970s. I was impressed by those guys and joined the NRA as a yearly member shortly after being hired. In the early 80's I joined as a life member ($300) and paid on the installment plan.

The requirements in Michigan to teach the CPL class is that you have/had to be an instructor certified by a recognized national or state wide organization. At the time the NRA was the only one. A couple state wide organizations have since popped up but they charge the same amount for instructor certification so there's really no benefit in doing it through them. Not to mention that the state requires the class be based on the NRA's Personal Protection in the Home class. You don't necessarily have to teach the NRA's PPIH class or be NRA certified anymore but all the elements are what it's based on.

I only teach the CPL class to friends and family so I don't make any money doing it.

[Gnepig]

This is a good question, I ask this of my boss about 2 years ago and his response was similar to Mac, "Up or down they are what we have, without them all of America would be like Chicago and NY city".

Been a member since 2002, sent them my app and cash for another 3 years last week...