A friend from middle Tennessee called yesterday and asked that question. A Knoxville friend emailed me with the same question. I had been wondering, myself, about that.
There are a few names or issues I will mention, and if you have not been in a cave in Afganistan, you have probably heard about some of these:
"NRA cops a deal on DISCLOSE bill?"
"NRA takes wait and see attitude on Kagan?"
NRA, the 800 lb gorilla in the gun rights world, is a single issue, incumbent friendly organization. As Tom Gresham says, "I get it."
But the Harry Reid that NRA endorsed is the same Harry Reid who voted for Justice Sotomayor, as did Senator Alexander (RINO, Tennessee).
The John McCain that NRA endorsed is the same John McCain who was co-conspirator author of the McCain-Feingold law.
NRA has given the appearance of making a deal on the DISCLOSE act, carving out an exemption for themselves, while leaving smaller gun rights organizations out in the cold. Wayne LaPierre says not so, but I will leave it to you to decide.
Finally, why is there a need to wait to take a stand on Kagan? It now looks like the NRA will score the Kagan vote. But, NRA arm-twisting should have started as soon as she was named. Granted, any nominee proposed by this president is 99.99999% sure to be against us.
Now, if you believe NRA is representing your interest, then contact NRA, and any Board of Directors you are acquainted with, and tell them so.
If, on the other hand, you think the NRA is compromising on too many issues, or not taking a stand where they should, then likewise contact NRA and Board members and make your thoughts known. Be advised, though, you may have difficulty finding Board contact information easily.
Now, if you are not a member of the NRA, then I suggest you join, and make your voice known from the INSIDE. If you decide to, you can go over HERE, and get a $10.00 discount on membership. Scroll down until you see the join NRA button. Join Up. Speak Out. (disclosure - I am an NRA Recruiter)
If you enjoyed or learned from this article, here are more you might like:
A holster with a window? Not for me!
If you live in Knoxville, or Knox County, Tennessee, you may enjoy my short article on Fireworks over at Good Hill Press.
Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gunrights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.
Comments
My suggestion is if you are a member of the NRA leave and join an organization that is not a gun control organization in disguise as NRA has revealed itself to be.
I will be letting my membership go for the second time and they will never, let me repeat that NEVER get another chance from me. I can be betrayed, and have been, for free. Why would I pay the NRA to do it.
My NRA membership expired a couple of months ago. I was thinking about getting the lifetime. The McCain endorsement was though to swallow but the Disclose act betrayal was too much. I just sent my money to GOA. There are a few events/competitions around here that require an NRA membership. I am waiting to hear if GOA is close enough.
With all due respect, trying to change the NRA from inside as a member? I never got replies to any letters or emails I sent with questions or comments positive or negative, just invitations to send more money. I personally saw a C- legislator as honored guest at an NRA fundraiser. A well-informed member pointed out that he had voted for one-gun-a-month. A hasty retreat ensued. The NRA lives by political expediency, not constitutional purism. They may always be the largest organization concerned with the Second Amendment, but they are not the best, and haven't been in a long time. I believe they have been contaminated by proximity to Washington.
Wouldn't it be better to NOT join the NRA if you are not already a member, or NOT renew your membership? Do you really think that if you become a member they will listen to you? I replied to the NRA via an empty membership form telling them that they will not get my money as long as they continue to compromise with Democrats and endorse anti-gun liberals over pro-Second Amendment candidates. The NRA understands one thing: MONEY.
Join the GOA or the SAF. Both are stronger defenders of the 2nd Amendment than the NRA. The only reason the NRA is an 800 lb. gorilla is because of its membership. If the members move en masse to an organization that will properly defend our rights then that org would become the 800 lb. gorilla in the room. It is time to starve out the NRA.
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