"...As for political action, as soon as you play the NRA card with any liberal politician, all meaningful dialog is over, they are simply going to oppose anything the NRA sponsors..." I taught Hunter Education Safety and Ethics for years in one of the most liberal/progressive states in the US. I had to apply to the state and as a condition of acceptance, I had to sign an oath that I would not disparage the state - at any time, under penalty of law. The other condition; successfully complete the NRA Range Safety officer course!
I quit them years ago when all I heard from them was "we need your money. The American Rifleman went to hell in the early sixties.
I am not renewing either. Biggest group of beggars I have ever come across.
I'm not sure what that means, but the NRA is the sum of it's members; isn't it? They don't run on air, either; a group which seeks to affect or protect us from undue burden and legislation must have a lobbying group - as the saying goes, "I didn't make the world, just live in it".
As a member do you not get a say in how it is run?. (Brit here)
Yes, there is an election every year and you select your preference for appointment by ballot. This democratic process is very common in our country and within the NRA there are a lot of members with different interests - hunting, target shooting, self defense, etc....
I've been a gun owner and shooting sports participant all my adult life, and an NRA member. But, my support of the NRA has about come to an end. Although they still do some good work, it has become the kind of power-and-money mud fight that too often happens from well-intended beginnings. As for political action, as soon as you play the NRA card with any liberal politician, all meaningful dialog is over, they are simply going to oppose anything the NRA sponsors. I'm not sure of the answer, but I'll be sending them no more money.
I dropped out of the NRA several years ago. Crucify me if you must but there are 120 million gun owners in this country and 5 million NRA members. It is time to start asking why so many people who love this sport will no longer support the NRA. I joined in 1972 when the organization supported sportsmen. Things have totally changed. Now it all politics and more money for the gun manufacturers. The average guy no longer matters.
It's your personal decision not to support the shooting sports, sportsman and the majority of the 120 million who I suspect own guns for self defense, but don't contribute is duly noted - as is your decision to "Self crucify" - it's a free ride for those who choose not to support the efforts; apparently since 1972 in this case. The organization is the largest advocate of the "collective" shooting sports I am aware of which are, by definition, practiced by sportsmen and women. The NRA is by far, the largest supporter of legal gun ownership and preserving the right to self defense with firearms as well. Yes, funds are used to finance expenses and pay huge salaries to lobbyists - wine and dine, etc., but so are are the groups trying to take your rights - when I I studied business administration, one of the first common rules taught was that monetary compensation is the only known source of motivation; I feel there are exceptions, but that's what they taught. As the old saying goes, "You are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts".