Considering joining the NRA

[Barney Gumble]

If someone can't deal with a little extra junk mail for the sake of the cause then they didn't really believe in it in the first place.

Yes it's annoying but people need to suck it up. Many people have fought, suffered and died over the last 233 years to secure our rights. And we can't deal with a little junk mail?

[MasterYong]

If someone can't deal with a little extra junk mail for the sake of the cause then they didn't really believe in it in the first place.

Yes it's annoying but people need to suck it up. Many people have fought, suffered and died over the last 233 years to secure our rights. And we can't deal with a little junk mail?

Since you're directing that comment at me (I made the first reference to the junk mail) I'll respond.

It's not that I "can't deal with a little extra junk mail" it's that I think with the membership fees being so low (about $35/year without the discounts IIRC) it's obvious that the entire membership fee, and then some, is spent soliciting me for life insurance, health insurance, commemorative plates, watches, rings, and other crap that have NOTHING to do with the 2A.

I would prefer that the money I choose to give be spent on the cause, not on paper that I burn in my fireplace. I joined the NRA to support the fight to preserve the 2A, not to have a bunch of crap printed and sent to me.

You're making a big assumption that someone "can't deal with a little extra junk mail". I don't give a rat's arse about the junk mail- but I do about the 2A.

In fact I think anyone that ISN'T bothered by the waste of time, money, and resources spent on soliciting members is the one that's got serious priority issues.

That being said, as I posted before, all I had to do was mention it once in a thread and I was told that you can call and have the junk mail stopped. I did. They did. Etc.

[Barney Gumble]

Since you're directing that comment at me (I made the first reference to the junk mail) I'll respond.

Actually it wasn't directed at you at all, but to the unnamed people in k1dude's post who would drop their membership because they don't like junk mail.

You get my kudos for making the effort to call them and ask them to stop sending it, rather than being a wuss and dropping out.

That said I very much doubt your premise that all those solicitations are costing them money. On the contrary they are probably making a ton of money on it. NRA undoubtedly sells their mailing list just like every other large membership organization and I'm sure it turns them a pretty penny. Due to the size of the membership they may also be able to get their marketing partners to pay up-front fees for specific campaigns. They're an extremely experienced and disciplined marketing organization.

[MasterYong]

Actually it wasn't directed at you at all, but to the unnamed people in k1dude's post who would drop their membership because they don't like junk mail.

You get my kudos for making the effort to call them and ask them to stop sending it, rather than being a wuss and dropping out.

That said I very much doubt your premise that all those solicitations are costing them money. On the contrary they are probably making a ton of money on it. NRA undoubtedly sells their mailing list just like every other large membership organization and I'm sure it turns them a pretty penny. Due to the size of the membership they may also be able to get their marketing partners to pay up-front fees for specific campaigns. They're an extremely experienced and disciplined marketing organization.

Makes sense.

I missed the part about folks literally canceling their membership as a result of the junk mail. You're right about that one: wusses.

Besides, there are other benefits to being a member of the NRA aside from the 2A fight: there are a lot of ranges you can't join unless you're a member, matches you can't compete in, etc. Plus you get a cool hat!

[Lancear15]

Guns stores should require NRA membership just to shop there.

Join damnit.

[WeekendWarrior]

Dont think about joining, just do it! They are on the front lines fighting for gun rights across the country and in your small town! If you are concerned about your 2A rights, the NRA is the best way you could possibly protect them, unless you have a ridiculous amount of money and resources to take unconstitutional laws to court.

[k1dude]

I just want to make it clear that it was conjecture that more people stop donating than continue donating. I have no facts one way or the other. I know it drives me nuts so I want to stop donating to punish the organization. But I never have. I also wasn't talking just about the NRA. I was referring to every organization that asks for donations from churches to veterans organizations to zoo's to cancer research to political party's to the ACLU. It seems if you send money in once, you get bombarded 20 times a month for the rest of your life. It drives me nuts.

[damndave]

Any gun owner should belong to the NRA or at least another organization that supports 2A

[Peter W Bush]

You should do it. Joining was a very proud moment.

[norcal77]

You should do it. Joining was a very proud moment.

I think it's great...especially when you bust it out for a discount at a rental car place or hotel

except for the aggressive junk mail..I think everyone who owns a gun should do it.

[luchador768]

You won't agree with anyone 100% of the time. That's just life. You have to keep your eye on the bigger picture.

NRA is the most effective organization out there supporting gun owners' rights. If you think the right of law abiding citizens to own and use firearms should be protected, then you should be a member of the NRA.

100% I wrongfully assumed that I had a lifetime membership, I rejoined and sent extra $ to make up for 10 years of not being a member.
Peter

[etaon]

And aside from *****ing about the NRA, exactly what is it that they do? I think people should join other 2A orgs, but the NRA is the 800 pound gorilla.

Agreed. When I was considering joining various orgs, I looked around and couldn't find anything GOA has accomplished other than complaining about NRA, (and spending some money on lobbying and maybe supporting a few lawsuits here and there).

If you have some problem with NRA, definitely check out the Second Amendment Foundation. They carry more than their share of the burden, including a number of lawsuits in California in conjunction with the Calguns foundation.

[Peter W Bush]

I think it's great...especially when you bust it out for a discount at a rental car place or hotel

except for the aggressive junk mail..I think everyone who owns a gun should do it.

The greatest is when youre at the bank in the middle of Los Angeles and the teller asks you for 2 forms of ID and you make sure one of them is your NRA card.

[Someoneelseok]

"Considering?" you mean you aren't a member yet?!?

[xzw151]

We have an AW ban, Hi Cap Ban, Roster, the ammo bill on the Gov's desk, 10 day waiting period, CFLC, etc. They ain't getting a dime of my money or my membership till they can show me some results.