What does the NRA do for us in CA?

[jnojr]

Seriously.

Put aside the "they hold the line everywhere else". True, and great... but the line isn't so hot for us.

I don't see the NRA doing anything in CA except trying to get members and squeeze them for donations.

I'm thinking that, if all CA NRA and CRPA members were to stop supporting those groups and instead look into Gun Owners of CA, Gun Owners of America, CCRKBA / SAF, JPFO, etc. we could send a strong message.

[McMadCow]

Well, speaking as a San Franciscan who had his rights violated by the hypocritical voters in his city, the NRA got into court the very next day and issued the legal challenge to Prop H. They also worked out pushing back enforcement till March 1.
I agree with you that they have a pretty poor record until recently when it comes to RKBA issues- especially in CA- but with the tide turning in favor of gun owners all over, I think we'll see them become bolder with their action. So yeah, the NRA isn't great, but they're improving and they're certainly the best we've got for now.

[50 Freak]

Also look at the whole picture. After the New Orleans crap, who was it that went in and stopped the gun confiscations and got the mayor and police chief to back down.

The NRA isn't that much of a political group in CA, but if we start supporting them more. They will be forced to in return support us more.

[losangeles]

I'm happy with the way the NRA does its job nationwide. It's a tough battle here in Cali but the NRA is our main hope for support.

[jnojr]

Well, speaking as a San Franciscan who had his rights violated by the hypocritical voters in his city, the NRA got into court the very next day and issued the legal challenge to Prop H. They also worked out pushing back enforcement till March 1.

That was a slam-dunk. Everyone lined up to file suit against Prop H, because they know it will be beaten in court.

Maybe I should rephrase... "When does the NRA ever stick their necks out, even a little, in CA?" I have never seen them attach their name to anything with a chance of losing. And since any pro-gun effort has some chance of losing, and all anti-gun efforts have a great chance of succeeding... the NRA, in turn, doesn't do a whole heck of a lot.

Those NRA-ILA "Alerts" have had something about CA once that I can recall, and it was something stupid.

[jnojr]

The NRA isn't that much of a political group in CA, but if we start supporting them more. They will be forced to in return support us more.

How so?

I have a vague recollection that there is a disproportionately high number of NRA members in CA. Even if they don't... CA has over 10% of the nations population, so statistically we have over 10%, or... what? 300,000+? NRA members. What is the NRA doing for their 300,000+ California members? How many more would there have to be before they were "forced" or willing to act?

[jnojr]

I'm happy with the way the NRA does its job nationwide. It's a tough battle here in Cali but the NRA is our main hope for support.

So... our "main hope for support" does little to nothing, and your response is to shrug and say "But they're doing a great job for everyone else!"?

If the NRA truly is "our main hope for support", then the fight is already over in CA.

[50 Freak]

10% of the nations population, so statistically we have over 10%, or... what? 300,000+? NRA members

Yeah if you count in illegals who do not vote and do not join the NRA.

[jnojr]

Yeah if you count in illegals who do not vote and do not join the NRA.

California has about 35,000,000 residents. Sure, there are millions more illegals, but still...

[Supernam]

First of all, you should be asking what do you do for yourself. Secondly, you should send complaints to the NRA and not bicker amongst yourselves here.

Has everyone here signed and sent in one of THESE?

Have you all personally sent an e-mail, letter, or made a phone call to the NRA to tell them that CA needs their help?

[50BMGBOB]

I belong to several groups inclueding the NRA.Their web page http://nramemberscouncils.com/legs.shtml is a great place to track what is going on in CA with who and how to contact the people who are working the bills. Today it still has last years stuff but as the new session starts it will be up dating regularly. Any group is only as strong as it's grassroots! If you think that having a card in your wallet is all the supporta group needs then you are mistaken. At the vary least you have to stay informed and vote! Contacting the law makers, showing up at public meetings, writing the editor, recruiting, petitions and getting new shooters thru teaching all help to. You notice I didn't even mention money. If you aren't doing those things then the people that are doing them will be deciding where to spend it anyways and it may not be where you want it. This is true with what ever group you join. If they aren't doing enough for you, then what have you done for them? Unless you have far more money to buy influence than I do you will get a lot farther with time than money!

[shopkeep]

My feeling on this is that RKBA will pass. It will NOT pass quite yet though, first they're going to have to make individual ownership of firearms illegal in California. The average American simply DOES NOT have the motivation to participate politically unless FORCED to do so.

Most gun owners in California are more interested in what's on the newest episode of their favorite FOX or WB40 sitcom than what's new in Gun Control or RKBA. Take away their guns and then when they can no longer legally enjoy their hobby they will have to help to get them back.

Take San Francisco... all kinds of oppressive local ordinances have been enacted for years. There are only 10 CCWs in all of San Francisco County!!! That means most retired law enforcement officers DO NOT have CCWs! But wow... now that handguns get banned people actually care!

We also need to cut out this moving out of state crap. Sure, it's easy to relocate and about 4 or 5 hardcore gun owners do that for every hardcore Bill Weise we have that stays and gets something done. I am NOT going to let a couple of gun grabbing politicians decide where I can and can't live.

[akjunkie]

personally i dont think the NRA has done to much for californians. i didnt bother re-newing my membership when it expired.

however, i am a current member of the CRPA (California Rifle Pistol Association) i think they do more for us natives than the NRA.

in my opinion, i think the NRA feels that California is a lost cause so why bother.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

Even if the NRA did nothing on the political and legal fronts in California I would still support them for all of the work they do in shooter education, training and competition. That is the primary purpose of the NRA.

But how can you say they aren't doing anything for California? They are always sending out emails to let me know about upcoming California and San Francisco legislation. Their always sending me lists of names and addresses of legislators to write to and call and they even include pre-printed post cards for those folks who can't be bothered to write their own letters.

Who contacted me asking for help handing out "No on Proposition H" fliers last November and who gave me the fliers to hand out?

Was it the CRPA? Nope.
Was it the GOC? Nope.

It was the NRA.

If California NRA members are less interested in writing letters or showing up at hearings to protest legislation than NRA members in other states, don't blame the whole NRA for that. Just blame California NRA members.

What is the NRA supposed to do, threaten California polititions that they won't get any votes from Texas during the next California election?

And taking on our crazy gun laws in court could have been disasterous. The NRA would have a hard time winning with Calfornia's liberal courts. And if they fought the laws all the way up to the US Supreme Court, they risked loosing and setting a precident that would screw the whole country. Now that the Supreme Court may be turning more conservative, the NRA will have more incentive to take on California gun laws.

[shopkeep]

And taking on our crazy gun laws in court could have been disasterous. The NRA would have a hard time winning with Calfornia's liberal courts. And if they fought the laws all the way up to the US Supreme Court, they risked loosing and setting a precident that would screw the whole country. Now that the Supreme Court may be turning more conservative, the NRA will have more incentive to take on California gun laws.

I agree completely here, Shall Issue and Gun UNcontrol are taking the country by storm! Technically speaking on gun issues California is moving backwards and the rest of the country is moving in a different direction. With a more conservative federal court system it is not only inevitable people will challange the PRK there, but it will look like a backwards state when it does get challanged there. The VAST majority of Americans now live in Shall Issue states and Shall Issue is becomming a normal part of American Society. In time, victory will be ours... buy like I said we'll have to lose a lot more first (and of course get MORE LOWERS HAHAH!)