NRA

[Dustin Cantrell]

I hope I don't get flamed or attacked for this, but I have some questions about the NRA. I am NOT attacking the NRA.

This year, I joined the NRA with a 2 year membership. I think it was $60. I started getting into guns last November and have picked up a decent collection since then. I thought I should donate to protect our 2A rights, so I joined the NRA. 2A rights are very important to me, so I figured I was doing the right thing. They sent me a membership packet with a card and coin and all this other stuff. Since then, I swear I've gotten something in the mail from the NRA every week. They send me a lot of emails, and I'm OK with that. Emails are free (except for them paying somebody to send them). Snail mail costs money to print, stuff and mail. Just from the stuff they've sent me in the past few months, I'm wondering how my $30 for this year hasn't already been eaten up in mailing expenses.

Not too long ago, they mailed me a DVD. It was some sort of training DVD. I played it for a few minutes, didn't care for it and trashed it. Yesterday I got a letter from them asking me to pay for the DVD or send it back. Really? You send me a DVD completely unsolicited and then tell me I need to pay for it?

I understand the NRA is a very powerful group that does a lot for our 2A rights. Do you guys have suggestions on how I can support the fight for 2A rights without a lot of the funds being wasted on unnecessary stuff mailed to me?

 

[Eellis]

Stand back while I light the torch!!! Jk if your not happy with the NRA I think staying envolved with the laws and your politicians helps but also just getting others into guns is a great way to support your cause. Take people shooting , hunting , and to competitions . Knowledge is power!

 

[drmitchgibson]

I'm not Jewish, but I've tentatively considered going with JPFO. http://jpfo.org/ NRA does some really lame things regarding membership and communication, but they also offer some really awesome programs and services. The NRA-ILA is an effective arm of the organization, and fights the good fight in our courts, but then it is also a lobbying functionary as well.

 

[dennishoddy]

Call, don't email NRA customer service and tell them you want off all mailing lists. If stuff keeps coming in as email, go to your tool bar, and list it as junk, and you will never see another email from them. Be sure to get names when you call, and keep them until it stops.
I get nothing but renewal notices from them.

 

[IslayMalt]

I don't know quite how it worked out, but I've been an NRA Life member for years and I don't get a thing from them - other than the crappy American Advertiser (Rifleman) magazine every month. No mailings, no emails. Nothing.

 

[poopgiggle]

I hope I don't get flamed or attacked for this, but I have some questions about the NRA. I am NOT attacking the NRA.

This year, I joined the NRA with a 2 year membership. I think it was $60. I started getting into guns last November and have picked up a decent collection since then. I thought I should donate to protect our 2A rights, so I joined the NRA. 2A rights are very important to me, so I figured I was doing the right thing. They sent me a membership packet with a card and coin and all this other stuff. Since then, I swear I've gotten something in the mail from the NRA every week. They send me a lot of emails, and I'm OK with that. Emails are free (except for them paying somebody to send them). Snail mail costs money to print, stuff and mail. Just from the stuff they've sent me in the past few months, I'm wondering how my $30 for this year hasn't already been eaten up in mailing expenses.

Not too long ago, they mailed me a DVD. It was some sort of training DVD. I played it for a few minutes, didn't care for it and trashed it. Yesterday I got a letter from them asking me to pay for the DVD or send it back. Really? You send me a DVD completely unsolicited and then tell me I need to pay for it?

I understand the NRA is a very powerful group that does a lot for our 2A rights. Do you guys have suggestions on how I can support the fight for 2A rights without a lot of the funds being wasted on unnecessary stuff mailed to me?

I mean, they're a political advocacy group and they need donations to continue operating. I dislike some of their methods (scaremongering to drive donations) but every political organization, from the NRA to Planned Parenthood, sends out fundraising mailers.

1. Get an "Associate Membership." It's $15, you don't get a magazine, and they figure you're such a cheapass that they won't hit you up for money. I did this to get the Red Castle NRA member discount.

or

2. Give to other organizations like the 2nd Amendment Foundation, Gun Owners of America, JPFO, Pink Pistols, etc. The 2AF in particular has been doing a LOT of the real legal advocacy in recent years (Heller, McDonald, etc) only to have the NRA throw their weight behind it at the last second and claim credit.

 

[Rodshoot]

Do you guys have suggestions on how I can support the fight for 2A rights without a lot of the funds being wasted on unnecessary stuff mailed to me?


Relax, Dusty, it is all very simple. If you don't want to get renewal notices, get a Life Membership--everyone who shoots and can afford it should be a life member anyway.
Second, you call the NRA and specify what level of contact you want. I get contacted maybe 2 or 3 times a year, by mail only..

I've been a life member for over 40 yrs and am now a Benefactor Member and NRA instructor. They don't flood me with contacts because I ASKED them not to.

I spent two tours in Washing, DC, including 5 years at the Pentagon. Real education dealing with Congress.
NRA is recognized in Congress as one of the best and most effective lobbies of all kinds, and it is practically THE gun lobby for the US Congress.
Support the NRA first, and then your state organization or other good organization (like 2AF) you wish. Be aware that some of the "gun lobbies" are ineffective and a waste of money, especially the one started by the liberals to "educate gun owners." One was organized specifically to bash the NRA and make false claims to weaken the NRA membership. Just like phoney charities, there are phoney "gun organizations."