I received an offer for $400 off a lifetime NRA membership -- maybe some of you did, too.

I'm really tempted to join for life, but was curious as to the thoughts of the NRA being the best 2A organization out there, especially if they're going to get me forever. That, and they send me more frigging mail than anyone else on the planet -- I wonder, can I opt out of their "high volume" mailings?!?! Or will my wife and kids be getting their shit forever???

Thoughts?

I think I actually get less from them than I did before I was a lifer.

As for whether they're the "best" RKBA org out there, it depends on what you mean by best. They are, without a doubt, the 600-lb. gorilla in Washington. Nobody can argue with that. We absolutely need them lobbying in D.C.

On the other hand, when it comes to fierce and unrelenting advocacy for RKBA, they're hardly the most extreme group. GOA and most local groups are much, much closer to "no compromise" than NRA ever will be. That's simply because they can afford to be. NRA would loose huge membership if they took that path. I've actually heard more than one person say "I'm a member of the National Rifle Association, not the National handgun Association." NRA doesn't want to alienate those people. True, they're sheeple and will be handing over their rifles when they're told to, but for now, they give NRA their money. That's good for me overall, so I don't complain too much.

Just join GOA and your local RKBA group as well as NRA, and support SAF with tax deductible donations from time to time.

-Rob

quote:

Originally posted by pastula12:
I wonder, can I opt out of their "high volume" mailings?!?! Or will my wife and kids be getting their shit forever???

You can opt out of the mailings now.

And yes, I am am Endowment-Life Member.

I am a life member. They are not the most militant organization, but they do have clout that GOA does not have. My next thing is to move to life membership in the Texas State Rifle Association and to join SAF.

I'm a life member. They could be better but they are the most powerful force we have.

I'm on the Easy Pay Life (EPL) plan and have about 3 years to go. I don't necessarily agree with all their viewpoints but I agree with most of them. When "mayor" Nutter introduced five stupid antigun laws in Philly (I live in a suburb) it was the NRA who sued right away and for that they have my support.

I'm a Benefactor member. My brother and I have been life members since we were born. Dad signed us up for $100 each. My son is a life member, I signed him up when he was 6 months old.

Benefactor Life Member.

I don't agree with everything the NRA does or doesn't do, but that's the same of any organization I belong to or any group I'm affiliated with.

If it weren't for the NRA, gun owners here would be as bad off as in Canada, if not much worse. Canadians have benefited to some degree from the gun rights situation in this country. It could easily be the same as it is in the United Kingdom (Britain).

The other gun rights organizations help, but they're a breeze to the NRA's hurricane. And if you don't believe that, ask the antigunners. The NRA receives virtually every bit of abuse directed against gun rights organizations.

Another Life member here. Considering upping to Legacy Life. I agree with the previous posts as to NRA's clout.
If every law-abiding, reasonably intelligent gun owner were an NRA member, the face of the gun control debate would look a lot different.

Regards,
GeorgeWA

Another one here. First joined NRA back in 1960 and carried an annual membership through the mid 70s and somehow drifted away. Came back in the early 80s and join as a life member and took out a life membership for my then 8 year old son. Never regretted a moment of my membership. Are they the answer to all our problems...no, but they are definately the game in town with the ear of the politicians and as such do a lot of good work. So I would urge you to go for it. The more of us who join the more clout the NRA has.

I just signed up and paid for my lifetime membership yesterday. The Heller lawsuit sealed it for me.

Life member here. I paid $1000. Got a nice leather jacket.

...also I lifer. Like others above, I don't always agree with the NRA actions (or inaction). However, I am learning that the end-result usually lies between the two extremes in politics.

Heller was a razor's edge, and the 'between' in this case came down on the right side - thanks in part to the NRA.

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeWA:
If every law-abiding, reasonably intelligent gun owner were an NRA member, the face of the gun control debate would look a lot different.

Regards,
GeorgeWA

Let's just go with "law-abiding." I'm happy to still take the money from the ones whose elevators don't quite rise to the top floor, if ya know what I mean.

I'm a Benefactor Life Member as well. While I don't agree with everything the NRA does, there is no better friend to gun owners than the NRA. If spending your money on worthwhile causes that you believe in seems like a good idea, join the NRA and contribute to them when you can.

As others have said, be sure to support your local gun association, like the Texas State Rifle Association. The TSRA was really successful in getting some great pro-gun legislation passed in Texas in 2007, like keeping the names of CHL holders private, a beefed-up Castle Doctrine, and no confiscation of firearms during a disaster like what happened in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

I'm paying off my EPL membership. The NRA has the clout to get things done. Not everyone always agrees with what they do 100% of the time but they get heard.

Another life member here.

I am.

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:
I've actually heard more than one person say "I'm a member of the National Rifle Association, not the National handgun Association."

Ha...love it.

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts. Lifetime membership dues go out today.

AP

Lifer here.

Do it.

Now.

You know you should.