Below is a recent memo I sent to the NRA following the umpteen millionth request for membership renewal. Does anyone else agree with me on this?
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I find it disconcerting that on the constant requests for renewal there is no indication of the date of current membership expiration. This is the type of, dare I say, misleading membership process that might make some reconsider their membership. I had to locate my card and find that my membership doesn't expire for 8 months!

Might I expect a response to this question?

Signed,
A loyal NRA member.

Should I take the 37 views with no responses to mean I should just shut up and be happy we have someone standing up for our rights?

NRA uses third party companies that are on a commision basis. Pretty common practice for large subscription-based organizations. Now that you know the date, just wait 8 months and re-up online at the NRA site. That way they get more of your money.

Just become a Life Member, then you do not have to worry about renewals.

All organizations to which you pay dues to remain a member send out reminders months in advance. It allows a more continuous stream of incoming funds than to wait until your membership expires. I've been an annual member since November 1993. I don't mind the reminders; I just pay when it gets to be about September. A good way to get a break on the dues is to renew at a gunshow. I got two years in November 2007 for $25 a year; saved me 20 bucks which I then donated to the various merchants at the show...

I got a nice response from them today stating that they have put me on the list which eliminates 90% of the mailings. The best they could do as far as renewal letters is to limit it to a letter 2 months, then 1 month prior to expiration and a final letter when I re-up. That works for me.

I would be happy to be dropped from the NRA preferred wines, auto insurance, life insurance, etc. lists too. If I become a life member will I lose all of these valuable extras?

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
I would be happy to be dropped from the NRA preferred wines, auto insurance, life insurance, etc. lists too. If I become a life member will I lose all of these valuable extras?

Not sure what you're asking....that you will lose the nuisance mailings or the benefits? I'd say yes and no, respectively.

Congratulations Norton, you just became the first person on my ignore list.

I am a life member of the N.R.A. and I get bomb barded with there mail at least five times a month. It would be interesting to no how much they spend on stamps.

quote:

Originally posted by Norton:
Should I take the 37 views with no responses to mean I should just shut up and be happy we have someone standing up for our rights?

Not really. The NRA doesn't want the gun rights
issue settled once-and-for-all any more than Sarah Brady.

They would quickly become unemployed and find it necessary to get a real job.

Same principle as politicians. Come to think about it, that's really what they are, right?

quote:

Originally posted by billm:
I am a life member of the N.R.A. and I get bomb barded with there mail at least five times a month. It would be interesting to no how much they spend on stamps.

I'd be interested in how much they spend teaching law enforcement how to shoot better.
That way they will be more proficient when they come to enforce the "NO GUNS" laws that will certainly be coming!

quote:

Originally posted by swampshooter:
Congratulations Norton, you just became the first person on my ignore list.

A little touchy are we , swampshooter?
You don't derive your income from the NRA do you?

That's also the real reason there will NEVER be a return to liberty and freedom. Too many government employees and others who get their stipends from the nanny state!

quote:

Originally posted by swampshooter:
Congratulations Norton, you just became the first person on my ignore list.

I'd be shocked if you had higher than a 10th grade education.

Missed the last line of the memo, huh genius?

quote:

Originally posted by Norton:

quote:

Originally posted by swampshooter:
Congratulations Norton, you just became the first person on my ignore list.

I'd be shocked if you had higher than a 10th grade education.

Missed the last line of the memo, huh genius?

I caught it, Norton. Couldn't figure what was biting swampshooter?

Since you mentioned it, I went to one of those "opt out" sites for junk mail a while back and it has really made a difference. I think those NRA-third party companies mentioned above may have to adhere to the list because I don't receive anything from the NRA except my magazine and maybe a rare, occassional PAC request.

I caught it all, for a gun owner , one who is only a yearly member, to complain about the NRA is ludicrous. The right to own firearms doesn't come from God. I think spending 30 seconds opening an envelope and throwing it away is a petty complaint. Without the efforts of the NRA we'd all be hunting, and defending our homes with bows and arrows. As gun owners we don't need cheap, petty complainers in oer midst. Wake up , The NRA is not you're enemy.

PS. And no I do not derive any income from The NRA, but I do donate a lot of time and money to THE NRA trying to make up for those who do little or nothing. There's 40 million hunters in this country and only 10% are NRA members. Of those 4 million only 10% ever do anything other than pay yearly dues. If you object to the mail, just let them know, of course after paying for all you're expensive guns and hunting trips,I'm sure you can't afford to be a life member. Cheaper to let, and expect others to defend you're your gun rights.

40 million hunters and only 10% are NRA members.

Don't you think there just might be a reason?

Too many cops for me. I'd feel like a Jewish member of a getapo country club!

The NRA tyried for over 10 years to get me to sign a pledge I would NEVER use my legally owned guns against a lawfully elected government. They wouldn't hear my arguement that Adolf Hitler was duly elected, so I didn't get their point.

I'll re-join when the NRA requires all LEO members to sign a pledge they will not enforce illegal gun laws! And I dont want to hear any crap about, "Just doing my job!"

Although in principle I do believe they are doing their jobs of "law enforcement". But that's the rub for me. I won't join ANY group with cops involved!

(quote) Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within the limits
drawn around us by the equal rights of others.
I do not add "within the law" because law is often but the tyrants will and always so when it violates the rights of the individual. (unquote) Thomas Jefferson

You are wrong. All my rights were given to me by God. Our constitution says so! And we are not a nation of "laws". That is a perversion of
our founding father's intent. Might I also ask just who it is that enforces these tyrannical laws?

We are supposed to be a nation of RIGHTS and FREEDOMS! God given and inalienable.

Pull the blinders off, pal. You will be able to see better! You can put me on your ignore list with Norton. I don't think we have much to say to each another!

The oath did not bother me because the first time I took it was My oath of loyalty in the U.S. Army. I served in the army in order to protect our American way of life. I serve for The NRA for the same reason. If you had ever served your country you would have taken this oath previously and would not be complaining. Service in the aclu doesn't count.

quote:

Originally posted by swampshooter:
The oath did not bother me because the first time I took it was My oath of loyalty in the U.S. Army. I served in the army in order to protect our American way of life. I serve for The NRA for the same reason. If you had ever served your country you would have taken this oath previously and would not be complaining. Service in the aclu doesn't count.

Air Wing of United States Navy 1963 to 1966 with 3 tours in the Tonkin Gulf. Civilian Dept. of Defense employee 1966 to 1972 as an avionics expert. Exempted from military reserve duty account of my classified work as a civilian.

Then I got smart!

Don't wave the flag at me, bud. I exited government service with a chest full of worthless medals. So did my brother. Several of my childhood friends never got to see their 21st birthdays. You think they died so we could become what we are as a nation now?

I lost an uncle in WWII who was nominated twice for the Congressional Medal of Honor, but only received a bronze star and two silver stars. Several other uncles were almost as decorated.

I am one who can admit to stupid mistakes. Thinking I was serving my country was one of them!

I took the same oath you did, and as a youth I
fell in love with what our nation stood for. The country I loved so dearly has been killed by leeches and faux americans. I have no affinity for, or loyalty to this nation as it now exists! Those hippies we patriots hated so much in the 1960s now run things and have permeated their socialists/marxist ideas into our society at all levels.

As I look around, and listen to pathetic, so-called americans, I believe the so-called reverend Wright said it correctly....God damn america!

quote:

Originally posted by swampshooter:
I caught it all, for a gun owner , one who is only a yearly member, to complain about the NRA is ludicrous. The right to own firearms doesn't come from God. I think spending 30 seconds opening an envelope and throwing it away is a petty complaint. Without the efforts of the NRA we'd all be hunting, and defending our homes with bows and arrows. As gun owners we don't need cheap, petty complainers in oer midst. Wake up , The NRA is not you're enemy.

You are a disgrace.....attacking AN NRA MEMBER because I got tired of junk mail? You might direct your hissy fits at PEOPLE WHO AREN'T ALREADY MEMBERS in the future, hardass. You won't find a better conservationist out there than me, my misguided friend. Perhaps you need to change your tampon or is it just because you live in Mexas?

quote:

Originally posted by Norton:

quote:

Originally posted by swampshooter:
I caught it all, for a gun owner , one who is only a yearly member, to complain about the NRA is ludicrous. The right to own firearms doesn't come from God. I think spending 30 seconds opening an envelope and throwing it away is a petty complaint. Without the efforts of the NRA we'd all be hunting, and defending our homes with bows and arrows. As gun owners we don't need cheap, petty complainers in oer midst. Wake up , The NRA is not you're enemy.

You are a disgrace.....attacking AN NRA MEMBER because I got tired of junk mail? You might direct your hissy fits at PEOPLE WHO AREN'T ALREADY MEMBERS in the future, hardass. You won't find a better conservationist out there than me, my misguided friend. Perhaps you need to change your tampon or is it just because you live in Mexas?

No communication, you're both on my ignore list.

quote:

Originally posted by swampshooter:
No communication, you're both on my ignore list.

Wow, a quitter....never would have guessed. Took his ball and went home to pout.


This guy strike anyone else as the type that gets "accidentally shot by friendly fire" by his own troops?

Accidently shot by "friendly fire"? I doubt it.
This guy is probably one of those "pretend"
veterans. Never actually served in the military.

Don

Funny thing is, a while back several top Police officials were uset that most of their Police firearms instructors were members of and certified by the NRA. They tried to get "the Police" out of the NRA. Most of the Police NRA members refused.

Many Police officers were NRA Members before they were Police.

Many Police officers believe in the RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS, and many support "civilian" concealed carry.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Don

Funny thing is, a while back several top Police officials were uset that most of their Police firearms instructors were members of and certified by the NRA. They tried to get "the Police" out of the NRA. Most of the Police NRA members refused.

Many Police officers were NRA Members before they were Police.

Many Police officers believe in the RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS, and many support "civilian" concealed carry.

I would change your post to most police officers believe this.

Don....having given this some thought, and having the impression that swampshooter works for the NRA in some capacity......Do you think they would be interested in knowing how an employed representative of the NRA represents the organization on an open forum?

quote:

Originally posted by Norton:
Don....having given this some thought, and having the impression that swampshooter works for the NRA in some capacity......Do you think they would be interested in knowing how an employed representative of the NRA represents the organization on an open forum?

I doubt it. They're only interested in increasing their numbers and collecting dues!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Don

Funny thing is, a while back several top Police officials were uset that most of their Police firearms instructors were members of and certified by the NRA. They tried to get "the Police" out of the NRA. Most of the Police NRA members refused.(Quote)

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I hate to respectfully disagree with you NE.
If they really cared about the constitution at all, they wouldn't be cops!

About 40 years ago, a family friend who was a detective Lt. told me that it takes an ethical man about 3 years to leave the job. Two years to see the amount of corruption in the system and one more year to figure out he can't change the system! It took this friend 5 years to leave the job. He attributed this to being hard headed and spending two extra years trying to change the system.

Then it's either bye, bye or conveniently look the other way. It's surprising what a man can convince himself to believe and do without seeing the error or his way. I understand it's hard to willingly abandon good pay, good benefits and a feeling of superiority with a sense of acceptance in the group.

quote:

Originally posted by Don Slater:

quote:

Originally posted by Norton:
Don....having given this some thought, and having the impression that swampshooter works for the NRA in some capacity......Do you think they would be interested in knowing how an employed representative of the NRA represents the organization on an open forum?

I doubt it. They're only interested in increasing their numbers and collecting dues!

That's just not true, Don. They have 180 different programs catering to the shooting sports, law enforcement, etc. Do you think $35.00 a year from annual members can cover all of the programming the NRA offers? I would recommend taking am more in-depth look before making a statement like that. You might even like what you see.

This was never intended to be a bash the NRA thread by me however, the comments made by the guy above(who appears to be connected to the NRA in some fashion)are way out of line.

35 bucks isn't much.....but multiply it umpteen million times and it should help to support the lobby against the wackos who would disarm us.

Not connected, just believe in the organization, and what they are doing, and I'm a life member. I think you will find that most of the Americans on this hunting and shooting site are members. I'm also a member of SCI and the NAHC (North American Hunting Club).

So how am I being "out of line?" What do you think it costs simply to put together publications like American Rifleman and American Hunter? I worked for number of years in the publishing industry (automotive side), and magazine production costs are astronomical. Lobbying is just one part of it. So again, I ask, how am I being out of line? If we can't discuss like adults, what is the point of this site?

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
Not connected, just believe in the organization, and what they are doing, and I'm a life member. I think you will find that most of the Americans on this hunting and shooting site are members. I'm also a member of SCI and the NAHC (North American Hunting Club).

So how am I being "out of line?" What do you think it costs simply to put together publications like American Rifleman and American Hunter? I worked for number of years in the publishing industry (automotive side), and magazine production costs are astronomical. Lobbying is just one part of it. So again, I ask, how am I being out of line? If we can't discuss like adults, what is the point of this site?

Whitworth....I should have been more specific....I meant swampshooter, not you. I doubt you agree with the way he approached this. I don't think anything you said was out of line. I'm not a lifetime member, but if I give $50 a year for 20 years have I paid as much as you? Or do you give above and beyond the $1000 lifetime figure?

Doc, I think I may know just how you feel. I have been an NRA life member for the last 47 years and I still get invitations from them to join!! ...That along with what seems like about 2 bushels of other junk mail from them each year.

Personally, I wish they would do their own solicitations for funds. I would give a lot more if 80-90+ % of what one sends in response to those mass mailings didn't go to the contracted, non-NRA companies which do their begging for them. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that the same companies also handle fund-raising mailings for Sarah Brady, et. al.