Why Isn't The NRA Bigger?

[bloodandgutsmurphy]

The NRA has about 5 million numbers. The number of gun owners in the country is many, many times greater than that. I was just wondering why most gun owners aren't members of the NRA.
Do some gun owners disagree with the NRA's position on some issues?
Are some gun owners too lazy to join?
Have some not even heard of the NRA?

 

[shibumiseeker]

5 million members of ANY membership organization is huge. Just like posting on the net, for every one of us who posts even semiregularly there are a hundred who never post at all, thus making them mere audience members, not contributors.

 

[Classic]

Free Riders! Many folks let others pay the dues, write the letters to congress and show up at the protests.

 

[thatgtrguy]

There a a lot of reasons.

Some people don't like the fact that the NRA has gone from being more information/safety oriented organization to being more of a political lobbying/campaign finance group.

Some followed President Bush in resigning their memberships when the NRA called the ATF "jackbooted thugs".

I'm sure for many people it's just a matter of financial priority. Become an NRA member or put food on the table.

 

[canav844]

Initial cost, once your on the list they keep asking for more money, More focus on representing hunters than firearm owners as a whole so willing to compromise on many issues related to carry, generally focused on the law making and not taking issues to court. GOA alternative does exist. # of firearms sold doesn't correlate to # of firearm owners as most people own more than one gun.

 

[the1kidd03]

Many people got butthurt in recent decades by the NRA's actions or lack there of.

Somehow this makes it a valid excuse to not contribute to the only organization which has any real power to levy in the capital. That part of it, I don't understand.

 

[SERparacord]

Without the NRA you would likely have no gun rights today. Gun owners who do not join are in the same class as welfare recipients.

 

[hornadylnl]

If the NRA spent as much money on efforts to repeal unconstitutional laws as they did mailings, they might get somewhere.

 

[dukeboy_318]

If the NRA spent as much money on efforts to repeal unconstitutional laws as they did mailings, they might get somewhere.

As a life time member, I agree 110%. Repeal the 1930s NFA and the 1968 GCA and we'll be back to where it should be

 

[CitiusFortius]

Well, my father in law and one of my buddies refuse to be on ANY list. Not sure if that's the real reason or if they're just too cheap to pay the $35.

 

[rvb]

I have family that will no longer be members because of the persistant mailings and phone calls (I've never gotten phone calls?). I tried to convince them to sign up again during this current threat of bans and registrations and endure the monumental hassle of moving papers from the mailbox to the trashcan, but they wont. I almost gifted them memberships, but thought they might take offense to that...

I've not been a 100% fan of everything they've been or done (or not done like with Heller or when I was in MD fighting AWBs), but right now they and their membership numbers are representing a tide that congress cannot ignore... and I'm sure congress is taking note of the current increase in membership NRA is seeing.

-rvb

 

[EOD Guy]

It's too bad we need this type of organization to protect our 2A rights. Personally, I looked past any differences I had with the NRA because they're in the best position to fight the anti-gun cowards who want to take away my rights for a false sense of security.

Now is the time to put up or shut up. I've encouraged all my friends and family to join the NRA or GOA. If we had as many members as gun owners, there would be no need for them to mail out solicitations for more support...when it's needed the most.

 

[possum_128]

Many people who own a gun or two are not really "gun people" and could care less about their rights.

 

[Mike H]

I can't believe how many people get butt hurt over NRA's mass mailings asking for money. They will stop if you ask.
I am an Endowment Member and I have not gotten a mailing in over 15 years.

 

[SERparacord]

I can't believe how many people get butt hurt over NRA's mass mailings asking for money. They will stop if you ask.
I am an Endowment Member and I have not gotten a mailing in over 15 years.

^correct, just tell them not to send them.

 

[funeralweb]

Well, my father in law and one of my buddies refuse to be on ANY list. Not sure if that's the real reason or if they're just too cheap to pay the $35.

That was my feeling until I started buying weapons again and was presented with that nice form we have to fill out every time we want to buy. Now, knowing my name is on a stack of forms relating to my purchasing firearms I figure WTH, they might as well find my name in the NRA files when those get hacked or somehow compromised.
I communicate with my gubment reps but honestly don't believe my letters and calls, even combined with all the other individuals who do the same, make any difference in their decision making. I do believe the lobbying power of the NRA$ of the universe make ALL the difference. Dr. Ben Carson recently spoke of the 4 (yes, he said 4) branches of government: Executive, Legislative, Judicial and $pecial Intere$t.

 

[Classic]

I have never gotten a call from the NRA. I do get frequent mailings from them which I am free to deposit directly into the trash - not a whole lot of trouble. I still say a lot of folks are simply too cheap to pony up the measly $35 for a single year membership and have a laundry list of excuses.

GOA is OK too (do something for cryin out loud) and I have a membership there as well but what I see is the NRA does most of the heavy lifting as far as our 2A rights are concerned. I have never been in 100% agreement with everything in the past that they have done or with what every Board of Director member has said. If I used total agreement as a yardstick I wouldn't belong to ANY organization or group or even my own family. ON BALANCE the NRA is still THE MAIN organization fighting for our rights. Right now they need support from as many firearms owners as possible to be able to be effective at that.

The Obama Dems will do ANYTHING that advances their Gun(people) Control agenda including dividing us into factions so they can whittle away our rights one by one. ALL firearms owners, hunters, target shooters, action shooters, preppers and moms and pops had better stay together on this issue or we will lose it all. The ANYTHING includes using PAID writers on internet forums and social networking sites and Netbots to flood congressional inboxes with anti-gun propaganda that looks like grass roots support.

 

[hornadylnl]

Did it ever occur to any of you that the NRA is the sharpton/Jackson of gun rights? If they actually accomplished their mission, there'd be a lot of people out of high paying jobs.

 

[SERparacord]

Did it ever occur to any of you that the NRA is the sharpton/Jackson of gun rights? If they actually accomplished their mission, there'd be a lot of people out of high paying jobs.

Put your gun down when you say that.

 

[LANShark42]

Without the NRA you would likely have no gun rights today. Gun owners who do not join are in the same class as welfare recipients.

I'm a member of the NRA, GOA and SAF. And I call BU11SH1T on that!