To those of you who intend to write to the NRA about this, I predict that I know what the respons will say WORD FOR WORD!
Below is the email I sent them before posting in here last night, followed by the "response from the NRA"
Kenneth Cook
(Edited home address and phone number)
Member#BSC7xxxx expires 1/2005
Mr. Heston
Mr. Lapierre
To whom it may concern,
T have been a proud member of the National Rifle Association since 1979.
I am active in The Central Arkansas Friends of the NRA. I have contributed any hours of my personal time to the furtherance of the NRA and The Second Amendment. I have given great sums of money which were often needed elsewhere and spent greater sums of money at FOTNRA banquets. I have bought raffle tickets, and sold raffle tickets. I have pestered shooters at public ranges, I have lobbied for the NRA in places as diverse as First Class DC-10 cabins enroute to hawaii, and the back seat of Greyhound busses. I have pestered my friends until they ponied up the cash for at least one annual membership. I have given my back issues of "American Rifleman" to libraries and Dentist's offices and left them anywhere that I considered it possible that the message would be spread. I have worked HARD for The Second Amendment and the NRA. I have asked nothing in reture except for you to fight the good fight.
Now I hear that the NRA has severely curtailed it's annual convention in Denver in response to the events of 4/20/99 in that city.
Read this thread,
www.thefiringline.com:8080/forums/showthread.php?threadid=22815
Tell me this isn't true. tell me you haven't stabbed me in the back by telling the World that WE are partially responsible for the tragedy in Denver. That WE are accountable for this travesty, that WE should skulk about and hide in the shadows.
Tell me tha the thousands of dollars and countless hours I've givven to the NRA over the years isn't money down a rathole.
Tell me that you DO represent the American gunowners and tell me that you're not really just a bunch of hogs getting fat at the trough of gullible Americans.
Tell me that this course of action is better than arriving at the scene in May and offering free firearms safety training and workshops on the responsibilities of gun ownership. Tell me you couldn't make this less damaging to MY cause. (I'm no longer convinced that it's OUR couse.)
If you cant tell me thse things, and if it is true that you admit culpability in the Denver shootings by way of curtailing Convention activities, then cancel my membership. I want nothing to do with such a spnieless and sniveling lot of wastrals as those who would do such a thing.
It would break my heart to no longer be a member of the NRA. I have always ranked my NRA membership alongside my service in both the US Army and the US Marine Corps as proudest affiliations. NRA membership has always been a defining trait to me. I have used it to consider whether any given shooter and gun owner is SERIOUS about the defense of The Second Amendment. Please tell me this is all a mistake.
Sincerely and regretfully,
Kenneth Cook
PS I don't expect an answer from Mr. Heston or Mr. lapierre, but I hope they get a chance to read this. It may be the last communication I have with my beloved NRA.
THE RESPONSE
(Drum roll please)
Dear Sir,
We join with the rest of America in condeming this sensless act and mourning its victims.
With respect to this, the latest decision is to cancel all functions of the Convention and only have the mandatory business functions on Saturday. The banquet, seminars, exhibit hall, tours, function, and meetings have all been cancelled.
The NRA is required by law to hold a meeting of members every year to swear in the new board and other such legal obligations. These are the only functions that will be held.
There will be no activities on Sunday in respect for the memorial services.
Thank you for contacting us,
J Benjamin
NRA Member Services
They didn't even READ the damn thing!
I guess I'll know if my membership has been cancelled if my American Rifleman stops showing up.
Screw'em.
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Your mind is your primary weapon.