Should I join the NRA?

M

Mosin-Marauder

New member
I've been thinking about setting aside so easy money on joining the NRA. The only reason I haven't taken action in trying to join yet is, firstly, the price. 1,000 bucks seems kinda hefty to me just to say I'm in the NRA. And finally, the political aspect of it. All of my friends who are in the NRA are Republicans and talk from them seems most of NRA members are (not meaning to sound stereotypical or insult anyone) and I am a Democrat, I won't delve into the details as I fear I might anger someone, but I just don't want to get into a political debate whenever I go to meeting (if they even have meetings?). I hope you understand and I Hope I Have not Offended anyone. I would like your opinions and advice before I do this. Anyway, thanks in advance.
 
It doesn't cost a grand to join....You can get a year for $25....Political affiliation has nothing to do with it.
 
The NRA is a single issue advocacy group which supports politicians of all flavors when the politician supports gun rights. Now, whether one party is more supportive of gun rights is a point for debate, but one we generally avoid here. As a firearms enthusiast I believe you should consider joining and also remember to contact your political representatives and share your position on this issue.
 
I thank you for your insight, Barry. I will think on it some more before I join. I'll have to talk with some friends and representatives too. Thanks again.
 
You don't have to become a life member to join. You can join on a year-by-year basis. That's what I did, for a number of years. Then, awhile back, someone on here posted a bargain to upgrade regular membership to life membership, and I did it.

Here you go: https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/signup.asp

$35 for one year, $60 for two years, $85 for three years, $125 for five years.
 
It certainly isn't a bad idea. It is only 10 bucks if you don't get the magazine, which is a waste of money anyway. That being said, the NRA membership dues do not go toward the NRA-ILA.
 
Dem, Rep, Space Alien.... In my opinion, the NRA is a single issue organization. Their goal is to protect gun rights. They are not perfect, but I have zero issues being a member. Regardless of where you stand, if you value your guns the NRA is money well spent.

There are lots of groups, and politicians looking to take YOUR rights away. The NRA is a counterpoint to those that would steal them.
 
Look at some of the other 2A rights groups. I'll recommend Second Amendment Foundation.
Remember the "NRA" isn't really a political group. They don't directly/financially lobby or take part in court cases. The "NRA-ILA" and "NRA-PVF" do, but the funds are separate and do not mingle. "NRA" membership pays for a magazine, membership card, and the various educational certification programs NRA offers along with similar things. Indirect effect and most of these programs are utilized by people firmly entrenched in the pro-gun camp. A group similar to the "NRA" is Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. That groups more or less relates to SAF as "NRA" relates to "NRA-ILA."

I don't belong to the NRA. I also don't have a membership to CCRKBA. They can put my name on the list if they like as increasing the member numbers has some positive effect, but I am not going to pay for them to do so.
 
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If the NRA doesn't appeal to you, there are other gun rights groups.
The Second Amendment Foundation is at the forefront of defending our gun rights in courts all across the county, and even internationally.
But since a yearly membership in the NRA only costs about the same as a box or two of ammo, why any gun owner wouldn't want to be a member, or contribute to their political associates, (ILA, PVF), escapes me.
 
Democrats need more good folks, like you !!

By my measure, joining the NRA has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with "our" Constitution. I have a close friend who is a staunch Democrat, and believes that the 2A means just what it says. Loves his guns and gun rights but hates the NRA. Go figure and the only logic I can get from this, is that he can't separate politics from his Constitutional rights. ... :confused:

I am an Endowment member and that "mostly" means that I have allowed the NRA to get deeper, into my pockets. When you add my Life membership dues to the Endowment, it still doesn't come close to the $1000.00, you have listed. .... :confused:

Stay focused and;
Be Safe !!!
 
You should join the NRA and a while back they did have special on a $300 lifetime membership, but it has gone back to $1000
 
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There is no good reason for not

The NRA is the only thing that stands between the gun owner and total confiscation.
 
There is no good reason for not
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There is a very good reason not too. Sending the $15-25 you would spend on a membership to SAF or even NRA-ILA will directly affect our rights. Sending it to NRA will not do so.

Comparing their court records I have no problem saying SAF get me more for my dollar then NRA-ILA does. I have donated to NRA-ILA a couple times though. It isn't like it is money down the drain or anything.
 
I support the NRA because they do tremendous work in regards to education and training programs. Pops bought me and my sisters life memberships when we were kids.


However, my money, donation wise, goes towards both the NRA-ILA and SAF.

All great organizations that do great things.
 
There are definitely better groups to support with your hard earned dollars. SAF is a great one that comes to mind, also what about supporting a group like the ACLU? An organization that fights for all of our rights, not just one of them.

My biggest problem with the NRA is that it is a group lobbying for a private industry (gun manufacturers) that has convinced the public to fund it! The health care lobby isn't asking for hand outs, GM isn't asking for donations to lobby congress to keep huge inefficient cars on the road because we like them. I can't think of any other industry that wants donations from the public to do something that is really in the interests of its manufacturers.

Sure, we all want to keep our guns, but our American gun producers want to keep their profit margins even more. If anyone should be funding the NRA, it should ONLY be those who profit from the NRA's efforts.
 
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