NRA Controversies

[penname]

I recently received my renewal form to ENGC. One of the requirements for continued membership is NRA membership. Usually that is not a problem for me but with all the recent controversies with NRA senior management I am having a hard time renewing my NRA membership.

I know the liberal leaning media are putting the worst possible spin on it but I still have the gut feeling there is rot in the NRA senior management. The too cozy relationship with Ackerman McQueen, the clothing allowances, the insider sweet deals, and now the mansion purchase attempt have me feeling that too much of our donations are benefiting the entrenched top dogs. The fact that Oliver North and Allen West both raised red flags and Pete Brownell resigned from the board (didn’t say it was related to the problems but...) make me even more suspicious. It sort of reminds me of the Omaha Goodwill scandal a few years ago.

Anyway I am interested in hearing what others think about the current NRA situation.

[RobertH]

IMHO.... the NRA is imploding.  they will either come out a shell of its former self or it will actually fight for your Rights.  too early to tell, but with the amount of memo releases, lawsuits, hemorrhaging money and people being removed from the board and/or quitting, the NRA needs to find itself again.

WLP needs to go.  and he needed to go YEARS ago.

[Les]

Agree with what Robert said, but if not the NRA, who do you throw support behind?  I know there are others out there, but they still have DC clout........if they'll ever use it again.

[Randy]

https://gunowners.org/   The GOA (Gun Owners of America) is a good organization in which I am a member as well as the NRA.

[402.308]

The too cozy relationship with Ackerman McQueen, the clothing allowances, the insider sweet deals, and now the mansion purchase attempt have me feeling that too much of our donations are benefiting the entrenched top dogs.
...
It sort of reminds me of the Omaha Goodwill scandal a few years ago.

This is exactly why I am all about Gun Owners of America.

Sure the NRA has the history, numbers, branding, and national recognition as THE voice of firearms owners....
But, the GOA is "The only no compromise gun lobby in Washington."
https://gunowners.org/about-goa/#section-about-goa-6

I have been a member of GOA long before I joined the NRA. They are reasonably priced, no frills and they prioritize action, not merchandise and banquets.
*Please note that I do not receive any compensation for promoting GOA, they merely fight for my gun rights.*

As a member, I get print copies of:

• "GOA's Top Ten" - An annual report of the top ten accomplishments made possible by my support.
  https://gunowners.org/category/end-of-year-reports-2/

• "The Gun Owners" - A multi-page publication of important news and updates, issued 3 times a year.
  https://gunowners.org/latest-news/

• "Call to Action" - These are special letters alerting me to happenings that attack the second amendment.
  They contain pre-printed postcards about the issue and are addressed to my local representatives and/or the president for me to sign and mail out. Sometimes there are extras sent for me to give to friends to send out as well. You can also make copies of these to have more people send out.
  https://gunownersaction.org/
  

There are many other benefits, but these are what I love the most about GOA, they keep me informed and make it easy for me to get involved in a meaningful way and to get my voice out to the right people.


Sure they ask for money, but they are not as aggressive as the NRA is. You can just tell that they use contributions responsibly because they are conservative and practical.

Information and action. That is what's important.



Erick Erickson, The Resurgent:  https://gunowners.org/erick-erickson-throws-his-support-for-goa/

[Hardwood83]

I'm an NRA Patron life member and have donated a decent amount of money over the years. Not anymore, ever since the bump-stock fiasco I have closed the checkbook. Now every solicitation I receive is returned with the note "no more money until Wayne is gone". I don't want the NRA to fail- that is bad for 2A rights, even if it has been less than ideal in promoting & protecting the 2A far too often. We need to fix the NRA and that is going to be painful. In the meantime I agree the GOA and other orgs deserve support. 

[402.308]

In the meantime I agree the GOA and other orgs deserve support.

The NRA Seems to Be Dying, After Being Set Adrift By Grift.
by Erick Erickson
https://theresurgent.com/2019/06/25/the-nra-seems-to-be-dying-after-being-set-adrift-by-grift/?utm_source=Insightly&utm_campaign=22c0c00811-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_198a5324d1-22c0c00811-270135549&mc_cid=22c0c00811&mc_eid=fb3891752a

[Greybeard]

I am an NRA Life Member, have been for over 25 years. I do not like the direction they have taken on several issues and have closed my wallet to them. I support the NFOA with a small donation each month, it ain't much, but it is what I can sfford and I know that it will be put to good use here in Nebraska. I also belong to JPFO and need to look into GOA.

[Sig Fan]

The NRA is still the heavyweight in the ring even in turmoil but it’s impossible to know where your donations will go with their mess.  The GOA is an option but if you want to support lawsuits for your rights there is also the second amendment foundation that has a lot of open cases in the courts and an outstanding record at winning those cases.  Just another option to throw in.

[Wrmedic]

While I’m not happy with the direction the NRA has taken, the only way to change things is maintain or renew your membership to have voting rights on the board. I have stopped making additional donations. My donations will go our state group. I’m also a member of SAF and GOA. if your not a member of NRA you can help those board members that are fighting to change things.

[Mntnman]

I have left the NRA as well. I no longer support their "mission." I believe SAF and GOA are better options, though I have not yet signed back on with them. I used to belong to both, but it has been a while.

[shooter]

 the NRA went to crap back in 1977..  the members staged a revolt in Cincinnati. I was a life member and was able to vote to help this.  please read the article, I think its about time to do it again.

  https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2018/03/08/revolt-cincinnati-molded-nra-did-you-know-jeff-suess-schism-within-national-rifle-association-led/404628002/

[LJUnaTIC]

Thanks shooter...was not aware of that. And you are right, it needs to happen again

[NoStep]

https://gunowners.org/   The GOA (Gun Owners of America) is a good organization in which I am a member as well as the NRA.

Agree, GOA and others are the way to go

[402.308]

While I’m not happy with the direction the NRA has taken, the only way to change things is maintain or renew your membership to have voting rights on the board. I have stopped making additional donations. My donations will go our state group. I’m also a member of SAF and GOA. if your not a member of NRA you can help those board members that are fighting to change things.

Amen Wrmedic, on everything you said.
Also, I got my NRA ballot in the mail, who to vote for is tricky. Any suggestions on who I should look into? Maybe it should be a separate thread?