Spending $$$ on guns now is dumb. You should be contributing to pro-2A politicians.

[jlbraun]

2008 is going to be an electoral fight. Support candidates with $$$ that have a good view of the 2nd Amendment instead of buying another AR because of "the upcoming ban". Your money is spent much better that way.

If people instead contributed the cash they spent on their 3rd AR because of "the upcoming ban" to pro-2A causes instead, we'd be able to go buy an M240 for $2400 and have national Vermont carry by now.

Please. Instead of plunking down $1400 on a new gun, think about the future and consider contributing to a pro-2A cause instead for one gun's worth a year. Your children will thank you.

If you already do this, you have my thanks.

 

[bass806]

duplicate post

 

[bass806]

Dumb??? There are other ways to contribute to campaigns, causes, and candidates besides monetary donations; i.e. volunteering. My kids will still thank me---- thank me for all the firearms I will pass down to them.

 

[Loanshark]

You'll be able to pass those firearms to your kids if our government doesn't go the way Australia's did.

 

[jlbraun]

I reiterate my point. If you are buying new guns but not giving significant amounts of money to RKBA orgs, you are dead weight.

 

[Gord]

I don't see a point in giving my money to RKBA orgs who don't seem to be effective. GOA is good at chest-thumping, not so good at actually getting things done. I've been disenfranchised with the NRA for years.

I'm sure as hell not giving money to Giuliani.

Planning to make a donation to Ron Paul's campaign.

What else is there?

At least buying guns gives me something to actually show for my money. I could donate $1000 to the NRA and they'd just use it to print up solicitations for money from other people, or to pay for one of their windbags to "compromise" on my rights. GOA would probably use it to buy more Wild Turkey, and the GOP gets no love from me whatsoever.

 

[halvey]

At least buying guns gives me something to actually show for my money.

And after we get to be like the UK and Australia, you won't even have your guns.

 

[jlbraun]

How about the SAF? They actually have some legal successes. And there are some pro-RKBA presidential candidates out there.

If you bought $5000 of guns, ammo, and accessories this year but you gave a measly $100 to RKBA orgs, your priorities are WAY misplaced!

 

[lanternlad1]

If you wish to give your money to organizations, fine. But don't post on this board complaining about other people's priorities. Last I heard, this was still America, and people can do what they want. Telling people they are wrong for what they do will not win you any friends for your cause. I'll spend my money on what I please, you mind your business.

If there were no lobbies, the government would work better. I say restrict them ALL.

 

[K3]

If there were no lobbies, the government would work better. I say restrict them ALL.

Doubtful. Corruption, graft, and incompetence would merely take new forms. Government is by its nature inefficient and prone to excess.

 

[jlbraun]

Last I heard, this was still America, and people can do what they want.

Yup. Including saying "if you're compulsively buying AR lowers because of some 'future ban' instead of giving that money to RKBA orgs, you're dead weight to the RKBA cause, and shouldn't complain when your right to arms is restricted."

 

[TexasRifleman]

Last I heard, this was still America, and people can do what they want. Telling people they are wrong for what they do will not win you any friends for your cause.

This is the Activism forum, used for folks to issue a "call to action" for whatever they believe will help. The OP has given his opinion, you are free to ignore it.

What is your call to action?

As to the topic, I agree we should be contributing, and I do. I'm not going to stop buying guns but I have increased the percentage going to politics.

It's a necessary evil these days.

 

[K3]

Yup. Including saying "if you're compulsively buying AR lowers instead of giving that money to RKBA orgs, you're dead weight to the RKBA cause."

It occurs to me that buying lowers is keeping arms. So, the 'K' is satisfied.

In general:

Why can't folks do BOTH? It is entirely possible for the NRA, SAF, and GOA to be flooded with contributions yet be ineffective due to the same old DC crew managing to get laws passed that hurt RKBA. Let's face it, most Americans are lazy and prone to knee-jerking when tragedies arise. It won't take too many more mass shootings for the flock to call for Congress to 'do something'. At that point it won't matter how full the NRA's coffers are.

I say stock up on your canned goods if you can AND give what funds you can to Pro-RKBA groups. Best to cover all bases methinks.

 

[Ed Ames]

I have long maintained a 1:1 ratio policy. For each dollar spent on guns, another dollar goes to a civil liberties group. NRA, GOA, JPFO, CRPA, EFF, ACLU, and so on are all out there fighting for you whether you think they are effective or not.

I think a balance is important. If you secure your rights in congress but lose all ability to exercise them because your local shooting ranges and gun stores have all closed you still lose.

What I'm not sure about any more is where the correct balance lies. Look at it this way... $200 to the NRA is 1:6000th of an amicus brief. $200 to your local gun store is probably $20 to keep the shop open, plus another $50 to everyone else (manufacturer, distributor, and so on). $200 to organize your own private "take a non-shooter shooting" day might very well convert two or three people from scared-anti to neutral or pro-gun.

Something to think about....

 

[Zundfolge]

We need to be doing both.

AND every time you buy a new gun, write a letter to the manufacturer reminding them that if THEY don't join us in the fight, you won't be able to continue supporting them.

 

[K3]

AND every time you buy a new gun, write a letter to the manufacturer reminding them that if THEY don't join us in the fight, you won't be able to continue supporting them.

I like that.

What's the numbers on correspondence to politicians? 1 letter = 100 phone calls and 1 phone call = 100 emails? Something like that. Anyhow, if it works on politicians, it certainly can have an effect on businesses.

 

[yesit'sloaded]

It is entirely possible for the NRA, SAF, and GOA to be flooded with contributions yet be ineffective due to the same old DC crew managing to get laws passed that hurt RKBA.

That is the only reason I haven't joined the NRA yet. MR. La Pierre is not looking good for us and I'm not going to give any organization that claims to support gun rights with him in a leadership position money. If Ted Nugent, Ron Paul, or even Huckabee was in a higher position I would join. GOA seems to have their hearts in the right place, but cry wolf too much. So far SCCC and SAF are the only ones I am behind more than 70% of the time. I would love to see Ronnie Barrett in a leadership role in the NRA.

 

[cyclist]

There are people who do nothing more than donate money, then sit back while someone else does all the work. Support comes in many forms, and not all of us "dead weights" are functionally as dead as some money-contrubutors are.

So, my call to action is to can the "dead weight" comments as that does nothing but divide the community as has been seen in this thread. Instead offer options of: 1) donate what you can afford to donate, 2) contact candidates, 3) talk to people and try to make them aware, and so forth.

I'm insulted by people who say if I don't spend a certain amount of money then I'm dead weight. So please can the insults, stop the derision, and work for a common goal.

Have a nice day, regardless of how much money you have available to donate.

 

[jlbraun]

cyclist,

My point was that if people are buying AR lowers "because of the upcoming ban" instead of taking that money and contributing it to a 2A cause, they're dead weight. I said nothing about a "you must donate a certain amount of money".

 

[lanternlad1]

"If there were no lobbies, the government would work better. I say restrict them ALL.

Doubtful. Corruption, graft, and incompetence would merely take new forms. Government is by its nature inefficient and prone to excess."


Sad, but unfortunately, very true. Keep the government poor and remain free.


"This is the Activism forum, used for folks to issue a "call to action" for whatever they believe will help. The OP has given his opinion, you are free to ignore it."

I am also free to rebuff his opinon. You miss the point.

It is illogical to issue a call to action by insulting those you would incite. Telling people that they are dead weight if they don't do as you do will not work. Instead, show them what you think does not work, and point out a way that does. Don't make it personal, as that is counter-productive. Sheeple follow such a leader, free thinkers do not.


I am all for hitting the gun makers in the pocket book, but when the govt. buys more guns in a day than you or I will buy in a lifetime, a manufacturer would be out of business if they forgo gov't contracts based on a political decision. More's the praise for folks like Barrett.

I also lament the fact the we have to pay a premium to get good service from those supposed to be in our employ. Unfortunately, that is how things seem to be working. If you want less corrupt politicians, you have to pay more for them. Seems to me that Rome had the same conundrum just before it fell.

I would suggest that we continue to spend our money on sustainable goods (guns) and less on lobbyists. I would suggest that we as a nation need to find a way to send many more clear signals to Washington to show the way we want things to be.

 

[damien]

You just reminded me that I need to pick up a half dozen stripped lowers this week. Thank you.

 

[ZeSpectre]

AND every time you buy a new gun, write a letter to the manufacturer reminding them that if THEY don't join us in the fight, you won't be able to continue supporting them.

Wow... that is so damn simple, why didn't I think of that myself???
Zundfolge, a HUGE thumbs up for something I'm going to start doing right away!

 

[Kentucky]

I have my NRA and GOA memberships. I have contributed to Ron Paul's campaign twice and intend to do so again. But on a more local level I am also a member of the RWVA, a grassroots group that is working to introduce new shooters and get them involved in defending Liberty.

I can certainly understand anyone who is disgusted with the NRA. I am too. I can also understand the folks who think the GOA is ineffective, though I personally disagree. But even if you dont care for any of these national groups, there are other smaller organizations that are fighting for our rights and liberties. I would STRONGLY encourage you to check them out.

 

[Sassy357]

Well, if you're getting discouraged with the NRA, etc., then donate to Concealed Campus.org. This group, because of unfortunate recent tragedies has the potential to be very effective. There's energy and momentum behind them. The useless media loves anything controversial that happens on college campuses and who better than the college kids to beat a path to Congress or rally support for candidates!

 

[chemist308]

Donate to Ron Paul campaign fund...