Why don't more gun owners join the NRA?

[Solomonson]

Why don't more gun owners join the NRA? Most pundits on both sides of the aisle suggest that the NRA would be politically unstoppable if it had 15-20M members instead of the 5 million that it does have. Given the 75M+ gun owners in the USA, what single thing is the biggest reason that keeps the NRA from growing to 15-20M?

 

[F250GUY]

As a former NRA member, I have to admit that I got tired of the NRA "bombing" my U.S.P.S. mailbox with requests for donations every day. How many members are "Lifers" or "Benefactors", or people that have a license to print money out like the U.S. mint can do, legally? I couldn't afford it due to the constantly rising rates, when I was still able to work, 40+ hours a week when I was the "Bread Winner" in a household that had two step children, that were later on in teen aged years and my wife didn't work at the time due to being over qualified.

It got old in a hurry. Besides, how many duffel bags does a family of four at the time really need? I liked the base ball caps they gave to you / us, but how many of them do you really need as well? I cannot see where they can justify hounding each individual member for so much money, when nothing has really changed by their "actions" since I can remember their existence!!

I can honestly remember in my lifetime of 46 + years now, that I knew ONE lifetime member of the NRA. He was an elder man, 60ish. He even complained to me, after he got me to sign up as a member that the rates were going too far off the hook and him being retired and disabled, even he couldn't afford it anymore, he died 2 years later.

 

[lonegunman]

The NRA is actually only mildly pro-gun these days. They just asked members to vote to change their charter so that is will be far harder for an upstart to make it to the board of directors. The board has quite a few members who have never set foot in the headquarters from some reports. In Washington state they were non-existent in the fight against the last "universal background check" law that passed. They do support many elected officials who are only mildly pro-gun and they had no love for the "modern sporting rifle" until the shooting public forced it on them.

As a competitive pistol shooter I can tell you they are killing conventional pistol quietly, making high power rifle too easy and they seem to really endorse things like 3-gun and action shooting sports that are gear intensive and require little or no skill. I know there is a huge 3-gun crowd here, but shooting an AR at 14 yds and a pistol into the ground at your feet is not a contest of skill. It is a contest of speed and spending, the person with the coolest gear and most colorful shirt wins.

I'm a life member, I have been for 25 years now. I shoot anything, I've tried most everything and enjoy shooting and collecting. I could have heated my house by burning the paper they send me asking for more and more donations. I enjoy their magazines and support them moderately. But, like many organizations they employ a staff of thousands who live off the backs of their members and the tens of millions gun companies shovel into the group. I am starting to think they care more about their jobs than my rights.

My disdain for their competitive shooting program came after I complained about the poor way they treated several shooters at Camp Perry and the poor condition of the ranges and got told in a most impolite way where to go. By a director level tool no less. Why have a shooters meeting if you cannot tolerate feedback?

 

[F250GUY]

The NRA is actually only mildly pro-gun these days. They just asked members to vote to change their charter so that is will be far harder for an upstart to make it to the board of directors. The board has quite a few members who have never set foot in the headquarters from some reports. In Washington state they were non-existent in the fight against the last "universal background check" law that passed. They do support many elected officials who are only mildly pro-gun and they had no love for the "modern sporting rifle" until the shooting public forced it on them.

As a competitive pistol shooter I can tell you they are killing conventional pistol quietly, making high power rifle too easy and they seem to really endorse things like 3-gun and action shooting sports that are gear intensive and require little or no skill. I know there is a huge 3-gun crowd here, but shooting an AR at 14 yds and a pistol into the ground at your feet is not a contest of skill. It is a contest of speed and spending, the person with the coolest gear and most colorful shirt wins.

I'm a life member, I have been for 25 years now. I shoot anything, I've tried most everything and enjoy shooting and collecting. I could have heated my house by burning the paper they send me asking for more and more donations. I enjoy their magazines and support them moderately. But, like many organizations they employ a staff of thousands who live off the backs of their members and the tens of millions gun companies shovel into the group. I am starting to think they care more about their jobs than my rights.

My disdain for their competitive shooting program came after I complained about the poor way they treated shooter at Camp Perry and the poor condition of the ranges and got told in a most impolite way where to go. By a director level tool no less. Why have a shooters meeting if you cannot tolerate feedback?

Amen, and VERY well said!!

 

[readyeddy]

I'm a Life Member. I don't know why others don't join and I don't care to venture a guess, but I would like to see more members if they can afford the dues.

 

[F250GUY]

the person with the coolest gear and most colorful shirt wins.

I honestly must admit, I am a fan of Jimi Hendrix, BUT I DO NOT condone the use of illicit drugs!! What ever color jersey which could be a psychedelic, tie die phosflourescent color that came along. That doesn't hold water with me. The NRA should cater to ANY and EVERY one that is a gun owner, no matter which genre of firearms they choose to own, compete with or sport they follow. The NRA SHOULD follow, ALL gun owners regardless of the "flavor" said gun owner decides which path he / she should follow!!

 

[chicharrones]

It looks like the poll is confusing the 1st amendment with the 2nd amendment.

 

[barnbwt]

Now, how could anyone think the NRA is rather hard to differentiate from the GOP...?

Or close out the first presidential address to your GUN RIGHTS organization on national television like so;

And Attorney General Sessions is putting our priorities into action. He’s going after the drug dealers who are peddling their poison all over our streets and destroying our youth. He’s going after the gang members who threaten our children. And he’s fully enforcing our immigration laws in all 50 states. And you know what? It’s about time. (Applause.)

Heading up the effort to secure America’s borders is a great military general, a man of action: Homeland Security Director [sic], John Kelly. (Applause.)

Secretary Kelly, who used to be General Kelly, is following through on my pledge to protect the borders, remove criminal aliens, and stop the drugs from pouring into our country. We’ve already seen -- listen to this; it never happened before, people can't even believe it. And, by the way, we will build the wall no matter how low this number gets or how this goes. Don't even think about it. Don't even think about it. (Applause.)

You know, they're trying to use this number against us because we've done so unbelievably at the borders already. They're trying to use it against us. But you need that wall to stop the human trafficking, to stop the drugs, to stop the wrong people. You need the wall. But listen to this: We've already seen a 73 percent decrease -- never happened before -- in illegal immigration on the southern border since my election -- 73 percent. (Applause.)

You see what they're doing, right? So why do you need a wall? We need a wall.

You hear that? The NRA needs a wall as first priority, apparently. Not the HPA. Not gun rights.

ETA: yeah, I'm a member, but such off-topic stuff like the NRA has been pushing lately has be reconsidering strongly by renewal. Not because I'm against some of these other policy goals, but because they have nothing to do with the NRA beyond being (R) affiliated. Unless the NRA intends to become a full-on political party & supplant the GOP entirely, they need to stick to their little niche, and not cast their net far & wide in order to gain donations at the expense of results, like some Dudley Brown scam-job.

TCB

 

[Solomonson]

As a former NRA member, I have to admit that I got tired of the NRA "bombing" my U.S.P.S. mailbox with requests for donations every day. How many members are "Lifers" or "Benefactors", or people that have a license to print money out like the U.S. mint can do, legally? I couldn't afford it due to the constantly rising rates, when I was still able to work, 40+ hours a week when I was the "Bread Winner" in a household that had two step children, that were later on in teen aged years and my wife didn't work at the time due to being over qualified.

It got old in a hurry. Besides, how many duffel bags does a family of four at the time really need? I liked the base ball caps they gave to you / us, but how many of them do you really need as well? I cannot see where they can justify hounding each individual member for so much money, when nothing has really changed by their "actions" since I can remember their existence!!

I can honestly remember in my lifetime of 46 + years now, that I knew ONE lifetime member of the NRA. He was an elder man, 60ish. He even complained to me, after he got me to sign up as a member that the rates were going too far off the hook and him being retired and disabled, even he couldn't afford it anymore, he died 2 years later.

When joining/renewing, all one has to do is to note not to mail solicitations -- even with the $10.00/year associate membership. There goes that excuse.

 

[Armored farmer]

I am a life member...and a working stiff.
About eight years ago, when the 2nd amendment was under attack, decided that I would spend the money for a new gun that i didn't NEED....on a life membership. I feel like I put my money where my mouth was in terms of defending the 2nd amendment. I am glad I did it. It was a sacrifice for me. It makes me appreciate the freedoms that we enjoy.
It only cost me some money, it cost some much more.

 

[Solomonson]

The NRA is actually only mildly pro-gun these days. They just asked members to vote to change their charter so that is will be far harder for an upstart to make it to the board of directors. The board has quite a few members who have never set foot in the headquarters from some reports. In Washington state they were non-existent in the fight against the last "universal background check" law that passed. They do support many elected officials who are only mildly pro-gun and they had no love for the "modern sporting rifle" until the shooting public forced it on them.

As a competitive pistol shooter I can tell you they are killing conventional pistol quietly, making high power rifle too easy and they seem to really endorse things like 3-gun and action shooting sports that are gear intensive and require little or no skill. I know there is a huge 3-gun crowd here, but shooting an AR at 14 yds and a pistol into the ground at your feet is not a contest of skill. It is a contest of speed and spending, the person with the coolest gear and most colorful shirt wins.

I'm a life member, I have been for 25 years now. I shoot anything, I've tried most everything and enjoy shooting and collecting. I could have heated my house by burning the paper they send me asking for more and more donations. I enjoy their magazines and support them moderately. But, like many organizations they employ a staff of thousands who live off the backs of their members and the tens of millions gun companies shovel into the group. I am starting to think they care more about their jobs than my rights.

My disdain for their competitive shooting program came after I complained about the poor way they treated several shooters at Camp Perry and the poor condition of the ranges and got told in a most impolite way where to go. By a director level tool no less. Why have a shooters meeting if you cannot tolerate feedback?

The NRA is actually only mildly pro-gun these days. They just asked members to vote to change their charter so that is will be far harder for an upstart to make it to the board of directors. The board has quite a few members who have never set foot in the headquarters from some reports. In Washington state they were non-existent in the fight against the last "universal background check" law that passed. They do support many elected officials who are only mildly pro-gun and they had no love for the "modern sporting rifle" until the shooting public forced it on them.

As a competitive pistol shooter I can tell you they are killing conventional pistol quietly, making high power rifle too easy and they seem to really endorse things like 3-gun and action shooting sports that are gear intensive and require little or no skill. I know there is a huge 3-gun crowd here, but shooting an AR at 14 yds and a pistol into the ground at your feet is not a contest of skill. It is a contest of speed and spending, the person with the coolest gear and most colorful shirt wins.

I'm a life member, I have been for 25 years now. I shoot anything, I've tried most everything and enjoy shooting and collecting. I could have heated my house by burning the paper they send me asking for more and more donations. I enjoy their magazines and support them moderately. But, like many organizations they employ a staff of thousands who live off the backs of their members and the tens of millions gun companies shovel into the group. I am starting to think they care more about their jobs than my rights.

My disdain for their competitive shooting program came after I complained about the poor way they treated several shooters at Camp Perry and the poor condition of the ranges and got told in a most impolite way where to go. By a director level tool no less. Why have a shooters meeting if you cannot tolerate feedback?

It's interesting -- your premise ("The NRA is actually only mildly pro-gun these days") is in no way backed up by the rest of your posting -- even if one presumes your premise and what follows is accurate.

My regrets on the slow death of bullseye. I think it would be doing better today if it had any connection whatsoever to shooting a pistol for defensive purposes. That's a skill that many people seek today.

 

[Solomonson]

I was a "working class Joe" before a company nurse put me out due to my leg problem. I couldn't afford it even if I was related to the current President as his kid brother.

It's $10.00/year. Get over it.

 

[Armored farmer]

I think that for a while at least, the only thing standing between us and massive infringement of our rights, was the NRA.
You must give credit where it is due.

 

[GBExpat]

I did not vote because, IMO, such a Poll requires the capability to make multiple choices.

I think that for many (and for whatever reason) the NRA looks like a radical fringe group ... and having Wayne LaPierre as the "face" of the group does not improve that situation.

The NRA needs another Charlton Heston on the dais.

 

[Solomonson]

I did not vote because, IMO, such a Poll requires the capability to make multiple choices.

I think that for many (and for whatever reason) the NRA looks like a radical fringe group ... and having Wayne LaPierre as the "face" of the group does not improve that situation.

The NRA needs another Charlton Heston on the dais.

Obviously the poll doesn't require the capability to make multiple choices if the pollster is looking for the main reason why more people don't join the NRA.

 

[Solomonson]

I wish I could change my vote to "General apathy" after reading some of the comments.

 

[Jack B.]

If you go to their website to enter a contest to try to win a give away or anything else you have to donate money for your entry to be valid. They say no cost to enter but to get that you have to write to them through regular US mail. Don't like that . I am a member too.

 

[Axis II]

As a former NRA member, I have to admit that I got tired of the NRA "bombing" my U.S.P.S. mailbox with requests for donations every day. How many members are "Lifers" or "Benefactors", or people that have a license to print money out like the U.S. mint can do, legally? I couldn't afford it due to the constantly rising rates, when I was still able to work, 40+ hours a week when I was the "Bread Winner" in a household that had two step children, that were later on in teen aged years and my wife didn't work at the time due to being over qualified.

It got old in a hurry. Besides, how many duffel bags does a family of four at the time really need? I liked the base ball caps they gave to you / us, but how many of them do you really need as well? I cannot see where they can justify hounding each individual member for so much money, when nothing has really changed by their "actions" since I can remember their existence!!

I can honestly remember in my lifetime of 46 + years now, that I knew ONE lifetime member of the NRA. He was an elder man, 60ish. He even complained to me, after he got me to sign up as a member that the rates were going too far off the hook and him being retired and disabled, even he couldn't afford it anymore, he died 2 years later.

100% agree. the only reason I signed up in the first place is because my hunt club requires it. I'm sure glad I followed my buddies lead and have then a fake phone number cause they call him daily and I get emails and junk mail daily. It's a shame my 40$ a year goes to junk mail. I used to get 2 emails a day about such and such wants to steal my guns and pay more and sign this. Finally I got one that wasn't computer automated and replied with stop sending me your anti govt political agenda bullcrap or I will cancel my membership asap! About 2 weeks later no emails.

Honestly I don't want to offend anyone but they are a business and out to make money and I don't see them doing squat for my gun rights! If the govt wants them a business isn't going to stop them.

 

[Sav .250]

I could care less about other folks whining about this or that concerning the NRA. I may not always agree with them but I`m a long standing member.
Folks that are not members ...that`s your call but you are reaping the benefits on the backs of paying members through the efforts of the NRA. J s/n.

 

[243winxb]

Nonmembers have told me, to much junk mail.

NRA Life here.

 

[Curator]

I am a life member and have been a Training Counselor for 30+ years. About half of the people who seek training from me as a certified firearms instructor choose not to become NRA members. The mostly B.S. excuses" (rather than reasons) run the gamete from too much money/junk mail to disliking Wayne LaPierre and all the charges leveled by competing groups like G.O.A, 2nd Amendment Foundation, etc. etc. The NRA is far from perfect and it is easy to criticize but in a polarized America that very nearly elected HRC we should all hang together or we will surely hang separately. The enemies of gun ownership are adept at splintering their opposition. A 20 million member NRA would be formidable indeed.

 

[red rick]

I am tired of all the NRA phone calls at night asking for money , or asking me to renew my membership when it is still good for 6 months . I have called and asked them to stop , but evidently you have to ask them every time you renew your membership .

 

[AlexanderA]

Speaking as a longtime NRA Life Member myself, I can see a few things that could be offputting about the NRA to other gun owners. One is too many mail solicitations for tie-in businesses such as insurance, etc. Another is that NRA executives are enriching themselves through overly generous salaries, while not being as effective for gun rights as they could be. (Wayne LaPierre is not an attractive face for the organization, and he's overpaid.) Still another criticism is that the NRA has become a partisan branch of the Republican Party. And the NRA's acquiescence to the 1986 Hughes Amendment ban was unforgivable.

Still, the NRA is the one indispensable organization representing gun owners and gun rights. The answer is to join, and then work to improve it.

 

[J-Bar]

Patron Life member here.

"Boo-hoo I get junk mail." You can opt out with a phone call. The only mail I get from the NRA is American Rifleman.

"They make it hard to be a board member." Seriously? You can't pony up a few bucks a year but expect them to put a wishy-washy person on the Board?

"LaPierre is no good. We need another Charlton Heston." Many did not like Heston either. I guess you only give offerings to your church or service club when you like a particular sermon or project?

The NRA makes an effort to certify trainers, sanction competitions, as well as wield political influence. The NRA is far from perfect, but how many posts and articles and letters have you seen from shooting enthusiasts in other countries who wish they had an NRA?

I donate to the NRA because I think the anti- gun folks are wrong. The excuses for not supporting the NRA so far are pathetic.

 

[Walkalong]

They are certainly not perfect, and no origination can please everyone, but the NRA over the last 40/50 years is the only reason we still have any gun rights left in this country. Love them or hate them, they are the best thing we have going for protecting our gun rights.