Disclaimer: I'm a current NRA member with a five year membership. This thread is NOT about the NRA and it's strengths and weaknesses. Please don't turn this into a "for or against the NRA debate", because it's not meant to be that.
Okay here's the scenario. I'm a longtime member of a gun club that requires that applicants undergo a background check and complete an orientation session. No one has to vouch for you. As a result of this arrangement, the membership is comprised of shooters from all walks of life and varying degrees of firearms experience. Some folks shoot several times a week, others maybe twice a year. There is a lot of comraderie amongst members and everyone is helpful. The range is run in a way that emphasizes safety and fun, in that order. I truly enjoy being a member.
Recently, the decision was made to require that all gun club members hold NRA memberships beginning next January. The club's rationale for taking this direction is so it will be more competitive for NRA grants. There may be other underlying motives but that is the official rationale. Provisions have been made so that folks can join the NRA through the club and the club gets a small kickback.
Existing members will not be grandfathered. Roughly half of the current members hold NRA memberships as of now. Membership in other pro-2nd amendment organizations will not be sufficient to join or remain a member of the club. Now here are my questions:
1. If you were an existing club member who's not in the NRA (for whatever reason), would you join the NRA in order to remain a member of the gun club?
2. If you were a non club member and non-NRA member who wanted to join the club, would you join the NRA to gain club membership?
Looking forward to your responses.
Foo
Okay here's the scenario. I'm a longtime member of a gun club that requires that applicants undergo a background check and complete an orientation session. No one has to vouch for you. As a result of this arrangement, the membership is comprised of shooters from all walks of life and varying degrees of firearms experience. Some folks shoot several times a week, others maybe twice a year. There is a lot of comraderie amongst members and everyone is helpful. The range is run in a way that emphasizes safety and fun, in that order. I truly enjoy being a member.
Recently, the decision was made to require that all gun club members hold NRA memberships beginning next January. The club's rationale for taking this direction is so it will be more competitive for NRA grants. There may be other underlying motives but that is the official rationale. Provisions have been made so that folks can join the NRA through the club and the club gets a small kickback.
Existing members will not be grandfathered. Roughly half of the current members hold NRA memberships as of now. Membership in other pro-2nd amendment organizations will not be sufficient to join or remain a member of the club. Now here are my questions:
1. If you were an existing club member who's not in the NRA (for whatever reason), would you join the NRA in order to remain a member of the gun club?
2. If you were a non club member and non-NRA member who wanted to join the club, would you join the NRA to gain club membership?
Looking forward to your responses.
Foo