the NRA boogieman

[Tejas]

The NRA sets up registration tables at the entrance to some gunshows to sell memberships. Take a gander at what is actually happening the next time you go to a show, the overwhelming majority of people are walking right past and going into the show.

Keep in mind that if you sign up at their table (at a very substantial discount on normal price) that you get free entrance to the show and don't have to wait in line at the ticket window. The discount is substantial: $25 will get you a $35 1yr membership + a ball cap/sticker/etc + free admittance ($5-$8) to the show.

I see that as a $35 membership for $17-$20. Again, a bargain if that's what you're looking for but people are not signing up in droves like some (ie: the NRA) want you believe.

[bluestateguy]

1. Perhaps because gun show people are likely already members of NRA?

nt

[Tejas]

15. I might make for a lousy detective but

the facial expressions and overall general attitude of the incoming crowds that are approached by NRA volunteers tells me otherwise. By "approached", I mean the casual comments to passerbys from their table about the price/savings that are available vs standing in the ticket line. The volunteers do NOT walk the line and pester anyone, no "Obama this" or "Holder that" etc. In all fairness, wanted to mention that fact.
The showgoers generally treat the NRA table the same way they deal with the "lemme clean yer glasses with this miracle stuff" guy next to the jerky tables.

Now the conspiracy-theorists over there with their posters of Pelosi eating babies is another thing all together but hey, this is America.

[pipoman]

2. Many who attend gunshows are already members

but you are right not all who attend gun shows are NRA members. I was hoping by your title you were going to point out that the NRA, with all of its political faults (mostly attributable to the NRA-ILA, not the NRA proper), has in fact been responsible for training more safe hunters and shooters than any other organization in the world, bar none. They have trained more kids, adults, police officers, crime victims, you name it. They have likely, through their training programs, prevented more accidental shootings than any other group ever. Without their lobbying efforts RKBA wouldn't be where it is today IMHO.

As for the NRA-ILA, they are definitely right leaning politically over the past several decades, I wish it wasn't so, but alas it is. Why are they right leaning? Could it be that virtually every infringement on the 2nd Amendment for the last several decades has came out of our party? That our party platform includes (and has for some time) language supporting infringement on the 2nd Amendment? That we repeatedly run and elect candidates at the national level who are outspoken gun control advocates? I contend that if our party would leave gun control to the states, and remove it from our platform and if our candidates would proclaim further gun control will be left to the states, we would see less right leaning political rhetoric coming from the NRA-ILA. I believe they have proven that they are not completely republican supporters by endorsing many RKBA Dems at the national and state level, these endorsements are often overlooked or ignored by those here who simply wish to demonize the entire organization. If, lets say, our party would have nominated Bill Richardson as our candidate in the last election cycle, he would have been the NRA endorsed candidate without a doubt.

BTW I am currently not a member of the NRA.

[Tim01]

3. I get the feeling here

that a lot of people have the opinion that "real" democrats or "good" democrats are in favor of gun control.

[X_Digger]

4. As much or more social pressure..

.. than the authoritarian schmucks we so despise in the repugnican party.

We're the inclusive party, open to debate on almost any subject, except this one. At a mainstream / national party level at least- locally, it's all over the spectrum.

[spin]

5. It's surprising when DU runs a poll on gun ownership...

how many members own firearms.

[paulsby]

13. compare to NARAL

of course the NRA is right leaning for the same reason that NARAL is left leaning.

both advocate for civil rights issues.

in the case of the former, the fact is that the right is much more supportive of that civil right

in the case of the latter, the fact is that the left is much more supportive of that civil right

[aikoaiko]

6. others have said that there are 80M gun owners inthe US and only 4M NRA members

Your observation is really in line with those numbers.

For a long time I wasn't a member because I wasn't Ok with the NRAs exaggerations when discussing political candidates' stances on guns and gun control. I'm still not ok with that, but I joined because they do the most to protect 2nd Amendment rights. Plus, it became clear to me that when Democratic politicians are correct on guns and gun control, the NRA supports them.

[DonP]

8. "Only" 4 million members?

I always kind of smile when I read that anywhere.

Are there any other grass roots organization that have that many dues paying members? I'm damned hard pressed to think of any single issue group as big or as dominant.

4 million + people, on the ground, with extended families voting pretty much along the same lines is a pretty big chunk of voters to pay attention to.

I'm not real nuts about some of their positions, but here in Illinois they are the only group that is fighting Daley and the Cook County people trying to restrict gun rights even further than they already have.

[aikoaiko]

9. You're right, only is probably not the best word to have used.

I agree with you that the NRA is the best defender of the RKBA, albeit flawed.

[spin]

10. A lot of NRA members get tired of the constant fund raising BS...

and drop their membership.

The NRA does a lot of good for firearms owners such as certifying instructors, providing technical info, providing gun safety courses etc.

But they get carried away on the fund raising bit and act like firearms are going to be banned next week unless they get more money.

It doesn't take long for this approach to get old. I don't know any long term NRA members that appreciate the constant harassment.

[spin]

11. delete ... duplicate post

[virginia mountainman]

7. If Obama gets to pushing for gun bans..

Their will be a line around the corner to join up....


Just like last time........

[AtheistCrusader]

12. Keep in mind, this will vary from state to state, and organization to organization that hosts it.

In Washington, at the WAC shows, NRA membership does not get you in 'free'. Either you are a member of Washington Arms Collectors or you are not. Members don't pay admission, non-members do. Non-members cannot purchase, sell, or even handle firearms.

As far as the NRA table, I walked past it. 2 of the 4 people in my group were lifetime members, one was a yearly, and I am happy that they stopped mailing me begging flyers for money, so I'm not about to remind them I exist, by renewing my membership.

[gorfle]

14. They could already be members.

I've been an NRA member for years, but I've never signed up at a gun show.