Why Guns?

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[Mr. Mojo]

I try to stay away from the "NRA vs. GOA" flame wars. Although I agree with the anti-NRA sentiments expressed by NLS in post #40 on this thread, like him I'm also an NRA lifetime member and appreciate a lot of what they do. GOA can't even come close to matching their enormous political clout. Byron the Aussie is right -- Gore would probably be in the WH right now if not for the NRA's tireless efforts. But when I disagree with them, or think they should change their policy, I write them and tell them so.

I support both organizations (as my profile page suggests), and appreciate their unique talents and angles of approach. But from a purely philosophical point of view, I'm GOA all the way.

[Mr. Mojo]

Is Howlin a gun-grabber? :)

[wcbtinman]

"Without the NRA, we'd have President Gore to contend with, now"

Talk about a load of crap!!?? You sound as if NRA members were the only citizens voting. Let's see what we have with the NRA.

The 1968 Gun Control Act, the Assault Weapons Ban, Project Exile, the Brady Act, Florida's 10-20-30 law, registration databases, the push for so-called "smart gun" technology,... ad infinitum. These are just the one's off the top of my head.

With help like that, I certainly don't need the NRA.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..as Smith said:...

Hey, let Smith run for the NRA board. He'd probably have the numbers, too. But that would take some actual effort, as opposed to sniping away.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...that best sums up why I stopped shelling out for the NRA years ago....

Right.

That, and stinginess.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..these are just the one's off the top of my head...

A highly selective head, too.

The facts are that the NRA is the most effective and successful gun rights organisation in the world. If you're not happy with its direction, jolt your asses of the couch and start working to turn the helm. Otherwise you're just another bunch of gun owners with excuses for their inaction, and people like me have to do your part.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..but when I disagree with them, or think they should change their policy, I write them and tell them so...

Good! You're part of the program. How can anyone be 100% happy with the direction of any collective endeavour?

No one could be, but only a handful are selfish enough to pull their membership- if, they ever had one. This is one of those threads which gets me annoyed with some of my Libertarian friends; the way things have to be perfect, in their eyes, or they'll take their bat and ball and go home. The veneer of principle strips away to reveal the core selfishness. Glad to see you're not in that sorry company. Cheers, By

[ApesForEvolution]

Stinginess? When the NRA gets some collective common sense and becomes a supporter of the 2nd A., and not just a bureacratic organization 'trying to stem the tide', I'll open the treasure chest up.

Get off my couch? I'll suppose you sat there in Australia while they came into your house and TOOK your firearms. Or, did you drive down to the station and get your $$ when you turned them in?

[tpaine]

Says byron, 'sniping away'..

Get a life kiddo. Smith is a writer, not a politician.

[tpaine]

Typical.
Soon you will be telling us to love the NRA, mom, apple pie & America, -- or leave it.

How clownish.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..Smith is a writer, not a politician...

He's a gunowner, and thereby either part of the problem, or part of the solution. Let him run for NRA office, if he's so passionate about their directions.

Otherwise, it's just more hot air.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...I'll suppose you sat there in Australia while they came into your house and TOOK your firearms...

I fought tooth and nail. Still am.

[tpaine]

The hot air here is belching out of an aussie without a point.

As I said earlier, who do you think you are to lecture us on gun control? I fought the good fight in the NRA trenches pre-'68.. I lost. The appeasment clowns won. I don't need another clown like you to rub it in.

[tpaine]

Spewing hot air at FR is not fighting "tooth & nail". Never was.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..I fought the good fight in the NRA trenches pre-'68..

(:^D)

Tp, pardon me for a moment, while I imagine your contribution and team spirit in any collective endeavour....

[Byron_the_Aussie]

Hey, I've done plenty of pro-gun activism, working with people who were both softer and harder on the gun rights issue than myself. The key is, keep working with them. Don't be so in love with your own opinion that everything has to be done your way. Now, I've said my piece on this, so go troll for your nightly argument elsewhere. Cheers, By

[tpaine]

Now, I've said my piece on this, so go troll for your nightly argument elsewhere. Cheers,
-By-


How dense & clownish can you get?
-- I was here Byron, -- you came over trolling for flame-bait..

[ApesForEvolution]

No, fighting tooth and nail is also what you do after you've pinned your hopes in a bureaucratic pro-firearm organization and (I've been to more NRA events in one year than you probably in a lifetime) then, when the JBTs come for you/your firearms.

Once seperated from your firearms, if your heart is still beating and you can post tough on a web site - (hint) you're only fighting tooth and nail because you gave up your guns.

We have a phrase in America: "Over my dead body". Many take it literally.

[Mr. Mojo]

BTTT

[wcbtinman]

"The facts are that the NRA is the most effective and successful gun rights organization in the world."

Relative to what? I have been a member of the NRA for a number of years, and I am NOT happy with either the political direction of the NRA which seems to willing to instantly compromise it's principles, nor am I happy with the internal BS that goes on at the board meetings, and during the election of officers.

I have had the opportunity to work with several of the politicians in this country as a research assistant re gun legislation. I was even privy to and had some input on a research paper, regarding the failures of the NFA and the 68 gun control acts, done by a friend and neighbor of the President prior to his election.

So, just watch who the hell your preachin' to.