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Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: rojawe on September 04, 2008, 02:48:17 PM

Title: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: rojawe on September 04, 2008, 02:48:17 PM: DNC PARTY PLATFORM ON GUN CONTROL . . . The Democratic National Committee has released its official party platform including its position on gun control: "We believe that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation, but we know that what works in Chicago may not work in Cheyenne. We can work together to enact and enforce commonsense laws and improvements -- like closing the gun show loophole, improving our background check system, and reinstating the assault weapons ban ..." View the offical platform (Firearms section is on Page 48).

· RNC PARTY PLATFORM ON GUN CONTROL . . . The Republican National Committee has released its official party platform including its position on gun control: "We condemn frivolous lawsuits against firearms manufacturers, which are transparent attempts to deprive citizens of their rights. We oppose federal licensing of law-abiding gun owners and national gun registration as violations of the Second Amendment. We recognize that gun control only affects and penalizes law-abiding citizens, and that such proposals are ineffective at reducing violent crime." View the official platform (Firearms section is on Page 51).

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Title: Re: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: pioneer on September 04, 2008, 05:47:37 PM: Seems pretty clear to me. What I don't underestand is how any gun owner could support the DNC. I know there exists an "elite" group of shooters who think that their particular kind of shooting is okay, and they are safe. They hunt once a year, shoot skeet or trap, and don't own a handgun and would never think of owning [gasp] an "assault weapon." Since THEY don't want or have any of THOSE, they see no threats to their guns and are content to let us bear the burden.

The FBI estimates that there are over 200 million privately-owned firearms in the US.*

The latest number I saw for NRA membership, was about 4 million. Does anyone else see a problem here? If we could get each and every gun owner involved and engaged in protecting our rights, we would be unstoppable.

* http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_guns_are_in_the_united_states_of_America

(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/pioneer461/NRA/NRAGunRights_250.jpg)
Title: Re: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: PegLeg45 on September 04, 2008, 06:03:50 PM: Quote from: pioneer on September 04, 2008, 05:47:37 PM
Seems pretty clear to me. What I don't underestand is how any gun owner could support the DNC. I know there exists an "elite" group of shooters who think that their particular kind of shooting is okay, and they are safe. They hunt once a year, shoot skeet or trap, and don't own a handgun and would never think of owning [gasp] an "assault weapon." Since THEY don't want or have any of THOSE, they see no threats to their guns and are content to let us bear the burden.

The FBI estimates that there are over 200 million privately-owned firearms in the US.*

The latest number I saw for NRA membership, was about 4 million. Does anyone else see a problem here? If we could get each and every gun owner involved and engaged in protecting our rights, we would be unstoppable.

+100.... :)

I read in American Rifleman Magazine just last night that Cabela's offered to pay for 3-year NRA memberships to any company employee that wanted to join. I think there were well over 2000 that signed up.
Midway and Brownells both contribute a lot of money to the NRA.
I also read in the same issue that Kimber donated $600,000.00 worth of shotguns to the NRA to use in it's youth programs. Splendid behavior, IMO.
I try to patronize businesses like this every time I can.

But, it seems when it comes to private citizens, it's one of those situations where many want the 'benefits' of having organizations like the NRA, but they don't want to help foot the bill.

Just the opinion of an NRA Lifer.
Title: Re: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: TAB on September 04, 2008, 06:07:34 PM: ugh, yes the only way to fight for your rights is by joining the NRA...

Anyone else tired of that BS?

Just for the record, I was at one time a NRA life member. I gave it up.
Title: Re: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: PegLeg45 on September 04, 2008, 06:21:52 PM: Quote from: TAB on September 04, 2008, 06:07:34 PM
ugh, yes the only way to fight for your rights is by joining the NRA...

Anyone else tired of that BS?

Just for the record, I was at one time a NRA life member. I gave it up.

No, it's not the ONLY way.
Another way is to get involved on a local grassroots level.
Write letters and e-mails and make phone calls to ALL LEVELS of your elected officials.
And not just when you're upset about something.
If they get it right from time to time, let them know, and thank them. If they get it wrong, call them out on it.

No one should sit back and wait for someone else to do it for you, but the NRA lobbyists have a BETTER chance of getting in to see some politicians than I do...so, I've paid them to do it for me.
The money is already spent and I see no valid reason to void my membership at this point.

Are you aware of some professional misappropriations or wrongdoings by the NRA (other than a personal issue between you and them) that would lead me to believe that I should renounce my membership, or not try to gain support of prospective new members?
If so, speak up, my good man. (specifics would be nice)..Thanks.
Title: Re: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: TAB on September 04, 2008, 08:00:55 PM: you could say all of the above.
Title: Re: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: saltydogbk on September 04, 2008, 08:40:19 PM: I've just started the payment program to give my son a lifetime membership in the NRA. Then I start on my daughter. Both shoot, and shoot well. My platform is keep your damn hands off my guns.
Title: Re: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: ericire12 on September 05, 2008, 06:02:23 AM: Quote from: saltydogbk on September 04, 2008, 08:40:19 PM
I've just started the payment program to give my son a lifetime membership in the NRA. Then I start on my daughter. Both shoot, and shoot well. My platform is keep your damn hands off my guns.

I like my hands on your guns. ;D
Title: Re: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: twyacht on September 05, 2008, 06:17:45 AM: Quote from: ericire12 on September 05, 2008, 06:02:23 AM
I like my hands on your guns. ;D

When several of us "shooting types" get together and the powder smell is in the air, and the lighting is just right, we have "pistol" swapping, parties. I shoot his, she shoots mine,etc,.. we're just a bunch of gun "swingers". :o ;D ;)
Title: Re: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: tombogan03884 on September 05, 2008, 10:48:31 AM: Quote from: TAB on September 04, 2008, 08:00:55 PM
you could say all of the above.

He did ask for specifics, which you never seem to supply.
Your beef is probably that the NRA is always asking for more money, and that over the years the NRA has fallen down on the job a couple times by compromising with scum sucking dems, (These are my beefs) but the current leadership are not the ones who stuck us with the GCA , and lobbying costs MONEY, that is the ammo they need since the law will not us to use bullets on the traitors of the dem party.
Title: Re: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: TAB on September 05, 2008, 02:45:23 PM: having them beg for money all the time was a big part of it... so was the fact that I never saw a single NRA board member at any rally, any where in CA. I never saw them publicly trying to fight any of the crap bills that were trying to be passed. I never saw them host/ sponsor a single shooting even...In other words, I paid for a service, and never received it. Chances are very good CA has more gun owners then some states have population. Then there are also things like thier fear mongering tactics, the actions of some of thier members in the name of the NRA.

question, how many member ships does it take just to pay LaPieres salary?

Whats funny, is it took me working at a gun/hunting/fishing store, for me to realize how little they were actually doing for "my rights" here in CA.
Title: Re: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: wrhall on September 05, 2008, 04:27:48 PM: Hey Tab if Ca has SOOO many gunowners but SOOO few are NRA members & your gunlaws SOOO suck & you have SOOO many DEMS passing those same suck laws do you have to be a genius to figure out the problem?
Title: Re: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: twyacht on September 05, 2008, 05:29:16 PM: , and lobbying costs MONEY, that is the ammo they need since the law will not us to use bullets on the traitors of the dem party.

Unfortunately, the mother's milk of the modern political machine is money, old phrase, but very relevant.

To beat them at their own game regardless of party, you gotta have the financial resources to do it, or the minority will be run over.

I think it sucks, and I do what I can as a member of the NRA, I can't send money everytime they send me something in the mail. But I do what I can, when I can, to be part of the "resistance" against taking or banning my RTBA.
Title: Re: Gun Control Platforms Dems and Reps
Post by: MikeBjerum on September 05, 2008, 05:45:06 PM: An organization is only as good as its members. The NRA is not perfect, and will not be no matter how many good members it has. I have been a member off and on for many years, and I finally took the plunge to become a life member. Membership does two things: 1. It gives factual numbers for the organization to state how many they have on their side; and 2. It gives you the opportunity to get involved in an organized effort.

Important questions to ask everyone is as a member what are (did) you do to help? Did you distribute literature, did you organized educational events, did you write or talk to your law makers, did you petition, did you volunteer your time, did you recruit ...

Our membership dollars do little more than support the structure of the organization. They make the organization available to do the work, but it takes more to get the work done. That is why there are many ways to give (donations, purchases from the store, fund raisers, etc.). There are also issues where the organization itself can not by law use membership dollars for certain activities. Many legislative actions can not be funded by anything other than money sent just for that. That along with the simple law of fund raising that says for every dollar spent you will receive a certain amount back is why the NRA sends out so much stuff. We have used bulk mailing for our business, and the rule of thumb is a 3% response level is exceptional. They say the numbers for telemarketing are similar, but we have never tried that so can't know for sure.

Everyone that values the Second Amendment needs to belong to at least one strong organization, and they need to be actively involved in at least one! Use "Uncle Ted" as an example. Love him or hate him you have to admit that he gets a message out, and even if you don't like the delivery method the facts stand strong. Also, Ted did as much as anyone, except Jim himself, to bring Jim Zumbo back into the good graces of gun lovers and shooters. Can any of us say we are willing to work that hard for what we love?