can we talk?
General Topic
I am going to sign up as a life member in the NRA... the assault is upon us and it is time to take a stand.
Been a lifer for 20+ years.
I, and all three children are life members. Now is the time to send them some extra donations.
Similar to t-roy, a Patron NRA member for about 30 years
Yes sign up but do us all a favor. Write your congressmen and Senators and urge them to back down on gun control. I tell mine that on a regular basis. I also urge them to make it easier to manufacture goods here profitably. Good products can be made anywhere but I prefer to pay my neighbors to make the products I use. A good economy means more folks working and fewer getting in trouble. It is interrelated.
Greenmtn, I can"t get Chuckles Skeemer to lower gas prices in my state... gun control is their pet project from here on in.
I do respect your input though. scentman
Same here in NM. Heinrich is a sellout and folded like a cheap suit once he got to DC.
Lifer here as well!
I try and buy locally and from small businesses if I can!
Bowsite will become irrelevant without the 'other stuff' in place...
Anthony I also respect your opinion... but if you don't see the correlation between NRA and the outdoors and what media we have to discuss the elephant in the room I can't accommodate your purist feelings.
^^^^ If it wasn’t for the NRA and GOA, you wouldn’t have a bow season or the need of Bowsite. ^^^^^
Have you looked at why they are suing?
I understand this is just the left's latest tactic against the NRA but WLP and others at the top of the org have brought this on themselves by their reckless behavior.
NRA members should be the ones suing. The NRA has become a hollow shell of what it once was due to their own actions.
Lately I feel like the only good thing about the NRA is that liberals are still scared of them.
Pred, if they are guilty I will be the first to ask Uncle Ted to take over... that being said, no charges, just a legal battle to distract Barrack O'Biden, cmon man!
Lifer for over 20 years. NRA was the first Life Membership I bought.
If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem...
Tavis for the win. (Spell check didn’t get me that time.). If you aren’t part of the solution, then you are part of the problem. It’s black and white. You either fight for your second Amendment with the NRA. And, allow the organization to police itself concerning leadership. Or, you fight against the second amendment with your lame excuses fueled by politics.
It is really that simple.
Lifer. If we lose this battle, Bowsite will be irrelevant.
Life member. Without them, there's zero chance we'd be enjoying the freedoms we have today.
Life member here. I agree, without the 2A hunting of any kind would be gone.
Life Member here as well. I use my guns to protect my bows :)
Thanks for the post. I was not a member, will join today. No reason not to previously, just wasn't really on my radar to join. I think there are others like me out there. Was the same with my local bow association. I enjoyed the benefits others before me fought for but never was part of it until I understood what was going on. Gotta get the word out.
Life member here, guns protect freedoms much better than politicians ever could
Life member here. Don’t know why a freedom loving American wouldn’t be.
If they quit pushing crossbows, I'll join. Anyone know?
Wayne needs to go, time for new blood at the helm. The NY DA is a far left wack job but there probably is a little truth to the charges, and I don't believe Wayne should be getting the money he is. A bit rich for what he's doing. I believe he gets 5 MIL a year.
I tell everyone who'll listen "If you own a gun or ever hope to you better be an NRA member"
If you compare crossbows to freedom can"t help you there... Wayne is worth every penny... could you fill his shoes?
He is the Trump of the NRA.
45 year Life Member. Bought the first year I was out of college and working a full time job.
Hope this strengthens them!
30 Plus Lifer here. We need them more than ever now.
What the DA is doing is ridiculous. Aside from that, anyone following the NRA knows some change is due.
"If you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem"
Man, I hear you guys and dont disagree, but how is giving more money to them the solution? I truly don't feel that Wayne gives two craps about the 2nd amendment. He cares about money and power. If we keep throwing money at them why would they change?
Patron Life Member for 20+ years.
Bought 5 life memberships for 3 sons and 2 sons in law.
I totally agree Pred... but who has as much influence as the NRA? I pay taxes as much as the next guy... how is that money spent?
If they bust up the NRA were done... Hitler is smiling in his grave.
If NRA has management issues of fraud or embezzling and I am not saying they do, but then the recourse is to deal with those people. Trying to shut down a legal enterprise is dirty politics.
I know you're right, Scentman. I feel much of that power/influence is squandered unfortunately. Wish they'd grow a set of balls.
I should probably just hold my nose and re-up my membership.
No! We can't talk. The gun grabbers will never be satisfied with concessions. Give a little today, tomorrow they're right back to pursuing their ultimate goal which is total confiscation of all guns. Their game plan is to play the long game & keep chipping away, bit by bit until their goal is reached.
"If you compare crossbows to freedom can"t help you there... Wayne is worth every penny... could you fill his shoes? He is the Trump of the NRA."
So is that a "yes" they are still pushing crossbows? Just curious.
They left NY high and dry with the safe act. They help on a national level, but most of the attacks against the 2nd are on the state level. CA, CT, VA, and many others. They don't seem do do anything about that. I am NOT OK with that.
With that being said, for the cost of the annual membership, it's worth it to keep them in the limelight for the 2nd. If they helped out more on the state level I'd give more every year.
I have been an NRA member all my adult life. Have been a Life member over 20 years. As said above if not for the NRA we would NOT have the rights we have today. For anyone who loves hunting, no matter what you hunt with, Gun, crossbow, or bow. There is not another organization in this country as strong as the NRA fighting for your rights. And they have fought for bowhunter rights in the past. Join Today!
I will NOT renew until Wayne LaPierre is gone. And NOBODY, whatever their title in any organization, should be above and beyond scrutiny. 'Executive Vice President' has become a sinecure for one man's ego. I've always been for term limits, this case is just one more example of *why*.
"So is that a "yes" they are still pushing crossbows? Just curious."
The road to hell is paved with rationalization. Just sayin'...
I don't know if the NRA is still pushing crossbows or not. Anyone that knows me, knows I don't like crossbows in archery season. And right now it shouldn't matter if you like who is in charge with the NRA or not. The NRA has done a fantastic job to protect our 2nd amendment and our hunting rights. Right now is probably the most important time in our history to become a member. I am very surprised that everyone on this site is not a member.
2.3 million hunters didn't vote in the last election.
"And right now it shouldn't matter if you like who is in charge with the NRA or not." Here's the problem - the guy is a crook and there seems to be no way to kick his ass out. IT MATTERS. Because I will be dipped if I'm giving my money to an organization that allows its 'leaders' to squander MILLIONS of dollars on themselves. How many new gun ranges, archery ranges etc. could have been built with that money? How many kids' bows could they have given to junior archers with that money? Noooo, Wayne gets to hob-nob on a yacht. Bleep that!
Crossbows have little to do with the NRA. Hunters, and only hunters, buy crossbows. Hunters create all of the crossbow demand, nobody to blame but those who have purchased one, ( or more). Hunters have to be responsible for their own actions.
For those who asky why NRA on Bowsite. From their website. As the largest pro-hunting organization in the world, NRA strongly supports public hunting as a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife populations, and protects the tradition of hunting through lobbying, programs and the activism of our members.
I just wish they would keep the junk mail. I think they spend more on postage begging me for more money than I pay in dues.
Life member. Change in the NRA is overdue, but NY suing is a political move. A class action lawsuit from members to set things right would make more sense to me.
Just became a lifetime member of the Iowa Bowhunters Association this past weekend, as did my son. I looked into doing the same with the NRA after seeing this thread today. I'm seeing two different rates depending on how I search it. Directly from the NRA home page it's $1500. I'm also seeing a reduced rate of $600 (don't think you get the leather jacket) when I just Google NRA membership. Anyone know if this reduced rate is legit? I can probably make that happen but not $1500 at the moment.
For goodness sake on crossbows... that is not the point of my post.
I do own a recurve x caliber crossbow... should I be banned from Bowsite? I have contributed and at the same time learned sooo much from this site I believe has made me somewhat a better person even going back to the CF days... please Pat reinstate some form of that great forum, ehhhemmm.
Anyhoot, my point as 99 % on this thread know that we are under assault and it is not from an AR-15 even scarier it is from a home grown Communist movement that has clinged itself like a lime tick into our Nation.
"2.3 million hunters didn't vote in the last election."
Inexcusable. Hope your not talking about underage hunters...
Banned from Bowsite for owning a crossbow, who mentioned that?
The fact is, many here now own and hunt with crossbows, not hand drawn bows. The NRA caters to hunter sentiment, hence they have no issues with crossbows.
"Anyhoot, my point as 99 % on this thread know that we are under assault and it is not from an AR-15 even scarier it is from a home grown Communist movement that has clinged itself like a lime tick into our Nation."
So are we fighting to keep the AR-15 or are we fighting the leftist movement in this country? The NRA is only doing one of those things. The other can only be solved through voting and education and we 've already lost control of the latter. Were we all too busy bitching about other guys shooting our deer to see this coming? Maybe we were, and maybe we only have our apathy to blame. Neve too late to start doing the right thing though eh fellas?
Please Gent's take some of my comments tongue and cheek... my apologies if I have come across beatching about the issue... my reason for the post was not crossbows or AR-15 rifles but the need to stick together for what we on this site love? Brotsky, you just explained my reasoning for this thread... thank you.
It is so simple. You either stand and contribute to the protection of your Bill or Rights. Or, you can rationalize why you don’t. And be part of the problem at the same time.
Crossbows my ass. When they are breaking their liberal foot off in your rear end after they topple the 2nd Amendment, tell me again how your morals made a difference to The future generations of Americans looking for the same rights you pissed away. Unbelievable.
Here is what I know. They will never take your guns physically. However, What they will do is take your incentive to own them. Therefore eliminating your desire and ability to have a 2nd Amendment.
WV, you are one of the reasons I belong to this Community of Bowsite... wish I could communicate such as you.
You will not convince everyone here of course. We have hunters within our ranks who vote for the socialists dems, see previous threads on the topic. These hunters actually vote people into office who want to abolish much of hunting . Throw those socialist supporting hunters aside and do the right thing, support the NRA,... And Trump.
Well said, WV.
I have been a life member of NRA for 30 years. I send them a few dollars occasionally.
Without the NRA, we would probably already lost the right to keep and bear arms, IMO.
This argument has been going since the 60's and the NRA does an excellent job of protecting the right to keep and bear arms. However, Wayne has to go with his top deputies. Just like with any position of power, people get corrupted. Also, Wayne is a lightning rod, so maybe he should step down and get some new blood. Someone commented on the NFL commissioner making 40 million a year, well that's fine due to the fact it's a free enterprise market. The NRA is a charitable organization and Wayne making 5 million a year plus however many benefits on top of that is a bit much. Memebers donate Money for the org to fight not to pay the top officers millions.
Sundowner, your last point isn’t even debatable. Without the NRA up to this point, we’d have not the liberty of freedom or, the right to hunt. Period.
But, it’s always those that have always had, that want to tweak things. They take it for granted. And draw ultimatums in the sand in order to get it the way they prefer. This isn’t UNO. There are long lasting repercussions to stupid, faulty decisions. And, there apathy affects more then themselves. SMH why that gets lost.
I have been a member off and on for over 20 years. Going to sign up for life membership today!!!
Have been a lifer for many years and have been saying for several years get rid of LaPierre and give the job to Tom Gresham.
Endowment Life member here. Been a member since I was 16....52 years......
I'm a long-term member. I was wondering whether or not to re-up when my time comes. The NRA is a must, Wayne is not. His very questionable behavior is what gives me pause. My preference, and eventual hope, is to see Wayne go and Ollie come back to lead it.
I have been a life member of the NRA for almost 50 years . Politicians do not fear the NRA as much as the notion that so many of us are members. Most don't care about much except getting reelected. Being a member is not enough. We need to be viable in our communities as good citizens. The best thing you can do is talk to your neighbors and landowners. Take a kid and his or her mom or dad along if they would like. I have a few pictures of my kids and neighbor kids cooking a squirrel that they shot in the woods over a small campfire. I was honored to have one such lady stop by the house a month ago. She asked if I could take her daughter out for a hunt in a year or so. I have been working on this approach for a while.
greenmountain: YOU GET IT! Keep it up!
When you sign up mention Bowsite and this thread... as sportsmen we must be united or eventually we will fall. scentman
I just finished a conversation with a nice young lady named Dana at the NRA... 600.00 lifetime member as of 9:25 this am! She said the calls are off the wall, and thanked me so much... I did mention Bowsite and Dana agreed we must be united. Have a great weekend all!
"...as sportsmen we must be united or eventually we will fall."
This exactly. Who gives a flying rip whether you hunt with a bow, crossbow, or rifle. I find it almost hilarious at the disdain certain people have anytime the word "rifle" is mentioned on Bowsite. Guess it's time to have a category called 'Other Types of Hunting' or something along those lines. There are more bowhunters that possess a rifle than those that don't...
Tish just upped the NRA membership in record number... "never let a crisis go to waste" Gotta love it!
She definitely overstepped by going after the NRA in its entirety. But Wayne needs to go.
Dana, join up or shut your pie hole.
Been a lifer for longer than I can remember, but this current bruhaha needs to be investigated, (though not by some Dem lawyer for political purposes), but the cloud surrounding this little debacle has been hanging over the NRA for about a year now and the air needs to clear. We can all agree that most of the “lawmakers” in Washington have been in office too long, well so has LaPierre !
Here is a left-wing view from the Daily Least on the lawsuit and NRA leadership. This is what Ollie was trying to fix before he was forced out by Wayne and company. As I said before....we need the NRA...but Wayne needs to go. As long as he is there, he will give the anti's the ammo they need. Anyone in these high level positions needs to be above reproach.
"The Real Reason New York’s Attorney General Went After the NRA [The Daily Beast] Barbara McQuade The Daily Beast•August 6, 2020
New York Attorney General Letitia James may be able to do what no politician before her has been able to accomplish – take down the National Rifle Association.
Her lawsuit alleging self-dealing and misconduct could, if successful, dissolve the entire organization. While the suit is civil in nature, it reads like an old-fashioned corruption indictment.
It alleges that the not-for profit organization violated New York state laws governing charities by diverting tens of millions of dollars away from the organization’s mission for the personal benefit of its leaders, with Wayne LaPierre, the NRA’s Executive Vice President for the past 29 years, and three other officers named as defendants along with the organization itself. According to the complaint, LaPierre used NRA funds for eight private plane flights to the Bahamas, where they enjoyed life on the 107-foot yacht of an NRA vendor, as well as for safaris in Africa and elsewhere. The complaint also claims that LaPierre allotted millions of dollars for private security for himself without sufficient oversight (and cited “security” concerns to explain why he didn’t disclose those trips to the NRA’s board), that he spent $1.2 million of the group’s funds on gifts from Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman for favored friends and vendors, and that he negotiated a post-employment contract for himself valued at $17 million without board approval.
‘Fraught With Fraud and Abuse’: NY Attorney General Sues to Dissolve the National Rifle Association
New York, like most states, requires non-profit organizations to file annual financial reports as a condition of its non-profit status, which confers tax benefits for the organization and its donors. The law requires funds to be used to serve the organization’s members and advance its charitable mission. The complaint alleges that the NRA’s leaders “blatantly ignored” those rules by failing to ensure proper internal controls, ignoring whistleblowers and concealing problems from auditors.
Like other cases of corruption, this easily could have been framed as a criminal case. Filing false registration and disclosure documents as part of a scheme to defraud can serve as the basis for federal mail or wire fraud, and often does in public corruption cases. When I served as a federal prosecutor, my former office brought public corruption cases on such theories in similar cases in which officials misused funds for personal benefit. Why then, is it left to James, whose office’s oversight over charities is civil in nature, to bring this action? The silence of the U.S. Department of Justice here is deafening.
But the effect of the state attorney general’s civil case might be even more devastating than a criminal case because one of the remedies of her action is dissolution of the NRA itself. She used the same tactics to dissolve the Trump Foundation in November. There, she reached a settlement with President Donald Trump and family members to pay $2 million to resolve allegations of misuse of charitable funds to influence the 2016 presidential primary election and to further his own personal interests. Among the improper use of funds was doling out $500,000 to potential voters at a 2016 campaign rally in Iowa. As part of that settlement, James required Trump to personally admit to misusing the Foundation’s funds. Sometimes, parties to settlements are permitted to publicly state that a resolution is not an admission of wrongdoing. James would not let them off so easily. Her success in the Trump Foundation case puts teeth into her legal quest to dissolve the NRA as well.
Trump to NRA Bigwigs: Get Better Lawyers
Since 1871, the NRA has been the nation’s largest gun advocacy group. Founded to improve marksmanship following the Civil War, the organization has lately become a powerful lobbying organization and campaign funder that can make or break candidates for political office depending on their stance on firearms regulations. As its website boasts, the NRA is “widely recognized today as a major political force.” Following mass shootings in America, Democratic candidates for office have blamed the NRA for the inability to pass gun reform legislation, and have demanded campaign finance reform to expose and limit the organization’s influence on elections.
No doubt, there will be Second Amendment advocates who claim that the New York lawsuit is politically motivated effort to strike a blow against gun ownership. Indeed, if the allegations are true that the NRA engaged in cartoonishly corrupt self-dealing and misconduct, then the dissolution of the NRA would end its 139-year run as the nation’s strongest advocate for gun rights.
The law may be the only weapon that can take down the NRA. And if James can prove her case, then the demise of the NRA will be a self-inflicted wound."
The right wing version of that is - the NRA had $60 million they planned on political ads in October. They are the ONLY right wing organization that has EVER made a difference in campaigns. The DEMS know that - this suit was to stop that - brilliant actually. Now the NRA has to tie up those funds to defend itself.
It may backfire - with all the donations pouring in - but that was their (Democrat) thought process for the suit.
I was just listening to one of the NRA board members on the radio and he said all that’s being said here, with the exception of a few. He gave a thumbs up to the job LaPierre is doing. We are a land of innocent until proven guilty.
NRA, will come out stronger than ever... you could look after every lobbyist on both sides and find some form of mismanagement and start a lawsuit... pisses me off its on my dime which they have no problem with... I cannot stand Dem tactics, they are brutal and relentless when they put their mind to it! Pour your money into this cause... our future depends upon it... heck you all know that... Mr. Heston would be right up front and tell them to... well you know what he would tell them!
I had let my membership lapse after they stuck their noses into archery hunting. Plus I got damn tired of the nonstop spending on phone harassment and weekly mailers begging for money. Just yesterday I got one with "Gun Confiscation Notice" on the outside of the envelope. However, considering this lawsuit, I will hold my nose and reluctantly rejoin.
Hold that nose Lou .. the swamp stinks much more than the any lawsuit!
Interesting show by Tom Gresham today on Gun Talk. The AGs suit is completely political and a stretch to succeed but her case is built in part with info that came from what are likely decent folks within the NRA who had no luck pointing out some big issues through normal channels.
