Open letter to the NRA-ILA

February 7, 2002, 10:16 AM

I recently sent a letter to Mr. Baker, head of the NRA-ILA asking why the NRA is not supporting the KeepAndBearArms.com petition to enforce the 2nd amendment. A nice man, Mr. Gary Klint responded to let me know what I already knew that "The NRA is not supporting this effort at this time..." Here is my response to Mr. Klint. Was I too harsh?

Mr. Gary Klint
NRA-ILA Grassroots Division
Institute for Legislative Action
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030-7400

Dear Mr. Klint,

Thank you for your response to my request for information on the NRA’s stance on the petition to enforce the 2nd amendment. You may or may not have actually read my letter because your response was rather vague. I am an NRA member and I am asking for the reasons why the NRA is not supporting this effort! I already knew that we (the NRA) weren’t and didn’t need you to write and confirm that fact.

I reiterate my request: Why is the NRA not supporting the effort to petition the Attorney General John Ashcroft to enforce the 2nd amendment in the state of California?

Mr. Klint, your response was very similar to my liberal left wing, gun banning, socialist senator Joseph Lieberman’s when asked to support or not support legislation. A bland statement of his position without explanation. I didn’t expect such rhetoric from the NRA? I am already a grassroots gunrights activist but thank you for the opportunity to assist the NRA with their efforts. Should the NRA show any real signs of supporting our 2nd amendment rights I would certainly lend my time and efforts to such an organization. I do contribute to our PVF and the ILA regularly but I can’t justify much more support until I see that the NRA is fully behind the gunrights movement.

Kind regards,

C.R.Sam · February 7, 2002, 01:58 PM

Too harsh....NO.
I think they need a million more letters like yours.

Sam

Brett Bellmore · February 7, 2002, 02:20 PM

Not harsh enough, IMO.

RobW · February 7, 2002, 03:40 PM

I'm a NRA member for just two years with the idea to support an oranization that supports the RKBA. More and more I'm getting the impression that the NRA is in the camp of the "political correct" crowd.

May be it's better to support GOA?

February 7, 2002, 04:42 PM

I won't totally leave the NRA, I can afford to send them a few $$$'s each year to lobby and push for election "Pro-Gun" candidates. After all, the NRA was a key factor in getting GW elected and he appointed John Ashcroft so they do do some good things.

They do come up missing for muster on many issues dear to us rabidly pro gun "nuts" like myself though. The NRA does OK, simply OK.

jimpeel · February 8, 2002, 02:18 AM

I think you could have shortened it to "Why don't you grow a set of balls and stand on your two hind feet for once in your life?"

deej · February 8, 2002, 03:05 AM

I think the NRA has a serious case of NIH (not invented here) syndrome. A few years ago there was a push to put RKBA in the California state constitution (California is one of I think 9? states without an enumerated RKBA). NRA didn't support that, either. NRA is too used to fighting defensive battles after 8 years of Clinton/Gore/Reno.

In 2000, NRA gave $3,079,346 to House/Senate candidates. GOA gave $83,618. This is in no way an indictment of GOA, but the reality: NRA is the big dog in the RKBA arena.

So yeah, keep writing those checks to the NRA, but don't forget the GOA, as well as your state groups, JPFO, SAS, etc. Once the antis are on the retreat - once the idea of RKBA as an INDIVIDUAL RIGHT is acknowledged - then we can start pushing the NRA in the right direction. But until then, the NRA is our best hope to stem the tide.

I wonder what the antis think about this - complaining that the NRA is too soft on gun rights!

DJ

yankytrash · February 8, 2002, 10:32 AM

Good letter.

I've always had the impression that NRA goes for the big political picture in trying to keep pro-gunners in office, at the same time, trying to keep us from looking like fanatics; the GOA gets more specific and does a little 'picking and choosing' of the more obvious outward issues (using NRA chosen politicos to help their causes, BTW); and the your state level gun lobby gets down to the nitty-gritty of the day-to-day gun rights battle.

All good causes with good agendas. Of course, not as cut and dry as I outlined, but there are definite purposes.

Try that same letter the GOA and they'll give you the response you want.

What I'm saying is this - Don't write the President of the Untied States to request raising the speed limit on I-95.

yankytrash · February 8, 2002, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Don't write the President of the Untied States

Hmmmm, a typo with hidden meaning? I think I'll leave it, to ponder....

C.R.Sam · February 8, 2002, 02:13 PM

Sreudian Flip ?

Shotgun364 · February 9, 2002, 12:47 PM

It disturbs me to think that the NRA has become so exclusive as to forget their goal. Im seeing many RKBA organizations uniting and networking to become a more powerful voice, but when I see things like this I get an ache in my stomach.

[color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color] is the NRA doing? We have a chance here to be heard and to make history, why are they closing the door on this petition?

I just joined the NRA and Im feeling kinda rooked.

Shotgun364 · February 9, 2002, 01:13 PM

They are the big money in the RKBA, yes. But not my money. I just stopped payment on a NRA life membership. Im going to give my money to some smaller but more sincere organizations who I believe will do some good in time.

Maybe I will open my wallet again to them in the future, but not until they stop acting like the government itself. If they can be fickle with my RKBA, I can be fickle with my money

Monkeyleg · February 9, 2002, 06:12 PM

A couple of weeks ago I was talking to someone who's been in the thick of the RKBA fight for years, and his comment on the NRA floored me if only because of his proximity to the organization. He thought that, since the days after Neal Knox, the NRA has been intentionally "losing" a few battles just to keep the organization fat. I guess it's time for me to take a closer look at the candidates for the board.

Quartus · February 9, 2002, 06:51 PM

Shotgun364, I'm with you. We don't have time to support half-hearted politically correct efforts. So NRA is the big dog? Fine, if all of the NRA members would stop putting their money down that rathole and give it to the GOA instead, THEY would be the big dog.

And THEY don't compromise.

Who the big dog is is up to US.

SIGarmed · February 9, 2002, 11:48 PM

If your worried about California how about joining the California Rifle and Pistol Association(CRPA)?
They seem pretty outspoken on gun rights.
They're the ones that put up the billboard adds across southern California that read "Society is safer when criminals don't know who's armed."
They are affiliated with the NRA but they don't seem to be losing sight of their main goals. At least IMHO.

deej · February 10, 2002, 01:04 AM

Also join Gun Owners of California, if only because of this quote on their site:

Quote:

"I will accept money from any one and any group.... except Gun Owners of California." -Willie Brown, Mayor of San Francisco and former California Assembly Speaker

That speaks volumes.

DJ

February 7, 2002, 10:16 AM	#1
AmericanFreeBird Guest Posts: n/a	Open letter to the NRA-ILA I recently sent a letter to Mr. Baker, head of the NRA-ILA asking why the NRA is not supporting the KeepAndBearArms.com petition to enforce the 2nd amendment. A nice man, Mr. Gary Klint responded to let me know what I already knew that "The NRA is not supporting this effort at this time..." Here is my response to Mr. Klint. Was I too harsh? Mr. Gary Klint NRA-ILA Grassroots Division Institute for Legislative Action 11250 Waples Mill Road Fairfax, VA 22030-7400 Dear Mr. Klint, Thank you for your response to my request for information on the NRA’s stance on the petition to enforce the 2nd amendment. You may or may not have actually read my letter because your response was rather vague. I am an NRA member and I am asking for the reasons why the NRA is not supporting this effort! I already knew that we (the NRA) weren’t and didn’t need you to write and confirm that fact. I reiterate my request: Why is the NRA not supporting the effort to petition the Attorney General John Ashcroft to enforce the 2nd amendment in the state of California? Mr. Klint, your response was very similar to my liberal left wing, gun banning, socialist senator Joseph Lieberman’s when asked to support or not support legislation. A bland statement of his position without explanation. I didn’t expect such rhetoric from the NRA? I am already a grassroots gunrights activist but thank you for the opportunity to assist the NRA with their efforts. Should the NRA show any real signs of supporting our 2nd amendment rights I would certainly lend my time and efforts to such an organization. I do contribute to our PVF and the ILA regularly but I can’t justify much more support until I see that the NRA is fully behind the gunrights movement. Kind regards,

February 7, 2002, 02:20 PM	#3
Brett Bellmore Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 1999 Location: Capac, MI, USA Posts: 1,927	Not harsh enough, IMO. __________________ Sic semper tyrannis!

February 7, 2002, 03:40 PM	#4
RobW Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2000 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 256	I'm a NRA member for just two years with the idea to support an oranization that supports the RKBA. More and more I'm getting the impression that the NRA is in the camp of the "political correct" crowd. May be it's better to support GOA? __________________ We learn from our experience that we don't learn from our experience.

February 8, 2002, 02:18 AM	#6
jimpeel Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1999 Location: Longmont, CO, USA Posts: 4,530	I think you could have shortened it to "Why don't you grow a set of balls and stand on your two hind feet for once in your life?" __________________ Gun Control: The premise that a woman found in an alley, raped and strangled with her own pantyhose, is morally superior to allowing that same woman to defend her life with a firearm. "Science is built up with facts, as a house is with stones. But a collection of facts is no more a science than a heap of stones is a house." - Jules Henri Poincare "Three thousand people died on Sept. 11 because eight pilots were killed" -- former Northwest Airlines pilot Stephen Luckey

February 8, 2002, 10:32 AM	#8
yankytrash Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Location: Farnham, Va Posts: 2,183	Good letter. I've always had the impression that NRA goes for the big political picture in trying to keep pro-gunners in office, at the same time, trying to keep us from looking like fanatics; the GOA gets more specific and does a little 'picking and choosing' of the more obvious outward issues (using NRA chosen politicos to help their causes, BTW); and the your state level gun lobby gets down to the nitty-gritty of the day-to-day gun rights battle. All good causes with good agendas. Of course, not as cut and dry as I outlined, but there are definite purposes. Try that same letter the GOA and they'll give you the response you want. What I'm saying is this - Don't write the President of the Untied States to request raising the speed limit on I-95. __________________ Right turn, Clyde.

February 7, 2002, 01:58 PM	#2
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	Too harsh....NO. I think they need a million more letters like yours. Sam

February 7, 2002, 04:42 PM	#5
AmericanFreeBird Guest Posts: n/a	I won't totally leave the NRA, I can afford to send them a few $$$'s each year to lobby and push for election "Pro-Gun" candidates. After all, the NRA was a key factor in getting GW elected and he appointed John Ashcroft so they do do some good things. They do come up missing for muster on many issues dear to us rabidly pro gun "nuts" like myself though. The NRA does OK, simply OK.

February 8, 2002, 03:05 AM	#7
deej Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2002 Location: Silicon Valley, (Occupied) California Republic Posts: 226	I think the NRA has a serious case of NIH (not invented here) syndrome. A few years ago there was a push to put RKBA in the California state constitution (California is one of I think 9? states without an enumerated RKBA). NRA didn't support that, either. NRA is too used to fighting defensive battles after 8 years of Clinton/Gore/Reno. In 2000, NRA gave $3,079,346 to House/Senate candidates. GOA gave $83,618. This is in no way an indictment of GOA, but the reality: NRA is the big dog in the RKBA arena. So yeah, keep writing those checks to the NRA, but don't forget the GOA, as well as your state groups, JPFO, SAS, etc. Once the antis are on the retreat - once the idea of RKBA as an INDIVIDUAL RIGHT is acknowledged - then we can start pushing the NRA in the right direction. But until then, the NRA is our best hope to stem the tide. I wonder what the antis think about this - complaining that the NRA is too soft on gun rights! DJ

February 8, 2002, 02:13 PM	#10
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	Sreudian Flip ?

February 9, 2002, 12:47 PM	#11
Shotgun364 Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2002 Location: NEW YORK CITY Posts: 141	It disturbs me to think that the NRA has become so exclusive as to forget their goal. Im seeing many RKBA organizations uniting and networking to become a more powerful voice, but when I see things like this I get an ache in my stomach. [color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color] is the NRA doing? We have a chance here to be heard and to make history, why are they closing the door on this petition? I just joined the NRA and Im feeling kinda rooked. __________________ Shotgun364 is now NIGHTWATCH Last edited by Shotgun364; February 9, 2002 at 01:14 PM.

February 9, 2002, 01:13 PM	#12
Shotgun364 Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2002 Location: NEW YORK CITY Posts: 141	They are the big money in the RKBA, yes. But not my money. I just stopped payment on a NRA life membership. Im going to give my money to some smaller but more sincere organizations who I believe will do some good in time. Maybe I will open my wallet again to them in the future, but not until they stop acting like the government itself. If they can be fickle with my RKBA, I can be fickle with my money __________________ Shotgun364 is now NIGHTWATCH

February 9, 2002, 06:12 PM	#13
Monkeyleg Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2000 Posts: 4,625	A couple of weeks ago I was talking to someone who's been in the thick of the RKBA fight for years, and his comment on the NRA floored me if only because of his proximity to the organization. He thought that, since the days after Neal Knox, the NRA has been intentionally "losing" a few battles just to keep the organization fat. I guess it's time for me to take a closer look at the candidates for the board. __________________ ACOG Scopes, EOTech Sights, Crimson Trace, LensAndLasers

February 9, 2002, 06:51 PM	#14
Quartus Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2001 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,823	Shotgun364, I'm with you. We don't have time to support half-hearted politically correct efforts. So NRA is the big dog? Fine, if all of the NRA members would stop putting their money down that rathole and give it to the GOA instead, THEY would be the big dog. And THEY don't compromise. Who the big dog is is up to US. __________________ . Better to know what you don't know than to think you know what you don't know.

February 9, 2002, 11:48 PM	#15
SIGarmed Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2001 Posts: 450	If your worried about California how about joining the California Rifle and Pistol Association(CRPA)? They seem pretty outspoken on gun rights. They're the ones that put up the billboard adds across southern California that read "Society is safer when criminals don't know who's armed." They are affiliated with the NRA but they don't seem to be losing sight of their main goals. At least IMHO.