NRA vs) GOA & USCCA; "Background History"

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  • leVieux

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    This was my reply to another TGT post; I believe it deserves its own Thread:

    Some background from an Old Guy:

    Some 35 years ago, there was a struggle for "control" of the NRA, "OUR" NRA.

    Many saw the then "leadership" as too weak in support of the 2nd Amendment, too willing to compromise with restrictive laws weakening our 2A.

    A very popular "Gun Personality", C. Neal Knox, was ousted over friction with Wayne LaPierre, but came back a few years later with very strong member support, to return to the board and once-again be a "thorn in LaPierre's side". This was known to many as "The Knox Revolt".

    A board fight ensued, LaPierre won, Knox was ousted again, and the board closed ranks behind LaPierre.

    BUT, this allowed LaPierre opportunity to insulate himself from future member discontent by a Machiavellian system of regulations, and his "fortress", the then-newly strong "nominating committee".

    Wayne then anointed Charlton Heston for NRA President. Heston, who had played "Moses" on screen, and was seen as a sorta combo of Tom Selleck & Ronald Reagan. He won easily and satisfied most members, but the brouhaha had left LaPiere in unassailable control of the NRA, where he is still ensconed.

    While LaPierre has superficially done an overall good job; it is unhealthy to have an organization with millions of active members continue under a protracted "dictatorship".

    I am a LIFE Member of both NRA & TSRA, and was never interested in the internal NRA politics, until LaPierre became a "Big Star" of our side, by his own machinations.

    At the big FONRA meeting in Austin some 25 years ago, LaPierre was treated like a "megastar", as if he were the Pope and George Washington in the flesh. It was patently disgusting to me.

    LaPierre now firmly controls everything NRA, including the essential "NRA-ILA", ostensibly run by J.J. Baker. The ILA has made numerous BIG mistakes, despite member warnings, and LaPierre refuses to listen to member advice on their LOCAL political situations. This has alienated some important politicians, who should have been solidly "on our side" in D.C.

    Secondary effects have been the rise of both GOA and USCCA, which are more member responsive, or at least seemingly so.

    I hope this background helps younger folks understand why so many of us have lessened support of the NRA, as long as LaPierre is "dictator for life".

    leVieux
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    easy rider

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    I am a member of several and was an NRA member until it was evident that the NRA is more interested in playing politics than supporting the 2nd Amendment.

    I, myself believe that the 2nd Amendment Foundation does more, and especially on a state level, then all of them combined towards upholding the 2nd Amendment. That's not to say that I don't support the others.

    Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
     

    leVieux

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    I am a member of several and was an NRA member until it was evident that the NRA is more interested in playing politics than supporting the 2nd Amendment.

    I, myself believe that the 2nd Amendment Foundation does more, and especially on a state level, then all of them combined towards upholding the 2nd Amendment. That's not to say that I don't support the others.

    Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

    Thank you for expressing your experiences & opinion. leVieux
     

    benenglish

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    As long as Knox was writing his column and pointing out problems, he performed a valuable service. He acted like the press is supposed to act toward government; he told truth to and about power. He wasn't perfect but he was very, very good and very valuable to the shooting community. Every power structure needs outside agitators to keep 'em honest and Neal was among the best rhetorical bomb-throwers who ever sat at a keyboard.

    The biggest mistake he ever made was trying to work from the inside. That just wasn't his strength. In the years since, the unintended consequences of that mistake have been heartbreaking.
     

    motorcarman

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    I am a member of NRA, TSRA & USCCA. I remember an article in USCCA Magazine a few months ago stating that USCCA was NO LONGER WELCOME at the NRA convention.

    Seems NRA wants it's own 'Carry Insurance' to compete with USCCA. (no competition allowed??)

    bob
     

    leVieux

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    I am a member of NRA, TSRA & USCCA. I remember an article in USCCA Magazine a few months ago stating that USCCA was NO LONGER WELCOME at the NRA convention.

    Seems NRA wants it's own 'Carry Insurance' to compete with USCCA. (no competition allowed??)

    bob

    Yes, NRA, under LaPierre, seeks monopoly on the 2A & firearms issues. This may be both bad and good. Certainly, no one else on the national scene has the ability to strike fear in errant politicians, and to swing close elections. OTOH, no one should be "KING", especially not Wayne LaPierre.

    Until the wide NRA membership understands and stands-up, not much can be done about it.

    I certainly have no interest in spurring another "revolt".

    leVieux
    .
     

    APynckel

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    Upon learning that the NRA helped draft the NFA of 1934, and told Reagan to pass the Hughes Amendment, stating it would never hold up a day in court (because of the illegal ratification by Charlie Rangel), and then doing NOTHING to have it removed afterwards, I am more in favor of the GOA than the NRA. Sadly, I signed up for a life membership to this clownshow during Obama, because yea, gun grabbers need to be checked.
     

    DwnRange

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    Upon learning that the NRA helped draft the NFA of 1934

    First off - Yes the NRA was there and yes they did have input and compromised with lawmakers on the NFA of 1934 and thank god they were there for we'd not be having any discussions like this today if they hadn't been there.

    The only folks saying that, in the manner in which YOU have stated it, are are commies in my book, as you'll find these exact words repeated as "propaganda" spewed from liberal rags like Salon magazine, Time magazine, The Huffington Post, as well as from the zionist's over at JPOF, in order to disrupt and divide pro-gun folks - just as they keep republicans and democrats at each other's throat, (which only idgits and fools fall for IMHO, as I ain't neither 'cus I'm Texan and we hate 'em both) - ya certainly won't be getting that crap from anyone whom has ever taken the time to read the actual testimony given by Karl T. Federick, President of the NRA, or Adjt. General Milton A. Reckord, who was vice president of the NRA at the time.

    But then most folks don't know that the original 1929-30's NFA bill HR 9066, as written, was meant to cover the registration of pistols and revolvers and leave sawed-off shotguns alone. Of course that would require actual research into the history of the NFA, which was around years before the final passed act of 1934. Something rather difficult to do with search engines censoring most of what is digested on the internet anyway -. (it's rather tough to copy/paste from government publications printed back in those day - but I have read Frederick and Reckord's testimony to the Congressional committee, from such publications and it was quite contentious and obvious that both had strong feelings against what they felt were unconstitutional aspects included in the original bill - but then these hearing were as noted long before the '34 NFA ever became into being - and many of the things they objected to were not in the final act)

    Here's about the only thing I found recently that get's it somewhat right, a 2017 article from Recoil magazine that is just a small inking, as to what really transpired : http://www.recoilweb.com/origins-of-the-nfa-128767.html#ixzz55LXSyqAW

    ps - personally some of the info there at Recoil is wrong (again IMHO) - fact is when "prohibition" ended they had these "revenuers" and tax agents left with nothing to do - and as our government never does the right thing - the common sense thing - as they were too stupid to just send those jokers home and save people some money by making gov. smaller - they found a way to keep the worthless "F" troop busy with other work; like picking on folks that messed up forms, destroying their livelihoods or burning up men, women and children or shooting wives with babies in their arms in the head on purpose and then lying about it - you know the crap government has always done......

    make's me wonder why I bother....... most folks don't even have the 7 second attention span of a goldfish and certainly don't read crap except what comes from some taptalk/I pod app crap, whatever the hell that is....
     

    leVieux

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    I am a member of several and was an NRA member until it was evident that the NRA is more interested in playing politics than supporting the 2nd Amendment.

    I, myself believe that the 2nd Amendment Foundation does more, and especially on a state level, then all of them combined towards upholding the 2nd Amendment. That's not to say that I don't support the others.

    Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

    I am certainly not against any of the other real pro-2A outfits; but the FACT is that they don't have the political clout of the NRA, even in their aggregate. In many areas of the USA, politicians fear a bad NRA rating, which could change their next election's result. Every voter knows what "NRA" means. Most don't recognize the others, even "GOA".

    But, I felt that NRA's denial of participation by the "Concealed Carry" outfit in their latest NRA convention was a very, very BAD sign. Perhaps this was LaPierre out of control?

    leVieux
     
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    easy rider

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    The strength of the NRA is what drew me to them, but I get tired of the politics they want to play. They should stick to the 2nd amendment and not play give and take.
     

    avvidclif

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    The Bloombergs appreciate you joining the splinter groups instead of the NRA. That's less money for the NRA and weakens their position. As pointed out none of the splinter groups have the clout of the NRA and they have the clout because of MEMBERSHIP. Ever hear of divide and conquer???

    I don't always agree with the NRA but they have the loudest voice. I do belong to some of the smaller groups also.
     

    easy rider

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    Money is the only way individuals can show their displeasure. I'm not going to support those I feel aren't doing things as they are supposed to be doing.
     

    easy rider

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    Do you not see the danger in this position?
    leVieux
    So you think I should just bend over and take it, and give them money. I don't agree how things are run and decided I will not support that. They are the ones being dangerous in my opinion.
     

    Jack Ryan

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    The Bloombergs appreciate you joining the splinter groups instead of the NRA. That's less money for the NRA and weakens their position. As pointed out none of the splinter groups have the clout of the NRA and they have the clout because of MEMBERSHIP. Ever hear of divide and conquer???

    I don't always agree with the NRA but they have the loudest voice. I do belong to some of the smaller groups also.

    I don't think joining different 2nd amendment and gun enthusiasts organization harms "the cause" or hurts gun owners. It may not do much to HELP when you join the Mitchell Indiana gun and knife club but it certainly doesn't hurt.

    What hurts the ability for gun ownership is the people who really don't know much of anything about government or law making and lobbying or the NRA go out and buy their first gun and come home "an expert". They suddenly thing a century old organization is at their beck and call, they pick up what they think is their personal hot line and are disappointed the NRA doesn't perform tricks on their order.

    What hurts the defense efforts by 2nd amendment organizations is when the "splinter groups" with fractions of the membership numbers the NRA has think they are going to just hop out there and out do the big dog making up their lack of bite with a lot of barking. When it doesn't happen they blame the big dog for not running to the puppy's rescue, next thing they are bad mouthing every one but their self. It's the only way they can garner attention. They aren't going to accomplish much, most of the country never heard of them. They can't even scratch the anti gunners, no one in government will give them the time of day, so they attack who they can.

    You never hear the NRA complain GOA didn't get this done or that done, well guess what, any thing you are saying the NRA didn't get done, the GOA or no one else got it done either.

    Put your knives away until you can reach the people who NEED stabbed.
     
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