I've got a VOIP (voice over internet protocol) desk phone I use for long conversations or when I need to write stuff down (I simply can't hold a cellphone and write at the same time, so sue me).
I occasionally get Spanish language messages over that phone but I just erase the messages. Some idiotic service apparently got the number and it's in their call list for a 1-per month reminder to do something.
My regular cell, I just look at the incoming number. If it's one that I've already got recorded (a friend or business) then I'll answer. Otherwise I push "send to voicemail" and if the caller is a good one, I will quickly return the call. Otherwise, erase city.
I am not sure these numbers are correct. According to the census the US has a estimated population of 317 million as of Jan 1 2014. That number includes children. Maybe you meant guns, and not gun owners. The best I could find is that between 45-55 million households own guns.
All I can say about this for certain is that a majority of gun owners do not support ANY 2A groups. I doubt there's many like that on here, but there are still way too many that sit on the side line and ride free. That's where some of us get pissed. I've been a life member since 1981, ok so give me a brownie button, but you can't say I haven't done my part. I also donate probably between $50 and $200 a year to NRA. I do it because I believe in it. If Wayne LaPierre gets a vacation to Fiji or whatever once a year, so be it. If I did as much as he's done for my 2A rights I would do that too.
Some of you that belong to GOA, I say maybe it doesn't do as much as NRA, but at least you're doing something. But what I would like is for people from all 2A support groups to quit bad mouthing each other and let's all focus on the Enemy, not on each other. At least let us put our energy on keeping the Libtard Antis at Bay.
And one more thing, I'm PROUD to be a Member of the NRA. If you're a member of GOA or any other group like these, You should be proud too. Just keep focused on the real enemy, and that's not each other.
Daddy, what's an enabler?
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
I often regret that I never took up typing so I could go into a long response without typing with two fingers!
You will always have something to complain about, no matter what or who you support! Even if YOU were in charge, a lot of members would complain that you weren't doing enough or running the organization the way it should be run. There is not ONE organization that is perfect! Pick one, stop complaining and help and contribute to what you believe. The NRA gives life memberships for next to nothing for LEO's and ex and current Military. Do you think that your membership lasts all the magazines and mailings they send you? Get real. A couple of years ago, I sponsored around 46 life members when the NRA offered $300 life with a sponsor. I even paid for my daughters life membership, to help the cause. Stop complaining and be grateful we have a couple of organizations to fight for us. If you look around you at many hunters, shotgun shooters, and target shooters that think they aren't going to be affected by the Anti-Gun Leftists, then you will realize why we need an organization to help in our cause to defend the 2nd amendment! Grow a pair, man up and stop complaining!
“When guns are outlawed, only patriots will have guns.”
And again, at one time, NRA was the only voice in Washington fighting people like Ted F.B. Kennedy, I believe if not for NRA, gun laws would be much worse than they are now.
"There is some evil in all of us, Doctor, even you, the Valeyard is an amalgamation of the darker sides of your nature, somewhere between your twelfth and final incarnation, and I may say, you do not improve with age. Founding member of the G&A forum since 1996
I am not sure these numbers are correct. According to the census the US has a estimated population of 317 million as of Jan 1 2014. That number includes children. Maybe you meant guns, and not gun owners. The best I could find is that between 45-55 million households own guns.
...best estimate is there are about 105 guns/ 100 people in the US, it doesn't translate to "households" because gun owners tend to believe "you can't have just one"...
Yes, we know many people have more than one gun, we know many people have slathers of all sorts O' guns.
Then what about invisible gun owners ?
The gun owners that don't, won't or can't admit to owning guns for X reasons, how do you put a real number on that?
"There is some evil in all of us, Doctor, even you, the Valeyard is an amalgamation of the darker sides of your nature, somewhere between your twelfth and final incarnation, and I may say, you do not improve with age. Founding member of the G&A forum since 1996
My only gripe with the NRA is Life membership. Sometime ago it was a serious monetary commitment to be a Life member. Now they are giving it away for $300. I understand they need and want members but to give away the Life memberships is wrong.
Just look at the flowers Lizzie, just look at the flowers.
My only gripe with the NRA is Life membership. Sometime ago it was a serious monetary commitment to be a Life member. Now they are giving it away for $300. I understand they need and want members but to give away the Life memberships is wrong.
That has been the case for over 20 years that I know of, you just noticed this?
Complain ! Make a petition to stop it etc... run for the board of directors.
"There is some evil in all of us, Doctor, even you, the Valeyard is an amalgamation of the darker sides of your nature, somewhere between your twelfth and final incarnation, and I may say, you do not improve with age. Founding member of the G&A forum since 1996
That has been the case for over 20 years that I know of, you just noticed this?
Complain ! Make a petition to stop it etc... run for the board of directors.
This is a gripe thread about the NRA yes? This is my gripe. I didn't like it when they lowered it to $750 maybe next year they will lower it to $25 dollars.
Just look at the flowers Lizzie, just look at the flowers.
My only gripe with the NRA is Life membership. Sometime ago it was a serious monetary commitment to be a Life member. Now they are giving it away for $300. I understand they need and want members but to give away the Life memberships is wrong.
The higher number of Life Members might be worth more as "clout" to persuade lawmakers than the lower money collected.
“When guns are outlawed, only patriots will have guns.”
I'm a life member of the NRA and I don't get all these solicitations that people are whining about. Hell I get a lot of solicitations from LE agency's asking for money. I don't whine about it I throw them in the trash, it really is that simple.
:that:
Responsible CCW is a lifetime commitment to Avoidance, Deterrence, and De-Escalation.
The NRA has had to become a huge bureaucracy to keep up with the out-of-control expansion of government. This has caused most of the negatives that we are griping about. But, unlike government, they will have to pare down if their work ever becomes less necessary. I look forward to that day and keep my membership active, meanwhile.
We could make it (really stupid) like car insurance: Each gun has to have its own NRA membership!
Don't start... you have to have proof of insurance before you can register you car to drive it on the public roadway... see where that would go?
D
"A patriot is mocked, scorned and hated; yet when his cause succeeds, all men will join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.... now who's bringing the hot wings? :jester:
much like any uniform service, once you become an officer, you get to see why things are run a certain way.
The more I saw of how things were done the more astonished I was that the organization survived. And it only survives because of it being a government entity.
Just look at the flowers Lizzie, just look at the flowers.
I only have one gripe about the NRA.......when I first joined they sent me a ball cap that the tag inside said " made in china " now I ask you.......why can't the most American of all organizations at least send me an American made hat?
I know that china hats are cheaper than American hats but I would gladly pay a few more dollars to help support an American company.
I only have one gripe about the NRA.......when I first joined they sent me a ball cap that the tag inside said " made in china " now I ask you.......why can't the most American of all organizations at least send me an American made hat?
I know that china hats are cheaper than American hats but I would gladly pay a few more dollars to help support an American company.
They sent me a new NRA cap the other day, and sure enough, "Made in China". I'd forgotten that irritation.
After reading this thread, I upgraded my membership to Life Member. Something I've been wanting to do but putting off for a while.
As for solicitations, I get two or three a day from people trying to sell me a Life Alert system, or something like. I don't answer the phone if I don't recognize the caller ID.
Concealed carry is for protection, open carry is for attention.
Are you kidding me? Cant even get most gun owners to pony up the $3 a month it takes to join!! :tooth:
Then they don't need to be spending that badly needed money on Chinese trinkets...or any trinkets for that matter....
If you want, I will send you that finely crafted NRA pocket knife that came with my last renewal....
Sharps Model 1874 - "The rifle that made the west safe for Winchester"
Send it to me. I have one and it's an excellent pocket knife. A "good" pocket knife will cost you something like two years membership rates. Get real, what do you expect? Like it! I carry mine every day. Sharp as a razor, 440 stainless steel.
Concealed carry is for protection, open carry is for attention.
I prefer my grumpiness to extend to my simply not answering calls I don't recognize. If they want they can leave a voicemail message, after all.
I also have this annoying habit of "answering" the phone but simply not speaking, not even saying "hello" -- if the call is automated it triggers by hearing your voice. heh heh
Sam, my wife, you know the barefoot hog skinning Filipina? If she answeres the phone and somebody ask for me by my real name, which i rarely use, she tells them, "Oh that guy? He died a few years back!" Well my real first name is what my dad went by, so technically she's not lying, he died
I would bet $5 that the NRA doesn't even do their own fundraising.............
I doubt they do their own fiscal accounting, or their own lawyering, either. Which is probably why they're still in business.
You guys...you bitch when your 2nd Amendment rights are violated, and bitch again when the NRA hires PR agencies and law firms to represent your rights. This is 2014 and requires 21st century solutions! A lot of people are against us! What 2nd Amensment organization does NOT employ accountants, lawyers, and PR organizations? Because the antis show a little astuteness and throw millions on trying to defeat us.
To not employ the best in the business means we lose. Which seems to be difficult for dumb asses to understand. You may not like it, but there's almost nothing you would like. No, 100% of your membership dues does NOT go where you approve. Jesus Christ. Babies.
Concealed carry is for protection, open carry is for attention.
I would bet $5 that the NRA doesn't even do their own fundraising.............
No, of course they don't. They're a very well organized and very professional organization and has their advertising and fund raising "farmed out" to a professional PR/advertising firm, just like other big orgs or companies (GM, Apple, Ford, whomever).
Naturally, there will be a top NRA board member or VP whose job it is to oversee fund raising and advertising, membership drives, etc. The PR firm gens up an ad or fund raising program, runs it by the VP, the VP presents this to the executive board, they approve or modify or whatever, and the firm runs the ads and reports back. Typical for any big company. They may generate the overall "themes" or "goals" or "objectives" of the campaign, then they let the professional PR firm do the legwork.
No, of course they don't. They're a very well organized and very professional organization and has their advertising and fund raising "farmed out" to a professional PR/advertisitng firm, just like other big orgs or companies (GM, Apple, Ford, whomever).
Naturally, there will be a top NRA board member or VP whose job it is to oversee fund raising and advertising, membership drives, etc. The PR firm gens up an ad or fund raising program, runs it by the VP, the VP presents this to the executive board, they approve or modify or whatever, and the firm runs the ads and reports back. Typical for any big company. They may generate the overall "themes" or "goals" or "objectives" of the campaign, then they let the professional PR firm do the legwork.
It is also done for legal reasons.
"There is some evil in all of us, Doctor, even you, the Valeyard is an amalgamation of the darker sides of your nature, somewhere between your twelfth and final incarnation, and I may say, you do not improve with age. Founding member of the G&A forum since 1996
Replies
I've got a VOIP (voice over internet protocol) desk phone I use for long conversations or when I need to write stuff down (I simply can't hold a cellphone and write at the same time, so sue me).
I occasionally get Spanish language messages over that phone but I just erase the messages. Some idiotic service apparently got the number and it's in their call list for a 1-per month reminder to do something.
My regular cell, I just look at the incoming number. If it's one that I've already got recorded (a friend or business) then I'll answer. Otherwise I push "send to voicemail" and if the caller is a good one, I will quickly return the call. Otherwise, erase city.
All I can say about this for certain is that a majority of gun owners do not support ANY 2A groups. I doubt there's many like that on here, but there are still way too many that sit on the side line and ride free. That's where some of us get pissed. I've been a life member since 1981, ok so give me a brownie button, but you can't say I haven't done my part. I also donate probably between $50 and $200 a year to NRA. I do it because I believe in it. If Wayne LaPierre gets a vacation to Fiji or whatever once a year, so be it. If I did as much as he's done for my 2A rights I would do that too.
Some of you that belong to GOA, I say maybe it doesn't do as much as NRA, but at least you're doing something. But what I would like is for people from all 2A support groups to quit bad mouthing each other and let's all focus on the Enemy, not on each other. At least let us put our energy on keeping the Libtard Antis at Bay.
And one more thing, I'm PROUD to be a Member of the NRA. If you're a member of GOA or any other group like these, You should be proud too. Just keep focused on the real enemy, and that's not each other.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
You will always have something to complain about, no matter what or who you support! Even if YOU were in charge, a lot of members would complain that you weren't doing enough or running the organization the way it should be run. There is not ONE organization that is perfect! Pick one, stop complaining and help and contribute to what you believe. The NRA gives life memberships for next to nothing for LEO's and ex and current Military. Do you think that your membership lasts all the magazines and mailings they send you? Get real. A couple of years ago, I sponsored around 46 life members when the NRA offered $300 life with a sponsor. I even paid for my daughters life membership, to help the cause. Stop complaining and be grateful we have a couple of organizations to fight for us. If you look around you at many hunters, shotgun shooters, and target shooters that think they aren't going to be affected by the Anti-Gun Leftists, then you will realize why we need an organization to help in our cause to defend the 2nd amendment! Grow a pair, man up and stop complaining!
“When guns are outlawed, only patriots will have guns.”
Those responsible for being insulted by this statement, have been insulted.
...best estimate is there are about 105 guns/ 100 people in the US, it doesn't translate to "households" because gun owners tend to believe "you can't have just one"...
Then what about invisible gun owners ?
The gun owners that don't, won't or can't admit to owning guns for X reasons, how do you put a real number on that?
That has been the case for over 20 years that I know of, you just noticed this?
Complain ! Make a petition to stop it etc... run for the board of directors.
This is a gripe thread about the NRA yes? This is my gripe. I didn't like it when they lowered it to $750 maybe next year they will lower it to $25 dollars.
The higher number of Life Members might be worth more as "clout" to persuade lawmakers than the lower money collected.
“When guns are outlawed, only patriots will have guns.”
We could make it (really stupid) like car insurance: Each gun has to have its own NRA membership!
:that:
Don't start... you have to have proof of insurance before you can register you car to drive it on the public roadway... see where that would go?
D
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.... now who's bringing the hot wings? :jester:
The more I saw of how things were done the more astonished I was that the organization survived. And it only survives because of it being a government entity.
I know that china hats are cheaper than American hats but I would gladly pay a few more dollars to help support an American company.
-96 lbs
They sent me a new NRA cap the other day, and sure enough, "Made in China". I'd forgotten that irritation.
As for solicitations, I get two or three a day from people trying to sell me a Life Alert system, or something like. I don't answer the phone if I don't recognize the caller ID.
Then they don't need to be spending that badly needed money on Chinese trinkets...or any trinkets for that matter....
If you want, I will send you that finely crafted NRA pocket knife that came with my last renewal....
Sam, my wife, you know the barefoot hog skinning Filipina? If she answeres the phone and somebody ask for me by my real name, which i rarely use, she tells them, "Oh that guy? He died a few years back!" Well my real first name is what my dad went by, so technically she's not lying, he died
....................:silly:........................:roll2:....................:tooth:
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
I doubt they do their own fiscal accounting, or their own lawyering, either. Which is probably why they're still in business.
You guys...you bitch when your 2nd Amendment rights are violated, and bitch again when the NRA hires PR agencies and law firms to represent your rights. This is 2014 and requires 21st century solutions! A lot of people are against us! What 2nd Amensment organization does NOT employ accountants, lawyers, and PR organizations? Because the antis show a little astuteness and throw millions on trying to defeat us.
To not employ the best in the business means we lose. Which seems to be difficult for dumb asses to understand. You may not like it, but there's almost nothing you would like. No, 100% of your membership dues does NOT go where you approve. Jesus Christ. Babies.
--Gator; How do I get a hat 'stead a all these knives an' flashlights an' key chains?
I've been a life member for a long time but they haven't sent me a hat since '88.
[email protected]; I need my meds.
THE WINDS OF TYRANNY ARE BLOWING FROM OUR OWN CAPITOL.
No, of course they don't. They're a very well organized and very professional organization and has their advertising and fund raising "farmed out" to a professional PR/advertising firm, just like other big orgs or companies (GM, Apple, Ford, whomever).
Naturally, there will be a top NRA board member or VP whose job it is to oversee fund raising and advertising, membership drives, etc. The PR firm gens up an ad or fund raising program, runs it by the VP, the VP presents this to the executive board, they approve or modify or whatever, and the firm runs the ads and reports back. Typical for any big company. They may generate the overall "themes" or "goals" or "objectives" of the campaign, then they let the professional PR firm do the legwork.
http://www.nrastore.com/nrastore/Products.aspx?c=14
It is also done for legal reasons.
Donate that 5 buckaroos to the NRA whydoncha?