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Old January 28, 2013, 05:03 PM   #1
CS86
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Benefits to a NRA membership?

I've never been a member of the NRA, but was wondering what the benefits are?
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Old January 28, 2013, 05:15 PM   #2
Spats McGee
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You get a subscription to a magazine, for one. I get American Rifleman. Once I've read it, I remove my name and address and either give it to a friend, or leave it somewhere for others to find. That's my combined recycling & spreading-the-word program.

The NRA (& the NRA-ILA) are also the 800-lb gorilla of gun law. There are some other very good organizations (Second Amendment Foundation comes to mind), but I don't think any of them is as large as the NRA.
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Old January 28, 2013, 05:32 PM   #3
BarryLee
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They are the number one Second Amendment Rights group and do offer some specific benefits. They along with their Legislative Action Group the NRA-ILA do a lot to protect our freedoms, but also work to promote shooting education and safety.

Review these links for more detail:

http://home.nra.org/#/nraorg

https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/s...aignID=nranews
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Old January 28, 2013, 07:22 PM   #4
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I once got a discount at a best western in one of the Carolinas, because of my NRA membership.
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Old January 28, 2013, 07:37 PM   #5
kraigwy
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Besides the obvoious, (fighting un needed gun law) the NRA provide training to civilians and LE alike.

Not to mention grants to gun clubs. An examle, the club in our little town of 3000 people has a nice indoor range, out door range, and trap houses, big chunks paid for by grants from the NRA.

We just got a $3000 grant to buy steel targets.

They sponser all sorts of rifle matches, and support sending youth teams to Camp Perry for the National Matches.

I feel even long time members have no idea what the NRA does.
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Old January 28, 2013, 07:39 PM   #6
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You can also get insurance specific to firearms (better reimbusement on gun losses than standard homeowner's insurance will normally pay); insurance for shooting injuries; life insurance.

NRA membership may allow discounts at some restaurants, car rental places, etc.

The biggest thing you get, though, is your financial strengthening of the primary organization that makes government think twice about infringing on our right to keep and bear arms.
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Old January 28, 2013, 07:51 PM   #7
kilimanjaro
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You get a monthly magazine of your choice, a small gun insurance policy, a small life insurance policy, discounts here and there, and best of all, you get to keep your guns.

Without the NRA, even the pheasant hunters would be throwing rocks.
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Old January 28, 2013, 08:09 PM   #8
Dfariswheel
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A little known benefit of being a member is that you can send a SASE to the American Rifleman Dope Bag with one question relating to firearms and the staff will send you an answer.

I don't think they answer questions about gun values, but if you have a question about firearms or ammunition you can't get an answer for, for the price of 2 stamps you can get an answer from real experts.

If you own guns or would like to own guns in the future, you NEED to be an NRA member, especially now.

They may start sending you requests for contributions, but if ask online they'll stop.

I think they're running a special on Life Memberships now. Become a Life member and you get your choice of magazines for the rest of your life.

Members also get to vote for the leadership of the organization.
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Old January 28, 2013, 08:22 PM   #9
MrDontPlay
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I need to get to a computer and join. I used to have a job selling NRA memberships, and got a free lifetime membership for selling one, but I guess I quit that job too soon afterwards and never really got it. I definitely think it's an investment in your future as a gun owner.
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Old January 28, 2013, 09:33 PM   #10
Waldog
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Quote:
I've never been a member of the NRA, but was wondering what the benefits are?
What you SHOULD be thinking is; "What benefit can I give fellow gun owners by joing the NRA?"
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Old January 28, 2013, 11:40 PM   #11
CS86
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Thanks for the posts. The reason the question came up was because I've seen some threads floating around for $300 lifetime memberships opposed to their normal $1000 lifetime membership. True or not, I'm really not sure. At this point I could really find other things that I need to spend 300 on. But, It would be nice to contribute to the NRA and take advantage of the offer also, if applicable.

I really appreciate what the NRA does and the actions they have taken to stand up for our rights. The only place I've really supported the NRA was when I've placed orders through Midway, and added extra $$ for donations to the NRA. I'd like to contribute more. So maybe rather then drop a large chunk I should at least sign up for a year. I just wasn't sure what perks came with the membership.
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Old January 29, 2013, 12:01 AM   #12
danez71
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The real benefit you get happens in DC.

I'm fine with that... in fact, I wish they would not send me all of the junk mail and use the money for more action in DC.

They really should make that an option.
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Old January 29, 2013, 07:21 AM   #13
Kreyzhorse
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Quote:
I've never been a member of the NRA, but was wondering what the benefits are?


What you SHOULD be thinking is; "What benefit can I give fellow gun owners by joing the NRA?"
That is an excellent answer.

I do get a magazine, which I enjoy, but really I consider the main benefit of joining the NRA is that they are working to maintain or enhance my gun rights in the face of people who want to take them from me.
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Old January 29, 2013, 01:18 PM   #14
Tom Servo
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Quote:
The real benefit you get happens in DC.
It goes far beyond that. Without the NRA, we wouldn't have a gun culture in this country. The legislative and electoral initiatives are important, but there is no other organization that has done as much for marksmanship, safety training, range preservation, and industry support.
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Old January 29, 2013, 01:22 PM   #15
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I sorta like being able to buy a handgun without having to get a tax stamp and an overly intrusive background check. And that's due to the NRA.

Aside from the awesome things the NRA does for the gun culture, I look at it as the single greatest deterent we as gun owners have. Sure, the guys in the SAF do great work, but wouldn't be great if they didn't have to?
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Old January 29, 2013, 01:28 PM   #16
eldermike
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I am with the person that posted they wished they would not send me stuff, it costs money and if they would look they would notice that I have been with them for 30 years.

What is the benifit?
1) I don't have to collect my gun at the range nor leave it there after I shoot it.
2) I don't have to remember the number for 911.
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Old January 29, 2013, 05:10 PM   #17
Nasty
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My benefit is that I am helping to shoulder the costs of having dedicated representatives fighting the battles for me.

FWIW, to help more, cancel your magazine delivery and take the option for the electronic version!
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Old January 31, 2013, 09:49 AM   #18
DieHard06
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Since we are on this topic, and for anyone who might be reading, what are the additional benefits of a lifetime membership?

Also, is there a difference in benefits for a full-paid ($1000) membership, an easy-pay life membership, sponsored lifetime membership, or the recent special, $300 life membership?

I have some questions myself, but I am also looking at it as anyone can find information in one thread.
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Old January 31, 2013, 10:18 AM   #19
Xfire68
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Well if you sign up for the Disabled Veteran Life Membership you get a nice certificate, patches and stickers, a real nice Buck knife with a wall display mount and a Life Member pin.

I was not expecting anything other then maybe a hat and the membership card. Still wish I got a hat!
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Old January 31, 2013, 12:09 PM   #20
jason_iowa
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Honestly buying into a lifetime membership right now is costing the NRA money in the long run. More then the money though you are showing your support for the NRA and its causes. I detest the tactics used on both sides of the gun argument. Lots of fear, lies and misinformation. Besides lobbying though the NRA does fantastic things in education. I joined a couple weeks ago and paid the full price of 1k instead of the $300. While I don't agree with everything the NRA does I'm tired of the media bastardizing what the NRA stands for and what they do. I want everyone to understand in no uncertain terms where I stand.
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Old January 31, 2013, 12:16 PM   #21
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Quote:
I joined a couple weeks ago and paid the full price of 1k instead of the $300.
You should not have done that. The NRA can not use membership dues to fight legal battles.

Only funds donated to the NRA can be used to help support the cause.

You should have paid the $375 and donated the $625.
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Old January 31, 2013, 03:46 PM   #22
jason_iowa
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Well ya thats what I did. Paid for membership and donated the rest. I did not know that you could just go with an online version of the magazine though. Ill do that so they don't have to pay postage sending me the magazine.
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