If anyone tries to tell you that the NRA is Bi-Partisan.......

[Logical]

Here is the list of speakers at the nutty right wing NRA convention next month in St. Louis.

Ted Nugent
Rick Perry
John Bolton
Roy Blunt
Oliver North
Romney, Newt and Santorum
Eric Cantor
Scott Walker
Bobby Jindal
and the token black guy - Ken Blackwell, right wing nut and current Vice Chairman of the RNC!

I must of missed the list of Dems they invited to speak.

I am a gun owner and conceal carry license holder but 100% know the NRA is a extreme far right organization. They would lose massive support from the current four million members if they started actually trying to reach out to democrats. The headline of their magazine this month talks about the "extreme danger of a second Obama term".

Obama has not been an enemy to gun owners. But the NRA is going to go out of their way to scare their members so they donate money.

I personally think any NRA supporters should on this forum should be banned. It is like supporting the Family Research Council or the Heritage Foundation or CPAC.

So do not let ANYONE on this forum try to tell you the NRA is not a right wing GOP group.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

1. anyone who tells you the NRA is bipartisan is either a liar or a fool

And thank you for posting that.

This may have to become signature line material for me, but for now, I'll just repost my repeated disclaimer:

-if you're into guns, good for you.
-if you're into the NRA, you support a Republican thug organization, and we're going to have problems.


(edited to get rid of a confusing pronoun in the subject line)

[2ndAmForComputers]

3. Most likely, both.

[enough]

2. Mike Papantonio has an interesting perspective on the NRA/gun industry in the first minutes

of this video:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101718047

The video was posted earlier today in a thread about the forensics (or lack of them) in the Trayvon Martin case. I think Papantonio's view of the NRA is also very interesting.

[arthritisR_US]

4. Yep, I've always thought the two organizations

were the flip sides of the same coin.

[gratuitous]

5. Will the NRA lose membership?

I'd rather shoot myself than own a gun so I have no idea whatsoever, but will the NRA lose a significant portion of its four million members because of its fear-mongering and pandering to the extreme reactionary people in this country? Is there some quiet segment of the NRA that is truly appalled by their agenda and activities?

The NRA presents itself as a "bipartisan" group of responsible, law-abiding gun owners and enthusiasts, monolithic in its attitudes, and uncompromising on its principles, which I agree are far right.

[rhett o rick]

7. Of course not. Gun owership trumps all else. nm

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. Bi-partisan, my ass.

They're just a little misunderstood, that's all.

[Lurks Often]

8. Misinformed much?

Let's see how about this Washington Post story from 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/06/AR2010100603363.html

Don't like the Washington Post? How about NPR: http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2010/10/06/130393162/nra-endorses-14-house-democrats

[Logical]

9. LOL.....nice try! I can list 1000 more example of their...

GOP support than you can Dem support! Look at their publications and their speakers! Jesus, what a lame attempt!

[Lurks Often]

10. Petty insults, typical of the anti gun crowd

You've already made up your mind.

Tell me, exactly what would convince you that the only issue NRA cares about is firearms and the related rights and that they will support anybody, Democrat, Republican or Independent who supports firearms and the related rights?

[madokie]

12. All the nra cares about is their bottom line

They don't give two shits about you or anyone else who just loves them. They just want your money so you give 'm all you can but they'll not get a cent from me you can bet your ass on that.

[Lurks Often]

20. I agree with you to a degree

"All the nra cares about is their bottom line"

I think that can probably be said about many of the political/legal organizations that advocate a certain position. In this case, whether it is the pro gun side or the anti gun side, those in the senior positions in those organizations are likely receiving rather substantial paychecks. If either side wins a overwhelmingly decisive victory, then senior members of BOTH sides loase their cushy job with the really nice paycheck that goes with it.

I am a NRA member because the private range I am a member requires it as do some of the competitve matches I choose to particpate in, not because I am a huge fan of the NRA.

[Logical]

14. Wow, are you serious, first off, I am not anti-gun. I am anti-NRA.....

I own many guns, shoot monthly and have a CC license in Kansas. So drop the anti-gun crap.

If you know anything anything about the NRA, and at this point I do not see any evidence you do, you would know they are not a bi-partisan group.

I actually have a hard time believing anyone who was a dem could honestly say the NRA is not a right wing group.

They constantly bash Obama and lie about him. In 2008 they said he would be a disaster for gun rights and he has not been. But their same damn publications now are saying Obama is just waiting for 2012 to destroy the 2nd amendment.

Now you being a liberal think they are telling the truth?? Really?

Do yourself a favor and look at the speakers at the last 4 NRA conventions and tell me there is ANYTHING there that says bi-partisan.

His conversation is a waste of time.

[Lurks Often]

15. "Jesus, what a lame attempt!"

You're right, this conversation is a waste of time.

I would think who the NRA supports at an election is more important then who shows up at their conventions and the NRA DOES support Democrats during local and national elections.

And as for what the President will or will not sign when it comes to gun legislation remains to be seen and is likely to be a moot point as it is doubtful any significant anti gun legislation will make through Congress

[Logical]

17. Done with you. But here is a little fact....

here are a few critical things to understand about NRA endorsements. First, they are overwhelmingly given to Republicans, as one might expect. But just as important, they are overwhelmingly given to incumbents. Over the last four elections, 86 percent of NRA House endorsements went to incumbents. In fact, not a single Democratic challenger won the group’s endorsement (though some certainly tried). And if you’re a Republican incumbent, the endorsement is almost guaranteed: 90 percent of GOP House incumbents got the endorsement in 2004, 91 percent in 2006, 96 percent in 2008, and 97 percent in 2010.

Give up. Only 500 posts. That says a lot.

[Lurks Often]

18. Rebuttal

"here are a few critical things to understand about NRA endorsements. First, they are overwhelmingly given to Republicans, as one might expect. But just as important, they are overwhelmingly given to incumbents."
Over the last four elections, 86 percent of NRA House endorsements went to incumbents. In fact, not a single Democratic challenger won the group’s endorsement (though some certainly tried)."

Incumbents have seniority and seniority means more power to affect how things are done in Congress, why should ANY poltical group trade a senior person in Congress that supports it's goals for a junior person that supports its goals, but has no seniority.

"Give up. Only 500 posts. That says a lot. "

Only to you. I'm not interested in having thousands or tens of thousands posts.

[Logical]

19. Even NRA friends of mine admit the NRA is not bi-partisan. How sad they know that and you do not.

[Lurks Often]

23. I thought you were done with me?

Whether or not the NRA is bi-partisan is subjective and depends on what information one chooses to look at.

And you never answered my question. Tell me, exactly what would convince you that the only issue NRA cares about is firearms and the related rights and that they will support anybody, Democrat, Republican or Independent who supports firearms and the related rights?

[Logical]

24. OK, if they reached out to pro-gun dems that you seem to think they endorse all the time......

and if they did not make up lies about Obama in 2012 just ready to ban all guns.

And if they did not have the extreme of extreme of the GOP right wing party (see my list) speaking at the NRA convention.

I assume you would gladly go listen to that bunch but most self respecting Dems would not.

You are really clieless about this topic. They have convinced you also. sad.

[Lurks Often]

27. Here is a list of the 2010 & 2012 political contributions the NRA has made

2012 election cycle (so far): http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?id=D000000082&chamber=&party=&cycle=2012&state=&sort=A

Yes it is primarily Republicans, but there are quite a few Democrats on there as well.

Here is 2010: http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?id=D000000082&chamber=&party=&cycle=2010&state=&sort=A

And look Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid got $4950 from the NRA

And you STILL haven't answered my question: Tell me, exactly what would convince you that the only issue NRA cares about is firearms and the related rights and that they will support anybody, Democrat, Republican or Independent who supports firearms and the related rights?

On edit: Why would I waste my money and vacation to travel to where ever the hell they are having it this year?

Here's another question for you, what prominent, liberal pro gun person would you have liked to see speak at the NRA convention?

[Logical]

28. I told you in the last post. You are a troll I assume. Anyone defending the NRA should...

be banned!

And if you know so much about it why would you not know who the NRA should invite to the convention. Like Mike Ross of Arkansas! A+ rating dem!

I honestly do not think you have a fucking clue what you are talking about.

[Lurks Often]

31. So I provide links to sites that refute what you said and you

Last edited Sun Mar 25, 2012, 09:50 PM - Edit history (1)

resort to calling me a troll?

Let's see, I provide links showing that the NRA donates to both Republican and Democrat and yes I agreed that the NRA spends more money on Republicans, but that the Democratic Senate Majority leader received a donation in 2010 from the NRA

"2012 election cycle (so far): http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?id=D000000082&chamber=&party=&cycle=2012&state=&sort=A

Yes it is primarily Republicans, but there are quite a few Democrats on there as well.

Here is 2010: http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?id=D000000082&chamber=&party=&cycle=2010&state=&sort=A

And look Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid got $4950 from the NRA"

Links to news articles showing that the NRA has supported Democrats:

Let's see how about this Washington Post story from 2012:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/06/AR2010100603363.html

Don't like the Washington Post? How about NPR: http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2010/10/06/130393162/nra-endorses-14-house-democrats

Repeatedly asked a fairly simple question: Tell me, exactly what would convince you that the only issue NRA cares about is firearms and the related rights and that they will support anybody, Democrat, Republican or Independent who supports firearms and the related rights?

And even found Democrats who have spoken at the 2011 & 2010 conventions:
From the 2011 convention and here is the link: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/04/29/politicians-make-rounds-at-nra-convention/ Democratic Congressman Jason Altmire

From the 2010 convention and here is the link: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nras-annual-meetings--exhibits-2010-a-celebration-of-american-values-90738229.html

Democrats NC Gov Bev Purdue, NC Congressman Heath Shuler and OK Congressman Dan Boren

You've resorted to calling me a troll because I won't just agree with you and while I have provided facts and the links to back them up?

[Logical]

33. I told you. Their publications. Their lies about Obama. And their MAIN SPEAKERS at the convention.

[Lurks Often]

34. Changing the rules of the conversation are we?

First it was the speakers and then when I point out that Democrats have spoken at the past conventions you change it the "MAIN SPEAKERS".

As for calling the President a liar, that remains to be seen. Quite simply no significant anti or pro gun legislation has reached his desk, until some does we don't know if he will sign it or not. Even if some does, whether the President signs or not may very well depend on what other legislation it is attached to.

As to the publications, both sides use the same tactics "If you don't send us money, we could suffer overwhelming defeat" part of the standard fund raising game.

I would think evidence of who they donate to, which I have already posted, would carry more weight as to whether they are bi-partisan or not, then who was available to speak at a convention.

You are still avoiding my very simple question: Tell me, exactly what would convince you that the only issue NRA cares about is firearms and the related rights and that they will support anybody, Democrat, Republican or Independent who supports firearms and the related rights?

[Logical]

37. I provided your answers. Speakers, Publications, % of support to Dems vs. GOP. That simple! And...

you ignore the lies they say about Obama. Are you so confused that you do not see they are using fear to get money from right wing GOP supporters?

You are a NRA/GOP troll. If you defend the simple one page article I put in the NRA post.

Your posted evidence supports they support the GOP by a huge majority.

Unless you have some other proof, we are done.

Once again here is your answer....

Keynote Speakers, NRA Publication lies, % of support to Dems vs. GOP.

[Lurks Often]

39. Whine much

I have disproved your comments repeatedly and every time I do you change your argument.

Using the 2010 election cycle since that was the most recent complete campaign: http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/toprecips.php?id=D000000082&type=P&sort=A&cycle=2010

The NRA donated $359,600 to House Democrats for their campaigns
The NRA donated $447,900 to House Republicans for their campaigns
So that is 44.5% to Democrats and 55.5% to Republicans, hardly overwhelmingly GOP.

If the NRA is so right wing why did they contribute to Harry Reid's election campaign in 2010?

And why can't you answer the simple question I have repeatedly asked you: exactly what would convince you that the only issue NRA cares about is firearms and the related rights and that they will support anybody, Democrat, Republican or Independent who supports firearms and the related rights?

Your problem is that you've made up your mind long before you started this post and you can't admit that you're wrong.

[Logical]

40. You did not disprove anything! LOL....I tell you what! This will be a good test! Here we go....

Your NRA groups convention is in two weeks.

There will be numerous Press Releases and information coming out of that meeting about the speakers, policy's discussed, etc.

I will gather those comments. Including any pro-progressive comments or pro-Dem comments. And you seem to think the meeting will have many pro-democratic speakers so we can gather their comments also.

I will make a post here on the DU and we can see if those policy's, comments, 2012 election discussions sound bi-partisan or not. We can get DU members weighing in.

You can weigh in on your belief at that time that the NRA is not a GOP leaning organization.

This should be 100% fair. Sound fair to you?

[Upton]

41. Sure the NRA is dominated by Republicans..

but you've claimed it's absolutely not bipartisan...which is very simply not the case. As Lurks Often has so ably demonstrated and I've shown you in the past, the NRA does indeed endorse and give high grades to Democrats that support the RKBA..

Perhaps you need a refresher on the definition of the term..

BIPARTISAN
: of, relating to, or involving members of two parties <a bipartisan commission>; specifically : marked by or involving cooperation, agreement, and compromise between two major political parties

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bipartisan

And here's some bipartisan cooperation involving the NRA and some Democrats from 2010:

A top NRA priority in Congress is H.R. 2296, to reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Of the 243 cosponsors, 76 are House Democrats.

Another NRA-favored bill is H.R. 442, the “Veterans’ Heritage Firearms Act,” would create an amnesty period to allow the registration of war trophies (e.g., an automatic rifle captured from the North Vietnamese Army) that were brought into the United States between 1934 and 1968. There are 211 cosponsors, 66 of whom are House Democrats.

http://volokh.com/2010/10/08/nra-supports-democrats-and-democrats-support-the-second-amendment/

[Logical]

42. I say bullshit to your statement.....

Read ANY NRA PUBLICATION and tell me they are doing anything to reach out to dems.

I cannot believe any Dem thinks the NRA, who constantly LIES about Obama is not right wing arm of the GOP like Fox news is.

Fow news has Dems on also. You think they are bi-partisan??

[Lurks Often]

50. Try answering the questions that have been asked or is that too hard for you?

If the NRA is so right wing why did they contribute $4950 to Harry Reid's election campaign in 2010? Which , by the way, is only $50 dollars under the maximum allowed by allowing according to the folowing link:
http://www.fec.gov/info/contriblimits0910.pdf

I have repeatedly asked you the following question and you keep ignoring it: exactly what would convince you that the only issue NRA cares about is firearms and the related rights and that they will support anybody, Democrat, Republican or Independent who supports firearms and the related rights?

And I have already shown that based on donations, that the NRA contributed 45.5% of the money it spent in the 2010 Congressional House elections on DEMOCRATIC members. Something you've ignoired because it doesn't fit your agenda.

[Logical]

51. Your numbers are flat out lies......Where in the hell did you did you find them??

What math are you using?

In the 2010 Senate races the NRA spent 13% on Dems!
In the 2010 House RACES they spent 32% on Dems!

And what you IGNORED because you either have no idea what they are or are trying to make the NRA look good, is Independent Expenditures. You left them off to make the NRA Dem numbers look better. Why in the world would you do that on a democratic forum?

In Independent Expenditures the NRA spent 97% of its money AGAINST Dems and 3% for Dems. So I guess this makes you think the NRA is Bi-Partisan?? LOL! The NRA spent $7,054,861 For GOP Candidates! And $203,386 for Dems!!!

You are looking silly at this point!

I have a nice screen shot for you to look at below!

And here are the links!!

http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/indexpend.php?cycle=2010&cmte=C00053553

http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cycle=2010&cmte=C00053553

[Lurks Often]

52. I included my links or did you fail to read them?

And they were from Opensecrets as well, see Posts 27 & 39

And you're still avoiding the questions you either can't or are unwilling to answer:

If the NRA is so right wing why did they contribute $4950 to Harry Reid's election campaign in 2010? Which , by the way, is only $50 dollars under the maximum allowed by law according to the following link:
http://www.fec.gov/info/contriblimits0910.pdf

I have repeatedly asked you the following question and you keep ignoring it: exactly what would convince you that the only issue NRA cares about is firearms and the related rights and that they will support anybody, Democrat, Republican or Independent who supports firearms and the related rights?

[Logical]

53. RESPOND to my numbers. Did you see the SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS more that the NRA spent on GOP....

candidates than they did on Democratic candidates???

You seriously are touting $5000 when the NRA spent $7,000,000 more on GOP candidates???

Please address immediately my numbers and counter them or shut up!!!

And you lied about your percentage. You are math challanged!

[Lurks Often]

57. Nah, you've become boring, besides I've provided my links and disproved your point,

but you fail to see it. Everybody can see that you won't change your mind despite being shown facts that disprove your belief that the NRA is not bi-partisan. I see no reason to further discuss things with an individual, who, when confronted with facts, ignores them and then changes the parameters of the discussion to suit him.

[Logical]

58. LOL....when I provide $7 million dollar number you give up....

And your 45% number was bullshit also!

You are a joke!

[Lurks Often]

59. If it makes you feel better to think that then go ahead n/t

[Logical]

61. Still waiting for your source to the 46% lie!

[Lurks Often]

62. Yawn, maybe you need to work on your reading comprehension

http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/toprecips.php?id=D000000082&type=P&sort=A&cycle=2010

[Logical]

64. LOL......what is wrong with you???

Under the House section click on the GOP or Dem link. Look at the graph. Does that look like 46% to you?

You really need to understand math better and do a little more digging. And it is so funny you want to ignore Independent Expenditures.
Why not show me the 2008 numbers?? Or the 2012 numbers?

Here is a house only link since you are math challenged!

http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?id=D000000082&party=R&chamber=H&type=P&cycle=2010

[Lurks Often]

65. Nothing wrong with me

you're the one who made an absolute statement and then gets all defensive when you're proven wrong.

Bye now

[Logical]

66. This is the third time you have said bye but I keep kicking your ass with NRA GOP spending numbers!

[Lurks Often]

30. I looked, let's see what I found

From the 2011 convention and here is the link: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/04/29/politicians-make-rounds-at-nra-convention/

Democratic Congressman Jason Altmire

From the 2010 convention and here is the link: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nras-annual-meetings--exhibits-2010-a-celebration-of-american-values-90738229.html

Democrats NC Gov Bev Purdue, NC Congressman Heath Shuler and OK Congressman Dan Boren.

[Logical]

32. LOL....here you go. Do more research next time....

In July 2011, Shuler, a blue dog, was one of five Democrats to vote for the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act. He also lives in the C Street House with several other Christian members of Congress. I doubt you have any idea what the C Street house is.

Boren, another blue dog, Boren was also one of five Democrats to vote for the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act.

And with that I will counter Palin, Gingrich and Oliver North! Those seem about equal to you?

So you think the NRA having Palin talk in 2010 really says "We want dems on our side"? How about Gingrich?

Also, give me the 2012 dem list that starts in two weeks. Should be easy to fund.

And did you miss my post about their current issue of the NRA Freedom magazine.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002464752

Please read that and tell me that says "We want Dems and are not politically biased!"

This is fun!

[Lurks Often]

35. So now it is only "acceptable Democrats"

you're moving the goalposts again.

"Moving the goalposts, also known as raising the bar, is an informal logically fallacious argument in which evidence presented in response to a specific claim is dismissed and some other (often greater) evidence is demanded. In other words, after an attempt has been made to score a goal, the goalposts are moved to exclude the attempt. This attempts to leave the impression that an argument had a fair hearing while actually eaching a preordained conclusion." From Wikipedia

[Logical]

38. LOL. At this point I am not sure you are not joking.

[obamanut2012]

43. I'm a gun owner and a CCW permit holder, and the NRA sucks are RW bigots

They are known to be anti gay. FACT.

[ieoeja]

46. I quit the NRA precisely because of non-firearms related issues.

They wrote the California "3-Strikes" law then successfully challenged the state in court when the state enforced it as a 3-Strikes law instead of a 1-Strike law. A man, arrested for the first time, was sentenced, served his time, then came out and killed again. The NRA sued noting that the man had been sentenced for at least three different crimes that qualified as Strikes the first time he was known to have committed a crime. The courts ruled that the law as written by the NRA ...

Yes, I know that legislators "write" the laws; but there is no reason a legislator can not propose a law written for them by someone else; in this specific instance the NRA bragged about the fact that the law written by their attorneys

... and enacted into law by the state does not refer to a repeat offender as everyone thought, but only to an offender who violated 3 qualifying crimes.


Then there was the amazingly humorous American Rifleman (and probably also in American Hunter; but I did not receive that one) issue that hit the presses after the Oklahoma City bombing. Wayne LaPierre wrote a lengthy article dismissing claims that the NRA was fueling the paranoia that led to the OKC bombing. In his article he even referred to "black helicopters". Ironically, in that very same issue, Neil Knox's article concerned the residents of a Chicago suburb being rounded up in a practice raid by UN forces who descended on the suburb in ... "black helicopters".

FYI: I know people from that suburb. They are all obviously in on the conspiracy as they insist this raid never occurred!

[Zalatix]

13. So why are they against Obama?

[Lurks Often]

22. Because they

have no reason to believe that a liberal Democrat who started out in Illinois politics is going to be pro gun.

Until some significant legislation arrives on his desk, which Congress is unlikely to allow to happen, we won't get a definitive answer.

Any smart politician knows that there is no sense coming out for OR against something and losing political capitol when it is unlikely that expressing his or her view will change anything.

[Redneck Democrat]

11. Definitely Rightwing

And I should know: I used to be a member.

[Drahthaardogs]

16. All you have to know about the NRA is that during the 2004 election...

Howard Dean had a higher rating with the NRA than G.W. Guess who they supported? Oh yeah!

[hughee99]

21. The NRA endorsed * on 10/13/04

Now my memory may be a little fuzzy, but I don't recall Dean being a candidate at that point in the race.

[Drahthaardogs]

25. No my memory is fuzzy.

Wrong election for Bush*.


The point is Dean had an "A" rating from the NRA, at the time, while Bush did not. The NRA still supported the Republicans over ANY Democrat (even one with an A rating).

When you factor in that the NRA also does NOTHING for the hunting lobby, does nothing to protect our forests and BLM lands where many people hunt and shoot, it becomes really clear that they are really only for the gun nuts. Hunters are NOT a priority of the NRA, which I find strange. It is like being pro-golf, but only for guys who use the driving range, not the guys that actually play golf.

When bear baiting was being balloted in Alaska, I watched intently to see how the NRA played it. They played it not at all. They never said a word.

The NRA is not about 2nd amendment rights, they don't give a shit about hunters, public lands, or really, even responsible gun ownership. They like their lunatic gun fanatics (the guys who went out and bought 20,000 rounds after Obama was elected) and that is that.

[hughee99]

26. Dean was out of the race by mid February

and I don't think the NRA had taken any position at that time. If I understand correctly, no other Dem had an A rating. I'm not saying that a vast majority of the members aren't repukes, but the "one thing" you said I needed to know about them turned out to be misleading AT BEST. Unfortunately, you sort of shot your credibility in the foot with your first argument.

[X_Digger]

29. Err.. perhaps you missed the NRA lobbying to keep public & BLM lands open?!?

[div class='excerpt']MICHIGAN: Gun Hunting Open for Public Comment in Huron-Manistee
The U.S. Forest Service has released a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) that will ultimately determine whether firearm hunting can continue on more than 66,500 acres in Michigan’s Huron-Manistee National Forests.

As a result of a September 2010 ruling by the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Forest Service prepared the DSEIS to evaluate the impacts of a proposed ban on firearm hunting and snowmobile use in 14 semi-primitive, non-motorized or wilderness areas of the forest.

Myself, I couldn't give much of a shit about hunting, these days.

I am like 80% of gun owners- we own firearms for self-protection, home defense, and target shooting. We're not the duck and deer crowd.

Where does the second amendment mention hunting, again?

[loyalsister]

36. They hedge their bets and donate to anyone whose vote they can get.

Democrats from rural districts do have gun owners\enthusiasts to represent their districts.
Whatever helps push the agenda. It's American democracy in action.

[joeybee12]

44. I agree...defending the NRA is like defending the John Birch society...knr

Two extermist organizations.

[obamanut2012]

45. I am a gun owner and a CCW permit holder, and I loathe the NRA

They are, to me, nothing but a front for RW ideals, including anti gay stances.

They are as far from being bipartisan as Michelle Bachmann.

[Erose999]

47. Here's my message to all NRA members and supporters:

[ieoeja]

48. If anyone tells me they NRA is bipartisan, I simply ask, "why do they not want me as a member?"

I was an NRA member for years, but dropped out because of their activities on non-firearms related issues (see my earlier post if interested). They called to ask me to rejoin several times over the next couple of years. And each conversation ended in exactly the same manner:

NRA: "Please rejoin."

Me: "While I am extremely pro-gun, on most other issues I am quite Liberal and ..."

{Click}


They hung up on me. I lost count of how many times the NRA hungup on me when I told them I was a pro-gun, Liberal.

Sad, really. Once upon a time they were a good organization. They were founded for the express purpose of ensuring that Americans, as they began relying solely on food purchased in the marketplace, retained their firearm skills so that our citizens army could be called up in short order. They trained African-Americans during the '60s in regions where the legal authorities colluded with the Klan.

I can not imagine the modern NRA doing that last bit. More likely they would be fighting for the rights of the Klan to terrorize the Black community.

[Logical]

49. Great post! I hope the NRA fans read it!

[BlueDemKev]

54. They occasionally endorse a Democrat.....

....for the purpose of "appearing" bipartisan (case in point, in 2010 they endorsed Harry Reid, Michael Bennett, and Joe Manchin).

[Logical]

55. 100% correct. There are some dems they have to endorse or look really stupid.

[BlueDemKev]

56. The irony is....

...that the NRA probably saved us from losing control of the Senate in 2010 with their endorsements of Reid (NV), Manchin (WV), and Bennett(CO). Had the NRA endorsed the Republican challengers in those rural, pro-gun states, we most likely would have lost those three seats, and with it, the Senate.

Some NRA members actually cancelled their membership because they were so upset over this.

[Kingofalldems]

60. Gungeoneers often use NRA material as a source on DU

[badtoworse]

63. They are single issue; that is not the same as bipartisan. - nt