The NRA irritated me a bit today......

[yang]

I'm irritated that I didn't get a free DVD.

Me Too Paul. LOL.

I did get one that said if I donated at least $20, I would get a NRA coin.

[mnmike59]

I'm irritated that I didn't get a free DVD.

don't be. I watched it and sent it back.

not sure if an instructor could be any more wordy, but he sure tries.

IMO it taught nothing a good hands on pistol class doesn't. And, much to internet comando's dislike, watching a dvd teaches you about 5% of what you'd learn if you'd pony up the cash and take a real class. So overall I gave the dvd a "meh".

It doesn't matter, Paul is all about the FREE stuff.

[Paul]

^

Bingo.

[Hmac]

Back in the days when I used to belong to the NRA, that kind of sleazy marketing was the norm for them. They were relentless in the volume of crap that they sent out and the solicitation phone calls I'd receive despite my requests to the contrary. Once email became common, they were among the very first to embrace the high-volume SPAM concept.

Anonymous donations to the ILA work out better for people who don't want to end up on an endless and non-cancellable list of junk mail, SPAM, and middle-of-dinner solicitation calls.

[rugersol]

Maybe 10yr ago now, I sent them an email with my NRA# asking them (politely) to not send me any marketing stuff.

I've never received any such item, since ... jest my magazine.

I'll give ya a $1 fer the medallion?!

[Stradawhovious]

I sent them an email with my NRA# asking them (politely) to not send me any marketing stuff.

Yeah, I did that this morning. Kind of hoping it works.

Anonymous donations to the ILA work out better for people who don't want to end up on an endless and non-cancellable list of junk mail, SPAM, and middle-of-dinner solicitation calls.

I enjoy being a member of the gun club I belong to, and they require an active membership in the NRA so as much of an option as this is, for now I will just keep the active membership and hopefully my email will be heeded.

[Rodentman]

I think I got one such DVD a while ago. I have no memory anymore. I saved the coin for the Salavation Army kettle and left the DVD along with some gun mags at my Dr's orifice.

I don't care what the NRA sends me as long as they don't call me.

[2in2out]

I'd really like to believe that, but seeing all the other things the NRA uses their money for I'm a little skeptical. Don't get me wrong, they do a lot of good for the gun community and I'm glad to have them on that front, but it seems as much of a money machine as it does anything else. Especially after seeing this.

I got one of these DVD's a couple of years ago, and was very disappointed that they use a trick like that. I didn't send it back. They sent me a couple of requests to send it back, and then stopped.

[Drizzle]

I'm with Strad. It nearly caused me to decline my invitation to become a club member, that NRA requirement, but I decided I wanted to shoot there more than not be a member. I'd rather be a member of SAF or one of the other groups that also support the 2nd amendment than the NRA. While I appreciate the work they have lobbied to do, they give me nothing but a mailing nearly every week, including this DVD thing, which I got about 2 mos ago. I got a bill for it last week, but just threw it away.

[plblark]

I'm irritated that I didn't get a free DVD.

+1
Though I guess I DID get a free DVD from the NRA in much the same way years ago.

[plblark]

I'm with Strad. It nearly caused me to decline my invitation to become a club member, that NRA requirement, but I decided I wanted to shoot there more than not be a member. I'd rather be a member of SAF or one of the other groups that also support the 2nd amendment than the NRA. While I appreciate the work they have lobbied to do, they give me nothing but a mailing nearly every week, including this DVD thing, which I got about 2 mos ago. I got a bill for it last week, but just threw it away.

Serious suggestion: put together a presentation on the SAF and why we should allow this. Get on the agenda foe a board meeting and Take it to the board. Get on the Agenda for a Member meeting and Take it to a members' meeting. Wait for the annual meeting. Get on the agenda, make the pitch.

It failed at the annual meeting last year but that may be because I burnt out and dropped the ball on the issue.

[David]

"NRA Member dues or contributions are not used for this promotion, program, or any other related expenses"

I'd really like to believe that, but seeing all the other things the NRA uses their money for I'm a little skeptical.

What they mean by this is that they get enough people to pay for the DVDs that they break even or even make money on them. Thus, your dues aren't "used" for it.

[tim]

Back in the days when I used to belong to the NRA, that kind of sleazy marketing was the norm for them. They were relentless in the volume of crap that they sent out and the solicitation phone calls I'd receive despite my requests to the contrary. Once email became common, they were among the very first to embrace the high-volume SPAM concept.

Anonymous donations to the ILA work out better for people who don't want to end up on an endless and non-cancellable list of junk mail, SPAM, and middle-of-dinner solicitation calls.

I agree 100%. The unfortunate thing for me is that my local range/gun club just decided you must be an NRA member to get a key to the gate. No more club membership for me I guess.

[Thunder71]

Well, I bought a Taurus recently so my renewal was paid for with their promotion... however how long do you have to be a member to get these 'gifts'? I only receive a small amount of mail and only the emails I've signed up to get.

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I haven't had a bad experience with the NRA (knock on wood).

[Dante]

I am just absolutely *shocked* that the NRA did something sleazy!