Is the National Rifle Association too big to fall?

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 12:06:32 -0400

Interesting read and take. A lot of big lobbying groups have fallen after thinking they were too big to go down. Could the NRA be the next one to bite the dust? The author brings up some good points, but me personally I'm not totally sold. What do you think Rally Point?

This is how the NRA loses - CNNPolitics.com

The NRA may seem unstoppable, but four examples from American history show that even seemngly invincible political groups can suffer stunning defeats.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 16 at 2015 12:31 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 12:31:31 -0400

NRA is not too big to fail SSG Warren Swan. It is made up of people from many different backgrounds as far as its supporters are concerned. If it failed another organization would quickly take its place.
I am neither a member of the NRA nor a gun owner at the present time. While I don't agree with all of the viewpoints expressed by the NRA, I concur with their views of responsible gun ownership and the second amendment to the US Constitution.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 16 at 2015 1:01 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:01:34 -0400

Hopefully Not. I hope Americans get Angry Enough about Dead Children to do something.

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Oct 16 at 2015 1:08 PM

1LT Aaron Barr — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:08:13 -0400

The Federal government isn't too big to fail, as our mounting debts will make plain over the coming decades. However, I don't think the NRA will be failing anytime soon; there still aren't enough people in this nation dumbed down enough to not know the dictionary definition of the word 'criminal.'

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Oct 16 at 2015 1:43 PM

1LT Aaron Barr — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:43:01 -0400

Since Cpt. Servicemeber lacks the testicular fortitude to allow me respond to his posts directly, I'll do so on the general thread. I find this especially disappointing given that he named me specifically in his comment, then blocked my ability to address it rather like a spoilt child who takes his ball and goes home when the score doesn't go his way.

CPT SERVICEMEMBER, you called these shootings preventable; how were they? The majority of these mass shooters either had no record of felony conviction etc. that would've barred them from buying guns legally or got their guns illegally. As for securing guns, how would you propose to enforce such a measure?

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 2:17 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 14:17:27 -0400

lol there is a big different with "NRA', there is a huge number of guns club out there. for a long time they all fight each other for membership. NRA is just the big fish. But lately ... they are coming together on this assault on the 2nd Amendment, and it is not always about money for them. So money can't drown them.

Second, the bills of right mention this rights, Smoking? nope. For real, NRA will never go down as long as there is a 2nd Amendment. So admen the 2nd ... maybe then NRA will be gone. If you can attack NRA without attacking the 2nd Amendment, then NRA can be destroy. If money is the issue, the uber rich liberal can and already bought NRA over.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Oct 16 at 2015 2:42 PM

SSG Leo Bell — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 14:42:21 -0400

It's not the NRA fault that there are people trying to get ride of them and trying to control guns. But the truth is the only one you will hurt with gun control are the honest and upstanding people. The people who hurt or just gun lovers. No matter how hard they try there will be guns out there for sale that the criminals and low life's will get there hands on.

They will break into houses and steal them they will find a way to get them in from Mexico or other country. I sorry for all the Innocent lives that have been lost to street gangs and just people not using common sense.

I like my guns and I love to hunt, but I will not kill something that I will not eat. I do not believe in just shooting animals just to kill them. I could go on forever but I will end here.

Response by SPC George Long made Oct 16 at 2015 2:42 PM

SPC George Long — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 14:42:59 -0400

The next Presidential election will answer that question. As a benefactor member of the NRA, Former MP, Former Civilian Police Officer, former Probation Officer , Member of the American Pistolsmiths guild. Long Range (2500+ meters) instructor And all around opinionated old dude. The chance always exist that any organization can fail. But I'd say it's a pretty slim chance.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 16 at 2015 3:12 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 15:12:22 -0400

It will fail only if it's members allow it to

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 4:10 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:10:20 -0400

I answered no, as nothing is, and nothing lasts forever. However, I don't believe that the NRA is going anywhere soon. The reason for this is because the NRA truly is a grassroots organization. Of course firearm manufacturers benefit from the protection that the NRA has given them, however this is not "Big Tobacco." The other organizations that John Blake compares the NRA to in his article lost their grassroots support and failed. The NRA is nowhere close to loosing support. In fact it is gaining support. I'm not sure if it's intentional, or if authors such as John Blake are just so out of touch with the section of America that's not on our left or right coasts, that they fail to recognize that the NRA represents a very strong cross section of Americans.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 4:27 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:27:36 -0400

Why would you want them to fall? The NRA is an organization that fundamentally helps to protect our second amendment. If you think guns are to blame for mental illnesses then there in lies the problem.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Oct 17 at 2015 1:34 AM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 01:34:26 -0400

Obama bogey man the NRA. More like one of his straw men. They are the most powerful lobbying group. And they are responsible for all gun violence in the a United States.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Oct 17 at 2015 2:44 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 02:44:33 -0400

The NRA is nothing but a large special interest lobbying group that owns politicians. They own Republicans and Democrats. People want to stop the lobbying efforts of big oil and big pharmacy but let the NRA run amok and take down anyone who wants to make any significant changes. Wouldn't it be nice if lobbyists were prevented from giving millions of dollars to and owning politicians?

Response by SPC Luis Mendez made Oct 17 at 2015 4:31 PM

SPC Luis Mendez — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 16:31:05 -0400

NOPE, no Organization, Group, Corporation, Business etc. is too big to Fall. Especially if they become Inflexible and Stiff-necked and can't see beyond their noses.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 18 at 2015 2:39 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 02:39:08 -0400

This article represents the dreams of the left, but it will never happen in real life.

The power of the NRA does not come from its leaders, but from its grassroots members. The NRA represents the interests of all gun owners whether they are hunters, sports shooters, or those using guns for personal protection.

The NRA also informs their members of the voting records of their elected representatives ahead of each election and lets the people choose those that best represent their own interests. The power of the NRA is the power of the people themselves making informed choices, and this is unlikely to change any time soon.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 3:24 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 15:24:57 -0400

Why woud that need to fall? I am not sure what this even means? Fall for what? My deal would be none of the above because I do care but gun control nuts need to be reigned in.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 18 at 2015 3:39 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 15:39:04 -0400

If the author of this story brought up any "good points" I missed them. Sadly, his whole premise is based on a fallacious assumption: That there is a causal relationship between guns and violence. Interestingly, this is the same causal relationship that drives the anti-gun/anti-NRA movement. However, it does play on a weakness in both the 2nd Amendment and the charter of the NRA. Instead of weapons, I wish the 2nd Amendment and its defenders such as the NRA promoted our God-given right to self defense. Thus, weapons (shotguns, rifles, handguns of all types, bows and arrows, sticks and stones, etc) would be relegated to their correct place as mere implements of self defense. How could anyone argue with that narrative?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2015 4:21 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 16:21:00 -0400

Another reasonable question is, about Mexicans and 0ther illegals streaming across the border and that is another loose end. If we are not serious about porous borders and that risk; if our president wants to win at all costs, the next victims will be those related to home invasions and quite possibly with automatic weapons.

To win an election by putting innocents at risk is dumb at best and using another country's laws as a litmus test is either deceptive or fuzzy thinking.

What's next? Global Warming? Will that be the issue that needs immediate attention? LOL. This is kind of a political grab bag and just like HRC, Immigration and whatever else, there will be a next issue and another and another... Wake up America!!

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Oct 20 at 2015 1:24 AM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 01:24:21 -0400

Any group that becomes more interested in building itself up and chooses to support what will enrich them rather than fight for core issues will in time fail. Their membership will leave them and the organization will become irrelevant.