I would like to get your opinion.

[HassleCat]

1. Old NRA, new NRA

I was an NRA member many years ago. The NRA opposed most gun control proposals, but did not reflexively go into a screaming fit whenever a new gun law was introduced. Then a guy named Wayne LaPierre took over, and the NRA adopted the general attitude that one new gun law would trigger an avalanche, leading to eventual registration confiscation, etc. Over the years, the NRA has opposed everything, across the board, regardless of whether or not it would be effective, or in harmony with the 2nd Amendment. They pissed off many police officers when they opposed legislation to ban specially coated bullet designed to penetrate body armor. The recent opposition to expanded background checks is a better known example of their blind opposition.

Some people propose they operate at the behest of arms manufacturers, who make big money from the sale of military style weapons. Others theorize they just wanted to boost membership by courting the more extreme gun owners. I don't know, but I can't be in an organization with a bunch of people who drool over assault rifles, stockpile weapons and ammunition, show up to defend Cliven Bundy, carry loaded weapons in family restaurants, and generally act like fools. I enjoyed target shooting, reloading my own ammo, etc. and I was happy the NRA defended my rights to own firearms, but they've become more of a right wing political organization now, attracting a crazy element that did not seem to be there before.