Your experience of having to use a gun is quite a bit different than those of us here who never served in combat. I have never in my life had to make the choice to kill somebody to defend myself and I’m thankful for that. I would make it if I had to, but I’m glad it so far I haven’t. The only thing I have a shot at is game and paper and clay targets
I became a life member when I got out of the Army in 1987. At that time I think to become a life member was $200. I don’t know what it cost now.
I remember several years ago, there was a poll that the results were that most Americans didn’t have a negative view of the NRA or its members. They may not have agreed with them on everything. But most Americans did not view the NRA the same way that the left does
@LMAO I THINK it can be safely said that the majority of the people who hate the NRA live in cities and have never even handled a gun,never mind shot one,and that the majority of the people who ARE NRA members are people who grew up in or still live in rural areas. Many may not even have any interest in hunting,but understand that they MIGHT at some time in the future NEED a gun to protect self,family,and home,so they have one. It just sits propped in a corner or having on a wall,and they and any children they might have,have seen it so often they don't even notice it.
IF they are a farming family,it probably takes rides in the tractor with whoever is operating it in case they happen to run across and injured animal that is slowly dying,or a live and dangerous animal to both themselves and their livestock. Either way,it gets used.
I wish that someone who is honest would do some sort of survey on the number or rural people who own firearms of any type,as well as if they have ever used them to kill anything,and what it was they killed and why they killed it.
We all KNOW this is not going to happen though,and we know WHY it's not going to happen.
I occasionally tell some ignorant fool a TRUE story of me talking with my elementary school principle one day and describing my 1914 double-barrel 12 gauge with exposed hammers shot gun to him,and him actually ASKING me to bring it to school with me the next day so he could see it.
So,when I got on the bus to go to school the next day carrying the shotgun,the bus driver asked me "What are you doing with that shotgun?",and when I told her,she said "Ok,get on the bus.",and that was it.
THAT WAS ALL THAT WAS EVER SAID ABOUT IT.
Of course,I had to let the other kids look at and handle it,but I had no shotgun shells with me,so everybody knew it and I were both harmless.
I sometimes carried that same shotgun to high school with me because I would go duck hunting at dawn,and then go to high school in time to be there when the starting bell rang. I would walk into the school with the shotgun in my hands and lock it in my wall locker for the rest of the school day,and NOBODY thought a thing about it.
I can't even begin to image the uproar that would be created if some kid tried to do that these days.