I was an airgunner for about three years before I got into firearms.
I joined the NRA then the VCDL and then the GOA and also the SASS.
The only thing that sticks in my mind was the NRA kept quiet about the 1st Amendment, when it came to the thing about where the money was coming from to front the politicians. Not sure if this is the right way to say it, but it made me mad. We have more than just the 2A here, and the NRA is only into that, that is fine but it doesn't help the rest of us.
We also have the seeming antagonism or disapproval from NRA to OC.
I well recall an NRA-ILA alert that went out a few years ago giving false info about the then-prohibition on CCing in a Virginia restaurant licensed to serve alcohol: then-Code 18.2-308.J.3. In response to our call for a correction to the effect that OC was legal in such establishments, NRA-ILA said it was not an OC issue. Huh!?! How about an accuracy issue? After a round of e-mails NRA-ILA corrected the info.
We've had how many big names in NRA criticize OC in the past? Clayton Cramer? Mas Ayoob?
While many think NRA dislikes OC because it would cut into their certified CCW instructors income (I agree), I think it goes deeper.
First and foremost, OC lets each and every person do something every single day to promote self-defense rights. OC totally bypasses NRA and says, "We can do this without paying dues, without relying on your lobbyists. Essentially, people will get the word without filtering by NRA, without reliance on NRA. And, start voting for pro-gun candidates without NRA involvement or steering." This strikes at the very core of NRA's reason for existence of late. We're basically spreading the word on the street, totally bypassing NRA.
And, I'm sure there's the whole knee-jerk "you'll scare people" miscalculation.
However, I also have to wonder. NRA is in neck-deep with cops. Not just neck-deep, but in bed with cops. How many sweet nothings against OC are being whispered into NRA ears by cops? We already know there is plenty of resistance to OC by cops. How much behind the scenes influence is there?
Just for a bright side to things, since NRA is in so deep with police, NRA
could start pushing on its channels to encourage police towards more respect for 4A and 5A. Imagine. A sudden resurgence of respect for 4A and 5A by cops started by NRA.