What the NRA Could be Doing Better
Awareness:
I believe we, the NRA, should drive the message to a wider audience, more often. We should continually bring our efforts for safety, training, and responsible gun ownership to the public. It is my belief that the NRA’s efforts to step to the table, create solutions, and temper laws that do not and cannot instantiate or sustain positive change.
Ensuring Members of the BOD are active and attending:
More than half of the NRA's BOD miss half of all BOD meetings. Some folks don't show up for years. If members elect you to serve on the board, pending illness or deaths in the intimidate family, your ass should be in attendance! Check out the past attendance rosters HERE.
Training:
I would like to expand the NRA’s training for the beginner through the instructor. We should capitalize on name recognition of the NRA and expand our reach. We should provide multiple levels of training and educational services from web-based and free to advanced certifications in specialized disciplines for both the individual and the trainer.
Center of Excellence:
A COE rating means that the facility adheres to curriculum and standards. This level of rating, much like the NRA’s ratings of politicians, tells the prospective student that the NRA’s review indicates the meeting or exceeding requirements. Designations such as these help maintain our organization’s high standards and improve the NRA brand.
Technology & Innovation:
The NRA has made great strides in web presence, social media, and mobile applications. I believe we should capitalize on our strengths, identify any opportunities for improvement, and address those opportunities. We should strive for more, better, more integrated, and intuitive solutions. Many of the firearms we use today are designs created 40, 50, or over 100 years ago. The elegant designs or functions never stopped innovators. We should innovate, reassess, incorporate new technologies, serving our members, attracting prospective members, and the creating teaching-moments with the American public.
Carry Guard Transparency:
Most folks don't read into the fine print on the NRA's Carry Guard Insurance program. Did you know that YOU are 100% responsible for all costs, and that only if you are found not guilty, will the NRA then repay you? Most people don't know this. What good is the insurance policy if you have to foot the bill yourself during trial.
Awareness:
I believe we, the NRA, should drive the message to a wider audience, more often. We should continually bring our efforts for safety, training, and responsible gun ownership to the public. It is my belief that the NRA’s efforts to step to the table, create solutions, and temper laws that do not and cannot instantiate or sustain positive change.
Ensuring Members of the BOD are active and attending:
More than half of the NRA's BOD miss half of all BOD meetings. Some folks don't show up for years. If members elect you to serve on the board, pending illness or deaths in the intimidate family, your ass should be in attendance! Check out the past attendance rosters HERE.
Training:
I would like to expand the NRA’s training for the beginner through the instructor. We should capitalize on name recognition of the NRA and expand our reach. We should provide multiple levels of training and educational services from web-based and free to advanced certifications in specialized disciplines for both the individual and the trainer.
Center of Excellence:
A COE rating means that the facility adheres to curriculum and standards. This level of rating, much like the NRA’s ratings of politicians, tells the prospective student that the NRA’s review indicates the meeting or exceeding requirements. Designations such as these help maintain our organization’s high standards and improve the NRA brand.
Technology & Innovation:
The NRA has made great strides in web presence, social media, and mobile applications. I believe we should capitalize on our strengths, identify any opportunities for improvement, and address those opportunities. We should strive for more, better, more integrated, and intuitive solutions. Many of the firearms we use today are designs created 40, 50, or over 100 years ago. The elegant designs or functions never stopped innovators. We should innovate, reassess, incorporate new technologies, serving our members, attracting prospective members, and the creating teaching-moments with the American public.
Carry Guard Transparency:
Most folks don't read into the fine print on the NRA's Carry Guard Insurance program. Did you know that YOU are 100% responsible for all costs, and that only if you are found not guilty, will the NRA then repay you? Most people don't know this. What good is the insurance policy if you have to foot the bill yourself during trial.
Second Amendment:
It is the right of all American’s to keep and bear arms. It is not negotiable. It is not contingent upon demonstrating need. It is absolute. This amendment ensures that, as a last resort, you and I have recourse of defense. I believe there are cases where a person’s right to purchase or possess a firearm should be revoked. Adjudicated violent felons should be restricted. The key word is adjudicated and not suspected. This applies to any other American whose rights are revoked. Anything less sets a dangerous precedent and empowers a small number to govern with opinion or emotion. We cannot discard the rule of law.
Rule of Law:
I stand for the rule of law as set forth by the Constitution. That means, I stand for application of our rights and laws equally. This Republic ensures that we are not governed by the will of the majority, a powerful minority, or the sentiments of the politically correct.
Take SBR's and Suppressors off the NFA:
ITAR:
If you are moving military items to other nations, ITAR should apply. If you're a gunsmith in Apex, NC you should not have to spend the $2750.00 to register with the US State Dept. This is one of Obama's covert attempts to further destroy the 2nd Amendment.
Constitutional Carry:
The term constitutional carry is a term for the legal carrying of a handgun, either openly or concealed, without the requirement of a government permission slip. I’m in support of constitutional carry, and would like to thank the elected officials in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Main, Vermont, and Wyoming for their part in ensuring the constitutional carry legislation in their states passed effortlessly
Micro-Stamping & Ballistic “Fingerprinting”:
Proven time and time again to be too cost prohibitive to manufacture, and would require the firearms to be registered in a national database. I’m NOT for anything having to do with any process that would lead to mass firearms registration or any type of state database.
National Firearms Act (NFA):
This is a very outdated system that needs to be revamped. If a person wants to purchase a rifle with a 15.5″ barrel, it’s an NFA regulated firearm, add a half-inch and presto now it’s not “evil.” If a person can legally own a pistol, there should be no restriction on SBR’s or suppressors.
Hearing Protection Act V2.0:
I’m 100% behind this. If OSHA were to regulate shooting sports, they would have recommended all firearms be suppressed decades ago.
Protecting Lawful Transportation of Firearms.
The Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) is an important provision of federal law intended to protect the right of law-abiding gun owners to transport firearms throughout our nation. In the years since its enactment, it has been ignored by anti-gun local officials and effectively gutted by the courts. I strongly believe that this act needs to be amended so that any official who violates this act would face imprisonment.
Firearm Preemption Laws:
Most states today have a law prohibiting local jurisdictions from imposing gun control restrictions that are more severe than state law. I would like to use my networks both professionally and social networks to bring national attention to the small cities and towns who try to stop American citizens from exercising their constitutionally protected rights.
National Concealed Carry Reciprocity:
If I can attend a CDL course and transport 12,000lbs of extremely hazardous materials down each and every state in the nation, why can’t I attend a CCW course and carry in every state in this nation? This is a no-brainer!
“Smart” Guns/Personalized Firearms:
Bad idea and technology is not there yet. Once fully adopted by major militaries, and all police forces, perhaps then it MIGHT be time to look at it for civil use. I don’t see this being a usable technology until 2050+.
Mental Health:
More than 50 years ago America had a strong mental health infrastructure. There were dozens of large full-service mental institutions that housed tens of thousands of mentally unstable people in every state. Thanks to the work of Democrats in the 1960’s, our nation’s mental health infrastructure has been almost completely dismantled. Our population has greatly increased since then, yet the number of mentally unstable people under full-time watch and treatment has plummeted. So where have all the “crazies” gone? They are mixed among us in the general public. I believe that we should look at ways to restrict firearms ownership for people under certain types of mental care, or those on mind altering medications. We must ensure that these individuals are afforded due process, and if proven to be mentally unstable, their access to firearms would be temporarily revoked. Every few years they should automatically be reviewed, and if found mentally stable, access to firearms would be granted. I know this is a “touchy” subject, and I’m all ears for other suggestions.
It is the right of all American’s to keep and bear arms. It is not negotiable. It is not contingent upon demonstrating need. It is absolute. This amendment ensures that, as a last resort, you and I have recourse of defense. I believe there are cases where a person’s right to purchase or possess a firearm should be revoked. Adjudicated violent felons should be restricted. The key word is adjudicated and not suspected. This applies to any other American whose rights are revoked. Anything less sets a dangerous precedent and empowers a small number to govern with opinion or emotion. We cannot discard the rule of law.
Rule of Law:
I stand for the rule of law as set forth by the Constitution. That means, I stand for application of our rights and laws equally. This Republic ensures that we are not governed by the will of the majority, a powerful minority, or the sentiments of the politically correct.
Take SBR's and Suppressors off the NFA:
ITAR:
If you are moving military items to other nations, ITAR should apply. If you're a gunsmith in Apex, NC you should not have to spend the $2750.00 to register with the US State Dept. This is one of Obama's covert attempts to further destroy the 2nd Amendment.
Constitutional Carry:
The term constitutional carry is a term for the legal carrying of a handgun, either openly or concealed, without the requirement of a government permission slip. I’m in support of constitutional carry, and would like to thank the elected officials in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Main, Vermont, and Wyoming for their part in ensuring the constitutional carry legislation in their states passed effortlessly
Micro-Stamping & Ballistic “Fingerprinting”:
Proven time and time again to be too cost prohibitive to manufacture, and would require the firearms to be registered in a national database. I’m NOT for anything having to do with any process that would lead to mass firearms registration or any type of state database.
National Firearms Act (NFA):
This is a very outdated system that needs to be revamped. If a person wants to purchase a rifle with a 15.5″ barrel, it’s an NFA regulated firearm, add a half-inch and presto now it’s not “evil.” If a person can legally own a pistol, there should be no restriction on SBR’s or suppressors.
Hearing Protection Act V2.0:
I’m 100% behind this. If OSHA were to regulate shooting sports, they would have recommended all firearms be suppressed decades ago.
Protecting Lawful Transportation of Firearms.
The Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) is an important provision of federal law intended to protect the right of law-abiding gun owners to transport firearms throughout our nation. In the years since its enactment, it has been ignored by anti-gun local officials and effectively gutted by the courts. I strongly believe that this act needs to be amended so that any official who violates this act would face imprisonment.
Firearm Preemption Laws:
Most states today have a law prohibiting local jurisdictions from imposing gun control restrictions that are more severe than state law. I would like to use my networks both professionally and social networks to bring national attention to the small cities and towns who try to stop American citizens from exercising their constitutionally protected rights.
National Concealed Carry Reciprocity:
If I can attend a CDL course and transport 12,000lbs of extremely hazardous materials down each and every state in the nation, why can’t I attend a CCW course and carry in every state in this nation? This is a no-brainer!
“Smart” Guns/Personalized Firearms:
Bad idea and technology is not there yet. Once fully adopted by major militaries, and all police forces, perhaps then it MIGHT be time to look at it for civil use. I don’t see this being a usable technology until 2050+.
Mental Health:
More than 50 years ago America had a strong mental health infrastructure. There were dozens of large full-service mental institutions that housed tens of thousands of mentally unstable people in every state. Thanks to the work of Democrats in the 1960’s, our nation’s mental health infrastructure has been almost completely dismantled. Our population has greatly increased since then, yet the number of mentally unstable people under full-time watch and treatment has plummeted. So where have all the “crazies” gone? They are mixed among us in the general public. I believe that we should look at ways to restrict firearms ownership for people under certain types of mental care, or those on mind altering medications. We must ensure that these individuals are afforded due process, and if proven to be mentally unstable, their access to firearms would be temporarily revoked. Every few years they should automatically be reviewed, and if found mentally stable, access to firearms would be granted. I know this is a “touchy” subject, and I’m all ears for other suggestions.
Additional Points of View
“Assault Weapons” and “High Capacity” Magazines: These are terms liberals who have no understanding of firearms in general use to define most modern firearms and almost all magazines in circulation today. At the time the Constitution was written, our founding fathers knew about the most advanced weaponry of their time. Did they make any exemptions for firearms that we designed solely for battle? NO. This video nails it on the head.
“Universal” Background Checks: These are currently REQUIRED for any sales by a federally licensed firearms dealer. Outside of this, I do not believe that a person who lawfully possesses a firearm should have to get a governmental permission slip and turn the slip back into the government if they are selling said firearm to another person who is not barred from owning firearms. See video below for more details on exactly what I think.
“Terrorist Watchlist / No-Fly List”: This is completely unconstitutional! They can’t strip a constitutionally protected right without due process.
“Gun Shows”: Most gun show attendees and sellers are PRIVATE citizens, the rest are federally licensed firearms dealers who are conducting normal business at a different location. The dealers at a gun show are still regulated by the ATF’s laws. Private citizens are regulated by the laws of the state they are in. I believe it is vital to allow for citizens of this great nation to sell legally owned firearms to fellow citizens who are not barred from firearms possession.