Open Letter to Competitors

[M60A3TTS]

I don't really have a dog in this hunt, but better than a decade ago it was obvious to anyone with eyes, that Wayne was a grifter, and confidence man. To say it was never obvious to the board, to me, would indicate a level of complicit obliviousness. I was never a member of the NRA, particularly after Wayne LaPierre took over as it was obvious to anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear, he said one thing and then did many other undermining things. Always willing to "compromise". There is no compromising with inalienable rights.

 

[M60A3TTS]

There are many other organizations that have proven to be more effective than the NRA. Unfortunately I think that ship has sailed

 

[WSnyder]

To say it was never obvious to the board, to me, would indicate a level of complicit obliviousness.

Kinda like the “President Biden is sharp as a tack” line. Yeah, we all knew the real story a long time ago.

 

[shoot4fun]

Kinda like the “President Biden is sharp as a tack” line. Yeah, we all knew the real story a long time ago.

But this must be taken in a "lie by liberal media" context and not meant to start any political discussions.

 

[steelshooter]

We need to start somewhere.
This isn't met to be Political discussion.

 

[shoot4fun]

We need to start somewhere.

Political discussion rules of the forum frown on that typer stuff.

 

[mgdietrich]

John Sigler got voted off the board in the last election, so the voting members showed him the door. This is WAY too little, too late and there was NO specifics of what will change. This dog don’t hunt…..

 

[WSnyder]

But this must be taken in a "lie by liberal media" context and not meant to start any political discussions.

It should be obvious that I wasn’t making a political statement, just a parallel observance

 

[Fuj]

I'll add to the political issue but in a different line of thought......The NRA
needs to stop lobbying, and stop greasing the palms of those in office,
which also enlarges the fees paid to legal counsel. The NRA needs to hang
the suits, and put the blue jeans and t-shirts back on.......The good ol' days
are not coming back. How's that song go.....'We don't need no water, let the
M,F'r burn.......As my usual side note......I caught on the news something that
I thought I would never see. Honda and Nissan going into talks about merging ??
Could the CMP and NRA merge ?? Do you think the CMP would tell the NRA to
go pound salt ??........The politics of mayhem is all I see in the future if the NRA
does not pull all the weeds, and plow new ground......Thinking out loud again.

 

[shoot4fun]

It should be obvious that I wasn’t making a political statement, just a parallel observance

It was obvious to most but I felt there were a few on here that would need reminding.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Honestly, my affiliation with the NRA exist because it is a requirement to be a member of The Tomball Gun Club.
I am a 30 year life time member. Of course, you would never know it, since at least twice a year I get the “join the NRA” request from some faceless entity sitting in a cubical in front of a computer screen.

I have been an avid Rifleman for years, but have never participated in a NRA event. I get the feeling that the NRA doesn’t even understand Short Range Benchrest.

 

[Toms]

To All:

I recently posted an "Open Letter to NRA's Competitive Shooting Community" on Ammoland.com.

Several competitors who read that letter asked why I didn't post it here with my friends here at Accurateshooter.com. and suggested that I do so. I told them that I didn't think it was appropriate to post here - they told me I was wrong and that I should share it with you - so I am posting it now.

The letter is far too long to post here in the body of this message, so I have attached it as a pdf file.

I hope that you will take the time to read it.

John Sigler
NRA Past President
F-Class High Master (Both LR & MR)
Member 2017 & 2023 US F-Class Rifle (Open) Team
International Distinguished Badge #67

I ran silhouette matches in 80's and 90's. Even back then the NRA only wanted your money in my opinion. The completive shooters has kept our range going since the 30's. The club is still going with majority of members are shooters. Tom

 

[ratguner]

And yet… NRA leaves Atterbury in ‘25 for High Power, Mid Range and Long Range due to dismal attendance, amongst other things. Competitors by and large asked for the events to return to Camp Perry and the CMP was willing to let that happen, just not under NRA control… and here we are now with all 3 events now spread across half of the Country, homed at ranges primarily operated by committee members.

It’s time for NRA to realize you aren’t the end all be all in competitive shooting and that recent sins of those in charge have done nothing but further erode credibility, participation and support for NRA hosted matches. Fact is other sanctioning bodies have stepped in and are doing a pretty good job where NRA has failed and NRA’s unwillingness to put the competitive shooters first will continue to be additional nails in your coffin.

James Root
Michigan Rifle & Pistol Association
High Power Division Director

THIS!!!!
Pistol has also left Atterbury going to Cardinal... but still a "NRA National Match".

 

[mike mccormick]

It amazes me that a former board member of the NRA would have the gall to say that no one on the board knew anything was going on, when the rank and file across the country could see it. WLP was entrenched like a tick, with the same intent. He was paid a ridiculous salary, with a ludicrous expense account, and acted like the NRA was his kingdom. He still managed to be given a severance in the millions. The NRA is dead. The current issues are the rotting of the corpse.

 

[danny]

To All:

I recently posted an "Open Letter to NRA's Competitive Shooting Community" on Ammoland.com.

Several competitors who read that letter asked why I didn't post it here with my friends here at Accurateshooter.com. and suggested that I do so. I told them that I didn't think it was appropriate to post here - they told me I was wrong and that I should share it with you - so I am posting it now.

The letter is far too long to post here in the body of this message, so I have attached it as a pdf file.

I hope that you will take the time to read it.

John Sigler
NRA Past President
F-Class High Master (Both LR & MR)
Member 2017 & 2023 US F-Class Rifle (Open) Team
International Distinguished Badge #67

I read it. I can only answer for myself. I started to decrease my competitive attendence for a couple of reasons, and from my perspective, NRA is the National Matches. Those "other guys", the surplus weapons guys, have some "shoots" at Camp Perry each year, some of it being "Amateur's Hour", aka "Joe Sixpack" playing around with Rimfires and "playing other games".

The first reason I started to leave Highpower Rifle competition was to get out before these F Class guys started to decide to not entertain letting us Highpower Rifle guys shoot Highpower Rifle in "their" clubs, ranges, leagues and matches.

Reason #2 was when the NRA saw fit to allow what they call Service Rifles (rifles with scopes) to shoot matches with what was always considered a Service Rifle, AND, group these two classes of weapons together for score. Some of you less enlightened types are going to say that I am against these new rifles, and that's not fact. What should have happened is that these more modern rifles should have their scores grouped together, and what was normally considered "Service Rifles" in the past, their scores shouldbe grouped together, now, maybe under the name of something like "Traditional Service Rifles". Once that is done, I could see a class being made up for, let's say, 1903s, even at Mid Range and Long Range prone, along with across-the-course. Those scores would also be grouped with rifles of their type (for score). You know, more options, more fun for everyone, and perhaps, the ultimate goal; more participation.

Rant mode off, not expecting anything to come of this or any changes to be made,

Danny

 

[danny]

If the NRA does invest in building back up it's competitive division, I think they need to be prepared for a long haul. They are going to have to show commitment through actions over an extended period of time. They are going to see further decline in NRA sanctioned events at least in some disciplines for some time.
They need to recognize and account for the 'market share' that other organizations have built - e.g., CMP, PRS, NRL just in rifle.

Exactly. Gaining back trust and competitive marketshare after the atrocities that the "French kid" committed, well, that is going to be a long uphill climb.

Danny

 

[danny]

And yet… NRA leaves Atterbury in ‘25 for High Power, Mid Range and Long Range due to dismal attendance, amongst other things. Competitors by and large asked for the events to return to Camp Perry and the CMP was willing to let that happen, just not under NRA control… and here we are now with all 3 events now spread across half of the Country, homed at ranges primarily operated by committee members.

It’s time for NRA to realize you aren’t the end all be all in competitive shooting and that recent sins of those in charge have done nothing but further erode credibility, participation and support for NRA hosted matches. Fact is other sanctioning bodies have stepped in and are doing a pretty good job where NRA has failed and NRA’s unwillingness to put the competitive shooters first will continue to be additional nails in your coffin.

James Root
Michigan Rifle & Pistol Association
High Power Division Director

Interesting:

Competitors by and large asked for the events to return to Camp Perry and the CMP was willing to let that happen, just not under NRA control

So the National Matches could come back to Camp Perry, just not under the control of the NRA. That sounds like "double speak". That sounds like the kid down the street is having a birthday party and he doesn't want you there, but he then grudginly says "ok, you can come to my birthday party as long as it's not you attending".

Danny

 

[JFrank]

get the feeling that the NRA doesn’t even understand Short Range Benchrest.

There seems to be a bit of that going around.

 

[Herzo]

Interesting:


So the National Matches could come back to Camp Perry, just not under the control of the NRA. That sounds like "double speak". That sounds like the kid down the street is having a birthday party and he doesn't want you there, but he then grudginly says "ok, you can come to my birthday party as long as it's not you attending".

Danny

Perhaps I missed something, but I believe the NRA left Camp Perry in an attempt to pull support from the CMP. This along with the actions of WLP, only served to weaken that organization while the CMP has maintained and even expanded a strong following. While the CMP has had some problems and occasionally their rules seem to change with the direction of the wind, they do attempt to accommodate the wide variety of shooters.
So the CMP should bow towards Mecca and relinquish their successes to the NRA?

 

[jelenko]

Interesting:


So the National Matches could come back to Camp Perry, just not under the control of the NRA. That sounds like "double speak". That sounds like the kid down the street is having a birthday party and he doesn't want you there, but he then grudginly says "ok, you can come to my birthday party as long as it's not you attending".

Danny

I thought the meaning was clear. The desire is to return the National Matches back to Camp Perry but not have the NRA involved. I'm not getting the double speak.