School me on Friends of NRA banquets

[Fredkrueger100]

Well I don't care what he says about the NRA. I will continue to be a member. They may not be perfect but who is? At least they are a powerful organization that can have strong influence over politicians. But I have never been to a friends of the NRA banquet. Always wondered what they were as well. It would be awesome to win something during a raffle though.

 

[otis147]

Well I don't care what he says about the NRA. I will continue to be a member. They may not be perfect but who is? At least they are a powerful organization that can have strong influence over politicians. But I have never been to a friends of the NRA banquet. Always wondered what they were as well. It would be awesome to win something during a raffle though.

yes, they are powerful. and they've used that power since at least the '30s to reduce, regulate, AMD revoke the average person's right to keep and bear arms. if you're cool with that, go to the banquet and throw more cash their way.

 

[thefenux]

To respond to the OP, at least the one in OKC, is mostly about what the Friends of the NRA does, not the political arm of it. This means things like youth shooting programs. It's a nice dinner, there are auctions and raffles, and the money goes into the programs they talk about there. Normally that's not political at all.

 

[Okie4570]

There's one coming up in Enid on August 10th. Great food, raffles, auctions...........zero politics in the past.

 

[Brandi]

I was a member of the NRA but after listening to Wayne LaPierre's crazy political rants every time I tried to read my American Hunter magazine and being bombarded with rants I don't agree with I let my membership expire. He's also the reason I won't consider a lifetime membership until the "management" is replaced. It was less about gun rights and more about everything else. He sounded like a crazy man bashing everyone he could to become the republican presidential candidate. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the NRA is there but I don't think LaPierre is doing gun rights or the NRA any good. He needs to be removed from any position of power within the NRA or outside it, in my opinion.

I'm teetering on the line of whether to renew or not. Renewing seems like the lesser of the two evils but supporting the current power structure is not something I approve of.

Back on subject...I've never attended the banquet's either and have always wondered what they were like. Is it formal or casual? Do you pay to attend or is it part of the membership dues? What should someone expect who's never been before.

 

[thefenux]

Sorry for the delayed response, I just saw the questions, Brandi.

It's quasi-formal. There are suits & ties, but there are a lot of people in polos and what I, at least, would consider business casual. The only times I've been (this year will be my third), I've been working. I always wear khakis and a polo type shirt. That being said, there are still a few people in t-shirts and no one seems to care.

They sell tickets for the banquet. The Friends of the NRA is almost like a separate entity (at least looking from the outside). The money they make during the banquet all goes to community and youth programs, not political ones.

As of last week, I was told all the tickets for this year's banquet in OKC are sold. I think they're looking for a bigger venue because they're outgrowing the Cowboy Hall of Fame.

 

[Okie4570]

Haven't been to one in a few years, but the Enid one is casual. Tickets this year are $30 and includes meal. You can buy raffle tickets to a bazillion items inside, as well as some silent auction items. Kid give aways are usually great as well, and there's no shortage, if you're a kid, you're going home with something nice for only the price of admission.

 

[Hoov]

Are we back on topic now? Good. The banquets are fun even for those who work them! This is my... hell, I've lost count. I don't go to the committee meetings like I should, but that is another story not related to the committee. This year's Heartland FNRA will be really good. Tons o' guns. Food is usually very good. I will work one of the games and probably spot for the auctioneer. And whatever else needs done. Most of the money stays in state and supports youth shoots and women's shoots to boot. Whatever your personal thoughts of the national org, if you want the shooting sports to survive, you should support the local NRA chapters.

 

[Mr. Doyle]

I will be attending my first banquet this week and have also been pondering what to expect. I realize this is an old thread, but I would just like to mention my appreciation that it actually got back to answering the question with the second page posts.