#nrashow2016

 A couple weeks ago I was in Louisville, KY the weekend before the annual meeting began for the NRA.  I knew this for a couple reasons.  1) I’m a lifetime member of the NRA and 2) Louisville had signs up.  Several members were checking in at the Galt House (where I was staying for a different reason) but they weren’t very open about who they were.  It wasn’t that hard to figure out that folks in town for a convention where there for the NRA annual meeting.  I was in the elevator with one such gentleman and told him that I supported his organization.  He wanted to know if I was being facetious.  I then realized why they weren’t being so open about who they were.  Because of the amount of backlash they get from opposers.  I then told him that I absolutely wasn’t being facetious and further more, I was packing heat somewhere within my formal attire.  He relaxed and said good to know.  Then we reached his floor and that was it.  I can tell you one thing, we didn’t have the President visiting our fair state a couple weeks ago.  I didn’t have to behave per secret service guidelines. 

 If this has been 33 years ago…that would have been a different story.  Furthermore, the keynote speaker for the NRA annual members banquet would have been none other than the President himself…President Ronald Reagan…or as my pastor affectionately calls him…Ronnie.  An excerpt from that speech:

 “America is no stronger than its people – and that means you and me.  Well, I believe in you, and I believe that if we work together, then one day we will say, ‘We fought the good fight.  We finished the race.  We kept the faith.’  And to our children and our children’s children, we can say, ‘We did all what could be done in the brief time that was given us here on earth.’”

 That sounds familiar you say…but you weren’t at the NRA meeting??  Well, he was quoting Paul, from his letter to Timothy:  “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”  (2 Timothy 4:7, KJV)

 Paul gave these words to encourage Timothy, and us, that no matter how difficult the fight seems – keep fighting.  We will discover when we are with Jesus Christ it was all worth it.

 So I’m reminded on the Memorial Day weekend of my father, who died at the hand of an illness brought on by military service…. I’m reminded of what his live meant while he was here with us…. he stood for Jesus…. he stood for family…. he stood for America.  During this time, let’s bring families back together…supporting our country…our troops…our heroes…never forgetting to keep our eyes on Jesus. 

 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”  (Galatians 6:9, NLT)

The political war between the gun-lobby and the gun-control lobby has longed relied upon emotion to enflame America’s struggle to balance civil liberties with national security interests.  These tactics were certainly on display at the May, 2016 National Rifle Association’s Leadership Forum.  As expected, NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre and Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump issued dire warnings against electing Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton and the looming threat to gun rights she represents.  

For Second Amendment advocates, images of helpless Americans unable to defend themselves against armed intruders and government oppression helps feed groups like the NRA.  For proponents of gun-control, victims of gun violence and their stories stir emotions that could support the very repeal of the Second Amendment.  Despite toying with the conflicting emotions of the American People, however, neither side has done much to empower the American People by balancing the right to own and bear arms with the need for public safety.   The NRA is losing money, members, and influence, because it no longer offers its customers what they need.

Read more at http://www.washingtonoutsider.org/editors-blog/nra-needs-this-public-policy-agenda-not-its-political-agenda