NRA Survey on Handloading

[dromia]

From what I read here most of the posts referring to the NRA's betrayal during the pistol ban wouldn't be appearing due to lack of relevance if the NRA had actually moved on to become a better organisation but unfortunately it has failed to become the National representative target shooting body we need, so the time line of failure has great relevance to today.

Younger people or people new to shooting who haven't experienced the NRA's continually tarnished history and deny its relevance to the predicaments of today show a distinct lack of wisdom in ignoring the story of NRA's and UK shooting's past.

Trust in shooters and its membership is the key to the NRA, or any membership organisation's, success. The NRA as an organisation continually seems to have a cavalier attitude to its membership as again evidenced by the way this survey has been conducted and the gagging of its staff in public arenas, this is in spite some of the good work that individuals within the organisation do on behalf of shooters.

[Swamp Donkey]

Well, it would be nice if the NRA actually sorted out some SARTS training/familiarisation etc so civvy clubs could use them, but I suppose that hasn't happened yet, nor likely to soon, as once 'sarts qualified', we could then use the ranges that are currently out of bounds, and that might reduce the usage of bisley, which, of course, the NRA wouldn't want.

This is just one of the reasons a lot of people I know do not trust the NRA. They haven't helped in the past, and they aren't helping now.

N o
R egard (for)
A nybody.

[Dougan]

From what I read here most of the posts referring to the NRA's betrayal during the pistol ban wouldn't be appearing due to lack of relevance if the NRA had actually moved on to become a better organisation but unfortunately it has failed to become the National representative target shooting body we need, so the time line of failure has great relevance to today.

Younger people or people new to shooting who haven't experienced the NRA's continually tarnished history and deny its relevance to the predicaments of today show a distinct lack of wisdom in ignoring the story of NRA's and UK shooting's past.

Trust in shooters and its membership is the key to the NRA, or any membership organisation's, success. The NRA as an organisation continually seems to have a cavalier attitude to its membership as again evidenced by the way this survey has been conducted and the gagging of its staff in public arenas, this is in spite some of the good work that individuals within the organisation do on behalf of shooters.

I agree that the past shouldn't shouldn't be forgotten; but Mr Mercer (and the new style that comes with him) has only been in charge a short while...so I think people should give him a chance.

This reloading survey is poor, and the criticism about it I think is fair (apart from any 'conspiracy' nonsense)...hopefully it will be read (I'm pretty sure it will be) and taken note of...

...however there have been other recent topics that were just plain sour grapes...the comments about the new static home project were instantly and unnecessarily negative; but I see everyone has gone quite about it now it might be a success...

[Dougan]

Well, it would be nice if the NRA actually sorted out some SARTS training/familiarisation etc so civvy clubs could use them, but I suppose that hasn't happened yet, nor likely to soon, as once 'sarts qualified', we could then use the ranges that are currently out of bounds, and that might reduce the usage of bisley, which, of course, the NRA wouldn't want.

This is just one of the reasons a lot of people I know do not trust the NRA. They haven't helped in the past, and they aren't helping now.

N o
R egard (for)
A nybody.

How is the SARTS issue the NRA's fault? And suggesting that the NRA would impede shooters from using other ranges than Bisley is ridiculous.

From what I hear some clubs have managed (not sure if they contacted the NRA or MOD directly) to get instruction on the new systems - Has your club secretary contacted the NRA for assistance with this matter?

[Swamp Donkey]

I'll tell you exactly why the sarts use, or lack of, is an issue not helped by the NRA.

A long time ago, in a place called Westdown Camp in the county of Wiltshire, there was an AGM with the civilian clubs who use, or, as the case was, at the time, would normally use, MOD ranges on DTE-SP, also more popularly known as Salisbury Plain.

It had previously been decided that civilian clubs were/are not qualified, to operate the sarts ranges.

During this meeting, where a representative of our lovely NRA attended, it was agreed that the NRA would work in conjunction with Landmarc and the army, to deliver training in the use of sarts, which would then qualify civilian RCO's to run a sarts range.

The NRA have done NOTHING to arrange anything, so, until they do, civilian gun clubs can STILL not use any sarts equipped ranges on Salisbury plain, and, soon to be, uk wide, as the third party income bookings will all be done through Westdown Camp from November 1st this year.

Now, I personally, have been approved by the (military) range controller, to run sarts ranges for civvy clubs, but still, any booking attempted is stonewalled, as I'm not 'NRA Sarts Qualified'

So, even though, every day, I am training military units how to use the sarts system, because the NRA haven't sorted a half day course on the use of sarts ranges, I still cannot use a sarts range, and neither can any other civilian user.

So, does that explain it clearly enough ?

Pete

[Dougan]

Yes, that's very interesting - We all know that communication is one of the areas the NRA needs to improve...How long ago was this meeting, and when did you last ask for an update on the situation?

I don't see why the NRA would go to the trouble of coming to your AGM and then do nothing; assuming it's within their control...personally I wouldn't accept a 'no response', and would continue polite inquiries until I got a satisfactory answer...

[lapua338]

I agree that the past shouldn't shouldn't be forgotten; but Mr Mercer (and the new style that comes with him) has only been in charge a short while... so I think people should give him a chance.

The behaviour and general attitude of the NRA and Mr Mercer is incomprehensible.

Give the man a chance? I have no confidence in him or the inept and maladroit management.

He doesn't have the integrity to reply to a letter sent to him in January 2014.

It would be fair to say that they're uncontrolled and unaccountable to the shooting community they purportedly represent.

It's unfathomable how anyone in the shooting community speaks or writes in favour of the NRA? The organisation is preoccupied with justifying it's own existence, often disregarding the truth and the interests of the shooting community.

I don't understand how other people don't see this?

The NRA should've been dissolved long ago because the majority of us are better off without them.

[Swamp Donkey]

Yes, that's very interesting - We all know that communication is one of the areas the NRA needs to improve...How long ago was this meeting, and when did you last ask for an update on the situation?

I don't see why the NRA would go to the trouble of coming to your AGM and then do nothing; assuming it's within their control...personally I wouldn't accept a 'no response', and would continue polite inquiries until I got a satisfactory answer...

Iirc it was in feb 2013. I've asked several times, either when at bisley, and I drilled them about it at the shooting show this year, and still, either nobody is aware, or just doesn't know.

Pete

[TJC]

There are some very good and capable people at the NRA. They are trying hard to help the club develop and they do recognise the failings of the past and that issues do remain. My worry is that these progressive individuals are now being censored and if we can't engage with them in forums like this then how can we have an open and constructive debate ? My only conclusion is Mercer doesn't want that debate to happen and thinks his letters et al will suffice.

If he wants to move forward with the community then perhaps he should encourage an official NRA username under which a few of the GC can post. They would be posting in a formal capacity which would be awesome and they could highlight matches/events/news etc. It would at least allow debate and participation with members. It is pretty clear perceptions of Mercer are changing and not for the better. Ignoring the growing concern and burying it under "social media policies" won't make it go away.

[John MH]

I don't believe Andrew Mercer has any control, or is able to censor or restrict members of the GC or any other NRA Committees, I would imagine he can however make and enforce policy for NRA employees; he himself is an employee of the NRA and therefore the membership and reports to the GC and Trustees.