Why are or aren't you an NMLRA member?

[Larry Akers]

I shoot muzzleloaders exclusivly and enjoy competitive shooting, so my NMLRA membership (since 1967) affords many opportunities to compete on a national level. This is probably the main reason I am a member, but there are other reasons too. Back when Dupont blew up the last time the NMLRA was instrumental in convincing Goex (who bought the Dupont plant) to manufacture a sporting grade of powder for us shooters. Black powder companies do this as a "favor" and really would like not have to go to the trouble. The amount of sporting grade powder they make is a piddly amount compared to the amounts made for the military and commercial customers. The NMLRA was a force in convincing state game departments to initiate "primitive weapons" deer seasons. Like the NRA, the NMLRA monitors legislation, particularly when related to muzzleloaders, and takes action when our rights are threatened. This takes place at the local, state, national and international levels. To me this "service" is reason enough to be a member and is the reason I am also an NRA member. Both organizations "have our backs" and there is strength in numbers.

 

[BillinOregon]

The NMLRA exists for its own financial interests??? Then think how obnoxious the NRA must be with its much deeper pockets.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Simple as that.

Why are you or aren't you a member of the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association?

Thanks, Skychief.

I hope this isn't their idea of "market research"... :shake:

 

[Black Hand]

The NMLRA exists for its own financial interests??? Then think how obnoxious the NRA must be with its much deeper pockets.

Just because an organization may do something with which I agree in no way means that all of what they do is agreeable. I am under no obligation to support any organization that does not closely mesh with my views just as you are free to do the same.

 

[Black Jack]

Like the NRA, the NMLRA monitors legislation, particularly when related to muzzleloaders, and takes action when our rights are threatened. This takes place at the local, state, national and international levels. To me this "service" is reason enough to be a member and is the reason I am also an NRA member. Both organizations "have our backs" and there is strength in numbers.

This kind of says it all. The NMLRA is the only major organization whose primary focus is muzzleloading, so I figure it deserves my support if I am interested in supporting and preserving the sport. As an aside, the magazine, which is sometimes criticized by those who haven't seen a copy in years, has recently undergone a major transformation. I think it's now pretty close to the quality of Muzzleloader magazine (which I also get) and a credit to the NMLRA.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Back when Dupont blew up the last time the NMLRA was instrumental in convincing Goex (who bought the Dupont plant) to manufacture a sporting grade of powder for us shooters.

Hodgedon now owns Goex.

The NMLRA was a force in convincing state game departments to initiate "primitive weapons" deer seasons.

Which states?
By my recollection only a small handful of states have "primitive weapons" deer seasons....

A large number of states have post season muzzleloader seasons but they include and are geared towards modern MLs.

Even the NMLRA's home state doesn't have a primitive arms season.

.[/quote]

Can anyone list the NMLRA's Legislative accomplishments (in detail) regarding the use or expansion of traditional muzzleloaders or hunting seasons ?

 

[smo]

I’m a member because I want to be apart of an Organization that permotes the shooting sports, in particular Muzzleloading.

I’m only a yearly paying Member , but I think every little bit helps. :hatsoff:

 

[smo]

I have seen improvements being made as well in the magazine.

 

[52Bore]

Because others volunteer their time to teaching about traditional muzzle loaders and history and don't feel they need to give their money to an organization that exists primarily for its own financial interests (perhaps with an occasional educational benefit). We get new adherents by ACTIVELY working towards the goal rather than passively waiting for someone else to do something...

Might you be knowledge enough to share your expertise on the ”˜...exist primary for its own financial interest’? Vs any other non-profit or ML organization for that matter?
Bring that the NMLRA is made up of volunteers who love ML- who’s waiting for who?

I’ve never seen anything from them or on their website have any sort of ”˜legiststive committee’. They do however set the rules for the NRA when it comes to Muzzleloading. Unfortunately, local states and other groups like WDMA, Deer hunting groups, etc seem to have set ML rules themselves- without asking/involving either the NRA or NMLRA. Evedent of only 21/50 US states state BP or BP substitutes. Only 1 is truly primitive- Flintlock.
Maybe some of you don’t understand that many ”˜primitive ”˜ now a days for states such as MS - primitive is also a straight walled cartridge case..

 

[Black Hand]

Because others volunteer their time to teaching about traditional muzzle loaders and history and don't feel they need to give their money to an organization that exists primarily for its own financial interests (perhaps with an occasional educational benefit). We get new adherents by ACTIVELY working towards the goal rather than passively waiting for someone else to do something...

Might you be knowledge enough to share your expertise on the ”˜...exist primary for its own financial interest’? Vs any other non-profit or ML organization for that matter?
Bring that the NMLRA is made up of volunteers who love ML- who’s waiting for who?

They are a business and businesses are there to make money. What else they do is incidental...

If they weren't in the business of making money, then they would not expect membership dues or charge fees for events. If you believe they do any of this out of the goodness of their hearts, I have a bridge for sale cheap that you can buy....

This statement is telling:
The NMLRA was responsible for creating a number of National Regional Primitive Rendezvous, or historical reenactments of the North American fur trade, during the late 1970s and early-to-mid-1980s. These rendezvous spanned the entire breadth of the continental United States. These rendezvous were managed directly by the Association through the year 1998.

However, in late 1998 the NMLRA decided to discontinue their direct control of these national rendezvous as they no longer believed them to be profitable. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Muzzle_Loading_Rifle_Association

 

[52Bore]

How would any organization survive without members/$?
Or continue loosing $$$.
Don’t blame them - if people aren’t supporting the events - why do them..

 

[52Bore]

They are a business and businesses are there to make money. What else they do is incidental

What is the business?
You seem to know a lot about their financial status? Please share...

 

[Black Hand]

How would any organization survive without members/$?
Or continue loosing $$$.
Don’t blame them - if people aren’t supporting the events - why do them..

I don't have a problem with fees. My concern is how much of the money they collect passes through to support the event(s). This is the same problem I have with many charities - a few pennies of every dollar benefit others while the remainder goes into someone's pocket - PC term, Administrative costs...

 

[52Bore]

Being that they have life members as well as annual members.. let’s say 10,000 pay the $40/year.
$400k. Staff of maybe 8 including the maintenance to upkeep.
I bet they are rolling in $$$.

 

[52Bore]

The way I’ve seen and done. A member/Volunteer takes the initiative to host a local match. Calls the organization for help in doing so. In return they help set up local charter clubs, supply targets, safety material, medals, etc...
Or - like someone mentioned, wait for someone else to do it.. I say - Look in the mirror!

 

[Artificer]

I joined in 1974, not long before my first trip there for the Spring Shoot. Stayed a member and made most of the Spring/Fall shoots from 1976 to 1980. Then got transferred back to Virginia in the Spring of 1980 and was again involved with working guns at the NSSA. Since it was no longer possible to go back to Friendship and the magazine was not that good, I dropped my membership.

I became a yearly member a couple times after that, but the magazine was not that good, so I eventually dropped it and joined the NSSA while also doing WTBS reenacting.

I was "out of battery" for six years on the Left Coast, Okinawa and Somalia. When I returned to Virginia, I barely had time to work NSSA National Shoots. I saw some of the Muzzle Blasts mags and they were not good at all.

I'm happy to hear the Muzzle Blasts has improved and I might join again.

Gus

 

[Black Hand]

Being that they have life members as well as annual members.. let’s say 10,000 pay the $40/year.
$400k. Staff of maybe 8 including the maintenance to upkeep.
I bet they are rolling in $$$.

Your speculation on their income is not evidence. As they are a 501c3, their books should be open to the public. Hint - Even non-profits are in the business of making money.
Please see: http://www.nonprofitfacts.com/IN/National-Muzzle-Loading-Rifle-Association.html

Income in 2013 - 1.6 MILLION Dollars and 2.3 MILLION dollars in assets...

 

[coloradoclyde]

How would any organization survive without members/$?
Or continue loosing $$$.
Don’t blame them - if people aren’t supporting the events - why do them..

Their focus has shifted from outward(towards members and growth of the sport) to inward (self preservation )

Their Two largest expenditure goals are the creation of a 1.2 million dollar endowment for themselves, and the restoration of the Rand House (their office) which makes absolutely no financial or muzzleloading related sense.


I'm not faulting them for this, but I think some are disillusioned about what the organization is and does.

 

[52Bore]

Their focus has shifted from outward(towards members and growth of the sport) to inward (self preservation )

Their Two largest expenditure goals are the creation of a 1.2 million dollar endowment for themselves, and the restoration of the Rand House (their office)

I think they still try to preserve- cheap ML think $40 isn’t worth it.. yet expecting miracles.
Rand House is not their office - State historical building that they preserved
Endowment is a great idea - even at $1M, bank interest can only be minimal (1-2%)? Yep - another $10-20k to add to the $400k - must be rolling in $$$ ha

 

[52Bore]

Your speculation on their income is not evidence. As they are a 501c3, their books should be open to the public. Hint - Even non-profits are in the business of making money.
Please see: http://www.nonprofitfacts.com/IN/National-Muzzle-Loading-Rifle-Association.html

Income in 2013 - 1.6 MILLION Dollars and 2.3 MILLION dollars in assets...

Good point. Wonder how that’s achieved when I read in M.B. magazine that circulation is 20k?
Assuming all pay $40/yr = $800k.
2 National matches: 2000 registered shooter @ $35, $70k.