"On the road again, . . ."

[Charles L. Cotton]

I'm in a lonely hotel room in D.C. (actually Arlington, VA across the river from D.C.) with my wife, guns and dogs over a thousand miles away. I'm tired, hungry and surrounded by funny-talking people who haven't said ya'll once! This is wrong, flat wrong!!

Back to the subject. I'm at NRA HQ this week and won't be back home until Saturday night. GOD BLESS TEXAS! As those closest to me know, I have to go to NRA HQ several times a year and each time I come back fired up and recruiting members. So here's your warning folks; when I get back you need to get out your checkbooks and either join NRA, extend your membership, or if you're a Life Member, send a donation!

Seriously, I'm at NRA HQ this week and I was just looking at the stats my web host provides for TexasCHLforum. For December, we came within a mere 100 MB of exceeding the 7 GB transfer limit on my account. This is great!! I may have to upgrade to a larger account to handle the traffic, but that's not a problem. The upgrade cost is next to nothing and it'll give us 21GB monthly; plenty of room to continue to grow. Good job guys - I hope I have to upgrade every year!

Regards,
Chas.

P.S. This is not a veiled request for donations. The web host cost for this forum is very low and donations are neither needed or accepted.

[JLinTX]

I am from the northeast (pa) and have 2 fireams (1 rifle and 1 handgun) and was contemplating joining the NRA. Heard some real negative opinions on the NRA about their practices and not sure I want to join any "lists" ... I dont know why the NRA bothers me since I have a CHL for PA and will be getting my CHL for Texas (once I am here long enough....) and I am sure that puts me on some list

I am interested in opinions on the NRA.... Whats the benefit?

[SRVA]

Charles, Please take precautions to prevent catching "beltwayitis" while you are away. Hurry home and travel safe.

[CaptDave]

I'm in a lonely hotel room in D.C. (actually Arlington, VA across the river from D.C.) with my wife, guns and dogs over a thousand miles away. I'm tired, hungry and surrounded by funny-talking people who haven't said ya'll once! This is wrong, flat wrong!!

Sounds like the start to an evacuation story
Have a good trip and stay safe. See you on your return.

BTW: Congratulations to us: Texas CHL forum had a whopping 51 members signed on at one time on Jan. 02, '06!!!

[Lumberjack98]

I am interested in opinions on the NRA.... Whats the benefit?

Vehemently protecting your Second Amendment rights. Providing firearms education to thousands of individuals (including children) every year.

[BobCat]

JLinTX,

Others have answered the "why" of joining the NRA; I agree with them. Let me address the downside.

I used to get unending letters and phone calls; demands for money, and hysterical doomsday threats about what the gun-grabbers were up to (never mind that they were more-or-less accurate, they were upsetting).

At some point in a phone conversation, I told the NRA representative that I sent what I could, when I could, and was upset that they seemed to spend whatever funds I was able to contribute, simply on additional fund-raising. The fellow told me, "Ok, if you will send what you can, when you can, and don't want to hear from us except at renewal time, I'll put you on the do-not-mail list." and he did.

The point is, if you don't want to be innundated with fund-raising requests, just tell them and they will honor your wishes. They do a good job - nothing is perfect - and need our support (so they can support our Second Amendment rights).

Regards,
Andrew

[Charles L. Cotton]

BTW: Congratulations to us: Texas CHL forum had a whopping 51 members signed on at one time on Jan. 02, '06!!!

I was really surprised to see that. I believe the previous high was 23 around the first of December. It's also consistent with the site stats showing usage.

Chas.

[Kalrog]

Wow - that is a huge increase in the peak. Great to hear and my NRA membership gets renewed at least yearly when I go to the gun show locally.

[stevie_d_64]

Charles, Please take precautions to prevent catching "beltwayitis" while you are away. Hurry home and travel safe.

I agree...That condition is truely a WMD...

[jimlongley]

Sounds like you'll be home before me, Chas, and you get better sightseeing options, Omaha is not high on my list of places to visit for fun and relaxation, of course I am here for training, I think they closed in October.

[jimlongley]

And VA has reciprocity with TX, where NE doesn't even have CHL.

I didn't even bring a gun with me, the first time I have travelled without a gun since I got my CHL (well there was that cruise, but the gun went as far as the ship.)