Readers React: Without the NRA, where’s a political independent who likes shooting to go?

To the editor: As a 1960s teenager, I joined the National Rifle Assn. solely to enter marksmanship tournaments. Some 30 years later, I saw an NRA ad that depicted a Revolution-era soldier bearing the U.S. flag, beneath which a boldface caption exclaimed, “In God We Trust!” (“The NRA used to be a bipartisan campaign contributor, but that changed in 1994. Here’s why,” March 3)

Why would a gun rights organization promote itself by conflating patriotism with religion? The gratuitous nod to Christianity betrayed the NRA’s shameless move to align itself with the GOP; no other party so fervidly touts its candidates as the most patriotic and devoted to the Christian faith.

Long a political independent, I never again renewed my NRA membership. As conservative columnist Jonah Goldberg once observed, the NRA’s marketing has much more to do with “smash-mouth cultural resentments” than with gun policy.

Dennis Alston, Atwater

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To the editor: The article on the NRA’s alignment with the Republican Party was informative, but it ignored one factor.

The NRA is a conservative organization. The GOP still holds the Constitution as sacrosanct. The Democratic Party is filled with candidates who consider the Constitution an obstacle to their ambitions, not the bulwark of our country.

In light of this, NRA members have no alternative.

Larry Marak, Burbank

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To the editor: Receiving an “F” grade from the NRA should be a badge of honor. Google each and every members of Congress and vote accordingly.

And, thanks to Delta Air Lines and all of the businesses that are starting to stand up to the NRA. This time it does feel different.

Oh, and let us not forget to thank the wonderful kids from Florida — because of them our future looks bright.

Carol Levin, Woodland Hills

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