Fred Sauter

After being a life member for decades and, at one time, a National Rifle Association certified pistol instructor, I have resigned from the NRA. Changes in the NRA over the years and the NRA’s current response to recent shootings and legislation has prompted this resignation.

Despite its claimed love of liberty and democracy, the NRA does not provide any way for moderate NRA members to engage in discussions about the NRA’s positions. There is no public forum in the organization. You only hear what you are told.

The NRA’s main activity is to whip up paranoia among gun owners. The NRA has left civilized discussion behind as it demonizes any public figure who even hints at more restrictions on firearms. It blackmails legislators who don’t toe the NRA line with the threat of a well-organized voting bloc that will oust them.

The NRA has missed opportunities for civil discussion by stonewalling many proposed rational changes in gun laws. Its main solution is to put more guns on the street and to put more people in jail for a longer time, after a firearms crime. If deterrence alone worked, we would have a crime-free world.

Over the last decades, working quietly, the NRA could have proposed sensible laws to promote gun safety, to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and to educate the public about the positive aspects of shooting sports. It could have worked with law enforcement officials and legislators in a non-crisis atmosphere. Sadly, It has been too busy shouting and reinforcing its hard-line position to do anything constructive. Its intransigence has tarnished the public image of legitimate moderate gun owners.

With the number of recent mass shootings, would you sell me a firearm without a background check? How do you know the complete background of your neighbors, and even your friends?

I support waiting periods, background checks for all firearms transactions, mandatory intensive education and training, licensing and license renewal. The NRA could have a role in crafting national standards for such programs if they would recognize that the public is demanding change and be a constructive part of it.

Change will come about with or without the NRA’s help. For now, I know of one change. The NRA is down one member.

Sauter lives in Greece.