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NRA membership - how difficult!!
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 10:15 am
by M99
Right after much debate, I bit the bullet so to speak and sent off the NRA forms to become an individual member - 4 weeks later, nothing (I had been told by Heather, expect a 2 week or so turnaround)
So I sent off an E-mail and duly got a reply with another form to be completed as my FAC doesn't name my club.
Okay, initially I thought, not a problem, I'll get the form filled in and send it back - but then I thought, hang on, conditions of membership - I met option 1 and 2 (And supplied FULL details of my club) - so why did they need the extra form.
Sent an e-mail throwing my teddies out of the cot and pointing out I met conditions 1 AND 2 so why did they need the extra form?
Apparently to prove I had a SCC - otherwise I could not join as SPORTING SHOOTERS DID NOT UNDERSTAND about target shooting - I promptly told the NRA what to do with my application - 30 seconds later phone goes !!
After a heated debate in which I was told the NRA has over 150,000 members!! - I corrected it to less than 6k!! (They were counting affiliated club members!) - my membership was processed, I gave a little by sending a copy of my SCC - but as I pointed out it was not a requirement of membership - only a requirement to use the Range Facilities at Bisley.
Still totally despondent at the NRA - is it any wonder they struggle for members?
Mike
Re: NRA membership - how difficult!!
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 10:28 am
by John25
Mike,
Welcome to the NRA.
I can see why you are frustrated.
You can shoot with the fungunners now. :shakeshout:
As an aside, I have always been a target shooter but no-one from BSRC has ever told me I don't understand their sport!
Just a gentle correction, sent with a handshake. Shooters Certificate for all MOD controlled, or partially controlled (Bisley) ranges.
And, as has been said before, perhaps not so bluntly, the NRA thinks they are a load of .. Too!
See you on the range I hope?
Re: NRA membership - how difficult!!
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 10:29 am
by toffe wrapper
Mike
It took about 6 weeks to process mine (which is what I was told), I included printed scans of my, FAC, SCC and club membership card. They had to call me to check bank details due to my poor writing but other than that no problem.
And as John said you can shoot with the fun gunners
TW
Re: NRA membership - how difficult!!
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 10:50 am
by M99
Hi John
I know/Knew the criteria for the SCC as I have one

but I am just pointing out the incorrect facts I was rebuffed with.
When I pointed out I could still join the NRA without being a member of another club as it says so in THEIR guidelines - I was dealt to another load of waffle - hence me sending a copy of my SCC just to make life easier!!
Apparently without the SCC I could not prove I was safe - fair comment and no argument there - but when I pointed out that without one I would ("should") not be able to book a target or shoot at Bisley anyway - I was again met with another load of excuses.
If they needed confirmation of club membership, in addition to the supplied coppies of my FAC - the club Chairman's phone number and E-mail was on the form.
Mike
Re: NRA membership - how difficult!!
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 10:59 am
by John25
Mike,
I thought that was the case, no slight intended
I have to correct my previous post, when I worked for the NRA, as the Senior Ranges Supervisor, my opinion, shared by some others was that SCC were an unnecessary imposition by the military.
This may not of course, be the official NRA position now.
:cheers:
Re: NRA membership - how difficult!!
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 11:04 am
by Alpha1
When I pointed out I could still join the NRA without being a member of another club as it says so in THEIR guidelines - I was dealt to another load of waffle - hence me sending a copy of my SCC just to make life easier!!
What does SCC mean.
Re: NRA membership - how difficult!!
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 11:09 am
by M99
Alpha1 wrote:When I pointed out I could still join the NRA without being a member of another club as it says so in THEIR guidelines - I was dealt to another load of waffle - hence me sending a copy of my SCC just to make life easier!!
What does SCC mean.
Sorry "Shooter Certification Card"
Mike
Re: NRA membership - how difficult!!
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 11:16 am
by John25
Smart Confident Chap
Oops - or Chapess!
Re: NRA membership - how difficult!!
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 12:29 pm
by karen
Who did you speak to as it sounds like a problem?
John25 is correct (and I don't get to say that very often :lol: ) SCC are a requirement from the MoD - not some bureaucratic nonsense from the NRA
Love
Karen (with her Membership Committee hat on)
PS Some of you may be aware that my employment services are no longer required by the NRA but I am still on General Council, Membership Committee and Young Shooters Fund.
Re: NRA membership - how difficult!!
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 12:31 pm
by Mike357
In this world of social media and electronic communication with the masses, do the NRA, who are struggling for members, not see that there are very quick gains to be made from very small changes to procedures.
The above experience doesn't make me want to join anymore than before!