Yep, make no mistake REI is not a hunter's friend. They sound like they are pro public land, however, they are anti gun and not pro hunting.I just don't see there needs to be a choice here.
I am fine with REI or whoever wanting to have public land open to hiking, camping etc. If BHA is just an org wanting the same thing for hunting, fine.
According to BuzzH, the NRA is neutral on PLT, OK.
So as a NRA supporter of 2nd amendment rights, I can still support access to public lands for hunting, camping, hiking and not be against BHA, IF, and only IF, there is no behind the scenes spending of funds going to anti-2nd amendment groups by BHA. I can and I am for keeping public land open and accessible to all Americans. As a hunter I want to be able to hunt and I need a place to do so if not a large landowner. As an American, I believe in the constitution and the freedoms it protects and would die to ensure it's endurance as written and without it I am no longer free.
I could be really taken in, but I believe the NRA is primarily concerned with the 2nd as a protection of the constitution, but also adds weight to hunters issues and concerns as well. I would think that without hunters, the NRA would be diminished, and without the NRA hunters would not have as great a chance of keeping their firearms. It would be very short sighted to not believe in both.
When I read that some folks say that their hunting is more important to them than the 2nd amendment, they are exposing their lack of understanding that the horse must be in front of the cart.
REI and whoever else is against firearms of any kind short of tanks and grenades, I see that as a threat to my freedoms and I chose to spend my funds elsewhere.
All Americans need to understand their responsibility in Keeping America free. We can have fun hunting on our public lands as long as we acknowledge that there is a price to pay for freedom.