At this point I have uncertain mixed feelings on this idea.  I can see valid reasons both pro and con.

I belong to several other special interest groups that operate forum type websites similar to this one.  some have a paid membership qualification to join, some do not.  Most also have some sort of sales section.  Most also have experienced problems with individuals joining the site and doing nothing but selling stuff, no other participation.

  On one site particularly, dealing with collectable & historical stuff, somewhat equivalent to our single shots, we have had problems with unethical sales/deliveries,  and not just the normal discussion of "condition rating".  The problems have all come from these non-participating sellers.  Sadly it seems that all too often the site community gets blames when a deal goes bad. 
It is NOT a membership association, just a wide-spread community sharing a common interest.  As a result the site owner and moderators set up some sort of filter that only allows individuals who have been "on" the site for a while and who have been active in threads and discussions to do anything other than "view" the sales area.  guys who have been with the site for a while but who are not real active posters are allowed to PM one of the moderators and get approval to list or respond in the sales area.  It has stopped the shyster/scammer sellers.

I know that the BOD has always taken the view that the site was set up for the members and that the non-member single shot community was welcome to participate.  There have been occasions when the open privilege of using the site has been abused and used to attack the ASSRA that sponsors it---generally by non-ASSRA members with agendas and axes of their own to sharpen. 
My personal concern is less a matter of the financial aspects than it is the potential abuse of the site, its sales forum, and our active community of participants by unscrupulous and unethical sellers.

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KAFs  original post was perty simple and easy to understand. It would simply limit nonmembers from selling on the forum. Wont stop anyone from joining in any discussions.

                         Joe. 

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Well,
It may have been a sideline of ASSRA to get guys to join and promote membership,  but I guess it's not working very good if your still not a member and don't intend to join,  is there some reason us members that support ASSRA with our $$$ should listen to you and other non-members like you ?.
  O C S

I disagree with restricting the use of this board.  I started reading the board several years ago and got interested in the organization so I joined.  If people have something to sell, and it should be limited to rifles or other items used in conjuction with the spirit of the ASSRA, where is the harm.  I might buy something I could get elsewhere.  the only thing I like about voluntarily listing a ASSRA membership number is that I trust a member more then someone i don't know.  Buyer beware.

We, in the organization, should not appear to consider ourselves the elite.  We should go out of our way to encourage interested people to read, write, buy, sell and then maybe join the organization.  Lets not shoot ourselves in the foot and sour possible new members.   

Rich

Interesting how some folks take this;

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And immediately jump to the conclusion that someone wants to "restrict access to the forum to members".

Some folks read conspiracy into anything an ASSRA Board member says, I suppose.


Paul F.

In reading all the posts, both pro and con, I am perplexed.  I was unaware that there was a problem on the site.  I have only seen one complaint recently and and that appears to be more misunderstanding than anything else. 

What this discussion has done is to reopen old wounds that should have been put to rest years ago.  

In my opinion this whole issue has been overblown.  "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!  

Very nicely written Dave I enjoyed reading your comment.

J.Louis