Which means, even if you just want to shoot at paper targets, the NRA wants your cash.

NRA trains shooters, instructors, and range masters. They provide instructor certification. While there are other groups, the NRA is extremely dominant in this area. A requirement is membership

NRA runs many competitions. To compete, a requirement is membership. Many other shooting sports organizations also require NRA membership to compete.

NRA provides range insurance, even for many public ranges. That means NRA membership is a requirement.

I and my wife own numerous rifles and handguns but we have never belonged to that asshat organization.

The ostensible purpose of the NRA is to teach marksmanship and gun safety. Which is bullshit, of course. They are a well-funded group of corporate lobbyists single-mindedly dedicated to opposing gun control legislation, and increasing gun sales for their benefactors, the gun manufacturers.

I got all the marksmanship and gun safety training I needed in the Army. And didn't have to pay a red cent to the NRA for it...

Did belong to the NRA...But when the NRA began to go bulistic with their ideas they dropped their memberships...However the NRA kept their names on their books...Because they wanted to be a big organization to impress more idiots to join...sneaky, yep but true. After my Father in-law dropped the NRA...for apx 12 years he was found to listed as a member even though he paid no dues. Was it a mistake? I highly doubt it....