The way I understand it, I can pay my money and be an AMA member today. No class, no certification, nothing. Just pay and join. I understand where the AMA is coming from (benefit to members) but why would the FAA agree to using the AMA as an intermediary? Where is the benefit to anyone but AMA? Regardless of your opinion on the intent, the push to use AMA as a registration intermediary comes across as self-serving and a way to increase membership revenue.
For anyone who still believes the AMA didn't recommend registration, this should clear things up. While I understand that any such organization exists to promote the interests of its membership, their approach is very short-sighted. They are clearly trying to divide the community with an "us versus them" approach. Their members are not the problem? Using that logic, those who ARE the problem instantly become safe and responsible upon paying a $75 membership fee?
Someone mentioned the AMA sounding like the NRA. Big difference. The NRA certainly represents it membership, but advocates for all legal owners. The AMA is not only specifying their members, but calling for regulation on all non-members because their membership is somehow safer and "better" by virtue of membership.
Say what you will about the AMA, but this approach is absurd and will only work against all owners - members or not.