NRA: Re-vitalizing the organization to make it stronger for the RKBA

Should members of the 2A community work to revitalize the NRA or let them fade away into history?

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American Finn

American Finn

Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
196
Location
Northern Michigan
Let me first state this isn't a politics thread; I read the TOS and the threads explaining what can/should be posted in this forum in regards to the RKBA.

Today I received my final copy of Guns & Ammo magazine from my subscription; I turned to the Keith Wood article on the final page titled "Did NRA's financial problems lead to a Biden victory?". The article touches on the statistics of election spending by the NRA in 2016 versus 2020. The amounts are scary to say the least: in 2016 the NRA spent $54 million on state and federal elections with $30 million going to Trump. In 2020, $23.2 was spent with $7 million going to congressional candidates. Now compare that to the $60 million that Mike Bloomberg spent. The article also mentions Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey, Paul Allen, Steve Ballmer, Rupert Murdoch (of FOX News fame) and George Soros among many of the wealthy donors to gun control groups.

Yes, many of the problems the NRA is facing is self-inflicted and I, as a Life Member, am angry at the current leadership. However, I grow tired of people in the 2A community that say "let them die, they need to go away, they're just a money making business"; I don't agree with that sentiment. GOA, NAGR, and others don't have the reach that the NRA does.

I'm sorry, I'm not for turning my back on an organization founded 150 years ago by Civil War veterans to improve marksmanship, that trained young men in the art of marksmanship before being inducted in WWI and WWII, that works to provide police officers training, that started political lobbying in the 1970's (look it up, John Dingell (D) from Trenton, MI encouraged the NRA to implement their Institute for Legislative Action), etc. I have an idea and I want the input of THR members on this.

We in the 2A community need to work to revitalize this organization; I just read about Harlan Carter who in 1977 led the revolt against the NRA's leadership at the annual meeting. If enough of us attend an annual meeting would we be able to succeed in changing the by-laws and voting Wayne LaPierre out? We need a wholesale leadership change and he needs to be the first to go; we need integrity and people who are there at the NRA need to be in place for the right reasons.

Please post your opinions and suggestions. Thank you.
 
wiscoaster said:
Suggestion: Wayne LaPierre resigns.

But, I voted yes. Better to revitalize than to destroy and start over. That being said, they're not the only game in town. See my signature line.
Click to expand...

Agree completely and yes, I belong to GOA, NAGR and the USCCA. Are we able to organize a revolt like they did in Cincinnati 1977 or would that be stopped dead in its tracks by Wayne LaPierre?
 
Saving the NRA would be the better solution, but at present there is no way for the membership to remove WLP. By an intentional evolution of the by-laws of the orginzation WLP has insulated himself from the general board of director members and membership at large and his position of power well protected. It's not impossible but the road from were the NRA is now to a healthy and functional organization is are very long and improbably difficult path.

My money and support is focus on FPC, I like the things they are doing and the way they are doing it.
 
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There really isn't much we can do. As mcb points out, Lil' Wayne has rewritten the rules to protect him at all costs with little concern for anything else. Using all resources to keep one guy in power no matter what has been as bad for the NRA as has been for the US gov. Short of the Q Shaman attacking NRA HQ there probably isn't much change coming until WLP shuffles off this mortal coil or gets arrested.
 
The question presented is an OR choice question:
Should members of the 2A community work to revitalize the NRA
or let them fade away into history?
The available answers are YES and NO.
Answer of YES has the same meaning as when this happens:
Mom, "Do you want bacon or ham with your eggs?"
Kid," Yes."
Southern kid, " Yes, Ma'am."
Is it possible to edit a survey once it has started?

Craig
 
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I'm not sure how I feel about the question. What money the NRA dumps into the presidential elections seems to be a waste , the potus is just one person , the better choice is putting money out for the legislature, they as a body have the final vote. Also they have to ramp up education of the general public , to get them to support the 2nd A. But I'm afraid WLP has a sweeet money making spot for life ,and he doesn't look at local levels nor the lower levels of politics.
 
I voted no and here's why. The NRA, as an organization, is no longer about what it initially set itself out to be. And since the current leadership won't let go and allow the necessary change, why make an effort? They have sealed their own fate. The real question is what kind of organization will rise from it's ashes? We need to support that idea. And march on with it full steam ahead.
 
Millamber457 said:
I'm not sure how I feel about the question. What money the NRA dumps into the presidential elections seems to be a waste , the potus is just one person , the better choice is putting money out for the legislature, they as a body have the final vote. Also they have to ramp up education of the general public , to get them to support the 2nd A. But I'm afraid WLP has a sweeet money making spot for life ,and he doesn't look at local levels nor the lower levels of politics.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. The NRA is completely silent on the 2nd Amendment abuses in NJ, NY and CA. Why is that? I have no earthly idea, but as THE 2nd Amendment organization in our country, how could they ignore this? They certainly haven't done anything about it in at least a decade.
 
NuShootr said:
....but as THE 2nd Amendment organization in our country...
Click to expand...
Mmmmm....my impression is that somehow they've allowed that position to slip over the years. There's been any number of cases where their performance has left much to be desired. I'm still a member, but any extra funds I want to appropriate over and above dues goes to support other organizations who are out there fighting to earn those funds. In fact, checks in the mail just yesterday to SAF and GOA.
 
NuShootr said:
I totally agree. The NRA is completely silent on the 2nd Amendment abuses in NJ, NY and CA. Why is that? I have no earthly idea, but as THE 2nd Amendment organization in our country, how could they ignore this? They certainly haven't done anything about it in at least a decade.
Click to expand...
Preface : I am an NRA Life Member. What I have seen from the NRA over the last decade has been a focus on fundraising and enrichment of its leadership via constant fearmongering while others (SAF, GOA, and the various state level lobbying groups) do the heavy lifting for the RKBA at the lobbying / legislative level. I want nothing more than the NRA to be the largest, loudest voice for the RKBA in the US, but that won't happen under the current NRA leadership.

So I dunno how to answer the poll. I can tell you that my heart and my wallet support GOA and SAF, and I ceased all financial donations to the NRA probably more than two (2) years ago, but that's a position that I'd rather not take if I had any other choice.

WLP has destroyed the organization that I joined and supported.
 
P5 Guy said:
nuShootr, maybe it is the NRA assumes those states to be a lost cause?
Click to expand...

If they are truly for all of us, there should be no such thing as a "lost cause". If anything, they should put more effort in places where they are needed the most. If they do indeed consider anywhere a "lost cause", they should close up shop and transfer the work to people more committed to making sure everyone's 2nd Amendment rights are preserved.
 
wiscoaster said:
Mmmmm....my impression is that somehow they've allowed that position to slip over the years. There's been any number of cases where their performance has left much to be desired. I'm still a member, but any extra funds I want to appropriate over and above dues goes to support other organizations who are out there fighting to earn those funds. In fact, checks in the mail just yesterday to SAF and GOA.
Click to expand...

100% agree with you. However, when you ask just about anyone which organization represents the preservation of the 2nd Amendment, pretty much everyone, especially those that oppose the 2nd Amendment, point to the NRA. No?
 
Is there a thread somewhere that list organizations that are worthy? I am on mobile so can't see your signature line. I am not crazy about the NRA, but the only alternatives I know of are 2AF and USCCA.

As far as the OP question, I think one large group would have greater clout and influence than many smaller groups. So I would be in favor of revitalize. If that can't be done, then the community should focus on backing one alternative.
 
Citron said:
Is there a thread somewhere that list organizations that are worthy? I am on mobile so can't see your signature line.
Click to expand...
The USCCA isn't really the same type of organization; their focus is primarily limited to member legal support, I think if I remember correctly. National groups working for 2A law and RKA rights would be The Second Amendment Foundation, The Gun Owners of America, The Firearm Policy Coalition and the Firearm Policy Foundation (the last two of which are two branches of one organization with differing missions, but I don't recall the details offhand), plus many, many state-level organizations that deal with state RKA issues. There really are many worthy organizations; the ones I listed above are better known and national in scope. I think a good screening criterion is do they emphasize member benefits (NRA) or do they emphasize legal and lobbying action.
 
NuShootr said:
I totally agree. The NRA is completely silent on the 2nd Amendment abuses in NJ, NY and CA. Why is that? I have no earthly idea, but as THE 2nd Amendment organization in our country, how could they ignore this? They certainly haven't done anything about it in at least a decade.
Click to expand...
Those are issues that either need major changes in those States' legislative bodies (not easy) or require significant Court cases to overturn (which are not very common).

NJ is unlikely to have a gun-friendly legislature anytime soon, no matter how much cash is directed towards changing it. Numerous suits have been brought trying to overturn one or another of NJ's gun laws, and despite significant support, none have succeeded. From the outside, limited to "soundbite" scrutiny, looks like inaction.

That last is the rub of it. NRA, particularly ILA, has needed to crow about all the things it has been doing, or trying to do. Just after Thanksgiving, NRA funded a major class-action lawsuit against NJ contesting the "fairness" of their Permit Issue process (GOA has a funded a similar lawsuit in MD.)

NRA has a number of problems--virtually all self-inflicted. What's not seen are the myriad of ways NRA is everywhere. Your State probably requires firearms trainers to have NRA Instructor certification, to include LE ones. Range safety--including LE ranges--? Yeah, NRA range recommendations are required. Insurance & ventilation requirements for indoor ranges? Ditto. Hunter safety classes? Thank the NRA.

All that despite Nero Agustus laPierre.

More to the immediate point, because there are 5 million present members of the NRA that ought not be cast adrift (especially not because some small fraction of the leaders are not 100% ideologically "pure").

For all the "weakness" of the NRA, it does with millions what AFL-CIO cannot over come with billions. That ability ought not be lost.
 
CapnMac said:
NJ is unlikely to have a gun-friendly legislature anytime soon, no matter how much cash is directed towards changing it. Numerous suits have been brought trying to overturn one or another of NJ's gun laws, and despite significant support, none have succeeded. From the outside, limited to "soundbite" scrutiny, looks like inaction.
Click to expand...

For the last several years, despite the many lawsuits and dismissals, the SCOTUS has agreed to hear the cases at the Federal level. And every year they stay any involvement. As much pull as the NRA has at the Federal level, they have abandoned the cause as far as NJ residents are concerned. It is isn't "soundbite" scrutiny. It actually is inaction.
 
NRA discussions around here are pretty pointless. Just search any NRA threads and the same folks will have the same opinions and 'solutions'. Everyone typically forgets all of the good the NRA does such as training and many will advocate boycotting them in favor of other groups. IMHO that is why only half the money was spent in 2020 as 2016.
 
Craig_VA said:
The question presented is an OR choice question:
Should members of the 2A community work to revitalize the NRA
or let them fade away into history?
The available answers are YES and NO.
Answer of YES has the same meaning as when this happens:
Mom, "Do you want bacon or ham with your eggs?"
Kid," Yes."
Southern kid, " Yes, Ma'am."
Is it possible to edit a survey once it has started?
Craig
Click to expand...

I agree; never did this with a survey before so I apologize for my error. I tried to edit the question and couldn't.

I have read all of the points in this thread; thank you all for the honest and open discussion. I agree with all who have said WLP changed the organization and not for the better. Its is sad to see what has happened. I do belong to GOA and will try and become more involved with them.

I joined the NRA because it IS (or claims to be) a civil rights organization that cherishes the Bill of Rights; I'm angry one man and his minions have done so much damage in their tenure.

I've never been one to sit around and talk about something; I'm a man of action. That's why I have volunteered for campaigns, been an active member of the community, called local, state and federal representatives and given my time and money to help a worthy cause. That's why I am so concerned about what is transpiring in our country right now; I have two small boys and I want them to grow up with the same freedoms and opportunities I had. It's time to stand up and be heard when it comes to freedom.

Thank you all. Moderators, please feel free to close this out as I believe we have our answers going forward.
 
I am a member of a variety of pro-2A and pro-RKBA organizations both small and large.
NRA would do well to be honest for even basic details like membership anniversaries.

Last dues sent to them during the past six months were for a five-year membership.
It seems every few months a fresh notification arrives about a "new" expiration date.
That said...I will most likely vote "Yes to vitalizing the NRA."

It naturally is not a big deal, yet how hard is it to maintain an accurate and real list?
When hiccups occur, it can have deleterious impact on further building membership.
 
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