National NRA’s Wayne LaPierre Says He Is Being Extorted, Pressured to Resign

[slingshot1943]

I stopped renewing my member ship when they backed Harry Reid, then I seen where LaPierre got a million a year. He has an aura of dishonesty to me. And a face for radio.

 

[USMC1911]

I do know this: The NRA is the ONLY reason YOU have a right to own ANY guns today. Without them, none of us would have them. I also know this: YOU are bashing the NRA as hard as you can over and over and over and over. You are helping the antis to destroy our biggest ally in the fight to save our 2A rights. Try to look at the big picture; the long game as someone else called it.

That's a pretty bold statement! I'm pretty sure the only reason the NRA exists is because of the blood of the people who have fought for YOUR and MY rights. The NRA is just a drop in the bucket. Just think of the good we could do with that 300-400 million if it was in the hands of the SAF.

 

[oneharmonic]

The NRA lost their way a long time ago.

NRA TV? Selling insurance? Sponsored credit cards? No wonder they are nearly bankrupt financially (and already bankrupt morally).

 

[billdeserthills]

I'm just glad to hear that Wayne is finally, after all these years starting to understand-- that's the first step in relieving the NRA of his loser self & getting back on track

 

[Kruel J]

I'm just glad to hear that Wayne is finally, after all these years starting to understand-- that's the first step in relieving the NRA of his loser self & getting back on track

I doubt he understands anything beyond his paycheck.

 

[NW Backpacker]

Well, if we could figure out how to clean up the NRA and get them to work for us, like they're being paid to do, then maybe the next step can be DC.

Being too optimistic?

DC?
They have been working for us in Oregon and Washington. They filed lawsuits against 1639 in WA and IP 43 in OR. The NRA and Oregon Hunters Association partnered in a lawsuit against IP43 ballot title. The Oregon Supreme Court agreed with them that the ballot title of IP 43 was misleading so that caused IP43 to be dropped by the sponsors. A win for our side. They did not win the initial 1639 lawsuit, but may have another one in the works.

I want a bigger, stronger NRA, too--in fact, I hope to see a day when the NRA and counterpart orgs Up North partner to coordinate legal and political strategy on both sides of the border--but the fact remains that we need to set OUR house in order. Not Wayne's house, not Marion Hammer's house, it's OUR house--and we need to get the NRA Charter OUT of New York's jurisdiction before Bloomer realizes that jurisdiction can be weaponized to shut us down.

Related to notazombies post above, the NRA, SAF, and others have been partnering on lawsuits. I think that goes on all across the nation, and now the state of New York has them in legal battles in an attempt to put them out of business. Couple of examples for OR/WA where NRA partnered with other groups:

NRA-ILA | Oregon: Court Sides With NRA Against Ballot Title For Gun Ban Initiative

NRA, Second Amendment Foundation suing WA over I-1639

More:
NRA-ILA | Washington: NRA & SAF Lawsuit Against City of Edmonds Moves Forward

NRA-ILA | Washington: NRA Backs Lawsuit to Prevent Public Database of Gun Owners

I-1639 Lawsuit Removes Ferguson, Adds Police Chief And Sheriff

 

[billdeserthills]

I doubt he understands anything beyond his paycheck.

I'm hoping he can take a hint, but he does seem just as dense as any professional sell-out politician

 

[notazombie]

DC?
They have been working for us in Oregon and Washington. They filed lawsuits against 1639 in WA and IP 43 in OR. The NRA and Oregon Hunters Association partnered in a lawsuit against IP43 ballot title. The Oregon Supreme Court agreed with them that the ballot title of IP 43 was misleading so that caused IP43 to be dropped by the sponsors. A win for our side. They did not win the initial 1639 lawsuit, but may have another one in the works.

Not sure you understood the context of my post.

 

[284guy]

Yes, they are. No matter how often you repeat it, that doesn't make it true.

No, no they aren't, and no matter how you feel won't change that. Let's be honest, they are a useless gimmick. While I don't agree with banning most things, I won't lose any sleep on these silly novelty's.

 

[284guy]

Only when they are wrong. So far no court agrees with you. My opinion is based on law, yours is on feelings, that's the difference. If you're going to call me a fool at least Use correct grammar.

 

[USMC1911]

While you may think they are a gimmick, when YOUR property or something YOU have becomes banned at the whim of the pen I think your tune will change.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

 

[American123]

The anti freedom folks would love it if the NRA fell. For that reason alone, support the NRA.

 

[ConcernedCitizen]

The anti freedom folks would love it if the NRA fell. For that reason alone, support the NRA.

Alternatively, the anti-gun folks would love it if the NRA continued to do their work for them. For that reason alone, we need to gut the NRA and rebuild it.

 

[American123]

Alternatively, the anti-gun folks would love it if the NRA continued to do their work for them. For that reason alone, we need to gut the NRA and rebuild it.

Didn't say reform wasn't needed, it is, but dismantling it entirely, no. Some folks are so fervent to see the NRA suffer, they forget that is the goal of the anti-freedom folks. The NRA isn't perfect, it's dropped the ball at times, but it has also year after year been the ire in the side of politicians who have tried to make large shifts in the gun rights at the stroke of a pen.

In my opinion, their biggest issue is most of the upper echelon are not hard core "every gun law is an infringement" people. Strictly hunting rifles and shotguns make up a small percentage of firearms many gun owners have. People who only own strictly hunting rifles and shotguns are far more likely to see other types of firearms as unnecessary and make statements like, "who needs an AR15 or a bump stock."

As the "fudd" generations dwindle and the competition and 'tactical' crowd takes their place in the ranks of the NRA, the culture will change. Assuming they can pull their stuff together to survive until that happens.

I personally despise the salaries some of those folks make. Jealous, not really, simply that if the organization was as dedicated to the protection of the rights they claim to be, they wouldn't require such significant salary to do it. You figure how many Americans send money to the NRA every year and to have millions of dollars of those funds instead of being directly applied to legislative action protecting and expanding gun rights, it lands in a few peoples pockets. If they operated as a business and made a profit regularly I wouldn't feel that way, but subsisting off of donations and collecting large salaries has always struck me the wrong way.

 

[thorborg]

Ollie North to the rescue.

He is resigning In case you didn't know

 

[coltemp]

Didn't say reform wasn't needed, it is, but dismantling it entirely, no. Some folks are so fervent to see the NRA suffer, they forget that is the goal of the anti-freedom folks. The NRA isn't perfect, it's dropped the ball at times, but it has also year after year been the ire in the side of politicians who have tried to make large shifts in the gun rights at the stroke of a pen.

In my opinion, their biggest issue is most of the upper echelon are not hard core "every gun law is an infringement" people. Strictly hunting rifles and shotguns make up a small percentage of firearms many gun owners have. People who only own strictly hunting rifles and shotguns are far more likely to see other types of firearms as unnecessary and make statements like, "who needs an AR15 or a bump stock."

As the "fudd" generations dwindle and the competition and 'tactical' crowd takes their place in the ranks of the NRA, the culture will change. Assuming they can pull their stuff together to survive until that happens.

I personally despise the salaries some of those folks make. Jealous, not really, simply that if the organization was as dedicated to the protection of the rights they claim to be, they wouldn't require such significant salary to do it. You figure how many Americans send money to the NRA every year and to have millions of dollars of those funds instead of being directly applied to legislative action protecting and expanding gun rights, it lands in a few peoples pockets. If they operated as a business and made a profit regularly I wouldn't feel that way, but subsisting off of donations and collecting large salaries has always struck me the wrong way.

And that is a very good summary of the problem most people are seeing.
All I know is that over the last 4-5 years the NRA has basically been non-existent here is Washington state. First with 594 and then with 1639. Oh they fund raised for sure. In fact a lot. They made some decent signs. They advertised, BUT only on NRATV, Fox News, and youtube. BIG PROBLEM THERE. they were preaching to the choir. Meanwhile the anti's were advertising on the ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and every other major channel. There was No response from the NRA, NONE. Basically those crap initiatives passed because the NRA sat of its collective butt and whined, made excuses and oh BTW send us more money.
It's why support for the NRA is dwindling and instead moving over to GOA and SAF. I'm not sure SAF is the answer, Gottlieb has his own issues there. But at least those two are standing.

NW Backpacker, that is the part you are missing. While I agree the NRA has been a bastion of @A rights in the past, many are questioning whether it can still be with all the inflated salaries, non stop fund raising for very little results, continued compromise and questionable behaviors. I'm still a Patriot Life member of the NRA and glad to be one but I'm also likely to reduce support to near zero based on the mess that has been made.

 

[NW Backpacker]

Not sure you understood the context of my post.

Yes, I thought you might mean working to influence lawmakers in Salem and Olympia; or perhaps as coltemp said, running ads on TV, radio, etc. Both good ideas. My point was, they have been fighting for us in the courts in WA and OR - lot of folks seem unaware of that.

On another topic, I was interested to hear what they said about the NRA scandal on Armed America Radio today. Mark Walters said they need to make changes in the meeting tomorrow (Monday), get the mess cleaned up, and take out the trash, whoever and whatever it is. I hope we don't have any NWFA folks who fall into this category, but he characterized gun owners who want the NRA to fall as having "short-sighted idiocy".

coltemp, on the inflated salaries, I have no idea how many are out of line. I don't think Wayne is too far out of line for a CEO of such a large and influential organization. Could he do it for less? Yes, and given the current financial problems, he should. It would be very interesting to know the real numbers and we probably will after the NY investigation gets going.

Maybe after tomorrow we will get some better news. Hope so.

 

[TCMartin]

In his Congressional Testimony in 1999, NRA Executive VP Wayne LaPierre had this to say:

"We think it's reasonable to support the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act. ... We think it's reasonable to expect full enforcement of federal firearms laws by the federal government. ... That's why we support Project Exile -- the fierce prosecution of federal gun laws...we think it's reasonable because it works. ... We only support what works and our list is proud."

Does anyone really believe the NRA supports our right to keep and bear arms, if you do, I have a bridge to sell you. The NRA has a long documented history of supporting unconstitutional Federal Gun Control all the way back to their helping pass the National Firearms Act of 1934. Yep, the fact that you have to pay the Feds to exercise your right to own a suppressor or an SBR you can thank the NRA.

 

[Spad]

Get rid of the Frenchman, he has lined his pockets enough. Spad

 

[GKPrice]

I question the motives of those who repeatedly and rabidly denounce the NRA. Here are the facts that we KNOW about the NRA and two other popular gun groups. I say all the pro 2A groups are worth supporting.

Facts we know today: (from my comment in the NRA dirty laundry thread)

NRA revenue ~ $434 million (2016)
SAF revenues - ~4 or 5 million (2017)
GOA revenues - ~roughly 3 million (2016)

SOURCES:
NRA financial info: NRA releases financial statement showing revenue, expenses for 2016

SAF tax form: https://www.saf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SAF-2017-IRS-990-Tax-Form.pdf

GOA tax info: Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica

NRA claims 80% of revenues went to program services (link above). That's a good percentage. Recently sent in my NRA dues and did include a note to clean up their act so they can continue to fight for our 2A rights. I think the IRS is going to give them some "assistance" in cleaning up their act.

Ackerman - McQueen? They are a PR/publishing/marketing firm the NRA uses for obvious purposes. The NRA is not in the PR/publishing/marketing business - they hire that out so they can focus on pro-2A work. They are doing A LOT of that and everyone of us who believes in the 2A is benefiting greatly from their work.

From what I've read, Jeff Knox's father apparently was, or thought he was, treated badly by the NRA. Jeff may be totally legit in bashing the NRA and hoping for nothing more than to get them to clean up their act so they remain strong, but I don't know him so can't say if that's his motivation or not. It could also be that he is angry at what he thinks the NRA did to his dad and wants revenge. Bottom line - we have no choice except to support them if we want to have any chance at keeping our 2A rights. Today, even with the NRA, our 2A rights are hanging by a thread. You folks in CA and WA know this all too well, and we are going to know it soon in OR.

FINALLY I hear a sane voice - all of this "I'm not gonna give them crap" or "personally, I'm done with the NRA" stuff is utterly moronic - WHO else is going to step up to the plate on a national level ??