NRA 2.0

[Faulkner]

There is a very good article on the back page of the August issue of Guns & Ammo magazine by Keith Wood about the cleaning up and clawing back of the National Rifle Association. The article gives kudos to Doug Hamlin, the new CEO and Executive Vice President who took the reins to clean up the NRA. I tend to agree, Doug Hamlin is exactly what the organization needed to initiate widespread reforms inside the organization.

A lot of NRA members have become disillusioned with the organization due to the Wayne LaPierre excessive spending. Hamlin is cleaning that up, replacing executives who allowed the excessive and inappropriate activities with folks who want to see the NRA succeed. He has advocated for reforming the board of directors and in the 2025 elections 20 "reform" candidates filled 29 of the available board seats.

Doug Hamlin is calling the widespread reforms inside the organization NRA 2.0 He's not finished the task, but he's made a big move in the right direction. NRA 2.0 still has a tough row to hoe, but I'm one of those who did not give up on the NRA and I will continue to watch Hamlin's progress. There are other organizations out there, but face it, the NRA can and should still be the big dog. Not all NRA members are going to agree on everything, heck, my wife and I don't always agree, but the cause is just and let's face it, gun owners are better off with a strong, effective NRA than a weak NRA. I think it's time to rally in support of NRA 2.0.

 

[Onomea]

Thanks for that update, Faulkner. I am one of those who dropped the NRA in disgust. Guess it is time for a relook.

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Can't find the article available online, if anyone has access, and could make it available to us, it would be appreciated.

 

[pharmer]

I'm happy, my son and I met Wayne in the elevator in the World Trade Center in 1997. My impression was that of a politician, stopping to gladhand and praise "followers." He'd probably be as passionate about "extended car warranties" as 2nd amendment. I'll go "Benefactor" level eventually, I'm always "deliberately skeptical." Joe

 

[DixieRanger]

As an NRA member since 1978 have watched with disgust the going on of LaPierre. As in politics who knows the truth? Attended 'Friends of NRA' banquets, upgraded over the years and consider myself to be a quiet patroit with respect for this long standing organization. Will watch and hope that trust can be restored Appreciate Faulkner's well stated thread.

 

[Puller]

Thanks for the tip on the article in August's Guns & Ammo, I just read it and I agree that Keith Wood is spot on that Doug Hamlin is the man to make NRA 2.0 work. With his marine corps experience I think they'll find he is a no nonsense leader.

 

[Truckman]

A lot of NRA members have become disillusioned with the organization due to the Wayne LaPierre excessive spending.

I'm one of them...As an Endowment Member, I quit donating the extra bucks years ago when I realized it was just financing LaPierre's lifestyle...I'll be looking closely for new developments......Ben

 

[ladder13]

Another Lifer in wait mode.

 

[Puller]

A lot of NRA members have become disillusioned with the organization due to the Wayne LaPierre excessive spending.

I'm one of them...As an Endowment Member, I quit donating the extra bucks years ago when I realized it was just financing LaPierre's lifestyle...I'll be looking closely for new developments......Ben

I think the next line in Faulkner's statement is important . . . :

Hamlin is cleaning that up,

 

[sophie]

I'm happy, my son and I met Wayne in the elevator in the World Trade Center in 1997. My impression was that of a politician, stopping to gladhand and praise "followers." He'd probably be as passionate about "extended car warranties" as 2nd amendment. I'll go "Benefactor" level eventually, I'm always "deliberately skeptical." Joe

My friend and I met Wayne LaPierre and his wife also at a Friends of NRA Banquet in Lubbock, Texas on 5-22-2004. The reason I know the date is because he signed and dated my new ball cap. At that time the Lubbock Friends of NRA Banquet was one of the largest, if not the largest in the US. Lubbock always drew a larger crowd than our banquets here in Amarillo. Wayne and his wife had flown into Lubbock for the banquet to speak to the attendees. There were hundreds of NRA Members in the Lubbock Convention Center that night and Wayne made a good speech promoting the NRA and the 2nd Amendment. He chose a table to set up for handshakes and autographs just behind our table close to 3/4 of the way back in the building. Management had been setting up for a big barbecue supper in the rear of the large room. Wayne picked that table because of an elderly man and his wife, alone at the table. I guessed their age to be middle to late 80’s at the time and both looked like they just got there from running cows and the lady didn’t weigh 80 lbs wet. Wayne talked to them and thanked them for being NRA members, and for just being there. Wayne signed autographs and then him and his wife left as fast as they came and got on a plane for somewhere else, according to what he said. They didn’t eat barbecue with the group because of their schedule.
The old man and woman disappeared shortly and didn’t eat supper. Kind of made me wonder.
I’ve never given up on the NRA, even though I gave it hard thought. From what I read, it looks like the management is on a much better track to save the organization.

 

[Golddollar]

I am a second generation upper level Life Member of NRA. For those of you who quit the NRA over the actions of Wayne Lapierre, I hope you will return to the organization soon. I want Doug Hamlin to be able to get the attention of office holders and office seekers by saying to them, "I speak for 5 million DUES-PAYING members." Elections have been lost by a lot less votes.

 

[Greyman50]

Have been an endowment member for over 20 years and was extremely disappointed in the NRA. Like others I’ve stopped sending any $$$. Several others have done more in recent times to support the 2nd Amendment. Just received the latest “ American Rifleman” and the president William A. Bachenberg’s article is pretty good.

 

[Rudi]

Did Wayne do any jail time? Did he pay back the missing funds? Just wondering.

 

[Faulkner]

Did Wayne do any jail time? Did he pay back the missing funds? Just wondering.

On February 23, 2024 a six week-long civil trial concluded with the jury ordering LaPierre to repay the NRA $4,351,231. It also ordered the NRA’s retired finance chief, Wilson Phillips, to repay $2 million.

 

[Rudi]

Thank you Faulkner. Has this been done? Monthly payments? Lump sum? The check's in the mail?

 

[Faulkner]

Thank you Faulkner. Has this been done? Monthly payments? Lump sum? The check's in the mail?

I have no clue. I'm sure the lawyers are billing hours keeping track of that.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Faulkner.........Are there still 76 board members?......I left "em" because of lappy-air and 76 board members

 

[Autonomous]

Even my corrupt labor union didn't have as many board members as the NRA.

Watching and waiting.

 

[jeffrefrig]

My 5 year membership is up next year. I wasn't going to re-up, but things seem to be be changing for the good, from what I've heard. we'll see...

 

[chief38]

Wayne L. did more harm to the NRA than the Media! Unfortunately...... the NRA board also let him get away with it so who actually knows who was corrupt and who was not? I don't think we'll ever know and don't think there will be any real "justice". Just think how much good could have been done if LaPierre and the board had the member's best interest at heart instead of their own!

I am a lifetime NRA member and can only hope like other National 3 letter Agency's in the USA, the NRA also gets their house cleaned up! Yes, I know the NRA is a private organization and probably has no oversight scrutiny on a regular basis but should be monitored a while lot better from within than it has ever been before. It seems whenever money and power are involved, corruption rears its ugly head!

 

[Maddog 521]

Waiting and watching but haven't made up my mind as of yet.