Your Thoughts on the NRA Today?

[Tom S.]

I have been a life member for 50 years, and am a Benefactor. I stopped contributing when I grew disenchanted with LaPierre and the things the BOD let him get away with.

Like many, I have been donating to GOA - but I realize that they are primarily a reactive organization, initiating lawsuits after legislation is past rather than camping out in congress and state legislatures to stop such legislation before it becomes law. Both tactics are needed, but the latter requires far more people and money than GOA has available, whereas the NRA has practiced this method for years.

I also agree with reducing the BOD. Large boards are usually ineffective because everyone has their own special interests and stuff just does not get done. I would like to see the BOD pared to 9 plus 2 non voting alternates unless they are filling in for or replacing an absent member.

The NRA needs to reestablish itself as a political "kiss of death" for anti gun politicians. While the NRA isn't big enough to go after all anti gun politicians, they could single out key individuals who are vulnerable and return to the organization that used to be feared enough to cause politicians proposing gun legislation to fear the possible ramifications.

 

[Denverd0n]

Like so many others who have posted...

Former member. Quit when I felt the organization was going the wrong way. Glad to see a change in leadership. Now I will consider joining again.

What needs to be done? The organization is way, WAAAY too top-heavy. Finances need to totally transparent to the membership. Constant appeals for donations need to be scaled-back -- I don't want more than one a month at the ABSOLUTE MOST! Two or three times a year would be better.

And maybe most important, as others have said, quit making nice with "bipartisan compromises" and get back to scaring the bejeezus out of politicians who support gun control! (Personal suspicion is that Wayne was enjoying all the perks of being a friend to everyone too much.)

 

[Bekeart]

1. Are you a current or past NRA member?
Life Member

2. Have you rejoined or are you financially contributing to the NRA now, or planning to do so in the near future?
No contributions planned.

3. If so, what convinced you to do so?


4. If not, what is holding you back? (Please be as specific and brutally honest as you can. We need to understand your issues.)

Many years long practices that were not in the fiduciary interests of the members.
NRA money was treated a personal piggy-bank by directors. (e.g. Speaking and Travel fees)

5. What internal issues (in priority order) do you think the NRA Board most urgently needs to address?

Four directors is a minority and likely to be out voted.

Reduce the number of mis-directors.

Control payments to directors.

Publish an itemized list of ALL payments and/of benefits to each director.

I remember hearing back in the 80's about poorly planned purchase of land in a western state.

I remember hearing about Designated Stooges holding Large Signs Directing members HOW to VOTE on matters before the members at annual meeting.

Bekeart

 

[CalifEd]

My 2 ₵
1. Are you a current or past NRA member? Yes, Patron

2. Have you rejoined or are you financially contributing to the NRA now, or planning to do so in the near future? No.

3. If so, what convinced you to do so? N/A

4. If not, what is holding you back? (Please be as specific and brutally honest as you can. We need to understand your issues.)
Past malfeasance. I may if I see tangible change in the NRA's direction. I currently support California's 2A organizations.

5. What internal issues (in priority order) do you think the NRA Board most urgently needs to address?
Too many Directors. If it is an ego thing or past voting directors, have non-voting Emeritus Directors.
Real term Limits, only 2/3 terms - The NRA wouldn't have been driven over the cliff had limits been in place.

Any other thoughts or feedback you'd like to share with me and other NRA Directors?
Get back to core values, teaching and education for the shooters and the public.
Support state and local organization with visible support, not just banners and stickers at the events.
Focus political pressure on local gun legislation, not just national issues. When was the last time a press conference was held and shown on the nightly news about a state attempting to limit 2A freedoms? Pick your battles for sure but get back into the fight.
The current political focus about firearms is one leading to confiscation. Absolutely NO COMPROMISE! I live in California, and I see daily the results of compromise; I also see where it is heading.

 

[woodsltc]

1. Are you a current or past NRA member?

I'm Life member for many years and an annual member for many years prior to that.

2. Have you rejoined or are you financially contributing to the NRA now, or planning to do so in the near future?

Stopped contributing several years ago when it became apparent that LaPierre was fleecing the membership and the BOD turned a blind eye to his actions. Also, was feed-up with all the compromises.

3. If so, what convinced you to do so?

Still waiting to see if real corrections will be made.

4. If not, what is holding you back? (Please be as specific and brutally honest as you can. We need to understand your issues.)

Need to see the NRA take the lead on issues and "stop compromising" ..... compromise leads to losing our rights. The NRA has to regain my trust before I make anymore contributions, just that simple.


5. What internal issues (in priority order) do you think the NRA Board most urgently needs to address?

Reduce the number of the BOD. Get rid of the BOD members that aided LaPierre .... seems to me they are culpable also.


Don

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I'm a Patron member , as to the other questions , enough have answered them . I used to give money a couple of times a year , usually through the phone calls , but sometimes if they were giving something away with a contribution . But then I stopped and thought , how much is actually getting to the NRA . We've all heard about the Police Benevolent Assoc. and how they get pennies on the dollar . If I KNEW my money , at least MOST of it got to the NRA , I would go back to giving .

 

[Walkin Horse]

Once I realized they were spending my dues begging for more money, I was out. Then stories of mismanagement and extravagant spending really turned me off. I've put my money in the Va. Citizens Defense League.

 

[rwsmith]

I'm an annual member...

...and I've been so since 2012.

What I hope for the NRA is to advocate rights to own and shoot firearms, continue to push for safety and responsiblity, present a positive face to the non-firearm crowd, and continue to encourage gun ownership and education.

I really despise joining groups because too often their focus, mission, interests and intentions start to get warped. But I decided years ago that the NRA is a HOME for me and I hope I never have to be divorced or emancipated from it.

Thanks very much for asking us to listen and for listening to us. I feel like that litigation might have done the NRA a favor in getting their act together.

 

[cololab]

I've been a life member (Benefactor) for decades.

I've not contributed to NRA since the antics of WLP became public, and I'm likely not going to do so until those who knew and (in my opinion) enabled WLP are no longer in any position of authority within the NRA.

Once my trust is violated, it takes some significant action to gain it again.

 

[Mule Packer]

1. Are you a current or past NRA member?

I'm a Life Member. Can't remember how many years it's been. It's been several. Prior to that, I was an annual member for several years.​

2. Have you rejoined or are you financially contributing to the NRA now, or planning to do so in the near future?

I am not financially contributing to the NRA currently.​

3. If so, what convinced you to do so?

N/A​

4. If not, what is holding you back? (Please be as specific and brutally honest as you can. We need to understand your issues.)

I've had a real tough time justifying any additional donations when the former CEO was spending $274,695.03 on Zegna suits. Not only that, but I was consistently bombarded with mailers and phone calls asking for more. Whatever I was giving, was evidently not enough. I was thinking that it was probably because he needed some handmade Italian shoes to go along with his suits.
​

5. What internal issues (in priority order) do you think the NRA Board most urgently needs to address?

First off, I think the board needs to be smaller. I mean...seventy-six members??? That's ridiculous. I'd be willing to bet there are several "rubber stampers" in that group who are willing to go along with what everybody else says. As Jimmyjones posted previously..."a camel is a horse designed by a committee." Second...and I don't know what you can do about this...but the NRA needs to rebuild the trust of its members.
​

Any other thoughts or feedback you'd like to share with me and other NRA Directors?

No. I've undoubtedly said enough, and probably too much, but you said to be brutally honest. Thanks for letting us share some thoughts.​

 

[jrm53]

A benefactor member for many years

I am thankful for the NRA I have no problem with them and we all had all better get down on our knees and thank the LORD that we have them. I just wish they would move out of New York state to a gun friendly southern state! Jeff {jrm53}

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

As with many organizations, I think the NRA has lost its way and has been corrupted by its own success with programs taking on lives of their own. I think the rhetoric could be more centrist. We can be firm and rational without being as rabid as the opposition. It is often hard to tell the difference between the sides by their behavior. Not a good sign. Funding and use of funds need to be prioritized to programs for the organizations fundamental purpose of protecting gun ownership as perhaps opposed to creating and enriching celebrities and personality cults. The silly prizes to entice renewal do not do a fraction as much as lower annual dues. Perhaps less enriching those involved in recruitment trinkets and just a $20-$25 annual rate. Few of us need or have space for more thin back packs, pocket knives or baseball caps, and seeing that stuff tells us where our money going. Simple, professional, lobbying, recruitment, practical programs to advance gun ownership and training and basic administration.

 

[ladder13]

The NRA has their work cut out for them, clearly, reading the responses.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

The NRA has taken a step forward by eliminating their most apparent source of corruption. However, a journey requires more than a single step. The entire board should be replaced with a smaller, efficient, and accountable team that upholds the NRA's fundamental purpose. It is essential to eradicate all potential sources of inertia and corruption.

In recent years, I have contributed more to causes that I believe will improve America than I have in all my previous years combined.
Will the NRA receive contributions from me again? Refer to the previous sentence.

Mr. Knox.......Did lapierre get the GOLDEN PARACHUTE $$$ he had setup when he left?

 

[lkabug]

1. Are you a current or past NRA member?
Benefactor
2. Have you rejoined or are you financially contributing to the NRA now, or planning to do so in the near future?
I stopped contributing. I'm waiting to see the "new path" the NRA takes.

3. If so, what convinced you to do so?
4. If not, what is holding you back? (Please be as specific and brutally honest as you can. We need to understand your issues.)
What has changed? What are you doing differently? Is it a secret? Communicate with the membership, we know the sins committed, (at least some of them) i suspect there's more, tell me how you have or intend to correct them.


5. What internal issues (in priority order) do you think the NRA Board most urgently
needs to address?
Too many board members.
I trusted you once why should I trust you again. Tell me why.
Get rid of the yes men/women.

Any other thoughts or feedback you'd like to share with me and other NRA Directors?

 

[JeffKnox]

Salaries and Compensation

1. Are you a current or past NRA member? Current member for over 40 years

2. Have you rejoined or are you financially contributing to the NRA now, or planning to do so in the near future? I contribute occasionally to ILA

3. If so, what convinced you to do so? N/A

4. If not, what is holding you back? (Please be as specific and brutally honest as you can. We need to understand your issues.) N/A

5. What internal issues (in priority order) do you think the NRA Board most urgently needs to address? The NRA needs to publish the salary and benefit compensation packages for the ten highest salaried members of the NRA hierarchy. If this information is available, I'd like to know where to find it.

I've been a member of the Texas State Rifle Association for many years. As a Texan, that is where I think my donations are best spent.

Our top employees compensation is included in our annual IRS Form 990, but it is at least a year behind, if you can find it. I am promoting a Special Committee on Reorganization, with a mandate to review the entire structure, job descriptions and responsibilities, and pay, as well as exploring plans to reduce the size of the Board, which the judge is ordering us to do. The members should get easy access to all of that information.

 

[JeffKnox]

No Golden Parachute for LaPierre

Mr. Knox.......Did lapierre get the GOLDEN PARACHUTE $$$ he had setup when he left?

No, LaPierre did not receive a golden parachute. Reports to the contrary are mistaken. He's also been blocked by the court from serving in any capacity -- paid or unpaid -- within NRA for ten years. He's currently 74 years old. He's not coming back.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

1. Are you a current or past NRA member?

Member since 1966. Life Member since 1967. Endowment when they were selling them cheap.

2. Have you rejoined or are you financially contributing to the NRA now, or planning to do so in the near future?

No and no.

3. If so, what convinced you to do so?

N/A

4. If not, what is holding you back? (Please be as specific and brutally honest as you can. We need to understand your issues.)

I don't see the NRA as significantly representing my interests, and since the Whittington debacle, they mostly didn't seem interested in doing so. While I think that Wayne LaPierre mostly improved NRA's public position, his waste of money was even worse than in the past. In the past, I have supported JPFO and your father, and will continue to support you. I am old and crotchety. It took a while for NRA to turn me off, and I am not going to be turned on again overnight.

5. What internal issues (in priority order) do you think the NRA Board most urgently needs to address?

Several good suggestions have been made above, especially reducing the size of the board and, mainly, concentrating on actually being a political threat to those who hate our Constitution. I am also in favor of genuine technical leadership, especially in the safety area.

 

[Puller]

Hmmm, after reading through this thread it seems most gun owners here support the doctrine of shooting our own wounded.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Been a life member since the early '60's. Now Endowment. WLP sure used us as a cash cow but at first he did well. Now for a new beginning for a good 153 old organization that needs new leadership. PS, please don't send me any more Chinese knives. Lousy **** things, I tried to use one as a letter opener, it failed to last then would not close.