[ED: We asked readers to give us their thoughts on the the current controversies swirling around the National Rifle Association and we’ve received a number of thoughtful responses. Click the link above if you’d like to contribute, too. Here are a few more and we’ll continue to run them over the coming days as we receive them.]
Scott Jasmund:
NRA Member for 10+ years.
The letter they send earlier this week just sounded like “Nothing to see here, move along…”. We have, however, seen evidence that there is plenty to see.
For me, the improper spending allegations have yet to be addressed. If that’s not done, I’ll be very conflicted when it’s time to renew memberships for myself and the others in my household. I’m more than happy to send money to an organization which will be used to defend my rights. I am, however, not happy about sending my hard-earned money if I feel that it’s going to be squandered on clothing, pricey charter flights or a questionable intern.
If these issues aren’t addressed, I will have some soul searching to do when it comes time to renew. I’ve already joined GOA as a result of this nonsense and, regardless of how the NRA drama plays out, will continue to support them moving forward.
Felix Finch:
I have never like Wayne Pierre and his crowd. I’m a life member. I basically toss the monthly Rifleman because it is so full of hard, angry vitriol and pointless ads for non-gun stuff.
The current NRA leadership reminds me of that old saying about not wanting to win because they’d have nothing left to fume about. I simply have no faith in them. NRA-ILA is probably run much better, but guilt by association makes me wonder.
This latest kerfuffle with Ackerman has my head spinning. Why is Oliver North paid by Ackerman but on the NRA’s board, which is suing Ackerman for wasting money? Isn’t that a conflict of interest?
I don’t have much use for Oliver North either, what with him lying to Congress in his Marine uniform. Regardless of whether Congress was being idiotic or playing its usual political games, he should have either refused to testify or testified in civvies.
All in all, a crummy unreliable untrustworthy bunch, the lot of them. Get them out, get honest people in there, and build up a new image of honesty and trust. This bunch don’t know the meaning of the words.
A.H.:
I did not renew my NRA membership this year for a number of reasons. Probably the biggest is that I feel my state has been completely overlooked by the NRA, who seem to focus on issues that don’t appear to be anything that will improve my way of life.
You can put me in the camp that could give a rat’s patootie about having a bump stock yet I am fully aware of the slippery slope it creates if allowed. In years past I have looked for the NRA to be a leader, not an also-ran. So it is not good that I have the impression the NRA got on this bandwagon a bit late and rode it’s coattails.
That’s not a good thing to someone who is fed up to their eyeballs with the continued removal of my 2A rights. Not a good thing when it comes time to ask for what amounts to 3 hours of pay to be a member and see no results. Not a good thing to offer stupid gifts with your membership renewal that are MADE IN CHINA.
My money has gone to my local gun club and two state organizations that have done all the work in fending off attempts to restrict gun ownership and 2A rights here this past year.
Along with this impression that the NRA feels I live in flyover country is that because of inaction by the NRA, my state is now another blue state. And the 2018 midterms did more than turn my state blue. They removed all doubt for me that this country can’t be saved at the ballot box.
I do not plan to vote again because politicians aren’t listening. Worse, they have no intention of listening anymore. Looking for a way to at least continue to remain a voice in the fight against this onslaught, I now train with a Militia group. And I am not the only one who was soured bv those 2018 election results. The state of this country today has more and more of us coming to the same conclusion.
Hearing about the lavish lifestyle of Wayne LaPierre furthers my feeling that the NRA is doing far too little on my behalf. Such a feeling is underscored by the fact that there isn’t a single member from the Northeast on the board of directors.
If the NRA wants to get serious about gun rights, start really making a difference and remain the 800 lb gorilla in the room, they need to stop lining the pockets of politicians with money from its membership. They need to start funding militias in all 50 states.
James Ball:
Perception is reality.
The general membership does not know the level of impropriety that has taken place, and may be continuing, at the NRA. But the most important thing to consider is that the damage to the organization is equal to the worst of the allegations, until they are conclusively disproved.
The signatories of the recent “Move along folks, there’s nothing to see here” letter are delusional if they think it will make this all go away. The stain of impropriety, real or perceived, remains. The unanimous votes are also suspicious, considering the severity of the allegations, and shows a lack of a challenge that is needed to ensure a tightly run ship.
The thorough investigation recommended by others is a lengthly process and complete exoneration is unlikely. We do not have the luxury of time, and in this case time does not heal all wounds, it just allows them to fester.
To put this issue to rest, anybody associated with credible claims of perceived or actual impropriety must go for the good of the organization.
If the NRA does evaporate, or become substantially weakened, it is not the end of the Second Amendment as some fear. The power of the gun rights movement is not in one organization, but in millions of responsible gun owners who passionately believe in individual liberty vs. the smothering blanket of the state.
We could overcome the collapse of even such a large organization through increased support to the dozens of smaller organizations and increasing individual activism. There are far too many gun owners that think they have done their part by sending $35 bucks a year to one or two groups, but don’t follow legislation or contact their representatives. They would need to get off their duffs and do something. The statists are drooling at the prospect of a defeated NRA. If we all are active, we could hand them a stunning defeat.