THE FUTURE OF THE NRA ?

by Bob Walsh

I like the NRA and think they do good things.  I am unsure I feel the same way about the current management team of the NRA.  Also, some years back, I dropped my membership because I thought they were getting too far off into the "duck hunters and deer hunters" protection mode and not enough into the "right to keep and bear arms" mode.  After all, the people who wrote our Constitution did not just come back from a hunting trip to do it, they had just won a war against the major military power on the planet and a government that they viewed to be essentially corrupt and unresponsive to the people.  (I have since rejoined, but am a long term year-to-year member.)

The Attorney General of the State of New York, Letitia James, is essentially trying to sue the NRA out of existence.  They are attempting to file for bankruptcy and reincorporate in Texas.  Last week a federal bankruptcy judge told them "NO", ruling that it was a bad faith move on their part.  He was especially bothered that the management had not bothered to notify much of the 76 member Board of Directors of the move so the man might have a point.  One would think that disincorporating the organization and moving it to another state might be something the Board should be up on. 

I firmly believe that the legal action against the NRA is primarily political (she has called the NRA a terrorist organization) but it is not complete bullshit.  The A.G. is asserting that the management of the organization is using it as a personal piggybank to fund a lavish personal lifestyle.  She further alleges self-dealing by the management, especially Wayne LaPierre, who has led the day to day operation of the organization since 1991.  Among his "expenses" has been $500,000 on trips to the Bahamas.  Much of his travel involves private jets and luxury car services.  

The NRA is not insolvent, neither is it rolling in dough.  Right now total liabilities versus total cash on hand is about $50 million in the black.  

James wants to disband and shut down the organization.  I hope she is not successful in that.  Concerning getting rid of the current management of the organization, that may very well be a good idea for it's membership and for the organization..    

EDITOR'S NOTE: I left the NRA long, long ago when that sorry-ass crook LaPierre fought to keep "cop killer" bullets from being outlawed.