NRA says it’s broke and on the verge of collapse

[243winxb]

Non-profits info is public. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/530116130

Year 2015.

Wayne Robert LaPierre, Jr - compensation $5,110,985.


Percent of total expenses - Executive compensations 2.8%

 

[243winxb]

2016 Most income is from "Program services."

 

[rust collector]

And the president of Pfizer makes $64 million that we know of, while Pfizer significantly raises prices on its most popular meds twice a year. What's your point?

Do I approve of big incomes for politicians, big pharma CEOs or lobbyists? No, but that's not the issue being discussed.

 

[alsaqr]

Thanks 243winxb for that information.

 

[Koolmoose]

I read an article (sorry, I can’t remember the citation), that the NRA needs insurance for the annual meeting, Whittington Center, and other programs, as well as coverage for writers of its publications. If the organization is unable to obtain insurance for activities then no activities. The article said that Lloyd’s had also turned them down.

If they have no insurance they could be ripe meat for lawyers.

 

[rust collector]

They have made insurance available for many ranges throughout the country over many years. Curtailing that insurance means ranges close or operating costs and fees go through the roof.

 

[Rshooter]

Been an NRA Life member for many years. I once got in a discussion with the Wayne Lapierre about the way out there claims he was making, I told him it made the NRA look bad. Since then I have seen all of his claims about anti-gunners come to pass. Remember the assault weapons ban that no one said would ever happen. We now have Como and the state of New York attempting to take the NRA down. Once they (the NRA) are gone we are fodder for the anti-gunners to divide us and crush the second amendment. This is a culture war as Charlton Hestin once wrote about in the National Rifleman. That was over twenty years ago I believe and the war has only gotten more vicious. If you own a gun you should belong to the NRA.

 

[nettlle]

I really think that if the NRA was getting ready to fail there is a silent majority out there that is more than willing to belly up to the bar to save them.

I will one of the first. When that time comes.

 

[BSA1]

I really think that if the NRA was getting ready to fail there is a silent majority out there that is more than willing to belly up to the bar to save them.

I will one of the first. When that time comes.

Why are you being silent?

And what makes you think that time has not come?"

 

[nettlle]

The time will come when I hear something more than gossip.

 

[Milt1]

Been an NRA Life member for many years. I once got in a discussion with the Wayne Lapierre about the way out there claims he was making, I told him it made the NRA look bad. Since then I have seen all of his claims about anti-gunners come to pass. Remember the assault weapons ban that no one said would ever happen. We now have Como and the state of New York attempting to take the NRA down. Once they (the NRA) are gone we are fodder for the anti-gunners to divide us and crush the second amendment. This is a culture war as Charlton Hestin once wrote about in the National Rifleman. That was over twenty years ago I believe and the war has only gotten more vicious. If you own a gun you should belong to the NRA.

I say this (If you own a gun you should belong to the NRA) all the time! In fact I got my gun range to make a membership in the NRA as part of the initiation fee for joining our club.

 

[jonb32248]

The other half of all this is that NYS won't allow CCW insurance. I contacted USCCA tonight and I was told the same goes for them. How can they tell me I can't buy insurance?

 

[AlexanderA]

And the president of Pfizer makes $64 million that we know of, while Pfizer significantly raises prices on its most popular meds twice a year. What's your point?

The difference is that Pfizer is a profit-making business while the NRA is a membership, advocacy organization. The goal of the NRA is not to make a profit, but to promote shooting and gun ownership. Outrageous executive compensation is inappropriate at the same time that the organization is constantly begging its members for more money. Now, I would not begrudge high pay if these executives were effective, but LaPierre, in particular, is a horrible spokesman. He has unbelievable gall to collect his 5 million and then come around to ask me, and others like me, for money. This, as well as the unrelated political posturing by the NRA, is why more gun owners don't join.

 

[Kaeto]

NRA should be calling out Cuomo for saying the insurance is illegal because you can't insure someone for committing a crime. While I haven't looked closely at the Carry Guard insurance, all the other ones are very clear that you are not covered if for example you are carrying without a permit or otherwise breaking any laws.

Thing is to Cuomo and his ilk defending your life from a criminal is breaking their twisted idea of the law.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

The difference is that Pfizer is a profit-making business while the NRA is a membership, advocacy organization. The goal of the NRA is not to make a profit, but to promote shooting and gun ownership. Outrageous executive compensation is inappropriate at the same time that the organization is constantly begging its members for more money. Now, I would not begrudge high pay if these executives were effective, but LaPierre, in particular, is a horrible spokesman. He has unbelievable gall to collect his 5 million and then come around to ask me, and others like me, for money. This, as well as the unrelated political posturing by the NRA, is why more gun owners don't join.

So your really think that is all the NRA does is promote shooting and gun ownership? Seriously? Do you have any idea how many LEGAL issues come across every single state to take away that right for gun ownership? YOUR OWNERSHIP! I find it amazing how many people are so anti NRA. I can tell you this. Many of the Post against the NRA on this forum sound just like so many of the Anti-gun owners of my state. Boy they are happy so many of you are on their side.
Who in the heck do you think will be fighting those battles in court? Or battles with anti gun Politicians in Congress etc or just state wide? It is a constant attack by the Anti gun Politicians and lawyers that just one loss of a court battle or legislative act can be the catalyst that takes away those rights.
I am a proud Virginian, I am proud of the NRA. No, I will NOT sit back and just let them do my fighting for me and use every kind of lame excuse out there to not have to belly up. And I am sick of hearing about the CEO salary.
The salary is a 'WEDGE" issue. A perfect ploy to get the gun folks to focus on it and NOT the anti gun laws and legislation that creeps into the system every day. And guess what, it works.

Quite the crying and whining over the CEO salary and focus on the battle. For gosh sake, some sound like a whining snowflakes. Wake up and smell the coffee folks.
THERE IS A REASON WHY THE ANTI-GUN CROWD, POLITICIANS, LAWYERS HATE THE NRA AND IT IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE CEO SALARY.

 

[BSA1]

Why are you being silent?

And what makes you think that time has not come?"

The time will come when I hear something more than gossip.

So you believe the time has come AFTER the NRA has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Is that why you are remaining silent instead of letting your opinions be known to your Representatives & Senators in Congress, friends, co-workers and the media?


First they took the guns from felons and I did not speak out because I was not a felon.

Then they took the guns from those 21 and younger and I did not speak out because I was not that young.

Then they took the guns from those with mental illness and I did not speak out because I was not mentally ill.

Then they took the guns from those who opposed reasonable gun control and I did not speak out because I was not unreasonable.

Then they took the guns away from me and there was no one left to speak for me.

 

[BSA1]

The difference is that Pfizer is a profit-making business while the NRA is a membership, advocacy organization. The goal of the NRA is not to make a profit, but to promote shooting and gun ownership. Outrageous executive compensation is inappropriate at the same time that the organization is constantly begging its members for more money. Now, I would not begrudge high pay if these executives were effective, but LaPierre, in particular, is a horrible spokesman. He has unbelievable gall to collect his 5 million and then come around to ask me, and others like me, for money. This, as well as the unrelated political posturing by the NRA, is why more gun owners don't join.

What makes you think the NRA is a non-profit organization?

Is it written in their Charter?

Perhaps you do not know what non-profit legally means.

The NRA has it has 501(c)(4) status, meaning it is regarded as a “social welfare organization” by the Internal Revenue Service which is defined;

“To be operated exclusively to promote social welfare, an organization must operate primarily to further the common good and general welfare of the people of the community (such as by bringing about civic betterment and social improvements.)”

A 501(c)(4) organization like the NRA is allowed to engage in political lobbying and advocacy, but this cannot be its main activity, and it must be related to the group’s primary mission and the issue upon which its tax exemption is based, according to the IRS. Social welfare organizations may also get involved in political campaigns and elections, provided their involvement is related to the group’s mission, and again, only if this does not constitute their primary activity.

The NRA-ILA (Institute for Legislative Action) is the “lobbying” arm of the NRA. It was founded in 1975 and is separate from the parent organization. Your membership dues and donations do NOT go to support the ILA.

Your comments suggest you support gun control laws. It is a opinion that you are entitled to have and to promote. I respect your opinion even though I strongly disagree with you.

 

[AlexanderA]

I'm not against the NRA as an idea. I agree that an organization like the NRA must exist to protect the rights of gun owners. However, I want to see a more effective NRA. That has to start with a general housecleaning of all the ossified executive leadership. What is needed is a replay of the 1977 "Revolt at Cincinnati" when the Old Guard was thrown out. LaPierre, in particular, has to go. He has gorged himself at the trough long enough.

The Establishment at the NRA is probably laughing at the gullible members who keep sending money in. The ongoing scam is simple -- keep gun controversies alive, but never get to the point of resolution. This is why we never actually get pro-gun legislation. It doesn't suit the NRA execs' purposes. (As long as the Hughes Amendment is still on the books, the NRA is dead to me.)

Excuse me, but I've become very cynical in my old age. To me, the NRA headquarters is the very definition of "the Swamp."

 

[bassjam]

On topic, this is kind of scary. The anti’s can’t attack the NRA directly, but they’ve figured out ways to attack indirectly. It’s a sad state we live in that insurance is required for just about everything we do, and I could see how a company or group that can’t find someone to insure them could end up in financial ruin do to it.

That being said, there was a time I was happy to give money to the NRA whenever they were involved in a big lawsuit or important elections. Now I’d rather see my money go to a group that sticks to the important issue: the 2nd Amendment. I’m about as far-right as anyone, but it sickens me the amount of times the NRA attacks the Democrats as a whole. There are a LOT of 2nd Amendment supporters who are Democrats, and the NRA does us no favors by painting them all as red coated socialists scum.

I’m still a yearly-due paying NRA member for now, but any extra cash I have now goes to the GOA, 2nD Amendment Foundation, or my state gun rights groups. The NRA won’t be getting any additional funds from me until they clean house. If they continue down the path of hate they’re on, they’ll lose my membership altogether.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Pro gun legislation to me goes beyond repeal of the Hughes Amendment.

In my life time in my home state, I have seen:

_ Application for permission to purchase a handgun signed off by Chief of Police or County Sheriff (allowed up to 15 days to approve or deny the permit) replaced by a phoned-in state background check.

_ Handgun carry permit administered at the discretion of County Sheriff, with 95 different sheriffs with 95 different standards for approval or denial, replaced by a state permit administered on the model of a drivers license: if you pass the test the permit shall be issued

Perfect? No. Better for handgun owners? Yes. And who do the gun prohibitionists blame for this relaxation of previous restrictive laws? According to the editorials bemoaning the state of affairs, they blamed the NRA.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

On topic, this is kind of scary. The anti’s can’t attack the NRA directly, but they’ve figured out ways to attack indirectly. It’s a sad state we live in that insurance is required for just about everything we do, and I could see how a company or group that can’t find someone to insure them could end up in financial ruin do to it.

That being said, there was a time I was happy to give money to the NRA whenever they were involved in a big lawsuit or important elections. Now I’d rather see my money go to a group that sticks to the important issue: the 2nd Amendment. I’m about as far-right as anyone, but it sickens me the amount of times the NRA attacks the Democrats as a whole. There are a LOT of 2nd Amendment supporters who are Democrats, and the NRA does us no favors by painting them all as red coated socialists scum.

I’m still a yearly-due paying NRA member for now, but any extra cash I have now goes to the GOA, 2nD Amendment Foundation, or my state gun rights groups. The NRA won’t be getting any additional funds from me until they clean house. If they continue down the path of hate they’re on, they’ll lose my membership altogether.

I can tell you where I live that the vast majority of Democrats are NOT Pro second amendment rights. On the contrary. They vote for the same people that are anti gun. They support them in every election. The NRA does not trash the Democrats, they are not afraid to speak up against those that do trash the 2nd amendment. Of course I do not believe someone who claims to be for the 2nd amendment rights, would then go and vote into office a enemy of those rights. Yet the hypocrisy happens.
I belong to three shooting ranges. I decided to leave two of them, for reasons I cannot state here. But I did join a club that would only accept members that were NRA. And my God the difference is astonishing. The is no question which place a sane person would want to enjoy the sport. Bravo to the NRA.
Proud Member.

 

[bassjam]

I can tell you where I live that the vast majority of Democrats are NOT Pro second amendment rights. On the contrary. They vote for the same people that are anti gun. They support them in every election. The NRA does not trash the Democrats, they are not afraid to speak up against those that do trash the 2nd amendment. Of course I do not believe someone who claims to be for the 2nd amendment rights, would then go and vote into office a enemy of those rights. Yet the hypocrisy happens.
I belong to three shooting ranges. I decided to leave two of them, for reasons I cannot state here. But I did join a club that would only accept members that were NRA. And my God the difference is astonishing. The is no question which place a sane person would want to enjoy the sport. Bravo to the NRA.
Proud Member.

Maybe it's different where you live, but I'm in a rural area with a lot of blue collar workers, many of whom are union members and Democrats. For the most part they all have and love guns. Like I said, the NRA needs to get off their current platform of hatred and begin reaching out to our friends on the left. We might then be able to educate and convince a few of them to change their votes.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

No matter what I am sick and tired of all the gun owners who expect us NRA members to keep forking out our money to help protect your rights. I live on a fixed income of less than $15K a year but I make sure I pay my membership dues, as well as chip in extra when I can. 5 million members is ridicules . It should be 25 million or more.

If you can afford a couple boxes of ammo you can afford a NRA membership.
If it wasn't for the NRA we would likely be living under the same rules as England or Australia. If you read this and are not a member I suggest you cheap SOB's start pitching in . And while your at it you can also make sure you get out and support and vote for pro gun candidates . If your not doing something than you are part of the problem instead of being part of the solution.

I absolutely could NOT agree more! Another thing I'm sick of is hearing, "Why isn't the NRA doing more to stop this?"[lying anti-gun sentiment] The first thing out of my mouth is, "Are you a member?" More often than not, the answer is no, and I then have to impress upon them the hypocrisy of their whining, along with pleading with them to join. I've been a member for over 30 years now. When I was working, I was always giving to NRA/ILA regularly, along with keeping up my membership, grass-roots activities, etc. Later, started doing the 5 year plans and such. Now, on a fixed income, I found the best way was to become a life member doing the EZ pay plan. It was actually pretty painless and gave them a monthly income of sorts. There are many worthy pro-gun organizations to join, some of them extremely useful, but the NRA is definitely what gunowners need to be a member of first. It gets the most attention in DC, and millions of members equates to a huge lobby. Like you, I cannot understand why there are not 30 or 50 million or more members. Mail solicitations? Simple, if it's not the right time for you to give anything, simply throw it away. Absolutely, the NRA knows this happens, and they know literally NOBODY gives to 100% of the mailings. So them "bothering" you for money holds no water. But, those of us that ARE members are pretty sick of carrying the water for all the tens of millions of gunowners that are not. Join the NRA.

 

[alsaqr]

The NRA does not trash the Democrats, they are not afraid to speak up against those that do trash the 2nd amendment.

You should read Wayne La Pierre's rant in the March, 2018 Rifleman magazine. It's entitled: In Today's Democrat Party, Democrat Equals Socialism. La Pierre rants about the media, higher education and judges.

i've been an NRA member for about 60 years and contributed many thousands to the NRA. My contributions stopped after the NRA leadership got political. i care less that the pro-gun candidate is a fire breathing conservative preacher or a liberal lesbian wiccan. The pro-gunner gets my vote.

My money now goes to the second highest contributor to our gun rights. You probably never heard of that organization because they quietly work behind the scenes to fight gun control.

It's past time that La Pierre went away.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Maybe it's different where you live, but I'm in a rural area with a lot of blue collar workers, many of whom are union members and Democrats. For the most part they all have and love guns. Like I said, the NRA needs to get off their current platform of hatred and begin reaching out to our friends on the left. We might then be able to educate and convince a few of them to change their votes.

I have never seen where NRA has a platform of hatred for Unions. And of Course Unions throw millions into the coffer of Anti-gun politicians. I mean millions. And guess what. Union members vote in masses to those same politicians. And in Virginia we have a lot of Blue Collar workers, hard working farmers etc. And they love the hunting, shooting etc. and they vote by a large majority amount Republican. Maybe gun loving Union Members can quite bashing Republican Politicians that are 2nd Amendment advocates. You do not want to support the NRA then just enjoy your love of the sport but for God sake, tell your Union Friends not to be the first one out of the box whining when those rights are taken away.