A Short Recap of the History & Success of the National Rifle Association

Official Communication by Marion P. Hammer
Unified Sportsmen of Florida Executive Director
NRA Past President

Ann Coulter: Wayne Lapierre Wrong Spokesman For NRA
A Short Recap of the History & Success of the National Rifle Association

USA –  -(AmmoLand.com)- This is an email I sent to NRA Board members awhile back, but apparently “leakers” on the Board don’t want anything out there that gives facts. NRA members and AmmoLand News readers should see it as it gives a lot of factual history.

~ Marion Hammer.


TO: Fellow Board Members and Select Staff
FROM: Marion Hammer, Past President
RE: An Open Letter to NRA Board Members

June 15, 2019

Fellow Board Members and Select Staff:

Here we are again-same old story – The Washington Post wrote another article that presents a misleading view of the NRA and its financial outlook.

Reading the tripe yesterday inspired me to write this open letter.

I want to share some important history about our Association. There are many things about NRA’s history of which even Board members may not know, simply because they haven’t been involved in NRA until more recently.

Our shared understanding of the NRA’s history directly impacts the decisions we make today. Further, this information exposes how intentionally deceitful dissidents can be. Unfortunately, they are to often embraced by some in the media who apparently think muckraking is at the top of their job descriptions.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

The current attack on the NRA and Wayne and the “dire warnings” about finances are much like the strategy dissidents used over 20 years ago. Like now, they tried to take control of NRA, NRA finances and oust the leadership most responsible for the multi decade success of our Association- Wayne LaPierre.

Prior to the failed coup attempt in 1996-1997, the dissidents began the attack with fire reports of impending financial disaster and “leaks” of documents – taken out of context- to the press. They contrived “confidential” letters with dire warnings and they constructed documents with the deliberate intent of “leaking” them to the press. Sound familiar?

Then, like now, the media was all too eager to accept these self-serving, disingenuous people and use their falsehoods to gleefully write about a failing NRA. This excerpt from an article published in The New York Times in June of 1995, was part of the plan to lay the foundation for taking control of NRA and removing Wayne as CEO.

“The disintegration of the assets of the N.R.A. under current spending policies have eroded our future viability,” Max W. Goodwin, the chairman of the group’s finance committee, wrote in a confidential letter last year to the organization’s president. The letter and other documents were provided to The New York Times by members concerned about the group’s finances.

“Mr. Goodwin warned in the letter that the situation was “cause for great alarm.” Because of the N.R.A.’s weakening finances, he said, “the management, the board of directors and the National Rifle Association itself all may fail.”

“In addition to the concerns raised by Mr. Goodwin in his confidential letter, the group’s documents show that the discrepancies have also triggered alarm among other senior N.R.A. leaders. Last year, Mr. [Tom] Washington, the president, wrote to Wilson H. Phillips, the group’s treasurer, saying, “We really need to have some better figures for the finance committee.”

“Mr. Goodwin, in his letter, put much of the blame on Mr. LaPierre, who is essentially the N.R.A.’s chief executive officer.”

It has a familiar ring, doesn’t it? Confidential letters written so they could be leaked to the media? Same garbage now, as 23 years ago – hysterical claims that finances are a cause for alarm, the organization is going to fail and it’s all Wayne’s fault.

What we are going through is déjà vu for those of us who were on the Board in the early to mid 90’s.

Since many of you don’t have the institutional background with NRA, I wanted to share some things with you that are important for you to know. Without some perspective, based on our history, there may be a lack of understanding regarding these tactics and mistaken impressions of who is best able to run this organization. Here are some financial facts.

FINANCES (according to our CFO)

– Total Assets in 1991 were $125 million.
– Total Assets in 2018 were $326.8 million

– Net Assets in 1991 were $2.8 million
– Net Assets in 2018 were $144.7 million

– Total Revenue in 1991 was $87.1 million
– Total Revenue in 2018 was $412.3 million

We are on budget for 2019, a budget approved by the Board.

– In 1991, there were no documented Planned Gifts
– To date in 2019, there are $308 million in Planned Gifts

In 1993, we purchased our NRA headquarters building for $16.9 million (including closing costs). Today the building is valued at approximately $61.3 million.

I think this is particularly important because a faction on the Board was opposed to purchasing the building and moving out of DC. They argued that we couldn’t do our job on the Hill with a headquarters outside of DC. Further, they argued that property values were “going down” in Virginia and when we had to move back to DC, we’d never get our money out of the building. They predicted “financial ruin” if we bought the building. After an extensive and intense fight, Wayne prevailed and we bought the building.

MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS

Membership numbers were dropping when Wayne became CEO in 1991.

Warren Cassidy became CEO in 1986 when membership was at 2.8 million. By 1991 we had lost over a quarter of million members and membership was at 2.5 million.

Part of Wayne’s job was to rebuild membership. Today we have more than 5 million members. Membership is now more than double what it was when Wayne took over.

Here’s the bottom line: Wayne LaPierre became CEO in early 1991 and his success can’t be denied.

FROM THE BOTTOM UP

As I have told many of you in the past, Wayne is the only one who truly knows this organization from the bottom up.

Wayne LaPierre was hired by NRA in 1978 as a state liaison. I met Wayne at the NRA Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, in 1979. Wayne was a bright, energetic, patriotic and passionate young man who impressed me as a leader even back then.

It was at that meeting in San Antonio that I first met Charlton Heston. I was invited to have dinner with him, the NRA officers and a couple of Board members. I was introduced to Mr. Heston as NRA’s official activist in Florida. At that time, Florida was projected to be the next bastion of gun control in the nation – joining New York, New Jersey and California. My job was to stop that from happening.

In 1980, Wayne was promoted to Director of State and Local Affairs. Once he got settled into that position he and I worked out the plan to create and pass the “Shall Issue Right to Carry” legislation. Bob Dowlut, in the NRA General Counsel’s office worked with me on drafting the legislation because we planned for it to be a model for the nation.

Our plan also included passing a firearms preemption bill. Wayne wanted a “double” to make sure we made a statement that the NRA is on OFFENSE and would not stop until gun rights were protected.

Wayne was next promoted to Director of Federal Affairs and then to Executive Directive of ILA It was on Wayne’s watch that ILA passed the Firearm Owners Protection Act (also called the Volkmer – McClure bill). It was the most sweeping pro-gun reforms ever passed in a piece of federal legislation to protect the rights of everyday law-abiding gun owners.

Wayne remains one of the very few lobbyists in the history of our nation to pull off passage of a major piece of legislation by discharge petition.

After 5 years as head of ILA, Wayne became NRA’s Executive Vice-President (CEO). And look at all that we – the NRA – have accomplished on his watch.

More recently, we came together to help elect Donald Trump as President of the United States! Without the NRA, he would not have been elected. Wayne was the guy who pushed for the early and unprecedented endorsement of Donald Trump. Without Donald Trump – we would not have two newly confirmed members of the Supreme Court in whom we place great confidence. Add to that the numerous other judicial vacancies to be filled at the federal level and we know that this Presidency is pivotal.

Without the NRA – George W. Bush would not have been elected. Don’t take my word for it – take Bill Clinton’s. he acknowledged that the NRA played a major role in helping turn a handful of states from Al Gore’s grasp into George Bush’s hands. And, again – gun owners got two Supreme Court justices and numerous federal judicial appointments.

We passed Castle Doctrine and brought Right-to-Carry to more states. Passed range protection, preemption, anti-hunter harassment laws in numerous states. Let’s not forget that the NRA saved the entire American firearms industry – first state by state and then at the federal level.

Where the heck were all these people who are attacking Wayne and the NRA then?

And, now – he’s leading us against the most potent attack that we have faced. Mike Bloomberg and Andrew Cuomo ( along with New York AG Letitia James) want to destroy the NRA. And know this- they are gleeful over the dissidents among us who – for selfish reasons – are on the attack against Wayne. They know that if Wayne is off the playing field now, they will likely succeed in destroying the NRA before the crucial 2020 election.

Let’s face it. The finances, the membership numbers and all our accomplishments – along the respect and love our members have for him, are a clear indication that Wayne was the right person for the job – every job – he has held at NRA.

As strong and independent individuals, we may not always agree with every decision he makes, but when people want his job and then plot and scheme to oust him, you should recognize that no one – NO ONE – has accomplished as much for NRA as Wayne LaPierre. He has earned, our respect, our loyalty and our support.

~ Marion Hammer.

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Renov8

Another blowhard sucking WLP flacid position…making us the enemy of the NRA…now apropos. You all better right this ship, before we sink it for you.

You are no different than the Democrats…corrupt to the core.

PavePusher

Where’s my fucking money going, Marrion?!

TheRevelator

@Oldvet

Call it an all expenses paid cruise to see the Octopus’s Garden. He can serenade it to Marion on the way down.

mlhtd51

The NRA is like A “HORSE” It has been a Good Ride for a Long Time. But Now it’s {lame} has a Bad Leg and is No Longer Usable, so You can keep it, Feed & Water it, or get a Fresh Horse.

Mikial

And what “fresh horse” would you recommend we get? What other organization has the clout and lobbying power to fight the Anti-2A establishment? Better to get the horse to a good vet, excise the diseased parts and get back in the race. Fire WLP and get a new leadership team, but don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater and give the anti’s the divided house they want.

TheRevelator

@Mikial The house is already divided thanks to Wayne and several on the board like Marion. Like an idiot, you stand there parroting the idea that the NRA is the only group in town.. Well, the NRA has been working to help get certain parts of the “Anti-2A establishment’s” gun control agenda passed. Are you going to try and rationalize the anti-2nd amendment activity the NRA has had a direct hand in? Learn about what you are talking about before trying to make a bold statement. The house is already divided, so if you want a proper analogy then it… Read more »

Ansel Hazen

Well if we stick with the Horse analogy I’d say it’s more like we have a good horse, it’s just being kept in a barn with incompetent people running it. We need a new stableman, one who will take a more active interest in the care and well being of our horse.

JPM

Yet another attempt to defend LaPierre by one of his sycophants and toadies. It doesn’t matter what his history is Marion (most of us aren’t idiots and don’t buy your B.S. attempt to put lipstick on the pig LaPierre), it’s what he’s doing now and what he’s done as Kaiser/Czar of the NRA that’s the problem. Hell, Hitler liked dogs and children, but that didn’t excuse his behavior, and neither does Wayne’s past excuse what he’s become and done.

Carl up North

I’m sorry Marion Hammer but you are not connected to reality. The bullet has already struck but hasn’t reached your brain. Thank you for your ‘past’ performance but your last payday at member’s expense is coming unless you have a golden parachute like Wayne. Well as an Endowment Life Member I will not be contributing until Wayne and all his flunkies are removed, control is returned to the members and a real BOD and Chris Cox is appointed as interim EVP.

TheRevelator

@Blackswan Up North

Chris Cox was the front man for the NRA’s push to call for Red Flag Legislation, otherwise known as confiscation orders in violation of due process.

If you are dumb enough to call for Chris Cox to head the NRA, then you are part of the reason the NRA is in the condition it is in today. So, do you support infringements like Red Flag orders? If not, why on earth would you support those who do? Think before you speak.

Wild Bill

@Blackswan uN, There are five million people to choose from. Why choose any of the “big names” at all? Big Noise Cox knows how to steal, he learned it from Wayne.
Choose from the talented pool that is the membership if you want control returned to the membership.

Green Mtn. Boy

Marion Here is a list of the accomplishments in the degeneration/infringements of members and Americans 2 nd, rights that Negotiating Rights since 1934 can be proud of. Just Leave. History 1791: The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified. The amendment reads: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” After That 1871: The National Rifle Association was formed by Union Army veterans Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate. After that, they start going the other way The… Read more »

TheRevelator

@Green Mtn. Boy

Good job on your presentation. However, I’m sure you know as well as I that Marion Hammer is not an individual concerned with the truth, and will never acknowledge it considering she is one of the parasites thriving on the lie. As tacky as it is to turn it into a Matrix reference, she is still plugged into the system and is therefore an agent.

Green Mtn. Boy

Agreed an enabler and participant of the corruption with in the organization,they had better be careful miking it out between the state and Feds.some could face time behind bars.

Will Flatt

Which is why she should resign all of her connections to the NRA. She’s as dirty as Whiny LaPee-yew.

jack mac

Green Mtn. Boy’s lists of laws can be added to. The Lautenberg Amendment, making prohibited persons based on misdemeanors,1996 comes to mind. I have always thought the NRA should have been more staunch in defending the rights to arms. Now it is apparent its leadership has and is doing the opposite. Their promoting of the multi civil rights violating Red Flag law should be the end of BOD along with the executive officers. The NRA is too large of an organization to be lead and used by such people against defending our rights.

JIAZ

“The NRA, which has been rocked by allegations of exorbitant spending by top executives, also directed money in recent years that went to board members — the very people tasked with overseeing the organization’s finances.
NRA money flowed to board members amid allegedly lavish spending by top officials and vendors.”

Payments (that we know of) to Marion Hammer from NRA Funds 2016-2018
“Marion Hammer – $610,000.00”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/nra-money-flowed-to-board-members-amid-allegedly-lavish-spending-by-top-officials-and-vendors/2019/06/09/3eafe160-8186-11e9-9a67-a687ca99fb3d_story.html?utm_term=.49100f91ab1d

Wild Bill

Dear Marion, I had a lawn mower that no longer did what it was supposed to do. I threw it away. Do you get the picture?

Wild Bill

@wjd, I don’t know … maybe Marion, Wayne and the others don’t remember what a lawn mower is. Maybe I should have said pool boy or mistress!

Green Mtn. Boy

Absolutely perfect !

Nemo1948

Lot’s of accusations in these comments, but I see no proof of anything alleged here. Just sayin’!

Wild Bill

@Nemo, No proof?! The NRA has had 84 years, give or take, to get the unconstitutional National Firearms Act repealed. In those years, the NRA has accepted enough money to bribe, and bribe well, every member of Congress, president, and S. Ct. Justice that has served from that time to this! There is your proof.

Green Mtn. Boy

Nemo 1948

The problem of mismanagement has since the late 1970’s and available to anyone interested enough to read and the first instance,on the record recorded in testimony before congress occurred in 1934,this is not new.

JIAZ

For NRA to Live, LaPierre Needs to Resign – GTR Spotlight
Published on Jul 19, 2019
“You will not find out what’s going on at the NRA from the NRA, because they’re lying. They’re not telling you the truth.”
Tom Gresham
NRA Life Member, NRA Benefactor

TheRevelator

@JIAZ

You know, I wrote to Mr. Gresham a few years back, prior to the 2016 election. Tried to caution him that Donald Trump was not the 2A savior he was being made out to be. I’ve since had to watch Mr. Gresham change his opinion over the last couple of years,

Fortunately, Tom was one of the ones that when confronted with the truth had the strength to own up to it and make corrective action. Marion Hammer is not one of those.

JIAZ

@TheRevelator
“Tom was one of the ones that when confronted with the truth had the strength to own up to it and make corrective action. Marion Hammer is not one of those.”

AMEN

JIAZ

An Illustrated Guide to the NRA’s Lavish Spending and Cozy Deals
How NRA Executives and Board Of Directors Are Bleeding The Gun Group Dry
“NRA officials have been lining their pockets with lucrative compensation and ringing up six-figure expenses even as vendors drain millions more from the organization.”
https://www.thetrace.org/2019/05/nra-ackerman-lapierre-financial-misconduct-guide/

TheRevelator

Marion Hammer is a whore we have known about for a long time here. She has been one of the ones who sold herself to the corruption that took the NRA down the path to where it is today. She has no voice here amongst us, no integrity, no honor, and is viewed largely as a traitor. She is here, spouting the same lies from the last several years, as if repeating it will make it any more true, or distract from how she and Lapierre have personally gutted the NRA. Marion Hammer deserves to be counted as an enemy… Read more »

TheRevelator

@wjd That is specifically why I addressed that. Marion Hammer’s attempt to say “But Hillary!” when she referenced 2016 was a good example. They are already trying to blame us instead of taking responsibility for their own actions, and have been for years. Any time we criticized them or tried to highlight what they were doing wrong, we were told how we needed to sit down and shut up because we were too stupid to understand how the system works… When we caught them helping advance anti second amendment legislation they told us we needed to accept it because it… Read more »

TheRevelator

@wjd

I got that. Just consider that paragraph my own long winded way of telling Marion Hammer through my actions that she can KMA.

MikeRoss

La Pierre needs to retire. Even if everything Marion Hammer says is true, La Pierre still needs to go. He’s toxic and has too much baggage, his ‘cult of personality’ and abusive management style are just creepy. His silence when law abiding gun owners have been killed by police is disgraceful, as was his support for the bump stock ban. He let the BATFE rewrite the definition of an automatic weapon, which was written by Congress, without a peep. What might they rewrite next? Let him gracefully retire, but he must go.

MikeTX

Marion Hammer – FOPA/1986 froze the number of full-auto weapons in circulation, they’re now unaffordable collector items. As far as concealed carry legislation – the NRA opposed Alaska’s constitutional carry legislation. The NRA almost torpedoed the Heller decision. No mention of the on-going financial DISASTER under Wayne L. – his extravagant travel expenses, paying for his mistress’ apartment in Washington D.C., etc. I’d say you’ve had your day, Marion, time to retire along with Wayne LaPierre and let new leadership clean house.