U.S.A. – -(Ammoland.com)- “By now voting-eligible NRA members should have received their election ballots for the 2020 National Rifle Association Board of Directors election in your monthly magazines,” AmmoLand Shooting Sports News reported Saturday. “NRA members must complete and return their ballots by on or before March 29th, 2020. Any votes returned after that date will not be opened or counted.”
More than one reader has asked me who I recommend. My response has always been I’ll support whoever satisfactorily answers my NRA BOD Questionnaire, an offshoot of a politician questionnaire I developed years ago. Since I’ve been asked, what follows are MY criteria. As always, feel free to use them or modify them as you see fit to determine who the candidates who best speak for you are. I would recommend that if you send them out to make note of who shines you on and then make that known and vote accordingly.
- Do you believe that the Constitution is the “supreme Law of the Land” and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges our birthrights?
- If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government?
- Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.
- Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them openly or concealed without a permit?
- Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry full-auto weapons of militia utility?
- Do you agree with current NRA management’s call to “enforce existing gun laws”?
- Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why?
- What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?
- If elected to the NRA Board, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?
- Do you agree with the way NRA assigns political ratings? If not, what would you change and why? Can you give an example of a politician you would have given a different rating to, what would it been and why?
- Do you disagree with any policies being promulgated by NRA management? What is your biggest area of dissent? Have you offered superior alternatives and worked with others to implement them?
- What reforms do you think are needed at NRA and why?
- If elected, how will you inform members of your performance and voting record? Will you let us know when you dissent and why?
- Do you agree that politicians should be held accountable in their NRA grades for immigration actions that undermine the Second Amendment? If “No,” and if falling back on the “single-issue” excuse, provide credible and testable evidence – not anecdotes and not just opinions – to show that will not happen.
This last one is the one that will prove the most controversial, with prominent voices advising it’s not relevant. To anyone who says that, have I got a challenge for you – one that so far, some have tried to talk around, redirect, or ignore and segue into non-sequiturs, but none have provided any proof to substantiate their opinion.
Look at what is happening now in Virginia. No less an enemy of the right to keep and bear arms than The New York Times crowed:
“Unlike three decades ago, the residents are often from other places, like India and Korea. And when they vote, it is often for Democrats … ‘Guns, that is the most pressing issue for me,’ said Vijay Katkuri, 38, a software engineer from southern India, explaining why he voted for a Democratic challenger in Tuesday’s elections.”
As just one prominent example, it makes no sense for NRA to give superlatives to Marco Rubio for what he does with one hand when what he does with the other undermines all of that in the long run. He betrays us on things like chain migration, unnecessary worker visas, refugee and asylum fraud, illegal immigration rewards, and a “path to citizenship” for illegals. To present him as our great friend in light of supporting a 70% Democrat influx is indefensible.
Of course, there are good immigrants and they don’t all lean Democrat. Hell, there are some great immigrants, people I strive to be worthy of knowing. There just aren’t enough of them overall to offset the tide of Third World huddled masses yearning to breathe free stuff. That’s because the vote-exploiting Democrats and labor-exploiting Republicans have not made the ability to assimilate to a Bill of Rights culture a priority. They haven’t even made it a consideration. And if you tried to make Constitutionally-compatible ideology a precondition to admittance, an activist federal judge would loudly strike it down — even though any government action that does not “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” would rightfully and clearly be condemned by the Founders as illegitimate.
Until that’s worked out, giving an “A” grade to any politician who wants to let them all in and put them on track to vote is flat-out suicidal. And until NRA acknowledges this, the inexorable slide to a Democrat supermajority where they can do whatever they want – including sidelining the Electoral College – will continue to the point of no return. Any director candidate who ignores that – and also ignores my challenge – won’t get my vote because I don’t think he deserves a place on the Board.
But as I said at the start, I hardly expect my input on this to make any difference at all. Some people asked and this is my answer.
About David Codrea:
David Codrea is the winner of multiple journalist awards for investigating/defending the RKBA and a long-time gun owner rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament. He blogs at “The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance,” is a regularly featured contributor to Firearms News, and posts on Twitter: @dcodrea and Facebook.
NRA has lost it’s way.
I am a Life member and won’t spend any time Or money with them.
I use to “round-up” or “add a buck” no more. The NRA called looking for donations and they always ask for hundreds of dollars. On one call I asked if Lapierre had resigned yet.
Our gun club recently amended their by-laws from NRA membership being a requirement to any recognized pro gun ord., like GOA, etc.
Then stop snivelling and DO something.
Organize a group and, at the annual meeting, call for a floor motion to remove WLP.
I have been at several NRA Annual Meetings and my voice, alone, gets lost in the din. Now that I am much older, I would rather teach kids to shoot and teach them the Constitution.
It’s not sniveling. What a ridiculous comment.
OK folks, successive immigration acts supported by progressives and leftists of both parties have changed the mix in our country. Intentionally. Diversity took over the Immigration Act of 1965 and hence forth people no longer come here to be Americans, they come here for a pay check and other irrelevant motives. We now have members of Congress who spit on our Constitution daily and call it progress. The Reagan Amnesty, and lets be honest, it was the great icon of the Republican party Ronald the Magnificent who signed off on the amnesty that flipped California not just blue but boshevik,… Read more »
In 2016, only 43% of Republicans voted. In 2018, it was 37%. The communist democrats took over the house because conservatives did not vote. So, over HALF of conservatives DID NOT vote. Our own apathy and laziness is allowing the country to become a latin American communist crap hole. Entire parts of large cities are filled with anti-America muslims. As we all know “For English, press one”. In EVERY democrat-controlled city & state, the democrats are busy registering illegal aliens to vote. They are buying electronic voting machines so they can control or alter the vote. Until Republicans stop sitting… Read more »
One reason many Republicans don’t vote is all the idiot leaders with zero strategy, zero focus, telling them that voting alone satisfies their civic duty, that all they have to do is bother to vote in lost locales like Los Angeles and most of Cali, where it wouldn’t matter if EVERY R voted. Same idiots and corrupt pocket-liners who tell Cali Rs to “call or fax your representatives”, which only gives aid & comfort to the enemy, let’s them know how feckless we are. As if committed border subversives in totally safe districts, like DiFi, are going to actually consider… Read more »
Gun rights in the USA will not survive the density implied by a population of even 500 million people, let alone billions.
Whatever the outcome of NY vs NRA I believed the organization is crippled for the remainder of its life as a non profit. I think the ILA should become its own organization and the remainder of the NRA that directly serve civilian training and law enforcement remain and the rest of the wasteful appendages shut down. Does the NRA need 3 magazines, and a sales outlet for NRA branded Chinese junk ? Or wine sales ? Does it need a board larger than 5 ? Is the museum profitable? If not raise the fees. And lastly, get the hell out… Read more »
Within ten years? Make it within five years, tops. Better prepare NOW for the soon to arrive general unpleasantness.
Correct. Well stated. This has been boiling for decades. I keep trying to convince people that the ideas coming from the left are not new. The same boilerplate has been floating around campuses and coffee shops since the 1960’s and got its real push with the formation of the Progressive New Left. The problem is us. We conservatives generally do not pay attention to the opposition. Far too many of us write them off as “libs” and think that by “owning” them, personally insulting them, we can win on the battlefield of ideology. We can’t. It is our ideas that… Read more »
The NRA needs to stop helping vampires pocket a billion dollars in member donations and dues every 2-3 years. If that money went to 2A, Virginia would be solid pro-gun right now.
I’m a Patron member of the NRA but I’m done with them for all intents and purposes. I’m out so long as WL is at the helm and they function like Disneyland for gun owners but fail to do what they should to protect our liberty.
Every piece of their correspondence goes in the trash and so will this year’s ballot unless I decide to return it with a note enclosed reminding them of their duty and telling them to kiss my ass.
Then, stop snivelling and organize NRA members to demand a floor motion to remove WLP. I have gone to several Annual Meetings and tried to call for a floor vote, but when they place you in the back, it gets lost in the noise. If there were 100 or more, it would get noticed. Here, you tell NRA to “kiss my ass”, but you refuse to do anything.
You all whine & complain but do nothing. Inaction is why WLP is the cancer he is.
Definately time to go to nashville! Taking a drink of water and going back to sleep isnt a option
So anyone who criticizes NRA is sniveling and we have to keep sending money to vampires unless we go to the meeting and do what you say? Lead from the front, big boy. You’re all mouth & no cattle, loaded for bear with snippy insults & excuses for why YOU should lead from behind and someone ELSE should organize. Oh, that’s right, you say you tried to do something & FAILED. But that’s everyone else’s fault. I’ve been to plenty meets. Been there, done it. I don’t believe you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=LayQw8qz4Oc&feature=emb_logo
Mike wrote: “…and so will this year’s [NRA] ballot [go in the trash]…” But Edmund Burke wrote (in 1770): “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Please don’t not vote. Over the years here in New Hampshire, I’ve seen several state rep elections decided by just one vote. For the NRA board, as many others have recommended, just “bullet-vote” for the one or two candidates you most trust.
Burke is WRONG.
In any situation involving evil, a GOOD MAN will not stand idl by and do nothing. If anyone DOES stand idly by and do nothing, he is NOT a “good man”. A GOOD MAN will DO what is necessary, even at great cost to himself, in the face if evil.
I like the way Bob Dylan put it:
you MUST pick one of the other, their ain’t NO neutral ground”.
FOr me or against me. Nothing in between. Select your side of the fence, then live there.
NRA has to pay to have the ballots counted. Every ballot sent in is a dollar less that Lucky LaPierre and his fellow vampires can pocket.
a fine whinge on the sidelines will not fix a thing, despite making YOU “feel better” cause you DID sumthin. Get off your thick end, study the candidates figure out which ones are worthy of YOUR vote, and then return your ballot, even if you only vote for ONE. When your voice/vote, along with a few million others, remain silent the festering continues. That disease is terminal. Three months ago Bloomburg bought our state another REALLY nasty gun bill. I found out only 23% (twenty three percent, less than one in four) gun owners even voted. THAT is the root… Read more »
When u can’t fire ur employees mainly Pew Pew Pierre & the BOD & Lavish Cat toy hidden expenditures to the cat lady..Marge hammerhead then u don’t own the company u bought & paid for!
The NRA is exactly like Big Gov..they forgot they work for us!
Where were they when Virginia was being sold out in their backyard where their HQ is?
They need to get back in the fight hard & stop the BS or just give their assets & members to the GOA,SAF,FPC,VCDL.
Here’s where they were: Lucky Pierre and his vampire pals were and still are pocketing ~$1B every 2-3 years. Had that money been spent for 2A, Virginia and the USA as a whole would be solid pro-gun Republican.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LayQw8qz4Oc
All gun laws are unconstitutional. The government has no authority over who owns or carries a firearm, or what type of firearm, or what capacity it has, per the 2nd amendment.
Mr Codrea…
Excellent Article, as always.
I’m suppose to be a life member but have not received magazine, no calls for donation, or any contact from NRA in 20 years or more. I fill I have wasted money sending to them. Why would I want to send them anymore?
Awwwww! Please send us your money! -Lucky LaPierre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LayQw8qz4Oc
AMEN! Now watch how many morons (members and non-members) will continue to support the NRA under LaPierre and try to justify either LaPierre’s actions or their continued support of this lying thief.
It is an absolute fact that of the 3 million members eligible to vote only 120,000 do so! This year if members would pick only one or two of their favorites (based on the candidates write ups) and send in their ballot, the crap would hit the director fan and maybe we would see some changes. Just voting for one or two on the ballot super strengthens the ballot choices statistically. And these go to a big name independent accounting house so don’t sweat the blank spaces. Just vote dammit!
Mr. Codrea, thanks for answering those who asked. Your input is welcomed. It make a difference whether the negative activity of our NRA board is to be known or not. By not sending my ballot is a vote of no confidence in the board. It should note how much of a farce I thank the election is.
I’m inclined to agree with you on farce of an election. I disagree with you sending your ballot back with zero votes (a little). There are some on this ballot who are far more despicable than most, like Charles Cotton. I hope he ends up at the bottom of the list. So, with that in mind, I’m sad that you’ve sent your ballot in with zero votes. It helps Cotton.
@jm, Tait and Cushman were nominated by petition of the membership, rather than the nominating committee. If we bullet vote for those two, only, then we deny the NRA nominating committee candidates votes. And your ballot would not be wasted.
Your ballot goes to Deloit and Toosh (apologies for spelling) for counting, and the NRA will not get your message. If you vote for only member petition nominees, the NRA will get your message.
Forgot to put my reply in all caps so it would be more compelling. Fixing now…
DEFINITELY LESS FECKLESS THAN NRA, BUT GOA REFUSES TO KEEP IT’S PROMISE TO GRADE DELUGE IMMIGRATION AS *THE* INDIRECT GUN RIGHTS ISSUE. THEY SEEM TO BE APPEASING LOUDMOUTH LOLIBERTARIAN MEMBERS.
Definitely less feckless than NRA, but GOA refuses to keep it’s promise to grade deluge immigration as THE indirect gun rights issue. They seem to be appeasing their loudmouth LOLibertarian members.
Yes, immigrants heavily support Democrats — not because of “Gun Control” but because most immigrants are poor and the Democrats support Bread & Circuses. And, of course, the simple fact that Republicans manage to consistently come across as anti-immigrant (not just anti-illegal-immigration) makes supporting Democrats an obvious choice. I don’t know a lot of immigrants personally, but those I have spoken with generally have similar views on gun rights as Americans. Women, especially among the poor, are concerned about “gun violence” and know nothing about guns so they support anyone who says they have a plan to make guns just… Read more »
David is taking a strong anti illegal alien stand.
That’s a big distinction. And David never comes across as anti-immigrant.
And by the way, the same is true regarding Michelle Malkin.
Be VERY careful here.
Actually, Codrea is well aware that mass legal immigration is nearly as irreversibly destructive to our liberty, quality of life, and country as illegal immigration.
I think you will agree that wanting to slash legal immigration to non-suicidal levels has nothing to do with being anti-immigrant. Of course there are lots of good immigrants, but the numbers are simply too large to even try to screen for being potentially good citizens, let alone assimilate bad ones.
Loc, please do not refer to immigration as if it is the same as migration. This misleads people, as too often intended.
Delusional LOLibertarian blame-the-victim appeasement theory backed by a couple ridiculous anecdotes. The empirical evidence is overwhelming that at the deluge levels we’ve been subjected to for the 60 years, immigrants and their kids will continue voting overwhelmingly Democrat even though it means voting for the crap they came from. Far too many bring corrupt culture with them and inflict it on us. Republicans have sucked up to both legals & illegals for 34 years. Appeasement got us nothing. See California. Few are grateful enough to vote for even the worst “cheap labor” Republican rent boys like Darryl Issa, who can… Read more »
2) Your comment is a handwaving smokescreen to ignore David’s challenge. Wanting to slash legal immigration to non-suicidal levels has nothing to do with being anti-immigrant. There are lots of good immigrants, but the deluge is an order of magnitude too large to even try to screen for being potentially good citizens, let alone assimilate bad immigrants and destructive cultures. This isn’t frontier America. We have 350 million people. The beautiful California I grew up in is now a third-world rat-race S-hole where many jobs are denied “white people” by open racists “of color”. Why continue squeezing people in until… Read more »
THE single most important question to ask anyone running for election is, “Will you do everything in your power, if elected, to remove Wayne LaPierre and stop the corruption and abuse within the NRA?” Since this question wasn’t addressed in any form in the author’s BOD Questionnaire, it makes me wonder about David Codrea and his relationship to LaPierre and his opinion of the NRA being factual and non-biased. Sounds to me like he’s part of the problem and is avoiding addressing the core solution to any of the NRA’s current problems.
Whine la Pee Pee is not the PROBLEM, he is a SYMPTOM of the problem, and David understands this. the BOD are too big, need to cut down to about half or so, and it would appear most of them are of the sort that would keep laPeePee around indefinitely, or replace him with a practical equivalent. Any BOD membres who would correctly answer David’s criteria would go onto the Board to get rid of not just laPeePee but all things related to him ethically, ,orally, functionally.. sure they could dump the present figurehead, only to replace him with a… Read more »
Hey JPM, you start out with a good question then turn it into the single most idiotic comment I’ve ever seen on Ammoland.
So, you can read. How about comprehension, or do you need to look that up first before you can answer, or are you just one of Wayne’s closet supporters with brown stain on your lips?
Sure. Those post cards really scare the communist democrat gun-haters.