The NRA is a campaign arm of the Republican Party.

[MineralMan]

Perhaps not officially, but in fact. Anyone who is a member of the NRA is a donor to campaigns for Republicans, as well as to lobbying for right-wing causes in general. That, alone, is reason for all Democrats to eschew membership in that organization. Your membership in the NRA fights against your stated politics, and hurts chances of Democrats being elected to office.

It is that simple.

[Hoyt]

1. With NRA board members like Grover Norquist, John Bolton, Ollie North, etc., you are exactly right.

The NRA spent millions this last election to defeat Obama and other good Democrats.

[MineralMan]

2. Precisely. The NRA is a sworn enemy of the Democratic Party

and of progressivism in general.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. Your comments on contributions are false

The NRA is non profit and none of the dues go to any campaign related issues. The books are open and I assume VPC and Brady not to mention the Feds have reviewed them thoroughly.

There are political action funds and foundations associated with the NRA. Participation is voluntary. NRA pushes them hard, but none of its basic dues can go to them. Again the books are open. It might be interesting to review how many contributors and who they are.

Claims that the NRA is making millions due to gun and ammunition sales is false hyperbole, but it does make for a good screed.


This morning I saw the first accurate post here on DU about the role of the NRA with Fed/State/Local governments ever. The poster hit the key issues that I have never seen addressed here before. Its languishing in obscurity, no doubt it part to the OP.

[Major Nikon]

7. "none of the dues go to any campaign related issues"

You mean like creme-de-la-dumb LaPierre's salary?

WINGNUT BEDTIME STORIES 4:41 pm September 23, 2011
NRA Chief: Obama Trying To Steal Your Guns By Not Stealing Your Guns

Here’s a novel theory from the terminally paranoid crackpot head ogre at the NRA: President Obama’s refusal to steal all of their guns is really just his massive conspiracy to steal all their guns. This is how it works: Obama lulls all of the gun owners into a perilous sense of security by never proposing gun control legislation of any kind during the course of his entire term and even helpfully neglects to reinstate Bill Clinton’s pansy-ass elitist assault weapons ban, and THEN — wait for it — while everybody is casually making small talk about that hilarious time Bob shot his neighbor for letting his dog poop on Bob’s lawn, WHAM, Obama rocket launches storm trooper Ban Ki Moon and his feared army of U.N. bureaucrats straight at the guns and cold STEALS EVERY ONE OF THEM before setting fire to the Constitution to “erase the evidence.” Really, that’s how it happens!

Probably! We heard this ogre with the fancy name, Wayne LaPierre, complain about the U.N. (Ha ha, we like the idea of Ban Ki Moon as a storm trooper) and then got a little bored with this rambling, fearful speech given to a bunch of gun owners to warn them against voting for Obama in 2012 even though they would never ever vote for Obama and Obama has not tried to still their guns… yet. YET. YET, GUYS.

http://wonkette.com/453659/nra-chief-obama-trying-to-steal-your-guns-by-not-stealing-your-guns

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. It is not considered political contributions either direct or in kind

If the NRA went one nanometer over the line, they would be pilloried. That they have not indicates they are staying within the law.

VPC, Brady, ACLU, WWF and others are all under and following the same law.

[Major Nikon]

12. Nobody claimed as much

So just another strawman, professor.

Paying NRA dues helps elect Republicans immensely more than Democrats and furthers wingnut causes infinitely more than progressive ones. Nothing you posted changes that.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. MM and others do

[Major Nikon]

18. "Perhaps not officially"

I guess you missed that part even though it was clearly stated right up front.

Sorry, professor, but you don't get to conveniently skip words and then point to technicalities in the NRA's charter without someone raising the BS flag.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

21. Its far from a technicality and there are many posters claiming profit and such

Feds tore into the mob leaders using tax law. I am sure the AG would do the same with the NRA if they were not following the law. Its not charter technicalities its black letter law and every organization like them, those I named follow it too.

For one who claims to pick their words carefully, I am not sure you are reading in depth or for content

[Major Nikon]

24. Wow!

Your claim was that MM was factually wrong when he wasn't.

You claimed this twice no less.

So now you want to pretend you were talking about someone else?

Really?

You really just can't admit when you're wrong, can you? Even when it's comically apparent.

Feel free to keep claiming the NRA isn't a wingnut organization because the law says they must not be. I find it completely hilarious. ALEC is a non-profit also. I'm sure you think they are legally required to be free from wingnuttery as well.

At least you're amusing, and that's what I like most about you.

[MineralMan]

8. Uh-huh... You're being disingenuous.

Look at the Board of Directors of that organization. For Pete's sake, we've watched the NRA fight against progressive candidates for years. Your individual donation may not go directly to campaign funds, but your membership lends the weight of numbers to the NRA's support for conservative candidates nationwide. It supports the NRA's lobbying efforts. How much of that lobbying is in favor of progressive things?

Both you and I know how lobbying organizations operate. We also both know the political positions taken by the NRA. Trying to blow smoke up my leg won't work.

[Harmony Blue]

5. Rubio was robo calling NRA members to vote in the election and to protect your rights for gun

ownership.

[MineralMan]

6. Yup.

[byeya]

9. When the NRA called ATF and FBI agents "jack booted thugs" Pres. George HW Bush resigned

his membership in the NRA.

Times have changed haven't they and we need more than an President who considers himself "a 1980s moderate Republican"

[MineralMan]

10. Here is a list of the current NRA Board of Directors

I don't know all of these people. I do know some of them by their activities, though. Maybe you know others:

Joe Allbaugh is a former FEMA director, current board member and serves as a lobbyist.
Buster Bachhuber is a retired Wisconsin Attorney and current board member.
Carol Bambury is a professor at Thomas Cooley School of Law and current NRA board of directors member.
Bob Barr is a former Georgia Republican Representative and current board member.
Ronnie Barrett is the founder of Barrett Firearms and current NRA board of directors member.
Clel Baudler is an Iowa H.O.R. Republican representative and current NRA board of directors member.
Ken Blackwell is a former S.O.S. for the state of Ohio and serves on the Republican National Comm. And is a current board member.
Matt Blunt Former Missouri republican Governor and current member of the NRA board.
John Bolton is a former U.N ambassador and a Fox News Channel contributor and serves as the Chairman of the International Affairs Committee for the NRA.
Dan Boren is an Oklahoma Representative and Democrat as well as a current board member for the NRA.
Bob Brown is the head of the Soldier of Fortune Magazine and current NRA board member.
Pete Brownell is the Brownell’s Inc. President and Grandson of the famous gunsmithing supplies outlet’s founder. He is a current NRA board member.
John Burtt is the Board Chairman for the .50 Caliber institute. Mr. Burtt is a current NRA board of directors member
Dave Butz is a former player in the NFL and a current board member.
Richard Childress is a former NASCAR driver and current board member for the NRA.
Larry Craig is a former Idaho Senator and Republican and is a current board member.
“Gunny” Lee Ermey is a current board member for the NRA, a well known gun figurehead and industry specific celebrity as well as an actor, who played a Gunny Sergeant in the Kubrick film “Full Metal Jacket”, a role that made him a famous firearms and military icon.
Manny Fernandez is a lobbyist and current NRA board of directors member.
Sandy Froman is a female former president of the National Rifle Association and a current board member.
Jim Gilmore is a Virginia former Governor and a Republican; current board member.
Marion Hammer is a female board member for the NRA as well as a current lobbyist and former NRA President.
Graham Hill is a current NRA board member and a Director for the .50 Caliber Institute as well as a lobbyist.
Steve Hornady is the President of Hornady Ammunition and the son of the Founder of the company. Mr. Hornady is also a Board member for the National Rifle Association.
Roy Innis is the Charmain of the C.O.R.E. and a current member of the NRA Board of directors.
Joaquin Jackson is a current B.O.D. member of the NRA and is a prominent Texas Ranger formerly.
David Keene is the Current President of the National Rifle Association and a lobbyist.
Tom King is NY state Rifle and Pistol Assn. and currently on the NRA board of directors.
Herbert Lanford is the NRA’s State Assn. president and current member of the NRA B.O.D.
Wayne LaPierre is the Current and longstanding Executive VP and the CEO of The NRA, and functions as a lobbyist for the gun industry.
Karl Malone is a current board member and former NBA superstar for the Utah Jazz.
John Milius is a movie industry powerhouse with several hit movies on his resume as a producer, director or screenwriter. Mr. Milius is a current member of the board of the NRA.
Buz Mills is a board member and the owner of the famous Gunsite, a training facility catering to the gun industry and civilians, military and law enforcement.
Cleta Mitchell is a female NRA board member and an Attorney.
Grover Norquist is Founder of the Americans for Tax Reform organization and author. Mr. Norquist is a very influential member of the civilian community and is a current board member. Many believe Grover Norquist to be one of the most powerful political influencers in the United States.
Chuck Norris is an actor and popular cult figure and celebrity. He is a Celebrity Spokesperson and figurehead for the National Rifle Assn.
Oliver North is a patriot and a current member of the board. He is a well known figure in the Iran Contra debacle.
Ted Nugent is a Rock and Roll Icon in America, and carries that rockstar attitude and In your face style to the NRA’s camp. He is a board member for the NRA currently.
John Nugent Indiana Senator and Board member.
Jay Printz, a former Montana Sheriff and a board member.
Todd Rathner is an NRA board member and a lobbyist for the industry as well as the owner of a Safari guide company.
Kayne Robinson is a former president of the NRA and is a divisional Executive Director currently.
Wayne Anthony Ross is an NRA board of directors member and an attorney heavily involved in Alaskan politics and militia works.
Ron Scmeits is a board member and a banking executive.
Tom Selleck is an American Actor and celebrity board member for the NRA.
John Sigler, a former NRA president is a member of the board.
Don Young, Alaska Representative and NRA board of directors member.

Source: http://www.netgunsmith.com/2012/04/the-nra-election-and-the-nra-board-of-directors/

[Skittles]

13. a Who's Who of rightwing wackjobs

[Major Nikon]

15. Head-ogre LaPierre shows up as a prominent speaker at CPAC every year

The NRA's close association with ALEC speaks for itself as well.

Yet there are some who would have us believe all of this is just coincidence and the NRA is really deep down a great ally of progressive causes. You can't make shit up this funny.

[Skittles]

17. gun nuts remind me of addicts

they'll do and say anything to justify what they do

[Major Nikon]

20. Reminds me more of religious nuttery

Addicts don't escape reality permanently.

[Skittles]

23. I think religious nuttery is a form of addiction

[Raine1967]

22. Jeebus. This could be its own OP

This shakes me to the core.

[MineralMan]

25. Done. It's a scary list, isn't it?

[hughee99]

16. Can you even imagine joining a group for one reason

and then finding out that the group spends much of it's time supporting candidates that you oppose? Even worse, could you imagine being forced to join that group?

[SpartanDem]

19. Even if you support gun ownership

Last edited Sat Dec 15, 2012, 05:20 PM - Edit history (1)

like I do there is no legitimate reason for a Democrat to be an NRA member and support the massive lies spewed by the likes of Wayne LaPierre

[byeya]

30. I certainly agree with this

[Scuba]

31. Not only that, but I can make a good case that the NRA is actually doing gun owners a disservice...

... as their nutjobbery will eventually result in gun laws that go far beyond what is necessary and appropriate.

[patrice]

26. We should ask EVERY candidate straight up, "How much money do you receive from the NRA?"

[valerief]

27. Because of Citizens United, they won't really know just HOW much money is supporting

their campaign from the NRA.

Of course, there's opensecrets.org.
http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?cycle=2012&type=P&id=D000000082

[patrice]

28. Why can't we tell them to find out & then publish whether they do so or not?

[valerief]

29. Tell whom? Because of Citizens United all kinds of foreign money is campaigning against

interests of Americans. We're not allowed to know who's paying for our electioneering, according to the criminal SCOTUS.