former NRA lobbyist says NRA more about own pockets than gun owners

[gejohnston]

http://www.amazon.com/Ricochet-Confessions-Lobbyist-Richard-Feldman/dp/0471679283

Among the many dirty little secrets that Feldman exposes are the phenomenal salaries received by CEO Wayne LaPierre and other high-ranking NRA officials. These generous remunerations, which place NRA executives among the highest-paid officials of any tax-exempt organization, are funded by biannual "crisis du jour" fund-raising drives, in which members are exhorted to donate additional funds to fend off the latest alleged threat to their Second Amendment rights.

http://www.independentfirearmowners.org/
As far as I can tell, their board of directors don't include has been fourth rate rockers, bat shit crazy neocons, or any of the baggage the NRA has for the past 35 years.
I found the interview interesting.

[iiibbb]

1. Many interest groups are about the organization first and

the cause second.

Pretty much any organization that sends a gift for joining.... Sierra Club, etc etc.

I was only an NRA member when it was required by my gun club... which gave me access to a safe shooting range. I joined at a ultra minimum level they don't publicize and the must have spent every penny trying to get me to upgrade.

[jimmy the one]

2. nra, go away ... but it won't

In Ricochet, a onetime NRA lobbyist and avid Second Amendment defender unmasks the inner workings, influence, and goals of this highly secretive political behemoth. From internecine warfare, media manipulation, and executive bankrolling to gun control bills and school massacres, Richard Feldman, former NRA regional political director and lobbyist for the firearm industry, exposes the NRA as a cynical, mercenary political cult obsessed with wielding power while exploiting members' fear in order to maximize contributions.

I'll bet nra counterpunched that feldman's motivated by money himself (illicit I add). Pot kettle pot kettle kettle pot they go.
Zat you johnston? good post man. Jack Anderson had a good related book about 1996 - "Inside the NRA, Armed & Dangerous". But (in retrospect) Jack's doesn't seem as revealing as this one seems to be (definitly on my read list once it comes out to library or goes for a couple bucks pback or used, won't pay $18 for it).

Looking back over his long association with the NRA, Feldman .. He explains how the NRA's inflexible positions have placed the nation's most prominent representative of law-abiding gun owners in increasing opposition to law enforcement, gun makers, and moderate Republicans. The upshot is that the NRA is not an effective advocate for its members' interests. Obsessed with fund-raising, scare-mongering, and wielding political power, NRA leadership undermines commonsense solutions that would protect gun-owners' rights while reducing accidental shootings and gun violence.

Ricochet is not for gun control advocates: It is a wake-up call for gun owners who cherish their Second Amendment rights. The message is that the NRA has betrayed your trust, misused your hard-earned donations, and strengthened the hand of those who would take your guns away..

Well, aside from the fact that if anyone 'cherishes' an individual interpretation of the 2nd amendment he believes in revisionist history, I support what this review contends. The nra is indeed betraying it's members trust. And regrettably I have to say that a lot of nra members are family members of adult members, or otherwise not really up to speed on the guncontrol issue outside the propaganda their adult member feeds them, and some of them members are just not 'up to speed', generally.

[Pullo]

3. Feldman is an interesting guy

He was one of the NRA's top lobbyists up until the late 90's. I believe he was ousted from the NRA after he worked with the White House and firearm manufacturers to come up with a deal to have a trigger lock included with every new gun. By quietly removing a rather trivial issue from the table that could be used to attack the NRA, Feldman felt the agreement was in everyone's best interest, so he saw no issue it. When the NRA leadership became aware, they were livid and saw Feldman's actions as a betrayal.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. self preservation is the key to all Lobbying. It is their job, duh.

derp. derp. derpity-derp.

[GreenStormCloud]

5. The First Rule of any organization is to preserve the life of the organization.

If the NRA were to get everything on its wish list it would lose its reason for existing and would dry up. Their own success is a threat to their existance. They desperately need an enemy to be against, and the modern gun control movement is making lots of enemy noises.

[gejohnston]

6. they lost me when they clutch their pearls and fear monger over stuff

they, NSSF, and Feldman asked for.