NRA bankruptcy lets critics peer into gun lobby’s inner workings

There was a recent ballot measure in Montana designed to prevent individual cities from establishing their own gun law and regulations[1].<p>In support of this ballot measure, the NRA Big Sky Self-Defense Committee spent $52,632.37. In opposition, the Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund spent $208,357.84, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility spent 15,400.00,<p>I was personally very surprised because I had always been lead by the media to understand that the financials played out in the opposite manner, with huge funding coming from the big bad out of state NRA, and small local governments getting trampled.<p>[1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;ballotpedia.org&#x2F;Montana_LR-130,_Limit_Local_Government_Authority_to_Regulate_Firearms_Measure_(2020)" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;ballotpedia.org&#x2F;Montana_LR-130,_Limit_Local_Governme...</a>

As far as preserving civil liberties in America, I much preferred GOA over the NRA. While the NRA traditionally has been a great organization in preserving the heritage of marksmanship in America, somewhere in the late 90s or early 2000s the wheels came off. I don&#x27;t think the CEO of such an organization should be making $800k&#x2F;year.

As one of those who believe that self defense is an inalienable human right, I left the NRA years ago along with many in the gun community. They&#x27;re a laughing stock among the younger crowd (Negotiating Rights Away is a common epithet). They are seen as much more focused on fundraising and slush funds for executives, while being far too open to yet more compromise with too few successes. Meanwhile other organizations seem to be getting things done even if progress is slow.<p>All my &quot;gun advocacy&quot; money goes to:<p>- Gun Owners of America<p>- Second Amendment Foundation<p>- Firearms Policy Coalition<p>- Texas State Rifle Association (technically an NRA affiliate, but most infringements are state level and there are a number of important measures this legislative session in Texas).

I’m a Benefactor Life member of the NRA, have been for years.<p>I interact daily with one of the Board of Directors[0].<p>I agree with the people that are grayed out on the bottom of this page. Wayne and Marion have soaked the membership for decades.<p>The NRA is distinct from the NRA-ILA. Money for politics doesn’t directly come NRA dues.<p>[0]: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;nraontherecord.org&#x2F;knight-timothy-board-member&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;nraontherecord.org&#x2F;knight-timothy-board-member&#x2F;</a>

“We have a technical term for this. It’s called Open Kimono.” That’s such a weird thing to be a technical term. Is there some history to this phrase? Technical terms in my field tend to be more technical in nature and less focused on one’s schlong.

Good! Maybe we can determine how much money was spent on slush funds for the leadership instead of, you know, promoting pro 2A laws.

Not sure I believe the thesis of this article: in a bankruptcy the creditors get to delve into financial details. Okay, but how does this play into the hands of the NRA&#x27;s opponents? They are the last people likely to be creditors of the NRA. Not seeing the mechanism here.

<a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;Kw1evJgGwtw" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;Kw1evJgGwtw</a> some background from a lawyer

The article is something of a nothing sandwich imho. No new news, no deep analysis.<p>I&#x27;m still unclear how the bankruptcy is meant to dispel fraud charges. Or how they can close in New York and reopen in Texas (or anywhere else under US law) and escape their liabilities.<p>It would be very entertaining if someone bought the rights to the name and ran the NRA as a campaign group for safety and education...

Just to be clear and brief.<p>The NRA financials are solid. This bankruptcy is the response to a politically motivated attack to (illegally?) dissolve the NRA by the AG of New York since historically the NRA is registered in New York. NRA is using bankruptcy as a method to remove itself from NY and reestablish in Texas where there is solid support for second amendment rights from the state government.<p>Decide for yourself which actor is in the wrong.

It&#x27;s sad how much the modern NRA is used as a slush fund for campaign contributions and not advocating on behalf of gun rights at all. Good riddance.

Not Relevant Anymore