Back from the NRA Annual Meeting. For those playing at home, here’s some of the political highlights:
Wayne LaPierre released a letter stating that Oliver North and Ack-Mac told him to resign. If he didn’t, they would release material that would be “bad for him, and at least 2 of the board members on the executive committee.” Wayne responded the way you should to extortionists: publicly called them out on it.
North sent a minion to inform the board that he “would not be seeking re-election” as president of the org. Since his term would be up as of the end of the meeting, I consider this the same as resigning. Given the situation, I would also consider this resignation as being in disgrace. He is still a board member for another 3 years (unless the ethics committee decides to remove him). That said, given that he failed to make an appearance after Friday, including the president’s dinner, and board meeting, I doubt he will show his face again.
During the general member’s meeting, there were several calls for LaPierre to step down, an investigation into a couple committees, and other series issues. These were all sent to the board to be dealt with.
I have seen reports that the executive committee of the board quickly closed the doors on the rest of the board during the board meeting, and the committees that were called out in the general members meetings were basically told to investigate themselves. Surprising no one, the boards found nothing wrong.
The entire slate of the executive committee and vice presidents were re-elected unanimously, and uncontested. All I’ll say about that is that it’s hard to see change when no one new puts their hat into the ring.
Caroline Meadows was elected as president. I don’t know enough about her to really comment, but from what little I’ve seen, it’s probably business as usual.
Oh, and the New York AG has announced that she’s investigating the NRA, with the possibility of considering whether or not the NRA should maintain it’s tax exempt non-profit status. It’s no secret that New York politicians are no friends of the NRA, and I’m sure that they’re smelling blood in the water.
My personal take on all of this? There was a lot of talk that this year might end up being as famous as the Cincinnati revolt. It’s clear to me that the board is trying as hard as it can to stop that from happening. I have espoused that the NRA needs a serious leadership change for a long time. LaPierre’s speech after Sandy Hook blaming the shooting on “those damn violent movies and video games” lost us a lot of friends that weren’t really gun people. The leadership has repeatedly proven itself to be out of touch.
That said, the NRA is currently in a bad spot. It’s in a lawsuit with what is essentially its PR and outreach branch, its President had to step down in disgrace, and its enemies are circling. Also having to scramble to replace the Executive VP might be a bit much, and, as much as I want to see LaPierre gone, North and Ack-Mack were possibly worse.
Next year’s NRAAM should be… interesting, as well.
Hopefully, when everything is said and done, the NRA will be better and stronger. If we’re lucky, it will be an org that focuses on the 2nd amendment, and leave all the “conservative principles” stuff to other groups.
Next post should be on products I saw at the con.