Opinion
USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- I’m in the fight, and my choice to lead the NRA is ……
I read with amused interest the recent speculation on who should lead the National Rifle Association of America if longtime stalwart Wayne LaPierre were to leave (he’s not). As a staunch defender of constitutional rights, a longtime member of the NRA and other gun rights organizations, and current board member of the NRA, I’m weighing in.
My choice is Wayne LaPierre.
If you are in a state which now allows some form of concealed carry (yes, it is on the books in all 50), thank Wayne LaPierre. If you own a semi-automatic rifle or handgun, thank Wayne LaPierre. Both issues were and are bitterly opposed by the gun control lobby. If you are a hunter, collector, or sports shooter, thank Wayne LaPierre because the NRA (unlike other gun organizations) does so much more than only advocating for gun rights. Don’t read me wrong here, many organizations helped in our decades of success and to minimize our losses. However, and this is inarguable, it was Wayne LaPierre who led us to this point.
He is capable and energized. He is healthy and younger than many leaders of countries, legislatures, or multinational corporations. President Trump, leading the nation and world, is older. Pelosi and Feinstein are way WAY older. Warren Buffet is knocking on 90. Emphasis on age is foolish.
The socialists are here. Mike Bloomberg and Andrew Cuomo are leading today’s progressive-socialist charge to take down the NRA. We are savvy enough to know that the National Rifle Association isn’t their real target. To be precise, it’s us gun owners and our firearms. Taking down the NRA is just their first step. Were they able to weaken or eliminate the NRA, we know that their true stated end goal is to repeal the Second Amendment.
Legislative Crap In = Crap Out.
NRA doesn’t make the rules or pass the laws. When we elect weak legislators supported by liberal billionaires, celebrities, and a media who want to control you combined a weak Supreme Court, we get bad laws. Yet, you still have civil (gun) rights. Much of it thanks to Wayne LaPierre’s leadership. (thankfully under President Trump who Wayne Lapier and the NRA were instrumental helping to elect, the courts are changing.)
Now is the wrong time for experimental leadership especially now as we head into 2019 and a Democrat-controlled Congress with plans for an incoming flood of anti-gun legislative proposals.
We need experienced and tested leaders and courageous fighters to take on the anti-rights politicians and their sympathetic media. There is no one who has more experience and capability than LaPierre.
One example is the passage of the Firearm Owners Protection Act in 1986. The U.S House was under the control of Democrats – as it again will be in January. Wayne was part of an exclusive club of shrewd political fighters who moved that legislation through the House by discharge petition (do you know what a discharge petition is?) when the Democrat House Judiciary chairman declared this gun rights bill “Dead on Arrival.”
So, as legions of AmmoLand readers thoughtfully discuss this topic and a few keyboard commandos engage in mindless conjecture, Wayne does what he’s always done. Fires up the troops, fights like hell and wins.
Wayne has my support and faith as our continued EVP/CEO.
LtCol (R) Willes K. Lee, Arlington, Virginia
LtCol (ret) Willes Lee is a member of the NRA Board of Directors, assigned six committees: Chairman Outreach, co-Chairman Collegiate Programs, Military & Veterans Affairs, Legislative Policy, Federal Affairs, Grassroots Development. Life member NRA, CCRKBA/SAF (2017 Defender of Liberty recipient), GOA and Co-Chairman of the Trump-Pence Second Amendment Coalition. Lee is President of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, on the ACU Foundation Board (hosts of CPAC), and a former RNC member/State Chairman. Col Lee is a combat veteran graduate of West Point, a 22-year Ranger and Airborne qualified Armor officer, DSSM/BSM/LM. He holds an Engineering Degree from USMA and a Master’s Degree of Public Administration. Follow at www.Facebook.com/WillesLeeNRA and on Instagram and Twitter. His full bio and blog are at www.WillesLee.com, and his email is [email protected]
This is why I don’t become a life member!!!!!!!!!!!
For all the folks who are no longer members or who won’t join the NRA, think about the fact that the only way you can help change the organization is to join and vote for appropriate board candidates. Disagreeing and leaving simply reinforces the direction they are going with which you disagree.
There really seems to be a simple answer to this debate over the NRA. Those who support Wayne, have a good time and keep doing it. Those who feel the NRA is no longer responsive to the needs of the firearms community throw your support to organizations that do. With literally millions of gun owners in the country, there is certainly room for more than one organization. I was a member of the NRA for years but decided they have become part of the problem so my support now goes to the Second Amendment Foundation and GOA. If funding dries… Read more »
GOA understands, Shall Not Be Infringed ! NRA not so much?
What guns or related items will Wayne offer up next for more gun control?
He just dosen’t get it after all this time, Shall Not Be Infringed, means exactly what it states! Obviously Wayne believes there are exceptions?
Time to retire?
Wayne LaPierre, NRA comprimiser-in- chief, and his hand-picked do-boy at the ILA are the reason I will no longer contribute a penny. I was a member for many years and became a life member in 2014. I was happily ignorant until I was slapped in the face with Wayne’s idiotic position on the Vegas shooting. I then researched and educated myself about his work within the NRA and became outraged. Bump-stock ban, Clinton assault weapon ban, Hughes Amendment, etc. Wayne LaPierre is a radical activist Fudd. I will keep my life membership so I can try to help vote in… Read more »
LaPierre and cronies have mis managed the NRA for years! As a Life Member I do not support him!
What a bunch of immature juvenile ignorant idiots commenting above me. No wonder we are loosing the war. You don’t understand the constitution and definitely are clueless of our political system. Nothing wrong with being ignorant, but, stupid is unforgivable. I acknowledge our educational system has failed many, but, that is no excuse for remaining ignorant and spouting such stupid comments. Please, if we are ever going to come together and secure out rights please get educated by attending a course in civics and our political system. Continuing to spout the same worn out foolish rhetoric and platitudes just widens… Read more »
As a former NRA Life Member (I resigned my membership), I say that Wayne IS NOT the answer! He folded on the Hughes Amendment, supported the unconstitutional/illegal bump stock ban, supported disarming our vets, and much more, along with the rest of the gang at NRA. Wayne can go pound sand. We’re where we are because of the surrender monkeys at NRA, and all their sycophants. No other reason. The anti-gunners will ALWAYS be against guns, but they have nowhere as much power as gun owners. 100 million gun owners, as a bloc, can determine the outcome of any election,… Read more »
NRA sold out and so did POTUS. It’s over no one cares who they elect or appoint.