More On Wayne LaPierre’s History
BY Herschel Smith
5 years, 4 months ago
Via David Codrea, Nedd Scott.
This ended the NRA as it was originally envisioned as evidenced by the massive overhaul of Article I of the NRA Bylaws. This was also the year that a young lobbyist, Wayne LaPierre was hired on by the organization. Now the firearms community would go on the offensive. Carter, now EVP, created the Institute for Legislative Action or (ILA) to lobby on Capital Hill. The NRA was focused solely at the national level with its activism at this time. Carter and Knox’s efforts bore fruit with the passing of the Firearms Ownership Protection Act (FOPA) in 1986. Although it was a major win for the organization its still had its failings. Although the NRA championed its reforms of the GCAs abuses the NRA allowed for the Hughes Amendment to be attached. (The Hughes Amendment banned future machine-gun production for civilians after May 19, 1986 and set the precident for banning firearms by type.) This, and other failures like the permanent Bush import “assault weapon” ban in 1989 can be attributed to Carter leaving the organization in 1985 while the NRA’s political focus was still in its infancy. Future leadership fell back into previous levels of minimal action and this lead up to the passing of the domestic Assault Weapons Ban (AWB) in 1994. Yes, the NRA did voice opposition but in reality it exerted very little influence as the amount of money the NRA used for lobbying and election campaign contributions were a fraction of what they provide today.
Carter’s departure left a void in the organization’s leadership at a crucial time. Wayne Lapierre saw an opportunity and began his rise to power. By 1991, he had earned the position of EVP and saw a need to brand himself and rebrand the NRA. He then created the NRA Foundation, giving a third entity as a means of fund raising. An investigation of the financial dealing of the NRA will also come in a later article. By 1999, he was voice of the NRA even though it didn’t have a decisive direction. Although Lapierre called the ATF “jack-booted government thugs” after the Ruby Ridge and Wako incidents, in May of 1995 he testified before Congress supporting background checks for all firearms sales at gun shows including between private individuals. He has been economically involved with members of the established opposition including Karen F. Thomas who has ties to Hilary Clinton and the Democratic Leadership Council.
It’s good to know your history.
On August 14, 2019 at 11:31 pm, BRVTVS said:
It’s my understanding that Knox was pushed out by LaPierre’s crowd and that his goal was the outright repeal of the 1968 GCA.
On August 15, 2019 at 8:19 am, Frank Clarke said:
It is economically disadvantageous for the NRA to actively lobby for the repeal of gun control laws. Without current (and the threat of future) infringements, NRA’s fundraising would collapse. That cannot be allowed to happen.
On August 15, 2019 at 11:33 am, billrla said:
Frank Clarke: You identify a problem with many (most? all?) advocacy-based organizations. Without anything to advocate, they cease to have a purpose. Thus, the “threat” must never go away. In fact, the threat must always increase to keep the dollars rollling-in.
On August 20, 2019 at 7:50 pm, Henry said:
Knox was first VP, slated to take “his turn” at the helm of the organization, when suddenly, out of nowhere, came Charlton Heston — a man with no previous NRA history (but a past history as a gun CONTROL activist) and a client of Ackermann McQueen.
Dark horse Heston was suddenly voted in as a brand new director from the floor of the convention, and zoomed past every other director to the top of the organization in the space of just a few months, leaving Knox out on the street.