NY Attorney General vs NRA

[Trophied]

No matter what kind of fraud or abuse has taken place there is no legitimate reason for the AG to call for disbanding any organization. Legal considerations for criminal penalties/fines. I don't know that an AG can force a company with members to "disband". What if the members decided to sue the AG for their membership dues back since their memberships were terminated through no fault of their own or the company's. Not like a company going out of business for their own misdeeds and members being out their dues, this is seizure. Just wrong on so many fronts.

 

[Herzo]

Unfortunately, it would seem as though LaPierre and a number of his cronies have been using the NRA as their private cookie jar and we as the membership have not been monitoring their activities. The only reports that we have received are the glowing articles written by them in the Rifleman. We should have been alerted when Ollie raised the flag but again LaPierre controlled the narrative. We have one chance to save what was once the strongest voice in support of the second amendment. If we do not clean house, we may as well line up and bow down to Feinstein. We need to speak as one voice, the petty divisions need to be forgotten the Second Amendment ain't about Bambi.

 

[Drolds72]

No matter what kind of fraud or abuse has taken place there is no legitimate reason for the AG to call for disbanding any organization. Legal considerations for criminal penalties/fines. I don't know that an AG can force a company with members to "disband". What if the members decided to sue the AG for their membership dues back since their memberships were terminated through no fault of their own or the company's. Not like a company going out of business for their own misdeeds and members being out their dues, this is seizure. Just wrong on so many fronts.

It’s no secret that the democrats in every corner of the country have had a hard-on for the NRA, for a long long time. What has changed, is that the NRA’s dirty laundry is now being aired in the open. The AG saw it, and is trying to turn it into a strategy. That’s it. I doubt this was some eureka moment in the middle of the night. They pulled it out of a play book, because they think there is a chance it might work. And if this doesn’t work, they will try a different strategy. Over and over again.

 

[holstil]

Not giving up on NRA, let’s use it to strengthen our stance with other pro gun groups.

 

[bsekf]

"Tish" is trying to advance her political career. The NRA will have to spend it's time defending itself rather than defeating Democrats and gun grabbers. The NRA Foundation is a 501-c3 , non-profit. The NRA is a political organization. HUGE DIFFERENCE! Wayne may have defrauded the NRA, but I don't see a case against the NRA. However, the NRA is hated by the progressives, so it may fly in New York State. It is an attempt to destroy the NRA by any means possible!

 

[Larry Rizzuto]

Anyway you look at it, it's not going to be pretty. The politicians/prosecutors stirred a hornet's nest but it will backfire on them. Nothing like ginning up the conservative base of the Republican Party. This move will drive conservatives and moderates to the polls in the day that guns and ammo are getting scarce. As far as LaPierre is concerned, he is probably doing what most CEO's of a company does when they are ready to retire. That is getting the best deal for himself. It might be time for new blood in the organization. I don't like monthly calls from the NRA asking for more money or rounding up my order from Midway for the NRA. I already give them donations over and above my dues.

 

[SGK]

However, the NRA is hated by the progressives, so it may fly in New York State.

The NRA is hated because it is seen as a grossly irresponsible organization. It will now be hated even more because it will be seen as a grossly corrupt and irresponsible organization. I'd say it is pretty clear that senior "management" are going down one way or another - even if they avoid prison. Given the financial difficulties faced by the organization (and the accusations that the charitable side of the NRA has fraudulently helped finance the ailing organization) it's not at all clear that the organization will survive.

The big question is what will take its place and whether that organization, or new management of the current one, can retrieve credibility at a national level and hence represent our interests. When your representation is deemed to lack credibility, constructiveness and responsibility, they are eventually ignored and then we are all in trouble. That's what's happening now.

 

[antelopedundee]

Move the NRA Headquarters to South Carolina. Lot of problems would be solved.

They would have to re-charter there, no?

 

[AckleymanII]

?

Gun anything needs to get out of NY State!

 

[antelopedundee]

I can't find it now, but I read somewhere that should the NRA be disbanded that by law all of its assets would have to go to other non-profits with the same mission - other pro 2A groups.

Assuming that they don't have to sell them to pay legal fees. Seems that they are about $35 million in debt. Per the suit they spent over $50 million in legal fees over a couple of years. WTH did they spend THAT kind of money on?

 

[jds holler]

I'm sorry to see so many folks here jump on the train for tearing down the NRA.

The dems are gonna continue their "divide and conquer" technique, and all too often it works.

It is very common for regular guys like us to trash talk the rich guy at the top of any business, organization, etc. That same logic would have us hating Trump or any of the guys who make it to the top. jd

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Disbanding anything means the creditors will force a sale of assets. Abuse of management, could result in lose of charity exemption. This would mean that all income and assets are taxable. That alone would break the back of the NRA.

Political clout is why they have maintained their status as a charity. They have been sacrosanct for all these years. Does anyone here believe that the NRA management has not abused their positions. Wayne lives a life of splendor and the board is made of special interest members who are in businesses and who profit from their keeping him in power. When was the last time that a common working man or woman was elected or even had their name placed in nomination for a position on the board. We the paying members have no say in the way the NRA is managed.

Board members have a fiduciary responsibility, to get the most, out of the funds held in trust for it's membership. I have been President of two different charitable organisations and remain on both boards. My expenditures were always scrutinize and had to be justified, which is as it should be.

Someone please tell my why there must be over 60 members on this board. The expense of holding a meeting is astronomical. Every member who attends a meeting is reimbursed for all expenses incurred, including per diem. Further why must these meetings be held in some far off exotic place and in the most expensive hotels.

There are other 2nd Amendment organizations, but the NRA is the mainstay and most widely visible of all. It has the largest name recognition, therefor the most clout. But, without it's ability to spend, which it would lose if not a charity, it is nothing.

 

[D-4297]

My first membership in the NRA came at age 14 , in 1963 . Long before GOA and some of these "other" gun organizations were even thought of . The NRA definitely has some issues to deal with , and they are of their
( Leadership ) making , but all of us need to stop the , "Down with the NRA" mantra , and close ranks . RIGHT NOW ! The problem with the NRA isn't the NRA . I AM THE NRA ! You are the NRA . And every single gun owner in America SHOULD be saying , "I AM THE NRA"!

The NRA will be standing long after this political hack DA is taking a "dirt nap" , and most of us are gone . These anti-American , anti-gun , Socialist have been coming after our guns , and the Second Amendment for as long as I can remember , and the only way to stop this on-slaught is to do two things . #1. Stop bashing the NRA as a community ! Talk openly , and publicly about the corruption in the N.Y AG's office , and the long history of anti-gun corruption within that state government . Their history of passing "Regulations" that are later-on to be "deemed" as Law by succeeding administrations . Most of all ; don't sit back whining and complaining to each other about this . GET IN THEIR FACE ! Use the very same tactics the "anti's" use on us . We have a new , young "Joan-of-Arc" in Colorado who did just that . When Beto said he was going to take her gun , she stepped up , got in his face , and said , "NO ! YOU'RE NOT ! If a little bitty five foot nothin , 100 lb. woman has the stones , then it's time for all the rest of us to grow a pair . OHhhhhh ; But then I might draw attention to myself . Seriously ? Evil triumphs when good men do nothing !

 

[CharlieNC]

It is well known that many politicians initially go into office with the best intentions of serving, and most retire as millionaires from undisclosed funding. Have the NRA executives gone a similar path of self serving vs service? What is the mechanism to purge and right the ship?

 

[AckleymanII]

" What is the mechanism to purge and right the ship?"

Great question.

 

[Fuj]

What is the mechanism to purge and right the ship?

Not sure there is one short of this mess seeing the supreme
court. Leadership should step down in my opinion. But then
again there is the board of directors. Who will step into the
main rolls that's are not also in the turmoil ?? There is nothing
worldly possible that this sad soul can do but watch it all unfold.

I have a good friend that is the head of "Friends of the NRA"
here in the Erie, Pa area. May give him a call this weekend.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

I have been searching for information on how members are selected and voted into office. Funny even Google has no definitive explanation. You have to look at the by-laws for an answer. I find that the elections is bogged down with a lot factors that can exclude member voting with technicalities which require a careful dissection to understand. They don't want the common folk elected to office.

One for-instance, is the requirement that you have five years of continued membership. Many of us renew yearly. Let your membership laps for a month and then renew, and your continuous membership can be challenged. I b et less than one percent of the membership has never read the By-Laws. I know I hadn't until today and I only read part of it pertaining to elections.

Don't get me wrong, I will continue to be a member of the NRA. Even as corrupt as the leadership have become, it is the big boy for protecting the 2nd amendment.

Just remember, "The Old Grey Mare, Ain't what She Used To Be."

 

[Bill Norris]

NRA fits into the same category just like any other organization who gains power (financially) without checks & balances. They leaders mis-use funds to satisfy their own desires and only put up a front to the members who are paying for their fortune. Show me (1) ONE organization in history as described above that has not done exactly that. I will just leave this right here.

 

[antelopedundee]

Supposedly they have already filed a response. Anyone able to link to that?

 

[antelopedundee]

What is the NRA guilty of. So far NOTHING

Filing false statements for one. Be interesting to see THEIR tax returns.