NRA Membership down as much as 30%

[AndyS]

The NRA is bringing in less money — and spending more on legal fees — as members jump ship. That’s the big picture assessment from an August 2021 financial document prepared for the NRA Finance Committee that was obtained by The Reload. At $165 million through August, the NRA’s revenue had fallen by close to half since 2018 and was nearly $20 million short of its own projections for last year. Declining membership dues played a big factor in the revenue drop as overall membership also fell to the lowest level since 2017. Meanwhile, legal fees made up some 20 percent of all expenses, coming in at $31 million in total. Major cost cutting: The organization had a budget surplus through the fall, but it achieved that by spending less. The bulk of costs covered acquiring members and legal expenses. Brian Mittendorf, an accounting professor at The Ohio State University who has studied the NRA’s finances, said the financial documents show an organization that has seen a “remarkable” financial decline since 2016. “Their budget is sustainable, but at what point do members see a huge chunk of the money is going towards legal costs and the primary programs have really been gutted?” he told The Reload. In a statement to The Reload, NRA spokesperson Amy Hunter said the report in question was “outdated” and “unaudited,” while adding that it is, “as objective observers agree, very positive.” Hunter in part blamed the pandemic for the NRA’s financial position.

Link to Trace article.

This doesn't mean that the gun lobby is toothless, only that it has a cavity or two. The other news is that the NRA was a major influence in 2016 but since Trump came into power the influence has shifted to Brietbart, Tucker Carlson (not Fox at large) and other once fringe groups. That's kind of mixed news.

We CAN counter the gun lobby. Take action.

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

1. As I understand it...

their Russian cash inflow is down significantly as well.

[fightforfreedom]

3. I guess even NRA members can recognize they are being robbed.

Of course they didn't figure it out themselves. People had to tell them, show them they were being robbed.

[spanone]

2. Great News!!!!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Very happy to read this! It couldn't happen to a more deserving group, either. n/t

[Amishman]

5. The support is flowing to other, more extreme gun groups

The NRA hasn't been behind any of the major legal fights against gun safety in years

[AndyS]

6. First, you are right in that there are more extreme groups, GOA first among them

but second you are wrong about the NRA and it's influence in the last few years. The oldest gun group in the country has well worn paths to the doors or sympathetic legislators. The others are both newbies to the political side of things and so extreme that they frighten some of the legislators they target (pun intended) for support.

No other group yet has the likes of the ILA to craft legislation and put it on desks at both the state and federal level. They'll get there but not yet. The GOA was a major factor in the Texas "Constitutional (it's not) carry law, packing the open discussion and intimidating law makers but they are novices at the big time. They will learn but they'll find themselves facing a mature anti violence movement unlike the NRA which had no opposition for the first 30 years of the 'gun wars'.

[Emile]

7. Good

Terrorist groups need to be outlawed anyways.

[PTWB]

8. The NRA had to work really hard to put themselves on this path to future irrelevance.

But their incompetence and corruption knew no bounds, so here we are. I'll be glad to see the NRA fade away.

The gun community is turning their backs on the NRA in droves because the collective feeling is that the NRA has turned its back on the gun community. The NRA is seen as a leech that sucks up all the pro-gun donations but doesn't do enough to roll back unpopular regulations (unpopular among those who donate to such organizations). Obviously many of those regulations are quite popular outside of the gun community.

They're also seen as being incredibly wasteful and corrupt.

The downfall of the NRA is a double edged sword, though, as the groups taking its place are more extreme, more militant, and even less willing to compromise.

[AndyS]

9. You seem to have transferred the overall gun culture to the NRA.

The gun culture has been usurped by the gun sellers and over the last 50 years has indoctrinated gunners with the 'need' for guns. They have falsely convinced their following into believing that having a gun in the house makes them safer when the data shows that it puts the family at a 5x greater risk of being hurt by a gun.

Like the Tabaco industry they have lied to their market base and created a circular marketing scheme. You must have a gun to be safe. From who? Other people with guns. The more guns they sell the more imperative to have a gun.

True believers in the gun mantra should be treated with loving concern like a smoker with COPD who was seduced by the advertising 40 years ago or the Trumpanzee who bought into the other big lie.

[PTWB]

10. The origin of "gun culture" is up for debate.

Regardless of that origin, the NRA’s relevance is quickly diminishing. I suspect that we will see groups like the GOA rush to fill the power vacuum created by the NRA’s pending demise. And I suspect that we will see the GOA (and similar groups) introduce a barrage of legislation and manufactured court cases.

The forthcoming SCOTUS ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen will give us a hint at how successful those court cases may be.

[AndyS]

11. Deflection is a normal reaction in the process of recognizing that one has a problem.

The modern gun culture is well documented with it's beginnings in the '70s coup of the NRA, until recently the largest most influential power in the gun culture, and the subsequent movement from gun safety, marksmanship and responsibility to a sell guns through fear movement. That's also well documented.

It's like the stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and finally acceptance. When someone is told they are the victim of a destructive cult (root of the word culture) they deny. If told again they are a victim they tend to get angry. Next they bargain: when this happens then you'll see I'm right. Soon the victim becomes dejected as they come to terms with the real world facts. Finally, sometimes after years, they accept and cease being victims.

It's like dealing with anti maskers or anti vaxers. No matter how much data is shown and how convincing the science is they cling to the dogma of the cult and then get angry about the evidence. Then the bargaining begins: in this case if the NFA was just clarified we could come to terms. Eventually when it becomes clear that that won't work they get sad and eventually come to accept that they were duped by the cult leaders. That is when they can truly break free.

[PTWB]

12. I agree completely.

That “deflection is a normal reaction in the process of recognizing that one has a problem.”

There are some folks who, when confronted with viable options to achieve meaningful gun control, still stick with their same old shtick that hasn’t produced any meaningful gun control legislation in decades. In fact, we’ve seen existing gun control laws expire and seen them struck down by SCOTUS.

No matter how many gun control laws are struck down and no matter how many years go by with no meaningful gun control legislation enacted, these folks cling to their dogma and refuse to compromise in order to pass meaningful legislation such as Universal Background Checks, Mandatory Safe Storage Laws, and Minimum Standards for Concealed Carry license.

We need meaningful gun control legislation passed today but we aren’t going to get it by doing the same things that haven’t worked for decades. We’ve got to modernize our approach to gun issues if we want to have any hope of passing legislation.

Righteous indignation isn’t going to pass any gun control. If it was, we would have been able to pass something in the immediate wake of Sandy Hook. It’s been nearly a decade and here we are without a single meaningful peace of legislation.

Eventually when it becomes clear that righteous indignation alone won't work, perhaps these folks will abandon their dogma and work with the majority of Americans who want meaningful gun control. Perhaps when that day comes we can all work together to forge a compromise to get it done. If it’s not too late, anyway.

A handful of pro-gun SCOTUS decisions could eliminate the bargaining chips we currently hold with which to forge the aforementioned compromises.

The clock is ticking and a lot of lives are at stake.

[AndyS]

13. Okay, so we're solidly in the bargaining stage. nt

[PTWB]

16. I think it's denial more than bargaining.

Some folks would rather do the same things over and over, even when those things don’t work, because they’re so invested in the process instead of the results. In fact, they’re so invested in that process that they can’t see when it’s actually hurting their chances of achieving the results they initially sought.

It makes me sick to my stomach that we are slowly losing our chance to compromise. Once SCOTUS has overturned the very laws we seek to compromise with, we we will be out of leverage and out of options. If that happens, our ability to pass meaningful gun control will be lost for at least another generation.

It’s truly disheartening.

Got any predictions you care to make regarding their pending ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen?

[AndyS]

17. Ah, a return to denial. It happens as the victim transitions from stage to stage.

Still denying that there is a cult that has indoctrinated it's members with falsehoods and grandiose imaginings.

Still, we care about you and see you for the lost soul you are. Someday the science, statistics and truth of guns and the damage they do will become clear to you and when that day comes you can move on and become healthy again. Until then know that we are here for you. We wait with loving concern.

[PTWB]

19. Did you mean to reply to me?

I’m trying to get meaningful gun control passed in spite of the current political climate that makes it so difficult. Perhaps you’ve mistaken me for someone else?

[AndyS]

20. Yes, I understand. The transition from denial to bargaining is sometimes

a slow one. Change is hard but it is possible with care and support.

[PTWB]

21. Indeed.

It’s true that my proposal would cost a little in the way of compromise, but it would gain a lot in the way of meaningful gun control. Doing what we’ve been doing costs nothing in the way of compromise but gains nothing in the way of results.

I question the sincerity of anyone who claims to support gun control efforts but simultaneous sabotages those efforts because they don’t pass self-imposed purity tests. Is that self-sabotage the result of their denial, or is it something more nefarious?

How many lives would be saved if we had mandatory safe storage laws, universal background checks, and minimum standards for concealed carry licenses?

I’m sure the victims of future gun crime will take solace in the righteous indignation of those who refused to compromise in order to pass the legislation that could have saved their lives.

Got any predictions you care to make regarding the pending SCOTUS ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen?

[AndyS]

22. Still wavering between denial and bargaining.

I understand how hard it is to accept that there is a cult and that that cult is both harmful and enabling. Someday you will read these words with a clear mind and see how delusional they are. Not now but someday and when that day comes acceptance comes with it.

[PTWB]

23. Are you calling me delusional?

Because I’m trying to pass meaningful gun control legislation?

Got any predictions you care to make regarding the pending SCOTUS ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen?

[AndyS]

24. Delusional is a harsh word and I'd never apply it to anyone unwarranted.

I'm not in the habit of prognosticating about court decisions and that's outside the scope of the OP and the other comments. It is however a common tactic used to deflect from an uncomfortable situation.

[PTWB]

25. Amazing!

So not only do you call me delusional for my attempts to pass meaningful, life saving gun control legislation, but you also decline to address the pending SCOTUS case while saying that I’m in denial.

What was it that you wrote before?

Oh yes, “deflection is a normal reaction in the process of recognizing that one has a problem.”

We need meaningful gun control and we need it now. Those who refuse to compromise are placing their purity tests and their personal righteous indignation ahead of the lives of those lost to gun violence.

[AndyS]

27. I have not called anyone delusional. I won't apply such a hurtful word to anyone

not deserving of it.

The pending court decision will be what it will be, I have no say in it and once again it is outside the scope of the OP and any comments other than yours in this thread. The choice not to be lead on a pursuit of a red herring is mine to make.

That a meaningful discussion on gun regulation is needed is without saying. To attempt such a discussion with someone still denying the influence of the gun culture is pointless. So, when you get to the stage of acceptance I will be here for you.

[PTWB]

28. Nothing you say is hurtful, don't worry about that! :)

It’s very clear what you were doing. I was just curious if you would stand behind the insults you were using, thinly veiled as they might be, or if you’d try to distance yourself from them once confronted. I suspected you’d not have the conviction to stand behind those insults and I was correct.

Let’s be honest though: you had no chance at being able to defend calling me delusional for attempting to try to pass meaningful gun control legislation. Instead of hurling insults at those whose methods differ from your own, shouldn’t you consider working with us (that is if you truly want to see gun control pass)?

I want common sense gun control laws like universal background checks, mandatory safe storage, and minimum standards for concealed carry licenses—laws that will lead to fewer gun deaths. Don’t you want those things too?

Regarding your refusal to engage on the pending SCOTUS case, I’ll just have to quote you again: “deflection is a normal reaction in the process of recognizing that one has a problem.” You don’t want to talk about the elephant in the room because you know it will expose the flaws in your positions and, again, you’ve chosen to protect the purity of your process at the expense of never achieving meaningful results.

The fact is what we’ve been doing isn’t working. We’ve not passed any meaningful gun control legislation in decades. We still have a chance now, even in this political climate, but that chance is fading as SCOTUS chips away at what little leverage we do have with which to negotiate.

How many people have to die before we actually do something? We need meaningful gun control and we need it now.

[AndyS]

30. This conversation is pointless.

Until you reject the ideas inculcated into your thinking by the gun culture you cannot be reached. I did not call you delusional. Read that post again. I said someday you will recognize the ideas you support as delusional. The idea of compromise you speak of is not a compromise but a demand for capitulation. The end goal of this "compromise" is to dismantle the NFA and allow the over the counter sale of machine guns, short barrel rifles, sawed off shotguns and some explosives.

So, once again, when you finally get through some of the steps it takes to recognize how badly the gun industry has used and abused you and are willing to actually work for what you say you want any conversation with you is pointless.

When you are ready I'll be here for you. Until then I'll ignore your comments as they are hollow and devoid of sincerity.

[PTWB]

32. Yes, it's clearly pointless.

Nowhere in my proposal did I suggest that we should allow unrestricted over the counter sales of machine guns, SBRs, shot barrel shotguns, or explosives. Last time you made that claim I admonished you that you were incorrect and here you are making that same claim again. You know you can't attack what I've actually proposed so you've concocted a fantasy that is unrelated to anything I've written, attributed that fantasy to me, and are attacking the fantasy that is entirely of your own creation.

For anyone interested, you can read my proposal here: Compromises to Achieve Universal Background Checks, Safe Storage Laws & Concealed Carry Minimum Standards

Feel free to continue to insult those of us who choose to put results ahead of the purity of the process. In the mean time, I'll continue pushing for progressive, impactful gun control legislation that can actually pass in this political climate.

[NickB79]

14. Don't get too excited. They're just moving to greener pastures

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/12/a-more-extreme-gun-rights-movement-is-emerging-in-the-nras-wake/

Yes, an even further-right gun rights group is supplanting the NRA. 2 million members and rising fast.

[iemanja]

15. Did Putin reduce the cash flow?

[a kennedy]

18. Ah, but, the ones that still belong to the NRA ARE THE ONES WE SHOULD BE AFRAID OF.....

They are the ones that’ll be the problem.

[Generic Brad]

26. Yet they still promote gun wrongs

They sure as hell don’t promote gun rights.

[UTUSN]

29. K&R

[milestogo]

31. Maybe they're killing each other.