Arlington, VA—Wayne LaPierre, who became Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the National eRifle Association (NRA) in 1991, announced his resignation on January 5, 2024, effective January 31, 2024. This marks the end of a shameful reign marred by corruption, greed, and betrayal.
It has become glaringly clear that LaPierre embezzled millions of dollars in dues paid by loyal members for his personal extravagance. During his decades-long grip on the NRA, he used the organization as his personal piggy bank, leaving members disillusioned and betrayed.
The true scope of this misconduct came to light in August 2020, when New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against the NRA. The lawsuit exposed a staggering level of financial corruption under LaPierre’s leadership. It revealed that millions of dollars meant to defend the Second Amendment were instead spent on LaPierre’s lavish lifestyle, sweetheart deals for cronies, and contracts to silence former employees. These allegations include outrageous spending on personal luxuries, no-show jobs, and blatant mismanagement of funds.
The NRA’s once-proud reputation was shattered as members learned that the state of New York had to step in to expose the rot within its leadership. The lawsuit even sought to dissolve the NRA, citing violations of nonprofit laws that destroyed its charitable purpose.
One glaring example of LaPierre’s mismanagement was the NRA’s relationship with Ackerman McQueen, an Oklahoma City advertising firm. By 2017, the NRA was bleeding $40 million a year into this partnership. How much of that money found its way back into the pockets of LaPierre and his associates? The deal was so toxic that the two organizations eventually severed ties—but not before irreparable damage had been done.
Prominent celebrities once proud to stand with the NRA—like Tom Selleck, Ted Nugent, R. Lee Ermey, and Chuck Norris—walked away in disgust, unwilling to be associated with LaPierre’s toxic regime.
Until April 2024 John Frazer was General Counsel and Secretary. He held that title for nine years with a crazy salary of $400,000 a year. The problem was that Frazer had no experience and only enjoyed the title. Frazer was reelected as secretary, but he was removed from the general council position by the incoming CEO Doug Hamlin. In 2018 Bill Brewer was hired and seemed to handle the bulk of the legal work for the NRA bleeding the treasury to death. It remains to be seen what the board is going to do now.
I have some serious, unanswered questions:
1. What steps has the current NRA board taken to recover the millions LaPierre stole from its members?
2. Who is footing LaPierre’s legal bills? Are members still paying for his defense?
3. Can you tell me why the NRA has consistently been paying millions of dollars to the law firm of Brewer and Associates that hasn’t won a single case for the NRA yet?
4. Why is John Frazer still on the payroll? He was moved from General Counsel to Secretary, yet faces a serious State Bar complaint. Why hasn’t he been removed?
5. What accountability has been imposed on the board members who enabled and protected LaPierre’s cabal?
6. Has the NRA taken any meaningful steps to clean house and refocus on protecting gun rights, or is it still a personal ATM for corrupt leadership?
Members should also be deeply concerned about the NRA Museum, which holds countless priceless exhibits. At this rate, those treasures could be lost in a bankruptcy sale to pay for leadership’s failures.
Until every last parasite is removed, held accountable, and brought to justice, I will not rejoin the NRA. The organization I once supported has been hijacked by corruption, and its current leadership shows no signs of redemption.
Update: I’m hearing the Virginia State Bar complaint against Frazer was dismissed just last week.
6 comments:
Pieces from the museum collection have already been sent off to auction. But the current museum director only states that these were loans. But knowledgeable former NRA staff have ststed that these pieces were in fact, donations. It is somewhat disturbing that the items sold at auction had no museum/NRA attribution. Collectors would have paid much more for any item with a museum provenance - so why auction these museum treasures anonymously, for less?
Another well written post, Paul. One key saying that you forgot, who is taking up the mantle to push for gun safety, one of the things the NRA was very involved in years ago. There is a strong need for this now!
As a longtime critic and newly elected member of the NRA Board of Directors, I think I'm uniquely qualified to answer your questions.
1. & 2. Regarding money owed to NRA by LaPierre and payment of his legal bills: Yes, we're seeking restitution, but it is in the hands of the NY AG right now. I will be working to recoup also recoup any monies paid for LaPierre's legal fees.
3. Paying Brewer: Good question. We tried to fire Brewer in September by dissolving the Special litigation Committee that has been shielding him, but we fell short by a few votes. that vote was recorded and I was able to ensure that it was made public and published in the Official Journal for all NRA members to see. It is included in the December issue of all NRA magazines and is also available on the web at places like the NRAinDanger blog. I encourage Voting Members of the NRA to review the vote before casting their ballots for Directors in the coming Board elections.
4. Retention of John Frazer as Secretary: John is well liked by most members of the Board. An effort was made to replace him as Secretary at the May 2024 Board meeting in Dallas, but the effort failed. He will be up for reelection at the Board meeting in April.
5. Accountability of Directors: Holding Directors accountable is ultimately the purview of NRA members. The 2025 elections will be held in March so it's critical that all Voting Members participate.
6. Cleaning House: Doug Hamlin, our new EVP/CEO has dismissed several top-level executives and is actively working to realign the Association to be more efficient and effective. He has made a number of significant changes and is trying hard to make more, though he is facing strong resistance from the old guard and President Barr. Stay tuned.
We have instituted stringent financial controls to ensure that there is no chicanery going on. There are still some vendor contracts and solicitation policies that I want to see revisited and revised, beginning with getting rid of Brewer, but I'm confident that we've stopped the pillaging and removed the pillagers, while we're rebuilding our core services to our members and refocusing our legislative and judicial efforts.
In summary, the Board has changed drastically, particularly over the past year. We are working to restore faith and trust in the Association and restore effectiveness to our mission. That process can be greatly accelerated by NRA members voting in the 2025 Board elections, and those who can join us for our Annual Meeting of Members on April 26 in Atlanta.
Look for the ballot which should be in the March (maybe February) issue of your NRA magazine, and be sure to vote for only those candidates you believe will effectively represent your interests.
Jeff Knox
Managing Director of The Firearms Coalition
Member, NRA Board of Directors
Columnist for Firearms News magazine and Ammoland.com
I definitely feel better knowing Jeff Knox is involved 👍
What LaPierre has done to this organization over the past years is shameful He and everyone involved should be forced to repay everything they stole. If not then jail is to good for them. Iam very resentful of the board members that did not come forward during this time period. It will take a long time to rebuild the trust from the NRA membership. As far as getting new members to Join will be tough road ahead.!!! All of the old guard needs to be fired today. We need new leadership.
Paul you are correct and it's not getting any better. Doug Hamlin the new EVP is so under qualified and has been convicted of animal cruelty in college. He admitted to it but his loyal followers like Knox, Bachenberg, and Vaughan will not admit they have made a mistake and are doubling down - you three should be ashamed of yourselves . What are they getting out of this relationship? Power and greed. The ability to effect "their change" for what they think is best! They have zero idea what is best for the NRA +-THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT KNOW ARE NOT INCLUDED.
The Facebook page "Members take back our NRA" is an echo chamber for the new NRA leadership and they don't give any opposing views a voice. What are they scared of? All sideline quarterbacks talking about things they should leave to the professionals.
The NRA will never be the power it was once and under Doug Hamlins lack of intergerty,
honesty and moral compass it has zero chance of greatness.
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