Every company, great or small, needs a realignment now and then. But, when a company has been around for nearly 155 glorious years, straightening the course can take a full reformation.
Any real reformation must begin with the articulation of, and a restated commitment to, its defining principle. For the NRA, any member of this association knows our central principle can be articulated in these eight words: The NRA Stands and Fights for American Freedom!
Naturally, by freedom I am referring to our Second Amendment-protected right to keep and bear arms. But then, all the tenets of true individual freedom cannot be won or kept—the Founders of this great nation certainly knew this—if individuals can’t defend their lives with modern tools designed for that job. Since the Founding period and before, this meant the private ownership of, and the ability to carry, firearms. Hence the 27 words in the U.S. Bill of Rights: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
With this basic truth alive in the words and actions of everything we do, the NRA has always fought in the legislatures and courtrooms to preserve this fundamental right, and to, where necessary, win it back.
But, as has been discussed often in these pages and in the media, some in previous leadership did not put themselves behind this critical cause. This made a reformation mandatory for saving this critical association.
Thanks to reform-minded men and women on the NRA Board of Directors, we’ve had a complete leadership change, and we now have real accountability, solid accounting (we balanced the budget!), austerity and smart cuts in order to create a leaner, more responsive association. All of that was done, but this wasn’t the end of the process—it was but the beginning.
Next, to rebuild, to meet new needs, to overcome obstacles and to utilize changes in technology to its advantage, we made changes across every division.
Look closely at what we are rebuilding ... every part of it is in step with the beautiful principle that the NRA stands and fights for freedom!
Now, by realigning every part of the NRA to the core principle that the NRA stands and fights for freedom, we are seeing a renewed purpose in every division. Your NRA Institute for Legislative Action has rebuilt an incredible team; our Education & Training Division is communicating with our tens of thousands of instructors, putting on events and more; our Competitive Shooting Division is growing behind innovative ideas; our Membership & Marketing Division has seen a massive realignment and renewed focus; and our Law Enforcement Division has its mojo back, as do our other programs and services.
Your NRA is now a lean, fast and strong heavyweight. This is critical as we move closer to the midterm elections that will decide if the U.S. Congress will stand steadfast behind our rights or if they will incrementally turn against our freedom.
If we continue to stand together behind a strong NRA as we chant our mantra—The NRA Stands and Fights for Freedom!—we can prevail by keeping America free. We are an association of like-minded, if otherwise very diverse, freedom-loving citizens. When we stand together, the gun-control groups, media elites and others who want this freedom taken from the people must tremble and fret, as they know an awake and educated electorate will never give up its freedom.
As celebration is an important part of any struggle for a just cause, I encourage you to honor our freedom by attending the NRA Annual Meetings (this year in Houston from April 16-19), NRA competitions, and more. I also ask you to bring others to these events and to talk to friends and neighbors about this critical freedom. Share links to our publications and resources. We can all help to keep this critical association strong.
That said, I read many members’ letters and emails, and I listen to messages. I respond to as many as I can. Many NRA employees respond to members who have questions and concerns. Our doors are wide open. Because of this, I know some of the recent changes to our print magazines have raised concerns among those who have long enjoyed these publications. I assure you I’m listening, and we continue to assess our options. As we move forward, look closely at what we are rebuilding; if you do, I think you’ll be pleased, as every part of it is in step with the beautiful principle that the NRA stands and fights for freedom!
Ronald Reagan was right when he said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It has to be fought for and defended by each generation.” But, if we keep this association strong, we can spring anew, we can be strong and resilient in each age; all it takes is for us to make it so.
