New Website a Signal of NRA Changing Its Ways

A few years ago, a lot of people were disgusted with what they’d learned about the NRA. It seemed that some people whom I need not name viewed the organization as their personal piggy bank, using it to furnish them with a lavish lifestyle while the rest of us did the work of defending the Second Amendment.

With everything that happened, a lot of folks lost faith in the NRA.

However, there’s been a reform movement afoot for quite some time, and they’ve been gaining a lot of ground within the organization. That’s easy to miss, though, because not everyone pays attention to the inside baseball for a number of reasons.

But as our own John Petrolino pointed out over at Ammoland, there’s something new worth taking a look at.

The National Rifle Association has been under fire for a number of years. According to NRA President Bill Bachenberg, that’s rightfully so. The Association’s board and new leadership have made moves to right the ship, and there have been several reports of positive change within the organization. In part of the continued aim to remain transparent and also listen to the membership, Bachenberg created a President’s website for members only.

Bachenberg Calls for Comments

In the September President’s Column, Bachenberg shared his email address with the entire membership — and really, the public at large. “Please let us know how we are doing and share your ideas on how we can support your NRA better,” Bachenberg wrote. “Feel free to drop me an email … ”

What came of that? Bachenberg said in his October message — written two months prior to publication — that he’s been able to “personally respond to all of your emails (quite a few late nights) and I have talked with a few of you also.”

The Need for a Bigger Platform

Bachenberg has received over 400 emails, and counting. So he launched the President’s website in order to connect in a more real-time manner with members. The website notes that he aims to update the site weekly.

If you’re a member of the NRA, you can log in with your member number at NRAPresident.com.

Bachenberg told AmmoLand News that: “I’ve replied to over 85% of the e-mails and counting. These emails have been personalized, not a form letter response, and sometimes [replying] back and forth with a member.”

“It takes a lot of time to respond in this manner, but our members deserve answers,” Bachenberg confided. “However, the volume has grown too large to continue answering every one individually, I’m sorry. This is one of the reasons I created the website — so all members can access the same information, not just those who emailed me and received a response.”

Bachenberg did note that he will read every email and follow up as needed.

“I believe it is important for the members to know the NRA did not pay for the site or hosting,” Bachenberg said when he was asked about who’s footing the bill. “This is not about me, it’s about our members, donors and industry knowing that the Board of Directors is back in full control.” He said that he’s paying for the site out of his own pocket to better serve the membership.

The NRA’s power has never been in its leadership. It’s been in its membership. The fact that the NRA could rally millions of gun owners, including a lot of non-members, and make or break a political campaign in many parts of the nation gave them a great deal of power, and it allowed them to block a lot of anti-gun legislation over the years.

When it was clear some was going to pass, they took steps to try and nerf it so that it wouldn’t suck as badly as it could have. A lot of people didn’t like that, which is fair, but I also understand the thinking behind it and can’t actually fault it as coming from a bad place.

I understand that many disagree, and I can’t say I don’t get that, too.

My point, though, is that the NRA needs its membership. It was never about Wayne LaPierre being such a dynamic person that he made everything happen. Without the membership, the anti-gunners would never be stopped.

And while they were fighting for their lives, a lot of anti-gun movement happened that we’re going to spend years trying to undo.

So it’s good to see that Bachenberg seems to understand that the membership is what matters, and not just because keeping them happy enough will keep him in his position. No, he wants to listen to them, to make sure their concerns are addressed, and to move the NRA out of this dark chapter in its history.

This is exactly the sort of transparency that the NRA needed in the wake of everything that happened.

While I understand it might not be enough for some folks, it should at least stand as a signal that things are headed in the right direction. 

Editor’s Note: President Trump and Republicans across the country are doing everything they can to protect our Second Amendment rights and right to self-defense.

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