NRA President Oliver North’s resignation was announced at a convention in Indianapolis on April 27. Photo courtesy of The Washington Post
In recent years, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has earned a hostile reputation as it relentlessly resists calls for stricter gun control in the wake of America’s deadliest mass shootings. Yet, even more recently, the NRA’s leadership has been forced into a more vulnerable position, as certain staff members have come under fire for accusations of financial misconduct. Current Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre is one of these unfortunate individuals. NRA President Oliver L. North worked to oust LaPierre over his claims that LaPierre is engaged in financial improprieties. But, according to a leaked letter LaPierre wrote to the NRA’s board, North planned to use such allegations against LaPierre in order to force him to step down. After LaPierre refused North’s initial demands to resign, North sent a letter to NRA board members accusing LaPierre of mismanagement. If LaPierre’s allegations are true, it is likely that North didn’t actually believe that revealing the NRA’s alleged financial troubles would benefit the organization, but rather would benefit his personal career so he could assume LaPierre’s position as Chief Executive. For North to threaten the organization’s success and reputation as a means of advancing his own administrative power only proves that he shouldn’t be charged with making decisions that affect such a powerful institution.
As the president of the NRA, North has influence and power regarding the decisions of the organization. However, North claims that although he knew financial impropriety was occurring, his superiors demanded that the malfeasance be overlooked. To victimize and distance himself from such offenses, North publicly declared, “I did this because I am deeply concerned that these allegations of financial improprieties could threaten our nonprofit status.”
LaPierre’s reaction to North and the allegations have demonstrated his ability to responsibly identify and address conflict, while shedding light on the true motives behind North’s exaggerated accusations. LaPierre’s letter to the NRA’s board cited North’s long standing commitment to Ackerman McQueen, the advertising agency that runs NRATV and employs North through its online television series American Heroes, as the root of North’s hostility. LaPierre contends that the true catalyst for the power struggle inside the NRA is Ackerman McQueen’s increasingly right-wing political agenda.
Ackerman McQueen, hired to operate NRATV to attract more Americans to firearms, has wrongly used the media source as aims of advocating for extremist, right-wing views, including on hot-button topics such as immigration. This has polarized the membership of the NRA.
Ackerman McQueen has jeopardized the NRA’s future. Since it has gained a strong following of right-wing individuals and politicians, Ackerman McQueen has wanted greater control over the company’s leadership, feeling that with North as Chief Executive, it would have more influence over the NRA’s decisions.
Despite Ackerman McQueen’s hostility, the NRA has remained strong in its fight to regain control and strength of the organization. The NRA sued Ackerman McQueen’s public relations firm, claiming that the firm used the NRA to publicize polarized political beliefs that earned million of dollars.
On April 29, LaPierre ran unopposed for the position of Chief Executive of the NRA at a closed board meeting. Carolyn Meadows was also elected to replace Oliver North as president of the NRA. One hopes that the two will unite to end the allegations surrounding the leadership of the NRA and make the organization embody the goals it strives to achieve.
The NRA has advocated for and defended the second amendment right to the United States Constitution since it was founded in 1871. As the longtime face of the NRA, Wayne LaPierre has the knowledge and galvanized support group that will allow him to return the organization’s focus towards single-issue politics. In doing this, the organization will soon be able to revive its credibility in the public sphere and spearhead the controversial issue of guns in America.
