Opinion
California – -(AmmoLand.com)- Dear Wayne,
After my 1st open letter, I got several calls from friend and associates who know you personally. They all spoke that you are a fine man and dedicated to defending the 2nd Amendment and gun owners’ rights.
They point out all of the excellent work that you’ve done over the years. We all recognize that it is only because of your leadership that the NRA beat back the Clinton gun bans.
All of us very much appreciate those works, wins, and your effort and dedication. You made a massive difference in the lives of American gun owners while protecting our precious Second Amendment.
Rightly or wrongly when the leader of an organization becomes the only topic of conversation; when you and not the NRA are the issue then for the good and existence of the organization, you must step aside.
The mistakes that were made happened on your watch. While we all recognize the work you’re now doing to help right the NRA; the problem, of course, is that the initial decisions were yours. Leaders must own the responsibility.
So can you weather this storm? The answer is probably yes. But, at what cost? Is it worth 500,000 members leaving? Is it worth the loss of sponsorships and donations in the millions? Is it worth the loss of our legislative team & our political influence? More important is it worth the marginalization of the whole NRA organization?
With the 2020 elections just ahead we need a strong NRA, one that can function without distractions, and that is focused on building the shooting sports and protecting gun owners’ rights.
Your continuing in the position and with no apparent succession harms the image of the NRA and makes the NRA less effective. Perception is reality.
One associate of yours rightly stated that many of the anti-gun media only want your head. For much of what we read, this is true. That to them, the truth of their acquisition is less important than the shock value of their claims.
Imagine an NRA free of the negative press brought to by your media partners? Did the NRA advance the cause of the 2nd Amendment by having children’s toy trains dressed up as KKK members in a debate over gender?
So yes Wayne, I am asking you to do the loyal and right thing. You must fall on your sword for the good of the NRA.
Announce a managed plan for you to retire to an advisory role. The membership will wholeheartedly support you during the transition. Take that time to select an inspiring replacement with input from the entire board and then use that time to help rebuild the grassroots base of the NRA. For all the right reasons, gracefully step aside. Help us to get the focus back on the NRA and off of your good name.
Thank you, sir, for your decades of service. Thank you for defending the 2A. Thank you in advance for now doing the right thing. Few men can place their pride aside for the greater good.
Faithfully yours,
Don McDougall
About Don McDougall
Don McDougall is an NRA instructor and member of the Los Padres “Friends of the NRA” committee. If he’s not at the range, you will find him setting the record straight with on gun issues and gun safety on AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.