National Association for Gun Rights

National Association for Gun Rights, Inc.

Logo of National Association for Gun Rights
Formation March 29, 2000 (2000-03-29)[1]
54-2015951[2]
Legal status 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization[2]
Headquarters Windsor, Colorado
David Warrington[2]
Dudley Brown[2]
Vice President of Political Affairs
 Lucius O'Dell[2]
Jacob Leis[2]
Subsidiaries Front Range Enterprises and Communications[2]
Revenue (2014)
$12,451,900[2]
Expenses (2014) $12,473,252[2]
Employees (2014)
64[2]
Volunteers (2014)
0[2]
Mission To educate gun owners about state and federal legislation that affects their gun rights; to assist the growing movement of state-level grassroots gun-rights organizations; and to help organize grassroots lobbying on state and federal legislation.[2]
Website www.nationalgunrights.org

The National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) is a conservative gun rights advocacy group in the United States.[3][4] They maintain an affiliated PAC and a non-profit legal foundation. Officially incorporated in Virginia on March 29, 2000,[1] NAGR was founded by Dudley Brown as a national companion organization to Rocky Mountain Gun Owners.[5][6] NAGR is a rival of the National Rifle Association and considers itself the "conservative alternative" to the NRA. The group spends most of its energy attacking lawmakers deemed too soft on Second Amendment issues via direct mail, robocalls and low-cost television ads.[7] The group has gained notoriety for its aggressive lobbying tactics and attack ads.[8]

Activities

National Association for Gun Rights is opposed to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.[9] The organization is also opposed to legislative actions on high-capacity magazines.[10] National Association for Gun Rights opposes efforts led by Citizens for Self-Governance to call a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution to rein in the powers of the federal government.[11][12]

When a vacancy arose in the Colorado State Legislature in 2012, NAGR supported Tim Neville over State Representative Jim Kerr, whom they felt was not sufficiently supportive of Second Amendment rights.[13]

In 2012, National Association for Gun Rights sued the state of Montana over state laws that may require the organization to register as a political committee prior to mailing postcards critical of Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock's record on gun rights.[14] According to the IRS, "a section 501(c)(4)... may engage in some political activities, so long as that is not its primary activity."[15] National Association for Gun Rights' request for a preliminary injunction was denied in October.[16] Bullock was elected Governor the following month.

In March 2015, National Association for Gun Rights was involved in opposing gun control measures in Vermont. The NAGR campaigned to stop the Vermont state legislature from passing SB 141.[17] Also in March 2015, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) initiated a rule change that would ban M855 ball ammunition for civilian use. NAGR reported delivering 132,662 petitions to the ATF that urged the agency to stop the ammunition ban.[18]

National Association for Gun Rights supports the passage of no-permit Constitutional carry.[19][20] In April 2015, NAGR supported Kansas bill SB 45, which allows for Constitutional carry.[21][22] NAGR representatives were present at the bill signing on April 2.[23]

In June 2015, National Association for Gun Rights sent out mailers targeting Republican William J. Howell, the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. According to The Washington Post, NAGR's mailer "Portrayed Howell as being friendly to rapists" by depicting a woman cowering before a knife-wielding assailant alongside the text "Speaker Bill Howell thinks you should be left vulnerable to armed thugs and rapists!” Howell had been endorsed by the NRA and said he was a "100 percent supporter of the Second Amendment." Howell described the mailers as "pretty low by even today’s political standards."[24]

In 2015, the Colorado State Legislature considered amending a 2013 law that limited magazines to 15 rounds. The legislature wanted to increase the limit to 30 rounds. Brown rejected the proposed increase on the grounds that there should be no limit at all. NAGR was criticized for their position, with Jon Caldara of the libertarian Independence Institute calling NAGR head Dudley Brown a "bully".[25]

Disagreement with the National Rifle Association

In November 2011, the U.S. House passed legislation that would require states that issue concealed gun permits to recognize similar licenses from other states. The bill was supported by the National Rifle Association which considered it to be a top priority, but opposed by the NAGR on the basis that it could become a "Trojan horse for more gun control".[26]

A 2014 Newsmax article compared the NRA and NAGR, noting differences such as the NRA's substantially larger budget.[27] In 2013, NAGR spent close to $1.9 million on gun lobbying during the first three months of the year, while the NRA reported spending $700,000 on the same issue.[28]

The NRA has referred to NAGR leader Dudley Brown as "the Al Sharpton of the gun movement."[29]

National Foundation for Gun Rights

Through its foundation, National Association for Gun Rights filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service, Bonidy v. USPS for prohibiting the carry of firearms on Postal Service property.[30] The 10th circuit ruled in favor of the gun ban, and the Supreme Court refused to consider the case.[31]

During the McDonald v. Chicago Supreme Court case, an amicus brief filed by NAGR was cited by the court prior to the victory for gun owners.[32]

Political action committee

The National Association for Gun Rights PAC (NAGR-PAC) is an affiliated political action committee registered with the Federal Election Commission. Founded in 2010, it endorsed and donated to several candidates for federal office, including Paul Broun (R-Ga.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.),[33] Sharron Angle, Ken Buck, and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).[34]

In the 2012 election cycle, NAGR-PAC endorsed Richard Mourdock, who defeated Dick Lugar for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in Indiana, with an initial contribution of $4,500 to his campaign;[35][36] Steve Daines, who ran a successful campaign for Montana’s at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives;[37] and Steve Stockman who ran a successful campaign for Texas's 36th congressional district.[38] NAGR-PAC spent $83,312 in election-related expenses during the 2012 election cycle.[39]

NAGR hired its first federal lobbyist in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that occurred in December 2012.[40]

In the 2014 election cycle, NAGR's endorsements included Chris McDaniel (R-MS), Scott Renfroe (R-CO), Joe Miller (R-AK) and Mike Turner (R-OH).[41]

NAGR sent out mailers in the 2016 Texas state legislative primary season that "walked a fine line under new and still untested state ethics law," according to the Houston Chronicle.[42]

Reception

In August 2013, National Association for Gun Rights and Dudley Brown were profiled in a 5280 magazine story. According to the article, Brown "savagely and routinely attacks candidates and officeholders unwilling to pledge, in writing, their absolute loyalty to Brown on Second Amendment issues." NAGR was described as a "fund-raising machine that bullies anyone who compromises Brown’s pro-gun, anti-abortion, anti-gay agenda." Former Colorado Republican State Representative B.J. Nikkel said Brown "is a political terrorist and a modern-day charlatan who operates in the shadows and portrays himself as a supposed ‘Christian,’ but he uses the people naive enough to believe him and financially support him.”[29]

Mother Jones magazine included NAGR on a list of "7 Gun Groups That Make the NRA Look Reasonable".[43]

In 2013, FactCheck.org, in a piece called "Gun Rights Group’s Aim Is Way Off", found that NAGR "is going after three congressmen with 'A' ratings from the National Rifle Association by falsely claiming they support President Obama's gun control agenda."[44]

National Association for Gun Rights has been criticized for its fundraising practices. Former Republican Colorado Governor Bill Owens said Brown "makes his money when there’s turmoil, real or perceived, because that’s what gets his members to write him checks." Ammoland wrote that Brown's "rhetoric has done more to marginalize Second Amendment activism than all of the slanders from gun prohibition lobbying groups combined."[45]

References

  1. 1 2 "National Association for Gun Rights, Inc.". Business Entity Details. Virginia State Corporation Commission. Accessed on April 15, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". National Association for Gun Rights, Inc. Guidestar. December 31, 2014.
  3. ↑ Schouten, Fredreka (May 2, 2013). "Ultra-conservative gun group outspends NRA on lobbying". USA Today. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  4. ↑ Corn, David (April 21, 2015). "Cruz Campaign Accuses Paul and Rubio of Wimping Out on Gun Rights After Newtown". Mother Jones. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  5. ↑ O'Conell, Vanessa (2010-04-19). "Gun Advocates Open a New Front:Saying NRA Isn't Imaginative, Splinter Groups Seek More Aggressive Tactics". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
  6. ↑ Richardson, Valerie (April 20, 2015). "Colorado gun advocates in firefight over raising magazine limits to 30 rounds". Washington Times. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  7. ↑ Stokols, Eli (April 9, 2015). "The truth about the NRA's snub of Rand Paul". Politico. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  8. ↑ Childress, Sarah (December 10, 2013). "How the Gun-Rights Lobby Won After Newtown". Frontline. PBS. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  9. ↑ "EDITORIAL: The U.N. gun grabber". Washington Times. May 27, 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  10. ↑ Jervis, Jervis (2012-07-31). "Gun control advocates target high-capacity magazines". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  11. ↑ Dunaway, Rita (February 11, 2016). "How This 'Gun Rights Group' Is Profoundly Damaging Your Second Amendment Rights". The Blaze. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  12. ↑ Menges, Bob. "Response to the National Association for Gun Rights". Convention of States. Citizens for Self-Governance. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  13. ↑ Marcus, Peter (February 3, 2012). "Rival pro-gun groups' explosive relationship triggers political hits". Colorado Statesman. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  14. ↑ Youderian, Annie. "Gun-Rights Group Takes Aim at Montana Laws". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  15. ↑ "Requirements for Exemption". Internal Revenue Service.
  16. ↑ "Judge denies request to bypass disclosure law". Billings Gazette. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  17. ↑ "A Gun Battle in Vermont". True North Reports. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  18. ↑ "ATF Received More than 310,000 Comments on Ammo Ban". 18 March 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  19. ↑ "Memorandum HB 1092 - Priola -2/9/12" (PDF). House Judiciary Committee Testimony / Handouts. National Association for Gun Rights via Colorado. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  20. ↑ "Hearings on Constitutional Carry and Preemption this Thursday.". New Hampshire Firearms Coalition, Inc. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  21. ↑ "Kansas Governor Signs Constitutional Carry Bill into Law". Outdoorhub.
  22. ↑ Tim Carpenter (26 March 2015). "Kansas House OKs no-permit carry law". Hays Daily News. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  23. ↑ "Gov. Sam Brownback to sign bill allowing unlicensed conceal-carry". Topeka Capital Journal. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  24. ↑ Vozzella, Laura (June 6, 2015). "Gun rights group targets Virginia's House speaker with graphic mailer". Washington Post. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  25. ↑ Caldara, Jon (May 6, 2015). "Caldara: Stand up to Dudley Brown's gun-rights bullying". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  26. ↑ "House approves bill making travel easier for gun owners". New York Times. November 17, 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  27. ↑ Chilson, Morgan (October 12, 2014). "National Association for Gun Rights vs. NRA: How Do They Differ?". Newsmax. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  28. ↑ Schouten, Fredreka (May 2, 2013). "Ultra-conservative gun group outspends NRA on lobbying". USA Today. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  29. 1 2 Stokols, Eli (August 2013). "Dudley Brown's War". 5280. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  30. ↑ "Suit over Postal Service gun ban proceeds".
  31. ↑ "Bonidy v USPS 13-1391 (Bonidy Appeal) 10th Circuit – CERT DENIED". California Right To Carry. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  32. ↑ "Amicus Brief in McDonald v. Chicago: On Behalf of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners and National Association for Gun Rights".
  33. ↑ Sandoval, Michael (September 16, 2010). "NRA Set to Endorse Democrat Markey (CO-4)". National Review Online. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  34. ↑ "Committees And Candidates Supported/Opposed".
  35. ↑ "Report shows where the money is going in Congressional races". IndyStar.com. February 1, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  36. ↑ "NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR GUN RIGHTS INC PAC". Federal Election Commission. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  37. ↑ "Top Contributors, 2012 Race: Montana District 01". OpenSecrets.org. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  38. ↑ "Top Contributors, 2012 Race: Texas District 36". OpenSecrets.org. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  39. ↑ "National Assn for Gun Rights Expenditures". Open Secrets.org. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  40. ↑ Choma, Russ (May 2, 2013). "No-Compromise Gun Group Drives Lobbying". OpenSecrets.org. Center for Responsive Politics. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  41. ↑ Thompson, D. (May 19, 2014). "NAGR: These 12 men will protect your gun rights". Bearing Arms. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  42. ↑ Saleh Rauf, David (March 10, 2016). "Sham issues ads or advocacy?". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  43. ↑ Suebsaeng, Asawin (January 19, 2013). "7 Gun Groups That Make the NRA Look Reasonable". Mother Jones. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  44. ↑ Farley, Robert (April 5, 2013). "Gun Rights Group's Aim Is Way Off". FactCheck.org. Annenberg Public Policy Center. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  45. ↑ "Dudley Brown & NAGR's Despicable Deception". Ammoland. May 21, 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2016.

External links

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