After the recent tragedy in Florida, gun safety is on everyone’s mind. The nation seems divided about whether or not civilians should be able to own guns, and to what extent that right may be exercised or monitored.
Though many citizens currently side against the NRA, there was a time when this organization was quickly gaining momentum. In the early 1990s many more people openly supported the NRA. The beginning of the pivoting point for this organization may have been the resignation of membership from former President George H. W. Bush.
Bush had been signed up as a Life Member of the NRA, up until around 1995. In an effort to increase funds, the NRA put a tinted perspective on events like the Oklahoma City bombing and the siege in Waco, Texas. Bush was particularly appalled by a fundraising letter he received.
“In Clinton’s administration, if you have a badge, you have the government’s go-ahead to harass, intimidate, even murder law-abiding citizens.”
— Wayne LaPierre, 1993 NRA fundraising letter
Bush chose that time to resign from the organization. His letter defended several administrators whom he believed to be of the utmost character. He left the NRA in no uncertain terms:
Dear Mr. Washington,
I was outraged when, even in the wake of the Oklahoma City tragedy, Mr. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of N.R.A., defended his attack on federal agents as “jack-booted thugs.” To attack Secret Service agents or A.T.F. people or any government law enforcement people as “wearing Nazi bucket helmets and black storm trooper uniforms” wanting to “attack law abiding citizens” is a vicious slander on good people.
Al Whicher, who served on my [United States Secret Service] detail when I was Vice President and President, was killed in Oklahoma City. He was no Nazi. He was a kind man, a loving parent, a man dedicated to serving his country — and serve it well he did.
In 1993, I attended the wake for A.T.F. agent Steve Willis, another dedicated officer who did his duty. I can assure you that this honorable man, killed by weird cultists, was no Nazi.
John Magaw, who used to head the U.S.S.S. and now heads A.T.F., is one of the most principled, decent men I have ever known. He would be the last to condone the kind of illegal behavior your ugly letter charges. The same is true for the F.B.I.’s able Director Louis Freeh. I appointed Mr. Freeh to the Federal Bench. His integrity and honor are beyond question.
Both John Magaw and Judge Freeh were in office when I was President. They both now serve in the current administration. They both have badges. Neither of them would ever give the government’s “go ahead to harass, intimidate, even murder law abiding citizens.” (Your words)
I am a gun owner and an avid hunter. Over the years I have agreed with most of N.R.A.’s objectives, particularly your educational and training efforts, and your fundamental stance in favor of owning guns.
However, your broadside against Federal agents deeply offends my own sense of decency and honor; and it offends my concept of service to country. It indirectly slanders a wide array of government law enforcement officials, who are out there, day and night, laying their lives on the line for all of us.
You have not repudiated Mr. LaPierre’s unwarranted attack. Therefore, I resign as a Life Member of N.R.A., said resignation to be effective upon your receipt of this letter. Please remove my name from your membership list.
Sincerely,
George Bush
After Bush’s resignation, the momentum of the NRA seemed to skid to a halt. Many people quit their memberships, paving the way for the circumstances we see today.
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