I was reading the Los Angeles Times (July 29, 2012, Front Page) and noticed an article talking about the NRA's political influence.

Included in the article was the following: "Tax returns show the NRA spends far more on staff that on federal races. In 2010, for example, it spent $51.6 million on salaries and benefits for its employees, including more than $1 million for Kayne B Robinson, the executive director for general operations, and nearly $1 million for Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre."

Further into the article, it stated that the NRA had a staff of 80.

As a member of the NRA for many years, I have never noticed any audit report in any of the monthly publications that I receive from them.

Is this amount of spending on salaries and benefits somewhat heavy?

What say you?

Al P

What percentage of their overall expenditures does the $51.6M represent?

They do a lot more than spend $ on federal races.

The LA Times could try and scare you by saying they spend a lot more on staff than office supplies, that would be about as appropriate a comparison if you want to pick out one specific thing they do, and compare it to the employment costs of the entire organization.

What does the NRA get for the big bucks they spend on politics?

“They get very powerful and effective lobbying,” says Peter Cohan, a Forbes Magazine contributor who covers the effects of money on gun policy. Cohan tells Jennifer Granholm that the gun industry must be happy when tragedy strikes because gun sales increase as citizens worry about others having weapons, even though more weapons could make a mass shooting situation more dangerous. “People are irrational. They are afraid. Fear causes them to go out and buy more guns,” Cohan says.

Here's another idiot talking about more guns more crime. The NRA is the most effective organization dedicated to the preservation of the 2nd Amendment. Doubt it and you are an idiot as well.

The NRA is the most powerful lobbing organization in DC. They do a great job. I for one don't begrudge the salaries. If a congressman or senator gets targeted by the NRA, they are pretty much history. With the exceptions of some extremely liberal parts of the country.

Money well spent, as the results have shown.

Last I heard Wayne was getting a salery in the high 3's but if Kayne and Wayne are getting 1 mil a year, good for them they deserve it.

LIFE MEMBER

We need them to keep fighting for us. The money spent to belong to the NRA is money well spent. John

Endowment member working on Patron worth every penny!!!!

Money well spent indeed!!!!

What the LA Times should report is back to back the NRA verses George Soros and Brady in what they gave to the Anti's(mostly Democrats).

If the LA Times wanted to look like they Weren't BIASED!!

$51.6M / 80 = $645K avg. per employees. I don't believe that.

-Gary

Sounds like an awfully suspect assertion. No doubt the NRA spends a lot on some of its head honchos, but there's something amiss with the figures. I'm wondering if there are other expenses included in that figure, including offices, support staff, infrastructure, etc.?

Man, that almost sounds like union leader money! I know it is voluntary contributions, but come on.

You want the best to defend gun rights, you have to pay.

Have to wonder where our second amendment would stand in the absense of the NRA. Perhaps more staffing and pay raises are in order.

Robert

Al P,

Are you a member? Really? I have never seen a publication of the books either, but, I am sure glad they are there.

I can't contribute all the time, but I vote, send cards, call and e-mail when ever possible.

AND I sure wouldn't believe anything the L.A. fish wrapper prints.

Benefactor member and I have belonged since 1980

Stl Flyn,

Careful, you're showing your anti-gun, liberal, socialist, marxists tendencies. I would give all that I have to keep the 2nd Amendment from being trashed by the likes of you and your pals odumbass, piglosi and reid (notice no caps?). Anti-gunners like you think they come to a site like this and throw your inuendo around and feel like you've done a good job. But in reality, you give us more resolve to defeat your silly asses in November. So keep it coming, we look forward to each of yours and johnny's stupid comments.

I am NRA life since birth. BIg shots,someone, anyone, name one large legal law suite they,NRA, initiated in the last 10 years. Lee

I have owned a Kolar, dude, and you are no kolardude. LOL

Why all the hatred, insinuations, and name calling? Please give everything you have, if that is what you believe. I am sure they will use it. It is not any different than a large corporation. They have to pay their people big money and bonuses to keep them too.

I would bet that you are against more of my rights, than I am of yours.

The NRA was a govt charter organization, used to be run and paid for by the US govt. Much happened between. Was a hard line institution until the 70's until Wayne and his hollywood group out flanked the hardline NRAILA headed by Neal Knox and that was the beginning of the end of no compromise NRA members on the board. Look up the NRA,read its beginning to now.My dad and his brothers escaped and came here legally before Russians killed almost everyone in their village. He remembers the slaughter as a little boy,the russian troops killing and worse as the people of the village ran and hid until they left. Thats why the NRA, I got my first BB gun at 5, a Daisy Red Ryder brand new. The beginning of my addiction. I still have my first shotgun,a Ithaca pump. I gave my BB gun to my brother and he to his first son and he ended its life.

Stl Flyn,

As a matter fact I wouldn't restrict you whatsoever, your ignorance is my entertainment. The fact that you are a waste of human flesh is your parents fault or you still haven't come down since college. Most people see the U.S. for all the opportunities to succeed. Liberals like yourself want the gov. to take care of everything. Without gun people like me, you would already be a slave to the Government. So you're welcome!

Dude,

I take it you are unhappy with the person you see in the mirror. Why the grudge? Do your posts make you feel better? I hope so, because they are making you look like a idiot, rather than a hero.

You have to understand that by now all I hear is blah, blah, blah, from the people that are so high on themselves on this site. Fact is, you do not have a clue as to who I am, or what I am about. So go take some medicine to come down from your high, and take a nap. Your importance in the world is not as significant as you think.

The Constitution is the reason I have my guns, and am not a slave to anyone, or anything. You, and your guns have nothing to do with me having my guns. Get over yourself. Pat yourself on the back if it makes you feel better, you are not getting any thanks from me.

We do have a clue who you are. You remove all doubt every time you post your liberal drivel.

The large numbers in the report has to be their budget for postage and printing services for all the crap they send to me! I am a member, and back the NRA but I know several people who have dropped their membership because they harass people for money. I plan to continue my support but am annoyed when I renew my membership and get another renewal notice every month of the year. Geez! If they backed off a little on the mailing and phone calls they wouldn't need so much. I know someone's gonna tell me they are just raising money, yeah yeah I get it. That's the only complaint I hear about them. They could probably trim some fat and be more efficient just like everyone else,I'm sure they waste a lot but they are the most influential gun rights organization out there and need support regardless.

Hint to still nutty- somebody looks like an idiot and it ain't kolardude.

Stl,

I want everyone to know who you really are. Like Mrs. Keet, Johnny and a few others on this site you probably don't know which is the business end of a firearm. You're a socialist plain and simple and you will snuggle-up to your ideology as the U.S. burns to the ground under your loser President. It is my hope that one day you and many other liberals and women will see the light and embrace our Constitution and Bill of Rights and know nothing good comes from a government whichs tries to control your life. We don't need regulations and laws that prohibit being free to make our own decisions. I know what to eat and what not to eat. I know what kind of vehicle I want to own and it "ain't" no smart (dumb) car. Finally, your president Odumbass has caused this economy to be at the lowest level since the depression. He hasn't done one thing to improve unemployment, business productivity, but he sure wants to raise our taxes and through his efforts almost all of our day to day costs have risen under his direction. So why in the world would anyone want to re-elect the worst president in American history? What good has he done for the American people? Please tell us one thing he has improved?

The only thing Onumbnuts has improved is guns and ammo sales

I need to get into those businesses

Kolardude, you definition of barry being the worst president in modern times is not shared by millions. They see barry as bringing this great nation in line with Cloward and Piven's strategy of collapsing our economy and building it back up in their image. Which is removing the bald eagle logo and replacing it with the hammer&sickle.

I bet most of you didn't see barry's new executive order signed a few days ago pertaining to disciplining little colored,negro,afro-american,black and what else they decided to call themselves this month, boys and girls in school. White cracker children shall be disciplined before the bros. Seems the average bro is 2 school years behind in learning then the whities.

I did see the order and it is shameful. I hope he is tried for treason after the election for what he has done to our once great country. If the liberals could see past their ideology they would see what we're seeing and I believe they don't want that for themselves, their kids and grandkids. However, I know most are blind to the facts, after all they did elect him.