This is kind of just a rant/confessional post. Im not sure if anyone is interested or if I’ll be absolutely flamed (which I deserve- my journey left has been embarrassingly recent). For the last 3 years I was first a summer intern and then a full time employee at NRA ILA working under the lobbyists, mostly bc my dad is involved and got me in. Once I realized my dad wasn’t right about everything and stopped trying to make him happy I had a big political shift to the left. Working here and running in the DC young republican circles while secretly protesting also really radicalized me. I still believe in gun rights but obviously the NRA is a deeply corrupt right wing organization that licks cops boots and should in no way be considered a non profit. I don’t really know why I’m typing this, except that I’ve felt like such a spineless fraud working here and it feels good to finally be able to say fuck Wayne LaPierre, albeit anonymously, without fear of recourse. I have absolutely no plan for the future now and my family is pissed at me but I don’t care. Still working on understanding my experiences on the inside but if anyone’s interested I’m happy to answer questions.

  • KiaKaha [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    Hell yes, NRA AMA.

    Did you learn how to shoot?

    How fashy are the internals?

    Do they actually love/hate trump?

    What’s the view on Russia?

    What’s the grossest thing you had to do?

    What surprised you the most?

    • Burnbabylon [she/her]
      ·
      4 years ago
      1. I already knew how to shoot and hunt as I had been out with my dad quite a lot and owned guns. We have a range at HQ here though so I improved for sure.
      2. Not exactly sure how to answer this one...some of the people who work here are definitely borderline fascist and there’s a deep hatred for Democrats/the left who they think are the same thing. There’s definitely a split between ppl who love/hate cops- but the NRA policy is very pro cop because it’s super right wing and the argument is that we need cops on our side so they don’t oppose us at the local level. As an employee I would say that internally there is no room for dissent. We have ordered social media black out periods after shootings, are not allowed to criticize LaPierre in any way especially during the “coup attempt”, and I would have 100% been fired if they knew I was going to the protests.
      3. Haven’t heard a lot about Russia except in hushed tones regarding the Maria Butina thing
      4. Personally the grossest thing for me personally was having to ghost write op eds that I knew were blatant propaganda. I’ve also been in the private rooms of a lot of events that were grossly decadent and smoke filled.
      5. How shitty employees are treated and how little % of the budget actually goes towards ILA aka political expenses
      • Burnbabylon [she/her]
        ·
        4 years ago

        Forgot to answer one- yes they love trump but he is v bad for fundraising as is every republican president

      • zangorn [none/use name]
        ·
        4 years ago

        Its amazing to have someone here who was also working at the NRA. You have gone across the whole spectrum it seems! Welcome and congratulations on your transition.

        Now, for my question. The propaganda op-eds interest me. How frequently does the NRA get these out there? Where do they show up? And can you teach us to spot them? Or even better, how to prove they're astroturf?

        • Burnbabylon [she/her]
          ·
          4 years ago

          Idk how often they’re doing them now but the “author” will be a real person who volunteered and likely not old white straight man. NRA uses a lot of key phrases over and over which are I described in another comment. If you read the alerts on the NRAILA website you’ll easily see what I mean and be able to identify NRA employee written stuff including some politicians press releases and official quotes

        • Burnbabylon [she/her]
          ·
          4 years ago

          Institute for Legislative Action. It is the lobbying/political arm of the NRA.

          • KiaKaha [he/him]
            ·
            4 years ago

            Wait there’s a non-political arm of the NRA? What does the money go on?

            Were those headlines about the NRA going bust true?

            Was there any concern around Philando Castile?

            Do the Black Panthers ever come up?

            What’s the internal view of school shootings?

            • Burnbabylon [she/her]
              ·
              4 years ago

              Wait there’s a non-political arm of the NRA? What does the money go on? -Most $ goes to fundraising and recruitment which are separate, there’s also member services and a lot of shooting/hunting programs run by the NRA

              Were those headlines about the NRA going bust true? -Yes in that there were financial troubles due to the various lawsuits. If you haven’t read up on all the drama surrounding the NRAs lawsuits I’d encourage it, it’s too much for me to accurately recount but I will say I personally believe the accusations against NRA to be true.

              Was there any concern around Philando Castile? -When I asked why we weren’t involved I got told I could lose my job. NRA is ironically very pro cop and doesn’t want to comment on police shootings.

              Do the Black Panthers ever come up? -Not really. The level of analysis of history is not very deep. There’s absolutely no concept of pro gun leftists existing or any distinction between the Democratic Party and “radical antifa”, they are seen as the same thing. Minorities/women are used as tokens to argue against democrats

              What’s the internal view of school shootings? -teachers should be armed and that democrats weaponize/manipulate children. Among employees when one happens it’s generally just a sentiment that “our jobs are gonna suck for a little while”

              • KiaKaha [he/him]
                ·
                4 years ago

                Thank you for all your insight here—it’s genuinely appreciated.

      • Frank [he/him, he/him]
        ·
        4 years ago

        How shitty employees are treated and how little % of the budget actually goes towards ILA aka political expenses

        A looooooooooooooot of non-profits are like that. It's probably the dirtiest little not so secret that NGOs have.