Editor’s note: The following is the transcript of the video above which features NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre.
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When Chris Cox and I invited Donald Trump onto the stage of our NRA Annual Meetings this past May, we became the first major organization to offer him our full-throated endorsement. While other groups and political leaders withheld their support, we stood proudly with Donald Trump. Because we saw through the media deception and recognized him for who he was: the most openly pro-Second Amendment presidential candidate in history.
As the campaign wore on, our courage was tested. The deceitful media mocked our endorsement. They tried to distract Americans from the core freedoms this election was all about. But we never, ever wavered.
Our priority will always be to protect the constitutional rights of American citizens—and to stand by those who stand by us. We spent tens of millions of dollars on TV and internet ads, mobilized our ground forces and put the full weight of our organization behind Donald Trump.
As the fight wore on, the media used every second of airtime trying to shake and destroy the confidence of his supporters. But when the big donor class cut and ran … when the super PACs bowed out … and even as billionaires and the Hollywood fundraising machine poured literally billions of dollars into the anti-Trump onslaught … we didn’t give an inch. And when Election Day came, NRA members and gun owners delivered the greatest political upset in American history.
Make no mistake: This election was a grassroots rejection of the elite class that wants to rule America. And the only organization that has fought that fight without apology is the National Rifle Association of America.
But the time for celebration is over. Our moment to make history begins now. So I ask you—the tens of millions of patriots all over this country who stood by our side in defense of Donald Trump—to stand by our side once more.
Already, the forces that conspired to keep Donald Trump out of the White House are coming together to sabotage his administration. And they will spend whatever it takes to cripple his plans and inflict their revenge.
Donald Trump will need every ounce of energy we can muster and he has no more powerful ally than the NRA. Join us. Fight by our side. We will never waver, and we will never back down.
Our time is now. This is our historic moment to go on offense and restore American greatness. And with your help, we can return law and order to our borders and inner cities … eliminate once and for all the absolute fallacy of gun-free zones … finally ensure every American’s right to carry a firearm in defense of their families and themselves doesn’t end at any state line … and put a pro-Second Amendment majority on the Supreme Court that will defend individual freedom for generations to come.
We are Donald Trump’s strongest, most unflinching ally. The powerful partner he needs to get things done on behalf of American freedom. Join our ranks. Donate to our cause. And together, we will truly make America great again.
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Editor’s note part II: If I am reading this correctly, this is more of a PSA to the Trump administration than the American public. My take is the NRA is reminding Trump and his team that “Hey Don, remember, our five million-plus members were critical to your victory. We are undoubtedly your biggest ally. Don’t forget about us!” That’s what it sounds like to me. I mean, the line toward the end that we are the “powerful partner he needs to get things done” pretty much says it all. The reality is that Trump needs us more than we need him, especially if he wants a second term in office. So, as Trump sets forth to make “America great again,” he has to make sure that one of the chief priorities is restoring and protecting the 2A rights of law-abiding citizens. I think Trump knows that (It may be why he put together a Second Amendment coalition). But just in case he forgot while he was busy making appointments, putting his cabinet together, and going down the list of all the promises he made to donors and supporters while on the campaign trail, Wayne is here to remind him that we are, indeed, a priority. That the 2A cannot get lost in the shuffle.
I quit the NRA years ago, when I was repeatedly (repeat: repeatedly, and for YEARS, and TO THIS DAY) ignored on the subject of DONATIONS to DEMOCRAT candidates AND DEMOCRAT incumbents. At a minimum, I have the RIGHT to UNDERSTAND to whom, why and how my donations are being used.God bless \’em for the good, necessary work they do… I do not believe the best way to see my money used is to continue to line the pockets of thieves, liars and communists, even if that money might buy the occasional vote. They OWE US ALL ANSWERS. So, until I get ANSWERS to my questions, I will not give the NRA another goddanmed DIME…!!!
I quit the NRA years ago, when I was repeatedly (repeat: repeatedly, and for YEARS, and TO THIS DAY) ignored on the subject of DONATIONS to DEMOCRAT candidates AND DEMOCRAT incumbents. At a minimum, I have the RIGHT to UNDERSTAND to whom, why and how my donations are being used.
God bless ’em for the good, necessary work they do… I do not believe the best way to see my money used is to continue to line the pockets of thieves, liars and communists, even if that money might buy the occasional vote. They OWE US ALL ANSWERS. So, until I get ANSWERS to my questions, I will not give the NRA another goddanmed DIME…!!!
Some one forgot the first part of 2 amendment, it state as militants to insure a free state, the people have the right to bare arms shall not be in fringed, it’s states arms not guns, (arms something that can be used in anger.
Let’s add, after this amendment was radafied, you were required to muster for training, you were required to register and have it inspected, blacks, indians, women and under 16 and over 60 could not bare arms, weapon’s could not carried in public places, you could only have a loaded musket in you home to protect your family. Gee what part covers Glocks, Ak 47 and AR 15, Gee what part covers, you could only carry a weapon to and from the hunting area unloded. Before you push the 2 amendment try having a true understand of it, today we have the police, the military as our militants, the people of this country no longer have a need to train to fight the English. It’s a shame that in today’s age that we have mass shoot of our children in our schools, the killing of men woman and children each day and we do not have gun control for assoult weapon’s or over 21 year olds, this is no longer about owning a gun it’s about greed and money.
The NRA President LaPierre Makes over 41/2 mil. a year, the NRA takes in over 100 mil. a year, they push over 20 mil. To the Republican committee so our politicians have A ratings, and they call themselves a non profit origination.
It’s time the people in this county require our politicians work for the people, have origination like this pay taxes, have lobbiest removed from Washington and our state capitals, use the money collected to pay for security in our schools.
Teachers do no have a need to have a gun in our schools, a teacher shoot out against a person with a assoult weapon will only lead to more deaths of our children.
It is proven that only 18% of the rounds at police shoot outs hit there mark the rest hit everything and any thing.
Thank you
I got home early from work today (Monday Jan. 9, 2017) and turned on Fox News, “The Five”. Most of the folks on it, at least half of the folks on it are generally conservative and seem to believe in OUR Constitution. Today while speaking of the guy that shot up the Fort Lauderdale, FL. airport shooting last week, two of the usual conservatives pointed out how the shooter could have been stopped before he started if only his “PRIVILEGE” to have or own a firearm had been revoked. “PRIVILEGE”? That’s what OUR 2nd Amendment is or has become? A “PRIVILEGE”? I was pretty upset about and by that. A third person, ultra liberal agreed with them except that he said that they didn’t go far enough because he said that he’s a big fan of gun control. I’m stuck in the Wild West days. If you’re a legal citizen of these United States Of America, you’re not in prison, and you choose to, you’re open carrying a firearm. What should be the minimum age? I was carrying long arms, hunting by myself in various woods with permission when I was ten (1970). Could that still be possible today? I don’t know. Open carry a sidearm? At a bare minimum of 18…if a legal U.S. citizen and not in prison. If we went back to that, this would be a much nicer, more respectful nation. Of course liberals will disagree, saying that no guns makes this a nicer place. But my experience is that the fewer armed people, the more people that take advantage of others, and that is their real goal…disarm you, take advantage of you because once everyone is disarmed, who is going to stop the Ruling Class? At that point, who CAN stop the Ruling Class? That’s why we have a 2nd Amendment…to STOP the Ruling Class.
What a shame that ALL Wayne cares about is guns. Yes, I understand the NRA is about guns- but there is a whole lot more to running a country- the worlds greatest- than just guns. There’s more to life itself than guns.
By the time twitler is through with us that may be all we have left.
He has NEVER done anything out of “the goodness of his heart”- has never done anything for anyone but himself, in fact- seems to delight in stiffing those who work for him.
He’s a crook, a scammer- and a bully.
Shame on you, Wayne- for supporting someone like this.
This is the best our country can do???
A lot of twitler supporters are going to have a dazed look on their faces when he’s done with us.
And, yes- I am a definite 2nd Ammendment supporter.
There needs to be a replacement for NRA. If the FBI investigations prove NRA funneled money from Russia to support a Political candidate in America,, I am done with with the NRA
Wish our gun rights groups were focused on protecting the 2nd Amendment instead of jockeying for position in the right wing social movement. I am a gun-rights supporter and do not genuflect at the altar of pro-lifers, corporate toadies and anti-immigration bigots.
i agree, the extreme Right and Extreme Left sucks. Live and let die,,, with my firearms. Life is a crap shoot,,,,,,,, leave me alone
Support 2nd amendment, Obama didn’t take away our guns like some people feared. Get a grip so much more at stake, would be nice to live in a world where we can enjoy our guns as sportsman instead of needing them out of fear ( the donald way).
Just a few comments on what’s already been said. First, the term “Elite” seems generally misunderstood. The world political elite meet regularly at Davos, Aspen, amd elsewhere. They belong to The CFR, Bilderburgers Group, Club of Rome, Knights of Malta, and other organizations (Putin is in this group). Check the rosters of each and there is significant membership overlap. One name missing on aalll is Trump. He’s not of the elite class because he’s too public, crude in style and words, and lacks finesse. The Clintons are members, so is Obama, the Bushs, Jim Baker, Kissinger, and so on. These people love free trade agreements favorable to business and they are globalist, neoliberal in outlook. Trump is neither right/left or Republican/Democrat and those who insist on this dichotomy will be disappointed. Not long ago Trump was a Democrat. Trump is a pragmatist; making deals always requires pragmatism. Trump is not a very sophisticated guy he’s more of a blunt instrument. Finally, the US economy is in such terrible shape that my guess is its implosion may make Trump a one termer unless he does things that will be very unpopular with Ryan and his scumbag Congressional supporters. Trump was elected as a populist and if he forgets his power base and lines up with Ryan then he’ll be gone in 4 years and we’ll see 1930s type bread lines…yes, things really are that bad.
After Obama took away our guns and invaded Texas during Jade Helm, we have been saved by the Russians.
Seems like everyone is forgetting the treaty that Obama had Kerry sign “for us” at the UN. We need to get Trump to unsign the treaty and get the UN out of our country, unless you want the next flaming liberal president (who, hopefully, won’t ever be elected again) and liberal House and Senate (hopefully that won’t ever happen again, also) dredge it up and ratify it. If it gets ratified, we can all kiss the 2nd Amendment rights good bye. It is a ticking time bomb unless Trump gets it unsigned and gets us out of it. The NRA should be working on that really hard as well as all the other threats to the 2nd Amendment.
I will surely support Trump when he’s on the right side of things, and give him hell when he isn’t — and I expect him to be on both sides at one time, or another. Trump is more politician than most give him credit for — he’s taken opposing and ambiguous positions on too many things, and nominated too many establishment hacks to serve in his administration. If he isn’t carefully watched, and made to feel the heat when he gets out of line, he will barter our rights for something he wants, and sell us out like any other lying politician.
Time will tell if “This election was a grassroots rejection of the elite class that wants to rule America”. It could be the elite class pulling the wool over our eyes. We have been fooled before – remember the Silent Majority or the Moral Majority?
Trump should defend 2nd amendment rights, after all, he said he would – but so should an elected official. What about our other constitutional rights? All of them. I sincerly hope and pray that he will dismantle the “Patriot Act”, so we can at least feel free. We may just have to take our rights back 1 at a time, but we all have to realize that all of these rights are under fire and we must fight until they are ours again.
You’re right Wayne about the NRA and Trump. All I ask is that if the legislation goes forth to repeal the 1986 full-auto ban you get in front of it this time and get it repealed, to include the current suppressor legislation, SBR proposal, etc., If we don’t seize the moment now we may never got another chance(s).
Preach It ! This past election was for ALL the guns staying or going ! Trump isn\’t in office yet & the Supreme Court Justices have not been appointed yet either ! Thanks Eric for having a dad who PLAYED AMERICA\’S TRUMP CARD !
It’s not gonna matter one twit to all the unfortunates who live in California-whether the ban is repealed or not! We already can’t own anything affected by the ’86 ban. Individual firearm ownership will, sooner than later, be a thing of the past in this state! Almost weekly “the powers that be” are “RETROACTIVELY” banning weapons, magazines and any other device they deem we shouldn’t be “ALLOWED” to have. The anti’s have the East Coast and West Coast firmly in their bag. Now they’re going to work on all the in between, so called, “fly over” states. All people in all the temporarily non affected states are saying “boy, i’m sure glad I don’t live in NY or CA. Folks in those states really shouldn’t feel very secure. An old saying goes something like this-“AS GOES CALIFORNIA SO GOES THE NATION.” All those “fly over states” had better wake up, take notice, and closely watch what their legislators are proposing and what is being passed. The only way we can win this war against our rights is with vigilance and unwavering unity. Oh, but we’ll soon be in good shape here. Eric Holder’s law firm is soon going to be on the CA payroll. You remember Eric Holder right? He’s the past US A.G. involved in the “fast and furious” fiasco. Sighhh. 🙁
Trump is the elite class and all the millionaires he appointed are also in the elite class. He could care less about the working class. He pulled the wool over all your eyes. Trump said it himself that most Americans’ are clueless. This is why he appealed to bikers, kkk, white supremacist’s and other hate groups. You all better pray hard that America survives a Trump Administration.
Yet another Trump hater. And based on what? You must watch CNN 24/7.
FYI Trump has a carry permit and wholly endorses our 2nd Amendment rights.
He knows that without the 5 million votes he got from NRA members he wouldn’t be the President.
He has stated he will appoint and ‘Originalist’ to the Supreme Court who upholds the Constitution and supports the 2nd Amendment…judging by his cabinet picks it looks like he will make good on his Supreme Court promise.
You might want our country to be overrun by illegal aliens and unvetted Syrians while pledging your allegiance to BLM but REAL Americans want to be safe and free to make their own way through life without the government telling them what to do, say, and eat every step of the way.
We don’t want YOUR liberal dream. Maybe Canada would be a good option for you.
You said that beautifully and the end of 0bama’s attempt to make America part of the One World Order with his wake of Constitutional destruction is over. A builder is in place now that will put this country back on the tracks – American made tracks. Make America Great Again!
@BillyBob — your comment is all over the map.
JB of Hollywood comments of things you know nothing about ! Stick to your P.S. shooting range in your mama\’s basement and maybe someday someone will invite you to shoot big boy toys at a real gun range !
BillyBob, I guess someone is a little sensitive. Maybe it’s the way your grammar comes across or maybe what perceived arrogance you emit.
At no point did I complain of your topics. It was just they were all over the place. Oddly enough, most that read these articles are pro Second Amendment–or for the Bill of Rights (myself included), yet you are quick to bash the people who stand with you.
That being said, thanks for the entertainment and a good chuckle. You’re too easy to get your feathers ruffled, even though that was not the intent.
Happy 2017 to you.
Where do you stand Wayne ?
National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Introduced!
by S.H. Blannelberry on January 5, 2017
Where were all the NRA TV ads telling if Trump wasn\’t elected you could kiss your guns GOODBY ?
Wayne did you forget this NOV. ELECTION was for ALL THE MARBLES !
When is the NRA going to do suppressor reviews in their magazines ?
Most db reduction ! Difference in the types of/ material used for tubes & baffles – ware-heat-mg rating-cleaning-sealed ver threaded – baffles ver mono core -sonic ver subsonic ! Well Wayne what say you ?
NFA items never used in any crime by their lawful owners YET THE NRA HAD NO PROBLEM THROWING MG\’s under the bus in 1986 ! Wife & I are both LIFE MEMBERS + Benefactors + ILA and yes I own Browning shotguns and Ruger woodside shotguns and Perazzi MX8 12 Gauge Over & Under ! The Second Amendment covers ALL TYPE GUNs !
DRAIN THE SWAMP OR GET OFF THE FENCE !
“Make no mistake: This election was a grassroots rejection of the elite class that wants to rule America.”
When the electors are bound by law or oath to vote along party lines then the only two questions that remain are who chooses them and when……
certainly not the elite class and certainly not to keep the seesaw going for their benefit
“elite class that wants to rule America.” ???