Date: Sun, 6 Aug 95 14:34:58 EDT
From: [REDACTED] at [nra.org]
To: [c--s] at [mri.com], [N--B--N] at [mainstream.com]
Subject: Re: News alleges NRA loses 10% of members
Message-ID: <Chameleon.950806143524.tm@>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: NRA PUBLIC AFFAIRS
August 4, 1995 (703) 267-3820
LAPIERRE DECLARES FIRST YEAR OF NRA DUES
INCREASE A "MAJOR SUCCESS":
Revenues Up Dramatically
FAIRFAX, VA--Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice President of the National
Rifle Association today declared the first year of the dues increase
program for the NRA a "major success for our organization."
"In late 1993, when our Membership Task Force made this proposal to
increase annual member dues by 40%, from $25 to $35," LaPierre said,
"we were concerned that there might be a dramatic fall off in renewals
and new membership. Based on previous experience, projections were
that we could lose up to 15 percent of our existing members.
Membership, however, only declined by 8 percent while revenue from
sustaining members increased from $29 million in the first six months
of '94 to $34 million for the first six months of this year. In fact,
during the month of July, 1995 alone, we netted an average of more
than 2,000 new members a day--enough new members in that month to fill
RFK Stadium, or the Houston Astrodome."
LaPierre stated that membership growth has been funded totally from
income received from new member promotion programs, contrary to
erroneous coverage given this issue by the New York Times. while the
New York Times reported that from 1992 to 1994 the NRA spent 467
million on new member acquisition, it ignored the slightly more than
$100 million income derived from that program alone.
"We are continuing to move ahead on all fronts, including financial
resources, membership programs, safety, anti-crime, pro-law
enforcement and our political efforts including voter registration,"
LaPierre said.
"As the NRA continues to grow and thrive, we are confident that our
supporters will continue to provide additional funds that are required
for programs our members want and communities need. For example, the
nationally acclaimed Eddie Eagle program, which has already taught gun
safety to 7 million children, is in enormous demand nationwide,"
LaPierre said.
"Since three out of four American women over age 12 fall victim to
crime, NRA's personal protection firearms courses have reached tens of
thousands of women helping them to save themselves from potentially
life-threatening situations. And for those who choose an alternative
to firearms, NRA's "Refuse to be a Victim" seminar teaches women ways
to minimize their chances of criminal attack by preparing for their
own personal safety," LaPierre said.
Women are leading the fight to pass "Right to Carry" laws across the
country--laws which give Americans the right to defend themselves
outside the home.
"In addition," LaPierre continued," our programs that help law
enforcement officials, including training tens of thousands of police
officers, sheriffs, and state troopers in marksmanship, must be fully
funded. These programs, of course, go hand in hand with our tough
CrimeStrike work and legislative action to stop the revolving door of
the criminal justice system," LaPierre said.
"We represent and serve over 3 million dues paying members, and
approximately 25 million Americans who believe in our cause and, by
virtue of either having once been a member or having gone through one
of our many safety programs, consider themselves to be members of the
National Rifle Association," LaPierre said.
LaPierre cited the following poll results to support his point:
1) According to an exit poll conducted by the New York Times of 6,000
voters on Election Day, 1994, 37% of the respondents claimed to be
affiliated with the National Rifle Association.
2) November, 1994 exit polls conducted by the Harris & Gallup
organizations, the Times Mirror Company, and the Tarrance Group have
shown a voting bloc ranging in size between 23 and 27 million voters
who are either members, affiliated members, or associated members of
the National Rifle Association. (O'Leary Report, November 1994)
3) According to a recent survey for Time Magazine by Yankelovich
Partners, 93 percent of the NRA membership are "totally satisfied"
with the leadership of the NRA. (May, 1995)
4) The Tarrance Group, a subsidiary of the Gallup Polling
Organization, asked 1,000 _registered voters_ in July 1995, "If Wayne
LaPierre and the National Rifle Association told you that a
presidential candidate would take away your right to own a gun, would
you be more or less likely to vote for that candidate?"
61 percent responded "less likely"
Also, "If Wayne LaPierre and the National Rifle Association told you
that a congressional candidate would take away your right to own a
firearm, would you be more or less likely to support that candidate?"
59 percent responded "less likely"
LaPierre also announced that he had approved a multi-tiered marketing
effort which will allow annual memberships of $1,000, $200, $120, $35,
$25, and $15.
For more information, please contact NRA Public Affairs at (703)
267-3820.
--nra--
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