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: 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-- =+=+=+=+ This information is provided as a service of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, Fairfax, VA. This and other information on the Second Amendment and the NRA is available at any of the following URL's: http://WWW.NRA.Org, gopher://GOPHER.NRA.Org, wais://WAIS.NRA.Org, ftp://FTP.NRA.Org, mailto:[L--TP--C] at [NRA.Org] (Send the word help as the body of a message) Information may also be obtained by connecting directly to the NRA-ILA GUN-TALK Bulletin Board System at (703) 934-2121.