Page 16 - American Rifleman (February 2020)

’
PRESIDENT S COLUMN

Trump Is Latest Among Eight U.S.
Presidents With NRA Membership

n February, Americans celebrate President Taft, another lifetime member, was
Presidents Day to pay tribute to the also greatly interested in the work of the NRA
I leaders of our great nation—their lives and its efforts to enhance the skills of American
and achievements. It is also a special day riflemen. In more recent history we find that
for members of the NRA as we recall located in California among the personal and
the sacrifices our first president, George presidential papers of President Nixon is his July
Washington, and other Founding Fathers 1957 lifetime membership in the NRA. A few
made to create this United States of America years later, President Kennedy formally accepted
and endow us with our cherished Second an NRA membership while represented by
Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Chester Clifton, military aide to the president,
Presidents Day was originally established in during a formal presentation on April 28, 1961.
1885 to recognize George Washington, our In 1983, President Reagan spoke to
By Carolyn D. Meadows first commander in chief. It is interesting to members during an NRA annual banquet.
note that among his highly prized possessions “Being a part of this group, you know that
President
during his lifetime was an English pistol. The good organizations don’t just happen. They
firearm (a .71 caliber flintlock) was given to then take root in a body of shared beliefs. They grow
23-year-old Washington in 1755 while he served strong from leadership with vision, initiative, and
under English General Edward Braddock. We determination to reach great goals.” During that
know about the importance that Washington rousing address, Reagan shared that he had
placed on this pistol from a letter his aide sent “always felt a special bond” with NRA members.
NRA OFFICERS July 2, 1777. “Your philosophy put its trust in people.
“Sir, His Excellency Gen. Washington desires So, you insist on individuals being held
Carolyn D. Meadows you to look among his effects for a pistol which responsible for their actions. The NRA believes
President
was mislaid or possibly lost. You will know it by that America’s laws were made to be obeyed
Charles L. Cotton being a large brass barrel and the lock of which and that our constitutional liberties are just as
First Vice President is also of brass with the name of Gabbitas, the important today as 200 years ago.”
Willes K. Lee Spanish armorer, thereon. It has also a heavy It is noteworthy that when President Reagan
Second Vice President brass butt. His Excellency is much exercised spoke 37 years ago, he discussed the issue
over the loss of this pistol, it being given him by of gun control—which we are facing with
Wayne LaPierre Gen. Braddock, and having since been with him heightened anti-gun political maneuverings as
Executive Vice President through several campaigns, and he therefore never before seen. Remarking briefly on the
John Frazer values it very highly.” Today this pistol is part 1982 assassination attempt on him, Reagan
Secretary of “The Price of Freedom: Americans at War” declared, “It’s a nasty truth, but those who seek
collection at the Smithsonian National Museum to inflict harm are not fazed by gun control
Craig Spray of American History in Washington, D.C. laws. I happen to know this from personal
Treasurer
Following in the footsteps of our first experience.” He noted that “the Constitution
Jason Ouimet president, George Washington, to safeguard does not say that government shall decree the
Executive Director, our freedom have been other notable right to keep and bear arms. The Constitution
NRA-ILA American presidents, as well as the National says ‘. . . the right of the people to keep and
Joseph P. DeBergalis, Jr. Rifle Association, founded in 1871. The NRA, bear Arms, shall not be infringed.’”
Executive Director, since its inception, has been on the forefront of As we look forward in the coming months
General Operations protecting our Second Amendment freedom and next presidential election in November,
while counting among its patriotic members we members would do well to look at another
eight U.S. presidents: Ulysses S. Grant, NRA lifetime member, President Donald
Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Trump. He knows us and the critical issues
Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard we face. And he continues to stand with us
M. Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Donald J. Trump. at the NRA—just as he has on issues, in his
To underscore their commitment to the crucial appointments of judges and joining
goals and objectives of the NRA, many of these us side-by-side during our 2018 and 2019
presidents have been lifetime members, such as Annual Meetings and Exhibits. We need to do
Teddy Roosevelt. In 1907, Roosevelt wrote to all we can to re-elect President Trump so he
NRA President James Andrew Drain: “I am so will continue to protect our Constitution, the
heartily interested in the success of the National Second Amendment and the firearms freedom
Rifle Association of America and the work done of law-abiding Americans. Stand and fight with
For news about your NRA, in cooperation with the National Board for the us. We have a country to save.
visit: nra.org and nraila.org. encouragement of rifle practice, that I take
Share this column online at pleasure in sending you herewith my check for
nrapublications.org. $25 for life membership therein.” His successor,
14 FEBRUARY 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN