An Open Letter To The NRA, From A Libertarian
I am writing you today out of concern for the National Rifle Association, of which I am a proud member. Recently I switched from the Republican Party to the Libertarian Party and I explain why here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-i-am-libertarian-john-jd-pierce?trk=prof-post.
I have found the Libertarian Party to be even more staunchly in favor of smaller government and individual liberty than the Republicans, particularly including the liberties provided by the Second Amendment. They are, in fact, the party of principle, which neither the modern-day Republicans or Democrats can claim to be without provoking laughter.
However, I have noticed that the NRA does not seem to include Libertarian candidates in its voter guides nor in its support or endorsements of political candidates. See, for example, here:
https://www.pollvault.com/nrapvf_fl/endorsements/florida-nra-political-victory-fund.
It is certainly clear that people are leaving the two old parties because of their lack of core principles. Among the places they are more and more choosing to go is the Libertarian Party, which, by percentage, is quickly growing while the old parties are increasingly stagnant, particularly with respect to the younger generations.
If the NRA is truly to be an objective force in protecting the Second Amendment in the future, it needs to reconsider its lockstep march with the Republicans. I fear that so tight an association with one of the old parties will cause the NRA to look less than principled, and more a part of the old political machine whose only purpose is to raise money and acquire power for its own sake.
To this end, I would like to recommend that the NRA investigate which candidate is actually a better supporter of the Second Amendment in the 2016 campaign cycle, including a review of any Libertarian candidate’s positions, before you make your voter guides, decide who to support, and who to endorse. I think that you may be surprised by what you find, and I hope to be proud of who you endorse in 2016.
Thank you.
John D. Pierce, Esq.
John “JD” Pierce is an attorney in Clearwater, Florida and a member of the Libertarian Party of Florida, serving on the Executive Committee as the representative for Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando Counties.
Nice sentiment, but no third party has power. The NRA has done a fine job of protecting 2nd Amendment rights. And they are not following the Republicans. They are leading.
Well said; this has often occurred to me as well. The Libertarians have much more in common with the goals and direction of the NRA than the two mainstream parties, both of which are looking like two sides of the same coin. And that coin is owned by the same bank.