Synopses & Reviews
It's no secret that the National Rifle Association is probably the most powerful lobbying group in America, noted for its no-nonsense tactics and fervent membership. Beyond that, virtually everything about the NRA's political agenda, its financial structure, and how it spends the vast amounts of money it collects from contributors has been kept a tightly guarded secret, not only from the public but from NRA members as welluntil now.
In Ricochet, a onetime NRA lobbyist and avid Second Amendment defender unmasks the inner workings, influence, and goals of this highly secretive political behemoth. From internecine warfare, media manipulation, and executive bankrolling to gun control bills and school massacres, Richard Feldman, former NRA regional political director and lobbyist for the firearm industry, exposes the NRA as a cynical, mercenary political cult obsessed with wielding power while exploiting members' fear in order to maximize contributions.
Among the many dirty little secrets that Feldman exposes are the phenomenal salaries received by CEO Wayne LaPierre and other high-ranking NRA officials. These generous remunerations, which place NRA executives among the highest-paid officials of any tax-exempt organization, are funded by biannual "crisis du jour" fund-raising drives, in which members are exhorted to donate additional funds to fend off the latest alleged threat to their Second Amendment rights.
Looking back over his long association with the NRA, Feldman reveals the inside stories behind the organization's responses to the Bernie Goetz subway shootings, the Assault Weapons Ban, gun control legislation, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Long Island Railroad shootings, and Feldman's own voluntary gun-lock agreement. He explains how the NRA's inflexible positions have placed the nation's most prominent representative of law-abiding gun owners in increasing opposition to law enforcement, gun makers, and moderate Republicans. The upshot is that the NRA is not an effective advocate for its members' interests. Obsessed with fund-raising, scare-mongering, and wielding political power, NRA leadership undermines commonsense solutions that would protect gun-owners' rights while reducing accidental shootings and gun violence.
Ricochet is not for gun control advocates: It is a wake-up call for gun owners who cherish their Second Amendment rights. The message is that the NRA has betrayed your trust, misused your hard-earned donations, and strengthened the hand of those who would take your guns away. Read this hard-hitting exposé to discover how this has happened and what you can do about it.
Review
"
Ricochetis right on target. Feldman's behind-the-scenes memoir vividly describes America's firearms debate and struggle to win in extraordinary detail. I thoroughly enjoyed it."--John W. Magaw, former Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
"Ricochet casts an eye-opening spotlight on the shadowy world of behind-the-scenes gun politics. Is it accurate? Absolutely! I was there."--John Aquilino, former Director, NRA Public Education
"Ricochet tells the truth. With each page I can hear the echo of footsteps down the Rayburn Building's marbled halls as Feldman tells the intimate story few know and even fewer survive."--Jack Brooks (D-Tex.), former Chairman, U.S. House Judiciary Committee
Synopsis
Ricochet
Confessions Of A Gun Lobbyist
""Ricochet tells the truth. With each page I can hear the echo of footsteps down the Rayburn Building's marbled halls as Feldman tells the intimate story few know and even fewer survive.""
Jack Brooks (D-Tex.), former Chairman, U.S. House Judiciary Committee
""Ricochet casts an eye-opening spotlight on the shadowy world of behind-the-scenes gun politics. Is it accurate? Absolutely! I was there.""
John Aquilino, former Director, NRA Public Education
""Ricochet is right on target. Feldman's behind-the-scenes memoir vividly describes America's firearms debate and struggle to win in extraordinary detail. I thoroughly enjoyed it.""
John W. Magaw, former Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
Synopsis
An NRA insider exposes the hidden aims and tactics of America's most notorious special interest group
The National Rifle Association is the most feared lobbying powerhouse in America, known for its aggressive tactics and intensely secretive culture. In this revealing, controversial book, lifetime NRA member and former lobbyist Richard Feldman unmasks the inner workings, influence, and goals of this political behemoth, from internecine warfare, media manipulation, and executive bankrolling to gun control bills and school massacres.
Richard Feldman (Rindge, NH) is a former Reagan White House appointee to the Commerce Department. He became the regional political director for the National Rifle Association in the 1980s and served as chief lobbyist and spokesman for the firearm industry's national trade association in the '90s. He is the founder of MLS Communications and is a top political and public affairs consultant.
Synopsis
In this revealing, controversial book, lifetime NRA member and former lobbyist Feldman unmasks the inner workings, influence, and goals of this political behemoth, from internecine warfare, media manipulation, and executive bankrolling to gun control bills and school massacres.
Synopsis
Ricochet
Confessions Of A Gun Lobbyist
Ricochet tells the truth. With each page I can hear the echo of footsteps down the Rayburn Building's marbled halls as Feldman tells the intimate story few know and even fewer survive.
--Jack Brooks (D-Tex.), former Chairman, U.S. House Judiciary Committee
Ricochet casts an eye-opening spotlight on the shadowy world of behind-the-scenes gun politics. Is it accurate? Absolutely I was there.
--John Aquilino, former Director, NRA Public Education
Ricochet is right on target. Feldman's behind-the-scenes memoir vividly describes America's firearms debate and struggle to win in extraordinary detail. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
--John W. Magaw, former Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
Synopsis
Ricochet
Confessions Of A Gun Lobbyist
"Ricochet tells the truth. With each page I can hear the echo of footsteps down the Rayburn Building's marbled halls as Feldman tells the intimate story few know and even fewer survive."
Jack Brooks (D-Tex.), former Chairman, U.S. House Judiciary Committee
"Ricochet casts an eye-opening spotlight on the shadowy world of behind-the-scenes gun politics. Is it accurate? Absolutely! I was there."
John Aquilino, former Director, NRA Public Education
"Ricochet is right on target. Feldman's behind-the-scenes memoir vividly describes America's firearms debate and struggle to win in extraordinary detail. I thoroughly enjoyed it."
John W. Magaw, former Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
About the Author
Richard Feldman was a regional political director for the National Rifle Association during its rise to power in the 1980s. In the 1990s he was chief lobbyist and spokesman for the firearm industry's national trade association. The founder of MLS Communications, a public relations and political consulting business, Mr. Feldman is also an attorney specializing in public affairs.
Table of Contents
Chapter One. NRA Annual Meeting.
Chapter Two. The Dream Job.
Chapter Three. The Association.
Chapter Four. Victories.
Chapter Five. Defeats.
Chapter Six. Lawyers, Money and Back to Guns.
Chapter Seven. “Weapons of War”.
Chapter Eight. “The New NRA”.
Chapter Nine. Conflict and Cooperation.
Chapter Ten. The End Game.
Coda.
Epilogue.
Index.