Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Considering the National Rifle Association’s love affair with responsibility and transparency (ha!), it’s no wonder they’ve found themselves at the hot end of a legal barrel. In a settlement that’s about as unexpected as a gun at a GOP convention, the NRA has agreed to completely revamp a charity that, allegedly, had more leaks than a sinking submarine.
The Breakdown
- Membership Fees: Supporting a Cause or the CEO’s New Yacht?
Every time a member thought their money was safeguarding second amendment rights, it was probably being invested in ensuring the CEO didn’t have to fly gasp commercial. - Charitable Deeds or Charitable Greed?
The charity work was so secretive that members needed a decoder ring from a cereal box just to find out where their donations went. - Auditing What? We Thought You Said ‘Audi.’
Internal controls were as sturdy as a house of cards in a tornado. The so-called auditing process was akin to asking a cat to watch your goldfish. - Lawsuit Settlement or the Art of Making Problems Magically Disappear?
The NRA’s sudden passion for reform is less a moment of clarity and more like someone cleaning the house five minutes before guests arrive. - The Promise of a New Day or Just Another PR Play?
This settlement has offered a complete overhaul of the charity, promising as much transparency as a brick wall.
The Counter
- What’s a Little Mishandling Between Patriots, Eh?
Because nothing says ‘freedom’ like liberally interpreting what to do with funds meant for ‘charitable’ work. - Guns Don’t Mismanage Funds, People Do.
Let’s not blame an inanimate object like a bank account for the playful misadventures of a few patriots, shall we? - Charity Begins At Home, Specifically the CEO’s Home.
If charity is all about giving, then are we really going to begrudge a CEO a solid gold bathtub or two? - Audits Are Just The Man Keeping You Down.
Since when did the gun-loving public become so keen on accounting precision? Freedom means free from reconciliation! - Reform Is Just Another Word for ‘Nothing Left to Lose.’
At this point, why even bother with pretense? Isn’t the spirit of giving about not knowing where the heck your money is going?
The Hot Take
In a revelation that has rocked the canteen at the ding-dong school of charitable giving, the NRA has vowed to shoot straight (pun intended) with their finances moving forward. Naturally, the ‘solution’ is drenched in good intentions and vague assurances.
If they were really serious about accountability, they’d open their books like a pop-up store at a transparency convention. Heck, throw in some blockchain or crowdsource the bookkeeping to Reddit auditors for all the oversight frenzy. But remember, when it comes to the NRA and fiscal responsibility, aiming high tends to result in shooting oneself in the foot.
Source: NRA Settles D.C. Lawsuit, Agreeing to Overhaul Charity Accused of Mishandling Funds
