Former SEAL and SOFREP Editor Brandon Webb is talking about running for the NRA Board of Directors. His possible candidacy has already spawned an “anti” Facebook page as well as a rather lively thread on AR15.com. BW is certainly outspoken and in response, he has posted a platform of sorts on SOFREP which we are sharing with permission. This isn’t an endorsement of Webb’s positions or candidacy but rather meant as a informational post and to spark discussion on the issues raised in his post.
A Navy SEAL Sniper’s Perspective on Firearms Ownership & The NRA in America
I’m writing this in response to a recent stir about my intent to run for an NRA board seat.
I first joined the NRA when I decided to attend the NRA Range Development course in 2005. I was there to learn about private range operations and the hurdles of getting shooting ranges approved in California. I learned that getting a shooting range approved in California is almost harder than getting Spotted Owl on the menu at a Sierra Club gala.
I took military leave from the SEAL sniper course to attend the Las Vegas NRA Range Development conference in 2005. I remember sitting in the conference room as the attendees were going around the room introducing themselves, “Joe from Colorado, gun show owner”, “Bob from Montana, gun smith…” When it came to my turn, I stood up, kept a straight face, and told them I was a representative of the Sierra Club who was attending to find ways to shut down shooting ranges across the nation. I’m pretty sure one guy had a stroke, and the rest were just north of apoplectic. When I told them I was bullshitting them and gave them my background as a Navy SEAL, the tension disappeared and the room erupted in laughter.
I never shot much as a kid, aside from shooting clay pidgeons off the bow of the boat I worked on. I hunted quite a bit, but it was with my spear gun, not a rifle. I learned to shoot in the Navy, and only became an expert with a weapon by the time I finished my first SEAL platoon work up. It was there that I was given a shot to attend sniper school with my best friend Glen Doherty (later killed in Benghazi, Libya).
My first exposure to the firearms hot button came when I spoke out in defense of school shootings and compromise on my personal blog. Things heated up again more recently when I announced that I’m going to run for a 2015 NRA board seat on my author Facebook page.
Many people I’ve encountered on social media lately have misinterpreted my position on the 2nd Amendment. Lately, I’ve heard people develop wild and ungrounded conclusions about my position on the 2nd Amendment. Some think that I’m automatically talking about Americans giving up their right to keep and bear arms, and 2nd Amendment compromise. They couldn’t be more wrong.
In the dark corners of the Internet they lurk, call names, and make ridiculous emotion-based (not fact-based) assumptions. I’ve heard it all, and I’ll take this on the chin. To be honest, I could have been clearer on my position in the past. However, do keep in mind that the word “compromise,” a term I’ve used before, comes in many forms; sometimes it includes sitting down with your adversaries and having an intelligent conversation and debate on major issues.
What have I learned since getting out of the Navy in 2006? Few things will stir people up in this country like the 2nd Amendment. It’s right up there with gay marriage and abortion. And I’ve learned that you can’t have a conversation with a fanatic.
“A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind, and won’t change the subject.” – Winston Churchill
Some facts about me
-I’m Canadian-born American citizen by birth (by a US parent).
-I grew up hunting fish (Halibut, Yellowtail, Bass, nothing was safe) and Lobster in the kelp forests of the Channel Islands with my spear gun.
-I bought my first gun when I was a new SEAL at Team 3. I still have it – an HK USP .45.
-Favorite gun manufacturer: Rifle-Blaser Handgun-HK
-I was an M-60 Gunner in my first platoon (It’s one bad ass area weapon!)
-I am a certified SEAL sniper, sniper instructor, and US Army-trained stinger missile gunner.
-The snipers in the Teams used to go on Navy-sponsored hunting trips, mostly white tail.
-I shot my first buck in 2002 at 443 yards with my issued .300 Win Mag in Washington State.
-I served in the Navy from 1993-2006.
I own (don’t tell on me):
-Remington 300 Win Mag w/Night Force 15x Mil Dot optic
-HK .45 USP
-HK .45 USP compact (carried this in Afghanistan and Iraq)
-Sig Sauer 1911 .45 “Nightmare”
-Glock 19 9MM
-Mossberg 12 GA Stainless mMrine (I love my stainless)
My wish list for 2014:
-S&W 686 .357
-Blaser .338/.308 with Schmidt & Bender Mil Dot optic
-HK UMP .45
-A good .308 suppressed semi-auto with short range scope and red dot (my Zombie gun)
A Snap Shot Perspective of My Views on Gun Ownership & The 2nd Amendment
-The 2nd Amendment is inherent in America’s cultural DNA
-Limiting magazine capacity is ridiculous and impractical
-I believe everyone who owns a gun should attend a firearms safety qualifications course, and this should be standardized across the country. Too many people I’ve seen on the range are unsafe.
-Yes, owning a gun is a right; driving is similar to this but you have to have pass a drivers test to prove competency *this point was clarified from my earlier post.
-The NRA should be like PADI or NAUI and encourage gun ranges to only accept NRA basic qualified shooters on the range.
-Few people outside of America understand how important firearms ownership is to Americans
-Background checks are a good idea but should take minutes, not days
-Often gun laws are made by people who don’t use, own, or understand firearms
-Mass shootings have to be dealt with head-on or America will face more gun restrictions and erosion of 2nd Amendment rights
-NRA training needs to be brought up to date.
-Legislation on increasing the prevention of mentally ill folks from gaining access to firearms seems logical
-Increasing early warning signs
-Dogs/handlers at schools and colleges are better than armed guards, in my opinion
–Guns aren’t the problem, mental illness is the problem. It’s like punishing responsible automobile owners (which kill more people annually) because of drunk drivers killing innocent people on the road
-I like high cap magazines
-I believe we should be able to concealed-carry and open-carry where practical (e.g., not on an elementary school campus or an airplane)
-Guns are guns and people should be able to own and obtain a permit to own everything, short of WMD, if they’re properly trained/certified
-The NRA should take a strong leadership position when it comes to legislation affecting ownership pro and con, not just a “supporter” of legislation. The perception from the left is that the NRA is an uncompromising organization
-I think the current NRA Executive VP Wayne LaPierre, a career lobbyist, is unfit to lead the NRA into the 21st Century. I wouldn’t let him lead my kids camping trip, let alone the NRA. This may make some angry, but I would be dishonest if I didn’t make my opinion on LaPeirre perfectly clear, see you in 2015 Wayne
-If elected to the board I would be one of 76, but I would do my best to make sure we hold the elected leaders accountable, and work on ways to promote and engage the responsible youth in this country. They are the future, and there’s a decline in youth participation in firearms sports.
-I believe the 2nd Amendment is a right we should keep and hold dear
-Hopefully this clarifies my position. I’ll be happy to address more specific questions when I go forward with a petition to get on the 2012 board ballot. To the name callers, and haters of the Inter-web I have nothing to say to people who can’t change the subject. To the rest, thanks for your support regardless of your NRA membership or vote.
– Brandon Webb
2nd Amendment – A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Tags: Brandon Webb, NRA
Not getting my vote.
Reasons…
1. “Idiots should not own guns”
Perhaps he should volunteer his time and energy training, pro bono to train people HE deems “idiots”. Not everyone is a trained SEAL sniper/instructor. Y
To my knowledge he has not volunteered any time on such NRA endeavors, such as NRA youth programs.
2. “Not participating in the process is a mistake. The NRA has taken the position of the Sierra club…not willing to compromise and create gun legislation that makes sense.” Not sure what planet Webb is on, but, the NRA has taken a leading role in many states assisting legislatures write and pass legislation that not only enhances rights of gun owners, but, protects the underpinnings of 2A. I wonder if Webb is even aware of NRA-ILA?
3. SEAL sniper does not qualify you for a position on the NRA Board. A life time (at least more than 8 years of membership; and not even sure if he is a Life member) of NRA volunteer work at the local, regional, state and national level does.
4. My general belief is that every thing Webb does has to have a monetary reward of some sort. The only reason he attended the NRA Development conference was due to his business plan for a huge range/training complex east of San Diego.
5. NRA membership is about volunteerism, at all levels.
Just my 2 cents.
Define everything? Last time I checked donating my personal time and money to military charities, including my own Foundation is not related to a monetary reward of any kind.
And last time I checked running a for profit business was not a crime. Get a life man, or move to a communist country and spread the love and wealth.
Yours truly, Brandon
And most the folks at the Range Dev. conference were there to open private for profit ranges.
I’m a retired capitalist. And, living just fine with my investments.
I mentioned the Conference because it was the only NRA activity you alluded to participating on your Facebook page.
I have been a Life member since 1964. I have volunteered in NRA Yourth Programs for over 40 years. And you?
We are talking about volunteering time to the NRA, not all of your other side activities, as admirable as they may be…
And, we are talking about comments attributed to you. If you want to disown them fine. But, they define you and what YOU want to do for the NRA.
And, I served while you were off working boats and sailing the Pacific as a kid.
Heck, you probably weren’t even born when I served.
Are you a LIfe Member?
“move to a communist country” … Chief, you offer these off the cuff comments and they simply illustrate my concern for you as an NRA Board member.
This is the NRA. Founded in 1871 for the sole purpose to ensure future generations enjoy ALL the rights associated with 2A.
As i mentioned, I have been a Life Member since 1964. Are you a Life member?
You tell a Life NRA member, who fervently believes when the Founders penned “shall not be infringed”, means SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED, to move to a communist country. That’s golden or you simply do not know your history.
Under the Czars, Russia had more firearms per capita then any other country in the world. Once the October Revolution was complete and the Bolsheviks firmly in power, they convinced the citizens (through not very agreeable means) to turn in all of their rifles and sidearms. Why? So there would not be a counter revolution and thus, allowing the likes of Stalin to come to power.
This week, Mayor Bloomberg and the NYCPD Commissioner holds a press conference demanding the populace get their long guns capable of holding more than 5 rounds, out of the City.
Now, how much further down this path do we need to go?
These are the battles the NRA must fight. Besides volunteering at all levels, it is preventing the Second Amendment’s demise through a “thousand cuts” as is Bloomberg’s plan. There is nothing negotiable about 2A as you may have suggested on your Facebook page. Should local and state jurisdictions be allowed to weaken the 19th or 24th Amendments? I think NOT! Yet, that is exactly what some jurisdictions have done regarding 2A.
Finally, many folks do not care for LaPierre. Yet, he defends 2A without apology.
The poster’s questions are valid. Your flippant reply doesn’t help your case.
What have you done inside the NRA?
How long have you been a member?
What type of membership is it?
And as to the “monetary rewards” of your running a charity that is open to debate. If your fundation’s website is correct the charity spent 33% of its money so far in 2013 on operations and fund raising cost. That seems too much to me. I see that the charity has now adopted an 100% of individual donations go to programs model while and that too needs to be better explained. How much money besides the individual donations is being raised? If that amount is larger than operating cost where does it go? I’d feel more comfortable if the BBB or Charity Navigator rated the charity.
Stan, man….geez, let’s infer now that his foundation is somehow less than stellar because it isn’t rated. Do you even know what Charity Navigator does? They rate charities that have over $1 million in revenue, and at least seven years worth of tax filings. Seeing as how his foundation just got off the ground a year and a half ago, it will be a long time before that will happen, if ever. Their financials are disclosed on their website and if you are really that curious you can request a copy of their 990 from the IRS; it’s public record for any 501(c)3.
Really, stick to the gun issue. And while you’re at it, maybe you could tell us all what each of the current NRA board members have “done inside” the organization and how long they’ve been members? Or maybe just a list of who they are would be good for starters.
Sounds like he’s part of the ‘good olde boy’ club. It’s that club-attitude that will lead us no-where
Lots of things have already been touched on but I haven’t seen this one important point addressed. The drivers licence/gun ownership argument often used by antis and referenced by Mr. Webb here, demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding of both of these concepts, so much so that if these people stopped to think about what they were saying, they would probably change their tune. Case in point.
I don’t need a drivers license to buy or own a car. I don’t even need one to drive a car so long as I’m on private property. The only thing a drivers license gets me is the ability to operate my vehicle on a public road. If firearms were to be treated in this fashion, then background checks would be a thing of the past, and we’d have to start building ranges at every DMV for those who wanted to carry in public.
I have a feeling that Mr. Webb’s reaction to this would fall somewhere between strong disapproval and recoiling in horror. In other words I don’t think he’s the friend of the 2nd amendment that he believes himself to be.
Another way for anti gun politicians to control firearms is to do exactly what Mr. Webb suggests. They can require “training”. Then either make it ridiculously expensive or just not allow the ranges to be built in their towns and cities requiring people to travel to get this training. Sounds good but too many flaws. The 2nd amendment is non negotiable. No more concessions. Can’t even use suppressed weapons without giving away your first born.
Brandon, I initially did not like you. You still will probably not get my vote.
Probably. That definitely ain’t definitely.
That said, you injected some interesting ideas. The stuff going back and forth on this page is some of the best discussion I have seen on this subject in a long time. I think I like you, and I damn sure hope even if you don’t get elected you keep the discussion going. I’ll be there.
Just be careful when you start talking about any kind of “regulation”… Either side gets hold of that, one side will be like baptizin’ a cat and the other side will get a fucking erection just thinking about the control schemes they can come up with.
A couple of things:
1. Driving is a right, not a privilege. Traveling is a right and using an automobile on public roads is a right. We have willing subjected ourselves to laws/regs/etc. controlling/governing/restricting these things though.
2. A few posts here say something along the lines of “I might join the NRA…” WTF? Like it not, right now the NRA is at the forefront protecting the 2A. Until another group comes along that is better or more effective, they should be getting 100% support.
3. The 2A really has nothing to do with hunting so having ‘hunters’ in leadership positions at the NRA is not a requirement.
4. Mr. Webb does bring up some points and ideas that deserve further discussion.
Legally speaking, driving is a privilege. The courts have stated that repeatedly.
The 9th Circuit, in Miller v Cali DMV, ruled that there was “no fundamental right to drive.” That’s one of several courts to state that exact position.
Since you’re in Virginia, here’s Virginia’s DMV referring to driving as a “privilege” repeatedly.
http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#reinstate.asp
No, legally speaking driving is a right.
Court decisions throughout the country have maintained that basically, driving an automobile on public roads is a common form of travel and a person who solely transports his own property and does not transport other people or property for hire or compensation does not require a license.
I can throw 40+ court rulings about this but I don’t want to derail the main thread and you can look them up on your own.
If you want to nickpick words, then call it ‘traveling’ (by operating a motor vehicle for yourself and your possessions) rather than ‘driving’ (for hire).
Furthermore the Virginia DMV, as wonderful of an organization as it is, does not have the final word on the rights of the individual.
Brandon, your service is impressive, coming from a fellow combat vet’s perspective. I agree with you on a few points, such as being allowed to own everything, and certainly NOT WMD’s. However, you do not have my vote on the grounds that you used the word “compromise” and that “Fanatic” quote, which I think was directed at people who will not budge on their gun rights. (not sure if that is what you meant BTW) Let me be clear: The portion of our populace that leans toward more gun restrictions (the left) have become Fanatical. They are not the friendly hippy anymore-they are full blown progressive socialists. They won’t give an inch on their agenda, and I want representation who will not budge either, when it comes to my god given, fought and paid for, rights as an American. Anything not in the Constitution is up for debate- NOT my rights to personal protection. I know you have the best of intentions, but you have to be a rock when it comes to the opposition, if you give them an inch- they will take a mile. Thank you for your service, and I wish you the best in your future endeavors.
The Second Amendment is an uncomplicated Amendment that only gets confusing to those who either do not want to understand it or deliberately misinterpret it for their own end.
As for compromise, there is no room for compromise when it comes to the Natural Right of self defense.
I will not compromise my ability to defend myself and my family to make someone else happy. If I chose a FN FAL with a 30 round mag or a Daniel Defense AR15 with Surefire 50 round mag to ward off the things that go bump in the night or to sly them if they don’t get the hint, that is my choice. It is not the choice of those who would sooner see me disarmed before the lawless, even if being restricting my rights slowly by a series of compromises that eventually leave me disarmed.
Anyone that even mentions the word compromise has no place on the NRA Board and will not get my vote.
I think it’s just matter of opinion. I respect everyone’s idea on America’s gun legislation.
But what i fear in his idea, is that 2nd Amendment is about ‘Right’, not some kind of preference or privilege.
The more the people think his way, sooner or later guns would be only available exclusive for career people like him or other ex-commandorangerswatoperatorspecialforce dudes.
I’m not sarcastic. Guns are already wide spread through out the states. So wide spread, most criminals and psychopaths obtain guns in illegal ways.
You can’t stop shootout unless you’re willing to totally against 2nd amendment, in my opinion. I mean, just look at other second and third world countries. They took more than half a century to prevent random gun rampage and homicide.
Hey Brandon, here in AL no training required to get a CCW permit, which if you are true believer in the Bill of Rights should not require a permit, a person with a CCW permit can carry their firearm on the elementary school grounds. We don’t want nor need your Bloomberg mentality on the NRA BoD. You are better suited joining up with Feinstine and Schumer. You are not a believer in 2nd. Your talking points come straight out of the Brady camp.
I think Brandon Webb would be better served if he joined the NRA-ILA before applying for BoD. Understand what kind of fight is out there, and then use your Unconventional Warfare mindset to bring the fight to the enemy.
I would vote for him if he is the best man for it. But I think he is not qualified for the Board. Therefore no unless he can prevent the damage done from the 1965 GCA, and the 1935 NFA.
Folks are upset with LaPierre, that is understandable. I did not think he was the best spokesperson fronting for the NRA after the CT school shooting. Yet, he has been a very effective Executive Director of the NRA.
For Webb, or anyone, to chastise LaPierre because he is not a hunter or involved in shooting sports demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of 2A.
2A IS NOT ABOUT HARDWARE, firearms. It is about a populace retaining the ability to resist tyranny. It was not until the Anti-Federalists (those who supported States and individual rights in lieu of a strong central government (Federalists)) pushed through and the States adopted the Bill of Rights to the Constitution were individual rights addressed. Fresh off from fight a war of independence with Britain, Anti-Federalists feared the imposition of federal laws upon the sovereign states. One must remember, the United States are a mere association of states through union. 2A wasn’t even an issue for politicians for the first one hundred years. It wasn’t until the federal government began to impose itself upon the states did matters pertaining to 2A become an issue. And for the last 100+ years, Federalists (Progressives) have been hard at work legislating changes to the Bill of Rights they don’t agree with. They are unable to change the Constitution through Article V specifications, so they legislate and their hand pick judges and justices rubber stamp their legislation even though in direct conflict with the Constitution.
And, over the past few decades, Progressives have attempted to frame the 2A debate around hunting, self defense, shooting sports, etc.. Call it their re-education program. But, the truth regarding 2A has absolutely nothing with firearms per se, IT IS 100% about the States and individuals retaining the ability to resist tyranny from all quarters.
For those who are unfamiliar with the foundation of 2A, or have been misled by the Progressive Movement, or slept through 9or missed out altogether) the Constitutional Convention class, here is an excellent source regarding 2A.
http://www.virginiainstitute.org/publications/primer_on_const.php
I read Brandon’s SOFREP article the other day and spent time giving it some thought. As a former sailor, who’s chewed a glass or two, I take pride in seeing shipmates do well and rise to prominence and success. Although my period of service was well before Brandon’s, I’m happy to see him look at and pursue leadership positions. I agree with Brandon on a number of issues but his lack of experience shows, and to Brandon I say this.
Washington is an active AO for two types of people, sheep and wolves; if you are to be successful it is paramount that you understand that. The NRA is a consortium of gun owners and the gun industry; it is one of the more influential lobby groups in the capital. It is not PADI or NAUI and it has to play hardball. The NRA has too devoted more time and money to promoting gun safety, education and prosecution of criminal acts than any 2A organization in the United States. They are a lobby and need to remain lobbyist if the 2nd Amendment is to survive. BUDS or Seal training does not qualify anyone to function in that capacity.
Lastly, you levied criticism on Wayne LaPierre that I felt was rude and unsupported. As a writer, part of your duty to your readers is to state your point and support it with fact. LaPiere is not an orator but he has led the NRA through some of the most challenging times in its history; your correct in saying that he is a lobbyist, but Brandon that’s precisely what he needs to be.
In closing, I love your gun collection bro.
I wish you all the success in the world shipmate but remember what a Chief or two said to you along the way: “There were two bulls standing at the top of a hill looking down into a valley at a herd of cows. The young bull said to the old bull, let’s run down there and fuck one of them. The old bull said why don’t we walk down and fuck them all.”
Happy Holidays!
He would be terrible on the NRA board. His ability to shoot long distance doesn’t matter. The position he’s seeking requires being able to think long distance, which his comments and behavior show he cannot do. This guy is a self serving hotshot.
“Sometimes change, and healthy debate, as difficult as it can be at first, is a good thing. After all it was once within our constitutional rights to own and enslave other human beings. I believe in the 2nd Amendment and our right to bear arms but, if we continue to do nothing on the issue (mainly a mental health one) of mass shootings then we can expect more of them in the near future.”
This statement is from Mr. Webb’s blog. First off, I am offended that my ownership of firearms is being compared to the evil of owning slaves, but I might be reading more into that part of this statement so I will move on…
What is does do is reinforce is Mr Webb’s lack of understanding of the 2A subject. Who thinks its a really good idea to given mental health doctors even more ability arbitrarily remove 2A rights? I don’t.
I know the AMA and APP both support a general ban on so called assault rifles and strict controls on firearms ownership in general. What is the position of the mental health doctors professional association? I googled it and found out there is a group called the American Psychological Association claims to represent a large part of the mental health community in the US.
Here was it’s 1994 position on the 2A, “The American Psychiatric Association recommends that strong controls be placed on the availability of all types of firearms to private citizens.” And here is it’s newest standment supporting the President’s newest gun control proposals, ” APA endorses the provision to end the freeze on federal gun violence research. This ban has significantly hampered psychological scientists’ ability to systematically assess the risk of assault and other weapons to the public, and to determine the effectiveness of various preventive measures. APA supports increased federal funding for research on the causes and prevention of gun violence, including attention to violence in media, to jump start this field after so many years of neglect.”
Does that seem like a group whose member doctors are going to give the average American citizen a fair review? It seems to me they want the money and have already decided the firearms ownership is the problem. It’s interesting that in other parts of that official article they compare tactics to combat firearms violence to those used on drunk driving. Is that what we want? Random firearms check points being thrown up across the country as we now see with DUI check points? Is that what Mr. Webb is calling for? Is it really his position that members of a anti-gun professional association be given the power to decide who gets to exercise their rights?
The more I learn of Mr. Webb’s idea the less likely I am to vote for him.
[…] Brandon’s Webb’s possible candidacy for the NRA Board of Directors has sparked controversy, has already spawned an “anti” Facebook page as well as a rather lively thread on AR15.com. Source: https://soldiersystems.net/2013/12/06/what-do-you-think-about-brandon-webbs-candidacy-for-nra-board-o… […]
“Sometimes change, and healthy debate, as difficult as it can be at first, is a good thing. After all it was once within our constitutional rights to own and enslave other human beings. I believe in the 2nd Amendment and our right to bear arms but, if we continue to do nothing on the issue (mainly a mental health one) of mass shootings then we can expect more of them in the near future. Remember that when you kiss your kids goodbye on their way to school.”
– Brandon Webb, on his willingness to compromise our 2nd Amendment rights
I will not vote for Brandon Webb
“I don’t have all the solutions on this issue but I do know that I’m personally ready to compromise to limit mass shootings, and I’m ready to have an intelligent conversation on this issue.”
– Brandon Webb, on his willingness to compromise our 2nd Amendment rights
I will not vote for Brandon Webb
Apparently Mr. Webb has no idea that there is a vast difference between a right and a privilege…and that is just for starters…
Why should government buildings, corporate money, city mayors, our courts, etc. have armed protection, but our innocent children shouldn’t?????
Maybe you should reread the U.S. Constitution along with the federalist papers…
He doesnt need to, hes a navy seal with an opinion. I guess now that your a hollywood civilian brandon you forgot about upholding the constitution, not what you think should be in it.
Not getting my vote. Webb doesn’t pass the smell test.
Sorry not getting my vote. We gun owners have compromised enough. Time to fight back and fix some of stupid laws against us.
No vote from me as well. I’m not interested in a board member who thinks I’m a “crazy” just because I disagree with him about training requirements.
Besides that, I think it’s telling that Webb is so openly adversarial with the NRA base, and yet so willing to compromise with the gun grabbers. With all due respect, you’re out of touch, Brandon.
Brandon you won’t get my vote bro. Not for the reasons stated above, but for just a few simple ones.
First, because you have exploited our (yes, I’m a Team guy) profession for personal gain.
Second, we’ve all been to Iraq and Afgainstan numerous times. Nothing about that makes us special. In case you’ve missed it the conventional guys have been doing some of the same missions at much higher risk because they never had the assets we have.
Third, writing a book goes against everything were about. You lack good judgement and I believe it would carry over as a board member at the NRA.
Finally, take a break bro. I happen to be at the special mission unit you love to talk about on discovery channel or what ever show you pop up on. (By the way, you have no idea what your talking about!) What you and your buddies do by exploit the SEAL Teams hurts us and our ability to hunt and kill the enemy and save American lives. Stick with what you know. Keep teaching people to be great on a long gun.
Check the latest. Brandon threatened a guy on FB over his opposing views. And this guy whats to represent gun owners? http://www.thebangswitch.com/keep-brandon-webb-off-the-nra-board-of-directors/
127 comments might be a new record on SSD !!! My gut (and my industry contacts) tell me the likelihood of Brandon Webb being on the NRA BOD is an extreme long shot – as in it ain’t gonna happen
I wouldn’t give this topic another second of thought
I hope you are right. Brandon is a alright guy but I don’t want him on the board.
B R A N D O N,
You’re getting smacked around pretty good here. Listen, let’s address some of the valid points your antagonists have?
Get involved with the CRPA. Contact me. Get your feet wet with some youth outreach here in California, link up with our action shooting leadership, become involved in our home state CRPA activities. There are young veterans just like you and I making an impact for change in the CRPA. The front line in the 2A fight is here in California, not in DC. As California goes so goes the Nation, what they think and what they do in Texas, the south or anywhere else has no impact in the 2A fight. The hotheads isolate themselves in their little fiefdoms and think themselves secure. The battle ground is here. Become the rockstar here, turn the tide, develop your ideas here, if they work here the Nation is your oyster. It happens here first. Come see us in Sacramento, we’ll go to Sac Valley and do some long range with 7mm SAUM and introduce you to the 6.5 SAUM, have a cigar and some Elk steaks in Folsom. Get some experience in Sacramento.
You’re a mustang looking for a brand. Your passion and energy is exactly what is needed in this fight. Your concepts are reasonable but need a little development.
“As California goes so goes the nation.” What? When it comes to gun rights, California has come and gone. Most of Brandon’s harebrained ideas would actually be improvements in California.
That said, Cali is more than welcome to keep Brandon. The rest of us don’t want him.
Brandon is being smacked around because he is calling for licensing and registration. Not to mention he wants the right or ownership to be granted by a Corporate Entity ,the NRA , which has been known to swing it’s views far to the left in its history. His calls for Licensing and registration fall even further left then The Brady Campaign and Gabby Gifford and Mark Kelly’s groups. He is living in a completely alternate reality to think the Federal Government would even hand over any of these powers to the NRA. As far as his military service and 2A and gun control are concerned, His status and mark Kelly’s are the same, Not related.
He shows little understanding of the reason the NRA exists or what it does. He shows little knowledge of the Constitution and the History of gun control in the US. As far as going after Wayne LaPierre and calling him a career lobbyist, intending for his comment to be an insult. That is his job, To lobby lawmakers. If Brandon was magically the NRA’s Rep on K Street, the left would welcome him with open arms as he compromised our right out from underneath our feet.
To sum Brandon up he is not Anti gun, but he is not Pro 2A either. His ego outweighs his knowledge. Being a former SEAL only makes him an expert in being a Former SEAL.
Much respect but no vote from me either Brandon.
Read and loved your book, read and loved Lone Survivor as well as the one from the ex red team member. All of your apparent squabbling over books makes all of you look like kids.
To the guy telling Brandon to do youth outreach in CA. – Get a clue. Focus on getting your State back and not on children’s outreach for God’s sake….and NO as Kalifornia goes does NOT go the rest of the Nation. Your time would be better spent on educating the voting class.
“You’re a mustang looking for a brand. Your passion and energy is exactly what is needed in this fight.”
On second thought, watch it Brandon, sounds like “Big G’s” trying to get in your pants!
This clown will not be getting my vote, the Second Amendment is found in the Bill of Rights not “maybe’s” or “possibilities” but Rights.
What you said about Wayne LaPierre is unforgivable, all the other stuff can be debated, but at the NRA, we don’t attack our leaders. As for Wayne being a lobbyist, guess what? So is everyone else. America is not a dictartorship, we don’t just vote and let the politicians do what they want. We lobby them, we call them, we email them, we pressure them. So forget about compromise, this is about Winning.
Lapierre is a big boy and he deserves to get his own bitch smacking for some of his tv show appearances. He stumbles and stutters, considering how long he had been doing this job he should to do an interview 5 minutes after waking up or half in the bag.
He should never show up on tv ill prepared or unready to answer questions he and his staff should see coming from a mile away. For that reason alone he should let the ILA Director handle legislative question or political interviews of a contentious nature, since it is the job of the ILA Director to have these subjects down cold.
Perhaps some people are better suited for behind the scenes work, if you have a clip of LaPierre fumbling, post it, I’ll watch it.
But make no mistake, even if he stumbles the man is a walking encyclopedia of the Second Amendment, he also knows lobbying inside and out. You have to remember he was fighting for our gun rights before we had the Internet, before Fox News, even before Rush Limbaugh.
How do you feel about Colin Noir becoming the next NRA president? He may be a bit young now, but that man has charisma. I can see great things from him.
I wish you well even if I have a few issues with your beliefs.
http://sellingthesecondamendment.com/disabled-but-not-defenseless-meme/
Stick to flying around in your free time. Or go back on active duty
I will do EVERYTHING I can to see you lose this election. I can see the contempt you have for anyone who dares to disagree with you.
Cliff Cargill
NRA LIFE Member
NRA Instructor
NRA Training Counselor
NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
USPSA LIFE Member
ICORE LIFE Member
-I believe everyone who owns a gun should attend a firearms safety qualifications course, and this should be standardized across the country. Too many people I’ve seen on the range are unsafe.
So attendance will guarantee competency? Great way to make a buck, but not to determine firearm ownership.
Using “I” 16 times in the first three paragraphs might be a red flag!
You want be getting my vote.
Brandon,
My respect goes out to you for your service. You are out of your mind saying you believe in the 2nd. You should be able to carry where appropriate, but not schools and not wherever you deem as inappropriate. That’s what the second is all about, being able to protect ourselves and family WHEREVER we are. Not just where you deem necessary. Everyone should take your approved NRA course to be able to go to a gun range? Yeah maybe you should run for congress as a liberal dem! You run for the board so you can change the NRA to do as you feel, what an asshat… Dog handlers instead of armed guards at schools…yeah brilliant….
I respect his service greatly but like all of the aforementioned he seems to need a bit more history lessons on our governments history and the history of other governments who started with many of the same propositions he and many others are swindling around; most of them turned out to be mass murder/genocide. The Soviet Union was already mentioned but there are many others. The disarmament of nations has been the leading cause of death in all history, more in the last century and a half than all of human history combined. It is also much deeper than that as far as politics go but it started with the same path our nation is slowly heading down. Someone had already mentioned “death by a thousand cuts” – a creeping normality.
Brandon won’t be getting my vote, for the same reasons as the people on here voice.
Compromise is such a lovely rose colored word. It’s also a passive/aggressive word those who don’t want to stand on their principle like to use when they know their about to get lit up and need room to escape what they have earned fair and square.
I hear a lot about “compromise” from your camp … except, it’s not compromise.
Let’s say I have this cake. It is a very nice cake, with “GUN RIGHTS” written across the top in lovely floral icing. Along you come and say, “Give me that cake.”
I say, “No, it’s my cake.”
You say, “Let’s compromise. Give me half.” I respond by asking what I get out of this compromise, and you reply that I get to keep half of my cake.
Okay, we compromise. Let us call this compromise The National Firearms Act of 1934.
There I am with my half of the cake, and you walk back up and say, “Give me that cake.”
I say, “No, it’s my cake.”
You say, “Let’s compromise.” What do I get out of this compromise? Why, I get to keep half of what’s left of the cake I already own.
So, we have your compromise — let us call this one the Gun Control Act of 1968 — and I’m left holding what is now just a quarter of my cake.
And I’m sitting in the corner with my quarter piece of cake, and here you come again. You want my cake. Again.
This time you take several bites — we’ll call this compromise the Clinton Executive Orders — and I’m left with about a tenth of what has always been MY DAMN CAKE and you’ve got nine-tenths of it.
Then we compromised with the Lautenberg Act (nibble, nibble), the HUD/Smith and Wesson agreement (nibble, nibble), the Brady Law (NOM NOM NOM), the School Safety and Law Enforcement Improvement Act (sweet tap-dancing Freyja, my finger!)
I’m left holding crumbs of what was once a large and satisfying cake, and you’re standing there with most of MY CAKE, making anime eyes and whining about being “reasonable”, and wondering “why we won’t compromise”.
I’m done with being reasonable, and I’m done with compromise. Nothing about gun control in this country has ever been “reasonable” nor a genuine “compromise”.
Very well put Dave!
Wonderful analogy Dave!
I should have prefaced that the only part I wrote is the first two sentences, the rest is pure plagiarism and has been floating around for a while.
I’m reminded of that cop that shot himself in the school….”I’m the only one professional enough to carry a Glock 40.”
Look at this guy’s word choice….”common sense, etc.” Straight out of Obama’s camp.
Funny how he criticizes what he sees at the range as well. I remember the guys that scared me off the range once. A couple of cops trying to do double taps from the holster. When they shot a hole in the stainless steel table in front of them, on one of their first shots, I packed up and left. These were supposedly the guys with the training that Mr. Sniper seeks. Thank you. I’ll pass.
As far as his Sniper training, somehow giving him some kind of special insight into constitutional law, and how that translates in relation to the Second Amendment…Sorry, no hall pass there. Not even remotely related. It’s good that you know how to hit a target at a thousand, when someone tells you to pull the trigger though.
As for making decisions for me and my peers, there are much better choices.
Oh….and thank you for your service!
If you see someone being unsafe at the range, politely and calmly correct them. They will often thank you for it.