Posted on 05/08/2003 11:45:44 PM PDT by 2nd_Amendment_Defender
DES MOINES - The new head of the National Rifle Association says he's ready push guns rights to the top of the nation's political agenda.
Kayne Robinson of Des Moines took over the presidency of the NRA a week ago after actor Charlton Heston stepped down.
Robinson is a former police officer and conservative Republican activist. He says while he won't have the same kind of star power as Heston, he will continue to push his message that gun rights are a civil right that's in danger of being taken away. He also wants to bring more hunters into the group as active members.
The NRA, based in Fairfax, Virginia, has 4 million members and is one of the nation's biggest and most influential single-interest groups. In 2002, the NRA funneled $2 million to congressional candidates, 92 percent of them Republicans.
Kayne Robinson, Law Enforcement Expert and Political Strategist, Elected President of the National Rifle Association
NRA President; Chairman of the Legislative Policy Committee; Assistant Chief of Police, Des Moines Police Department, rtd.; past President, Iowa Association of Chiefs of Police. Testified twice before U.S. Senate Committees in support of gun rights. President, Iowa Sportsmen's Federation; Director, Iowa State Rifle & Pistol Association. Is a tireless fighter for gun owner's rights and citizen selfdefense. Director of Better Business Bureau; Chairman of the Board, Whittington Center. Has held top management positions, including State Party Chairman and Campaign Chairman for profirearms candidates for local, state and national office. Testifies before legislatures, makes many appearances on radio and TV and before audiences, supporting gun owner's rights. Vietnam veteran; member, several state R&P associations; National Trappers Association; Izaak Walton League; active hunter; licensed pilot; NRA Benefactor member. Firearms instructor, active in shooting competition, High Master and Distinguished Police Pistol.And More...Mr. Robinson was re-elected to the NRA Board of Directors in 2002 for a 3 year term, and elected NRA President in 2003.
Kayne B. Robinson, noted law enforcement expert and political strategist, was elected President of the National Rifle Association of America today. Robinson was elected unanimously by the NRA Board of Directors to succeed actor Charlton Heston, who served an unprecedented five years as NRA President."It's been a privilege to serve Mr. Heston, to campaign with him and to call him my friend," Robinson said. "To succeed him as NRA President is a humbling honor. Together we have achieved great success for NRA members, and I look forward to continued success in following the footsteps of Moses in defense of freedom."
Heston praised Robinson as a friend and as a staunch defender of the Second Amendment. "My success over the last five years is due, in no small part, to the tireless work and support of Kayne Robinson," Heston said. "I am confident that NRA's future is secure in Kayne's very capable, steady hands. And, I look forward to continuing to work with him and the NRA."
Wayne LaPierre, reelected today as NRA's Executive Vice President, noted Robinson's career in law enforcement and experience in political campaign strategy as vital to NRA's continued success. "As a career law enforcement officer, Kayne understands the difference between the rights of lawful firearms owners and the blight of violent criminals on the streets," LaPierre said. "And Kayne is an astute, tireless grassroots campaigner."
Robinson, a career public servant, is former chief of detectives and assistant chief of Police of the Des Moines, Iowa, Police Department. He served as president of the Iowa Association of Chiefs of Police and was selected "Police Officer of the Year" by the Iowa Association of Women Police.
During the critical 2000 elections, Robinson served as chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, a key electoral battleground state. Under his leadership, the party produced a nationally-acclaimed 1999 Iowa Straw Poll and the 2000 Iowa Presidential Caucuses, first in the nation. Robinson is a skilled political veteran of local, state and federal election campaigns and has held key strategic and management roles in local and state campaigns, as well as in U.S. Senatorial and Presidential campaigns.
"I can think of no one more qualified than Kayne to lead our great Association," LaPierre said. "He's a long-time hunter and competitive shooter, a career law enforcement officer and national campaign veteran. I am confident that NRA's 4 million members and the nation's 80 million gun owners will be well served by his leadership."
The NRA Board of Directors also elected Sandra S. Froman as NRA First Vice President and John C. Sigler as NRA Second Vice President. Other officers reelected included Edward J. Land, Jr., as NRA Secretary; Wilson H. Phillips, Jr., as NRA Treasurer; Christopher W. Cox as Executive Director of the Institute for Legislative Action; and Craig D. Sandler as NRA Executive Director of General Operations.
"I greatly appreciate the support of the board and look forward to working with my fellow officers and the NRA staff," concluded Robinson. "With the critical 2004 elections approaching, we must all look forward to the awesome task at hand in defending our freedoms."
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