Posted on 09/07/2022 6:32:58 AM PDT by Joe Brower
Longtime NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer retires
Florida politics
Jacob Ogles
6/16/2022
The force behind the 'stand your ground' law and the Eddie Eagle Gun Safe program announced her retirement.
One of the nation’s most prominent gun rights advocates will hang up her holsters — at least in the public realm. Marion Hammer, a former National Rifle Association President, announced her retirement as Florida’s top lobbyist for the NRA Institute for Legislative Action in the state.
“It has been an honor to serve NRA members as state lobbyist in Florida,” Hammer said. “Above all, it’s been my privilege to serve and to fight alongside great warriors for our cause like Wayne (LaPierre), without whom many of our nation’s self-defense laws would not have been possible. When I was first hired in September 1978, I was given one mission — ‘Do what you need to do, but do not let Florida become another California.’ For 44 years, I am proud to say that I faithfully delivered on that assignment with the help of our great NRA members.”
Largely through Hammer’s influence, Florida has become not only a state known for valuing gun rights but somewhat of a testing ground for legislation expanding legal protection for gun owners. She played a critical role in passing the nation’s first “stand your ground” law, for example, which allows the use of deadly force for those if they feel their own life or another life is threatened.
LaPierre, longtime CEO of the NRA, praised Hammer, who from 1995 to 1998 served as the national organization’s first female President.
“Marion Hammer’s name has become synonymous with the Second Amendment and with the NRA,” LaPierre said.
“She is a dynamic and legendary advocate who has led the way with many laws that started in Florida and then served as a blueprint across the country. For more than 40 years, I have been in the trenches with Marion for landmark fights, including Right-to-Carry, Castle Doctrine and other life-saving, pro-hunting and pro-Second Amendment laws. I am grateful that Marion will stay on as an advisor to the Association — so our members can continue to benefit from her expertise and defense of their freedoms.”
She also led gun groups in bringing an ultimately unsuccessful lawsuit challenging a red flag law passed after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High shooting in 2018.
But she said her proudest accomplishment remains the launch of the Eddie Eagle Gun Safe program, a gun safety accident prevention program for firearm-owning families with children, that was launched during her presidency of the NRA.
Florida leaders chimed in quickly on Hammer’s announcement.
“Marion Hammer has dedicated her life to safeguarding the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Floridians and promoting responsible gun ownership,” said Republican Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
As a state Senator and Senate President, Simpson has worked with Hammer on some gun protection issues and also sometimes was in conflict on issues, like the Parkland bill. Hammer and the NRA endorsed Simpson’s Agriculture Commissioner candidacy.
“Standing in the breach against left-wing extremists who want to take our guns, Marion has successfully advocated for critical self-defense and firearm safety programs and requirements that educate families about the responsibilities associated with owning a firearm,” Simpson added.
“Marion is a friend and mentor to so many, and I know she will continue to use her platform to support the rights of law-abiding Florida gun owners to protect and defend their families.”
But others celebrated her departure. Nikki Fried, a Democratic candidate for Governor, criticized Hammer and also took a pot shot at Primary opponent Charlie Crist.
“NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer is retiring,” Fried tweeted. “Charlie Crist put her in the Florida Hall of Fame. I kicked her and the NRA out of our weapons office.”
Perhaps of interest.
Not much sympathy in the comments...
Which also served as a data "stepping stone" on the way to Constitutional Carry in an increasing number of states.
Haters gonna hate.
The next GOP President should fete her publicly during the State of the Union Address.
Marion Hammer is one of Wayne LaPierre’s minions that have raped and pillaged the NRA from the inside.
She’s leaving as the New York Attorney General prepares a motion to disband the NRA and bring fraud and embezzlement charges against LaPierre and other high ranking NRA board members.
Good riddance, take LaPierre with you, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
You betcha, she will be missed.
I first joined the NRA in the 60s, dropped out for a few years but came back during the Carter years.
While I didn't always agree with the old policy of supporting pols from both parties, in the old days, sometimes the demonRAT was the better guy for the 2A.
When the demonRATs went anti-gun nutz, the NRA dropped them and I haven't seen a demonRAT candidate pushed by the NRA in the last 15 years.
News Flash.
NY AG brings charges against a conservative group.
There have always been NRA critics that dump on the officials, and my harping on you won't change that, but she was good for the NRA and American gun owners {NRA members or not}.
I am Pro-NRA and a Life member. I am anti-LaPierre and anti-Marion Hammer not because of their 2A work, but by their lining their pockets immorally if not illegally.
If you bother to read the discovery, LaPierre and Hammer have mismanaged tens if not hundreds of millions of NRA member dollars on sweetheart deals, insider contracts, and on LaPierre’s personal slush fund Ackerman-McQueen.
Not to mention the NRAs whole Carry Guard fiasco.
It is time to restore the NRA to the members, and refocus the NRA back to its core missions of education and advocacy, not fundraising and “me too” last minute joining of 2A lawsuits.
The NRA is a joke. I was a member for thirty years and apparently the only thing my dues ever accomplished was stocking Lapierres wardrobe. The NRA is an living example of slow motion surrender.
I disagree. The NRA has accomplished much. No one is more responsible for the multitude of shall issue and constitutional carry laws that have swept across the U.S. over the last thirty years.
They are not perfect -- what is? They have made mistakes, but you are being overly negative.
The bottom line is that if not for the NRA, the 2nd Amendment would have been erased from the Constitution already. You should give them credit where credit is due. Warts and all.
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