Misfire

Inside the Downfall of the NRA

By: Tim Mak

Narrated by: Feodor Chin

A blistering exposé of the National Rifle Association, revealing its people, power, corruption, and ongoing downfall, from acclaimed NPR investigative reporter Tim Mak

“Tenacious, careful and incisive.” (Jonathan Swan)

“Deeply and meticulously reported, colorfully and precisely written.” (Olivia Nuzzi)

“Nonstop revelations are told with gripping detail and intimate insider knowledge.” (David Frum)

“Fantastic.” (Chris Hayes)

The NRA once compelled respect — even fear — from Republicans and Democrats alike. Once a grassroots club dedicated to gun safety, the NRA ballooned into a powerful lobbyist organization that maintained an iron hold on gun legislation in America. This influential nonprofit raised millions in small fees from members across the country, which funded hidden, lavish lifestyles of designer suits, private jets and yachts, martini lunches and Champagne dinners — while the group manipulated legislators and flirted with a Russian spy.

Yet in 2012, the NRA’s grip on Washington began to loosen in the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary. Facing nationwide outrage, NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre gave a speech claiming the solution was not fewer guns, but more guns, in schools. The group’s rhetoric only escalated from there, a misstep that sparked a backlash and invited the scrutiny of the government.

Unveiled here for the first time ever are surprising, revelatory details spotlighting decades of poor leadership and mismanagement by LaPierre; the NRA’s long association with marketing firm Ackerman-McQueen; NRA executives’ 2015 trip to Moscow, a by-invitation affair packed with meetings with Russian government officials, diplomats, and oligarchs seeking influence in American politics; as well as the power struggle between LaPierre and former NRA president Oliver North that fractured the organization.

Misfire is the result of a four-year investigation by journalist Tim Mak, who scoured thousands of pages of never-before-publicized documents and cultivated dozens of confidential sources inside the NRA's orbit to paint a vivid picture of the gun group's rampant corruption and slow decline, marking a sea change in the battle over gun rights and control in America.

©2021 Tim Mak (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Fantastic… [Misfire] is really great work. People should pick up the book.” (Chris Hayes, host of MSNBC’s All In)

“A bullseye from Tim Mak… a sprawling tale of the greed, incompetence and narcissism which has dominated the National Rifle Association.” (The Guardian)

“Revealing and lively… Mak’s account of the NRA’s gothic decline and fall is both crisply narrated and deeply reported.” (The New Republic)

When Non-Fiction is Far More Riveting Than Fiction!

The plots, conspiracies, and in-fighting illustrated in this book were riveting. It read like a night time soap opera. I was enthralled. But, alas, I remembered these were real facts and real people. The harshness of it all is nothing to laugh about.

This story is crazy

Totally wild farce. Goes down like a black comedy along the lines of Burn After Reading.

An Finished Story

As of the end of 2022, this story hasn't come to a conclusion. Maybe it never will. This would work better as a long form podcast rather than a book.

What an eye opener!

I was amazed by this information. I had no idea about the NRA or what it really stood for, other than recognizing the name and that it dealt in firearms. I highly recommend this book!

A quality chronicle of the NRA's recent decline

Tim Mank chronicles the 2012-2020 rise and decline of the NRA abley, though the book feels like it could be even more. I hoped for more explanations or deeper revelations then those Mank provided, but the answers may truly be as simple as he revealed them. It is a very well done story, and a cautionary tale that the NRA's decline does not mean their death. Feodor Chin's narration is solid, though occasionally disjointed, as if he recorded the same paragraphs in different takes.

An comprehensive account of the NRA's troubles

The best book on the NRA to date. Tim Mak has delivered a gripping and accurate piece of journalism backed up by a thorough notes section citing authoritative sources.

no idea

I heard bits an pieces a out the NRA through out the years and in most recent times the money issues they were having but Tim Mak dove deep into the dealings of the association. I had no idea how much of a "small," man Wayne was I always thought of him as a tough guy but Tim painted him as a kitty cat

A well compiled and presented summary

This book serves mostly as a well organized and presented summary of public information. For any that haven’t closely followed the scandal, corruption and probable civil crimes of a once venerable American organization, the book of educates and informs readers in an apolitical and professionally competent manner.

You think you know about NRA? You don’t know Jack!

Wow! I thought I followed the NRA pretty closely. Boy, was I mistaken! There’s so much information packed into this book that I need to listen again! The level of corruption is beyond comprehension! An absolute MUST listen for anyone who wants to learn how to swindle gullible gun lickers out of hundreds of millions of dollars!

Wayne LaPierre is a garbage human

A must read for anyone who has faithfully donated their hard earned money to the NRA. Tim exposes to us how Wayne has squandered away our dues and donations for his own lavish lifestyle. It is sickening and maddening, and you need to know the truth!