NRA On the Record
A customizable database of quotes from leaders of the National Rifle Association
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Member Profile
Pete Brownell
Board Member
Biography
Pete Brownell is the grandson of Brownells founder Bob Brownell and currently serves as the company’s president. Brownells is the world’s largest supplier of firearm parts, gunsmithing tools, equipment and accessories. The company is part of the NRA’s corporate giving program and has donated enough money to be included in “The Ring of Freedom,” a designation reserved for NRA’s largest corporate donors. Brownells contributed between $500,000 and $999,999 to the NRA between 2005 and 2010. During his campaign to join the NRA board, Brownell highlighted his company’s close ties with the organization, saying, “Having directors who intimately understand and work in leadership positions within the firearms industry ensures the NRA’s focus is honed on the overall mission of the organization.” Brownell, however, has claimed that he has no financial interest in the positions of the NRA. Brownell’s website allows customers to purchase high-capacity magazines for handguns and assault rifles, including magazines that hold up to 30 bullets. According to the website’s description for a detachable 30-round magazine for an AR-15 assault rifle, “A battle rifle is only as reliable as its magazine.”
All Statements (7 total)
- In an interview with the Boston Globe on May 4, 2016, Brownell told the paper that “[Republican presidential candidate] Donald Trump won’t have any problem motivating Second Amendment supporters to donate [to his campaign] because of what’s at risk" should Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton win the November 2016 election.
2016-05-04
- On March 31, 2016, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed a bill into law that legalizes the use of firearm suppressors in the state. The bill was signed at Brownells retail store in Grinnell, Iowa. Pete Brownell, who stood immediately behind the governor as he signed the bill, remarked about the bill, “It’s going to help save the hearing of Iowans that are involved in firearms and shooting, and it’s going to create jobs in our state."
2016-03-31
- Brownell was interviewed by the website Ammoland on February 19, 2016 and he characterized his relationship with the National Rifle Association in the following terms: "The NRA is a huge part of my family. Having been around this organization my entire life, I’ve come to understand the importance of standing up for individual liberties. Of course, I want all law-abiding gun owners to maintain their individual rights, and to handle firearms in a safe and respectable way, but the NRA reaches far beyond guns." When asked what the NRA's role in public safety is, Brownell responded, "First, let me say that protecting the public is the public’s responsibility. Don’t get me wrong, our nation’s law enforcement officers are doing incredible and dangerous work each and every day and for that I am beyond grateful. However, the police cannot be everywhere at every time. Therefore, the NRA’s role in public safety is to ensure that law-abiding citizens maintain their rights to protect themselves and their families anywhere–at home, in the office, or out in public. This means we must continue for to push for a Shall-Issue requirement for those who wish to get a concealed carry permit in all 50 states. It’s also means we continue to fight for Castle Doctrine legislation in all 50 states."
2016-02-19
- On January 31, 2016, Brownells hosted a campaign event for Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush (the former governor of Florida) at one of their manufacturing warehouses in Iowa. Pete Brownell personally introduced Bush, stating, "The Second Amendment and the rights of gun owners are under attack."
2016-01-31
- Responding to criticism he has received as an NRA board member, Brownell told NRA News on April 20, 2011, “When I stepped up to be a board member I knew that that would put my face and my name out there in front of those people and those entities that are anti-gun and, I would say, anti-American.” He also talked about sharing his views about guns with children, stating, "I start talking to them about what it's like in a society. This is not utopia. Nobody's going to look out for you except you. That your best interest is with looking out for you and your own life and your own family. What are the things you that you need to be doing to make sure you're safe and you're successful? And you can't just let somebody else do that for you."
2016-01-31
At the 2011 NRA annual meeting, Brownell criticized President Obama’s position on gun rights but was unable to indicate anything that Obama has done to make gun laws more rigorous. He also claimed unnamed members of Congress are attempting to ban firearms.
2016-01-31
- Think Progress interviewed Brownell at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 24, 2011. Asked why his company manufactured high-capacity ammunition magazines (which hold more than 10 rounds) for the civilian market, Brownell responded, “When you’re defending, you want to have as much of an advantage as possible so it does matter ... It’s just an advantage.”
2011-01-24
Statements by Category (7 total)
Republican Party (GOP)
In an interview with the Boston Globe on May 4, 2016, Brownell told the paper that “[Republican presidential candidate] Donald Trump won’t have any problem motivating Second Amendment supporters to donate [to his campaign] because of what’s at risk" should Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton win the November 2016 election.
Sources [1]
Gun Industry
On March 31, 2016, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed a bill into law that legalizes the use of firearm suppressors in the state. The bill was signed at Brownells retail store in Grinnell, Iowa. Pete Brownell, who stood immediately behind the governor as he signed the bill, remarked about the bill, “It’s going to help save the hearing of Iowans that are involved in firearms and shooting, and it’s going to create jobs in our state."
Sources [1]
Lobbying Activity
On March 31, 2016, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed a bill into law that legalizes the use of firearm suppressors in the state. The bill was signed at Brownells retail store in Grinnell, Iowa. Pete Brownell, who stood immediately behind the governor as he signed the bill, remarked about the bill, “It’s going to help save the hearing of Iowans that are involved in firearms and shooting, and it’s going to create jobs in our state."
Sources [1]
Labor
Brownell was interviewed by the website Ammoland on February 19, 2016 and he characterized his relationship with the National Rifle Association in the following terms: "The NRA is a huge part of my family. Having been around this organization my entire life, I’ve come to understand the importance of standing up for individual liberties. Of course, I want all law-abiding gun owners to maintain their individual rights, and to handle firearms in a safe and respectable way, but the NRA reaches far beyond guns." When asked what the NRA's role in public safety is, Brownell responded, "First, let me say that protecting the public is the public’s responsibility. Don’t get me wrong, our nation’s law enforcement officers are doing incredible and dangerous work each and every day and for that I am beyond grateful. However, the police cannot be everywhere at every time. Therefore, the NRA’s role in public safety is to ensure that law-abiding citizens maintain their rights to protect themselves and their families anywhere–at home, in the office, or out in public. This means we must continue for to push for a Shall-Issue requirement for those who wish to get a concealed carry permit in all 50 states. It’s also means we continue to fight for Castle Doctrine legislation in all 50 states."
Sources [1]
Vigilantism
Brownell was interviewed by the website Ammoland on February 19, 2016 and he characterized his relationship with the National Rifle Association in the following terms: "The NRA is a huge part of my family. Having been around this organization my entire life, I’ve come to understand the importance of standing up for individual liberties. Of course, I want all law-abiding gun owners to maintain their individual rights, and to handle firearms in a safe and respectable way, but the NRA reaches far beyond guns." When asked what the NRA's role in public safety is, Brownell responded, "First, let me say that protecting the public is the public’s responsibility. Don’t get me wrong, our nation’s law enforcement officers are doing incredible and dangerous work each and every day and for that I am beyond grateful. However, the police cannot be everywhere at every time. Therefore, the NRA’s role in public safety is to ensure that law-abiding citizens maintain their rights to protect themselves and their families anywhere–at home, in the office, or out in public. This means we must continue for to push for a Shall-Issue requirement for those who wish to get a concealed carry permit in all 50 states. It’s also means we continue to fight for Castle Doctrine legislation in all 50 states."
Sources [1]
Gun Industry
Brownell was interviewed by the website Ammoland on February 19, 2016 and he characterized his relationship with the National Rifle Association in the following terms: "The NRA is a huge part of my family. Having been around this organization my entire life, I’ve come to understand the importance of standing up for individual liberties. Of course, I want all law-abiding gun owners to maintain their individual rights, and to handle firearms in a safe and respectable way, but the NRA reaches far beyond guns." When asked what the NRA's role in public safety is, Brownell responded, "First, let me say that protecting the public is the public’s responsibility. Don’t get me wrong, our nation’s law enforcement officers are doing incredible and dangerous work each and every day and for that I am beyond grateful. However, the police cannot be everywhere at every time. Therefore, the NRA’s role in public safety is to ensure that law-abiding citizens maintain their rights to protect themselves and their families anywhere–at home, in the office, or out in public. This means we must continue for to push for a Shall-Issue requirement for those who wish to get a concealed carry permit in all 50 states. It’s also means we continue to fight for Castle Doctrine legislation in all 50 states."
Sources [1]
Gun Industry
On January 31, 2016, Brownells hosted a campaign event for Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush (the former governor of Florida) at one of their manufacturing warehouses in Iowa. Pete Brownell personally introduced Bush, stating, "The Second Amendment and the rights of gun owners are under attack."
Sources [1]
Lobbying Activity
On January 31, 2016, Brownells hosted a campaign event for Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush (the former governor of Florida) at one of their manufacturing warehouses in Iowa. Pete Brownell personally introduced Bush, stating, "The Second Amendment and the rights of gun owners are under attack."
Sources [1]
Republican Party (GOP)
On January 31, 2016, Brownells hosted a campaign event for Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush (the former governor of Florida) at one of their manufacturing warehouses in Iowa. Pete Brownell personally introduced Bush, stating, "The Second Amendment and the rights of gun owners are under attack."
Sources [1]
Education
Responding to criticism he has received as an NRA board member, Brownell told NRA News on April 20, 2011, “When I stepped up to be a board member I knew that that would put my face and my name out there in front of those people and those entities that are anti-gun and, I would say, anti-American.” He also talked about sharing his views about guns with children, stating, "I start talking to them about what it's like in a society. This is not utopia. Nobody's going to look out for you except you. That your best interest is with looking out for you and your own life and your own family. What are the things you that you need to be doing to make sure you're safe and you're successful? And you can't just let somebody else do that for you."
Sources [1]
Gun Industry
Responding to criticism he has received as an NRA board member, Brownell told NRA News on April 20, 2011, “When I stepped up to be a board member I knew that that would put my face and my name out there in front of those people and those entities that are anti-gun and, I would say, anti-American.” He also talked about sharing his views about guns with children, stating, "I start talking to them about what it's like in a society. This is not utopia. Nobody's going to look out for you except you. That your best interest is with looking out for you and your own life and your own family. What are the things you that you need to be doing to make sure you're safe and you're successful? And you can't just let somebody else do that for you."
Sources [1]
Conspiracy Theory
At the 2011 NRA annual meeting, Brownell criticized President Obama’s position on gun rights but was unable to indicate anything that Obama has done to make gun laws more rigorous. He also claimed unnamed members of Congress are attempting to ban firearms.
Sources [1]
Gun Industry
Think Progress interviewed Brownell at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 24, 2011. Asked why his company manufactured high-capacity ammunition magazines (which hold more than 10 rounds) for the civilian market, Brownell responded, “When you’re defending, you want to have as much of an advantage as possible so it does matter ... It’s just an advantage.”
Sources [1]