NRA Leaders

Loading...

Member Profile

Pete Brownell

Board Member

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)

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

    Sources [1]

  • Vigilantism

    Sources [1]

  • Gun Industry

    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

    Sources [1]

  • Gun Industry

    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]