Wounded Warrior Project & Firearms

I was listening to yesterday's Tom Gresham's Gun Talk today. Tom made the comment that he had asked the Wounded Warrior Project to come on his show for Veteran's day. The WWP responded that they would not come on the show as it promotes firearms and/or firearms issues. Apparently, the WWP takes a position that is hostile to firearms and the 2A. The following is taken directly from their web-site.

Additional Opportunities - Wounded Warrior Project

WWP does not co-brand, create cause marketing campaigns or receive a percentage or a portion of proceeds from companies in which the product or message is sexual, political or religious in nature, or from alcohol or firearms companies.

I was saddened to hear what Tom had to say about the WWP. I really like what the WWP does for our wounded heros, but there are other people that help wounded vets, but are not hostile to the 2A.

I don't think they're necessarily AGAINST firearms, just that they probably do their best to remain as unobjectionable as possible. Taking a stance (or being perceived as taking a stance) on controversial issues (like firearms) would not be beneficial to their cause. Their cause is solely to help wounded vets. Taking a stance on such things would cause at least a percentage of people to withdraw support and/or oppose them, and this would not help their cause. They don't want politics or anything else to get in the way of helping wounded warriors. That's not what they're about.

^^^this^^^. Not having dealing with firearm companies doesn't make them hostile to 2a, at most, neutral on it,as their focus is on the wounded.

They are trying to be as a-political as they can as a non-profit, but to draw diverse groups to their mission. Considering today's very polorized atmosphere, I understand that.

That's Odd! Ive participated in two gun raffles and a range day held in there honor! I also know one of their Co Founders well enough to have sent him samples of cast bullets to try in a couple of his rifles. He is definitely a 2A kind of guy! Wounded Warriors is a great program that is not top heavy with a CEO that's worth millions. Its run by regular guys strictly for the benefit of our wounded Vets. DR

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Originally Posted by dangerranger

That's Odd! Ive participated in two gun raffles and a range day held in there honor! I also know one of their Co Founders well enough to have sent him samples of cast bullets to try in a couple of his rifles. He is definitely a 2A kind of guy! Wounded Warriors is a great program that is not top heavy with a CEO that's worth millions. Its run by regular guys strictly for the benefit of our wounded Vets. DR

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It would be interesting to hear his position on the above-quoted statement and how WWP applies it.

I volunteered with the program. I agree that they are not anit 2A and are just do not want to promote anything that is using their name as a vehicle. And ya know what....I would not care either way. They do a great job with our service men and woman.

The OP suggests that their are other groups to give to. Don't start not giving to a good program and start nickel and diming others because of an issue.

I've seen the email exchange from Gun Talk and the people at WWP. Here is their response copied from my Facebook wall.





We've had a lot of questions recently that started when we declined an opportunity to appear on Gun Talk Radio. We want to clarify and help answer some questions. We have seen through this process that the language on our website and our response to the invitation to appear on the show weren’t clear, and we are working on clarifying our approach. There is now much inaccurate information about WWP being anti-gun rights, an issue as an apolitical organization we do not take a stance on. We understand and appreciate that many of our Alumni are gun owners, and we facilitate multiple hunting and outdoor opportunities for our Wounded Warriors throughout the year.

In the past, we made our logo available to appear on wide variety of products, including guns. As an organization, we owe it to our donors and constituents to maximize the return on investment of our dollars and brand. We are always looking at our business practices and whether we should
continue with them in the future. In the case of cobranding, we've decided that we're not going to offer our logo to appear on weapons anymore - whether they're guns, knives, bows, swords, or any other type of weapon. There are still a few of the guns around for sale that had licensed our logo years ago, but there aren't any new ones being made. This is purely a business decision based on a review of a return on investment, especially when compared with other types of cobranding ventures.

Regarding the question of donations and events, we do permit fundraisers that are shooting- and gun-related, such as gun raffles, shooting competitions, etc., and we're incredibly appreciative of those who are willing to give their time to host or participate in an event. Likewise, we gratefully accept donations from companies and individuals connected with the gun industry.

As indicated above, we know that hunting and shooting sporting events can be very therapeutic for many of the Wounded Warriors we serve, and we're happy to work with the community to make these types of events available to our Alumni. Hunting and shooting sport enthusiasts are an incredibly supportive and generous community, and we've been honored by how often folks have opened their land and homes, and volunteered their time to make these types of events possible for our Alumni. We're so sorry if it seemed that we didn't appreciate that support with our confusing communication of a business decision. It certainly wasn't our intention!

I hope this post provides some clarity and helps answer some questions. We welcome the opportunity to have a warrior on Gun Talk Radio to discuss how hunting or events of the like have supported their recovery. We responded too quickly to his request and should have delved a bit deeper.

It sure seems to be a anti gun organization. Read the Gresham E-mail thread

http://hueysgunsight.blogspot.com/20...-anti-gun.html

I in the past professionally and personally have contributed thousands of dollars in products and money to the organization I will be looking at other organizations at this point for 2013 as I do every year.

Seems pretty clear to me they are blaming firearms for suicide deaths:

"
Our position regarding firearms and alcohol is in response to the struggles that many injured service members face with substance abuse and suicide and the roles those items often play in those issues.

Thank you.
LESLIE A. COLEMAN
public relations director
"



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

When this took off yesterday I was hoping it was someone in the PR department making an error. They declined an interview that could have reached millions of potential donors. In short they won't get another dime from me.

I will still give and volunteer. Almost 83 percent of donations make it to the Wounded veterans.

I will still run Tough Mudders and seek donations to support the WWP, in addition to the UA clothes I buy branded for WWP.

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Originally Posted by Happypuppy

It sure seems to be a anti gun organization. Read the Gresham E-mail thread

Huey's Gunsight: The Wounded Warrior Project is Anti-Gun?

I in the past professionally and personally have contributed thousands of dollars in products and money to the organization I will be looking at other organizations at this point for 2013 as I do every year.

Seems pretty clear to me they are blaming firearms for suicide deaths:

"
Our position regarding firearms and alcohol is in response to the struggles that many injured service members face with substance abuse and suicide and the roles those items often play in those issues.

Thank you.
LESLIE A. COLEMAN
public relations director
"



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

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while I haven't personally researched the suicide rate of veterans in regards to alcohol & firearms, I have experienced it with a officer from my department, who was a veteran, who killed himself after a night of drinking in front of his girlfriend, and used his duty firearm. WWP might be resistant to those industries due to the suicide rate among veterans involving both alcohol and or firearms. OMO.

There are numerous other opportunities and venues available to support our wounded vets.

WWP stepped on their necktie big time, and their weasel words - in my opinion - lack serious contrition or sincerity. Unless or until they recant their stance and/or dump their PR mouthpiece, they're not getting another dime from me.

A good friend of mine blew his brains out about 8 years ago......I don't need no research. I don't give a rat''s butt what their stand is on this issue. No one takes care of our wounded more than these folks.

Yes, I take this personally for folks to say they will not give anymore. I have been wounded, know many wounded much worse than I ever was, and have worked with wounded. For every person that wants to stop giving I suggest/challenge you go to Walter Reed or Brook Army Medical and you go to a service member that has been severely wounded and you tell them to their face why you will not give anymore.

This will be my final post in this thread because there is no way I will not be able to violate something:wave: