Statement of Corporate Ethics

It is the policy of the National Rifle Association of America to conduct the Association's business in an honest and forthright manner. To this end, Association employees strive for excellence in their work and for a consistent standard of integrity in their business dealings.

Consistent with this objective is the Association's requirement that all employees comply with applicable bylaws and policies of the association, and all relevant laws and regulations in conducting the association's business. No violation of the spirit or intent of these bylaws, policies, laws and regulations will be tolerated.

To maintain consistent standards of integrity:

1. Association employees shall not become involved in any activity which might influence, be reasonably expected to influence, or give the appearance of influencing their objective business judgment in dealing with others. Employees shall not become involved in conflict of interest situations.
2. No Association employee shall engage in illegal or unethical actions involving any person or organization doing business or attempting to do business with the Association.
3. Association employees shall maintain complete and accurate books, records and documentation in accordance with the accounting rules and controls established by the Association.
4. Employees who are officers, directors, division directors or activity supervisors, shall have responsibility: (a) to insure that these policies are annually communicated to the employees reporting to them; (b) to clarify and explain said policies when necessary; (c) to monitor compliance therewith, and (d) to report all known (or suspected) violations of said policies to the Executive Vice President of the Association, the Treasurer of the Association, or to other persons whom they designate, as appropriate.

Where a question arises whether a particular anticipated course of business conduct is ethical or legal, the individual contemplating the action or directed to perform the action shall seek advice from the Office of the General Counsel of the Association.

Failure to comply with this policy and any specific implementing policies may result in dismissal from employment or other disciplinary action. Violations of law will be reported to appropriate law enforcement officials.

Consistent with historic NRA practice, this Corporate Ethics Policy shall be distributed to all directors, officers, and employees of the NRA, as well as any contractors, vendors, or volunteers who provide substantial services to the NRA.

II. Ethical Business Relationships

To ensure that the Association maintains a reputation for ethical conduct in its business relationships, it is the individual responsibility of each employee to avoid any activity or interest that might tend to discredit him or herself, or the Association. Specific prohibitions are as follows:

Each employee will be free of any investment, association or connection, which interferes, or may appear to interfere, with the independent exercise of his or her judgment on behalf of the Association. The fulfillment of this obligation shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. No employee may own directly or indirectly, or act as agent or trustee for any financial interest in any supplier of goods or services to the association, unless such financial interest is in stocks, bonds or other publicly traded securities of a corporation, and the interest comprises less than five percent (5%) of the assets of the corporation.
2. No employee may hold a position of director, officer, employee, trustee, statutory employee, independent contractor or agent with any such supplier.
3. No employee may accept personal favors, gifts, entertainment or gratuities from any supplier or potential supplier with either a retail price or fair-market value in excess of $250 unless, prior to accepting or receiving such personal favor or gratuity, the employee submits a written statement of justification that is approved by the Executive Director of the employee's division or Officer, as appropriate. A copy of the approved justification will be filed with the Human Resources Division.
4. No employee may use, for personal gain, any information that he or she acquires in the course of his or her employment.
5. Any employee involved in any situation that may represent a possible conflict of interest, shall report same immediately to the Executive Vice President.

Employees who in good faith believe that a fellow employee, supervisor, manager, or director is in violation of this policy are encouraged to report their concerns as discussed in Section III below.

III. Whistleblower and Reporting Policy

The NRA is committed to complying with applicable laws and conducting business with honesty and integrity.  Every director, officer, trustee, employee, contractor, and volunteer is expected to do the same.  NRA leadership encourages anyone who suspects or is aware of unethical or illegal activities or any conduct that is inconsistent with our Statement of Corporate Ethics, policies, or internal controls involving the NRA and its affiliates to report the matter through appropriate reporting channels.

NRA INTEGRITY LINE

The NRA Whistleblower and Integrity Hotline Reporting Site is available on the web (NRAIntegrityline.org) or by calling 1-888-NRA-3603 to receive reports confidentially or anonymously.  Further, if you have questions regarding NRA compliance or ethical matters, you can submit your question and the matter will be forwarded to the Compliance Team.  This reporting channel enables you to communicate with the Compliance Team confidentially or anonymously. 

(For general or business questions or comments regarding NRA operations or membership matters please visit our contact us page.)

NRA ANTI-RETALIATION COMMITMENT

The NRA strives to promote a culture where employees and individuals are encouraged to come forward and make reports without fear of retaliation.  As retaliatory actions against reporters may compromise the integrity of the reporting process and may dissuade others from reporting in the future, the NRA does not tolerate retaliation against a reporter that has made a good faith report.

Good faith reporting means when the reporter reasonably believes the information alleged is true and may violate the Ethics Policy, applicable laws, or policy requirements.  A good faith belief that the information may be true, and that the information provided is not knowingly false or malicious is sufficient to meet the good faith standard.  A reporter is not expected to have all the information or substantiate the allegations prior to reporting. Click here to view the NRA Whistleblower and Reporting Policy.  

IV. Use of and Accounting for Association Funds and Assets

1. The use of association funds or assets for any unlawful or improper purpose is strictly prohibited.
2. No undisclosed or unrecorded fund or asset of the Association shall be established for any purpose.
3. The appropriate employees of the Association will make and keep books, records, and accounts, in reasonable detail, sufficient to reflect accurately and fairly all financial transactions and the disposition of funds and assets.
4. The appropriate employees of the Association will devise and maintain a system of internal controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that:
   1. Transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific authorization;
   2. Transactions are recorded: 1) to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles or any other criteria applicable to such statements, and 2) to maintain accountability for funds and assets;
   3. Access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific authorization; and
   4. The recorded accountability for funds and assets is compared with the existing funds and assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
5. Periodic compliance reviews shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer of the Association, at the direction of the Audit Committee established by the Board of Directors and/or at the direction of the Executive Vice President of the Association. Employees specifically designated by the Treasurer of the Association as having responsibilities involving purchase authorization, control or disbursements of funds, and/or other control of Association assets, will be required to sign an Annual Statement of Corporate Ethics that will be maintained in the individual personnel records in the Human Resources Division.