Retired police officer Gary Pudup of Rochester recently submitted his life member resignation to the National Rifle Association. Pudup, who recently joined New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, shared with us his resignation letter:

National Rifle Association of America

11250 Waples Mill Road

Fairfax, VA 22030

Sirs:

I have been a member of the NRA over the years and have Life Member status. I am also a retired police officer. I have owned firearms since I was a boy and depended on firearms my entire adult life.

I had hoped beyond hope that the leadership of the NRA would show some modicum of decency and hear the cries of the victims and their families at the scourge of gun violence that is racking this nation. That the NRA reversed itself on something as simple as background checks is mind-boggling. Your positions are the greatest detriment to the reputation of reasonable gun-owners.

Instead, we hear nothing but empty rhetoric and a callous disregard for life and liberty. Yes, liberty as defined by the founders as a quality of life to be shared by all, not just the few who have come to believe that living in a democratic republic means that they get to do whatever they want whenever they want. That is the argument of immature self-interested children.

The last straw for me was the constant rhetoric of “Stand and Fight” and “Don’t Tread on Me”.

Now two of my brother officers lie dead in Las Vegas because of the vitriol you have drummed into the heads of faux “patriots”.

Only someone in denial would fail to recognize that the blood of those officers is on your hands.

Therefore, due to the irresponsibility of the leadership of the NRA and its failure to recognize its role in creating a culture of violence and fear, I am returning my Life Member card. I no longer wish to be associated with such an irresponsible organization.

Sincerely,

Gary Pudup, Rochester, NY

June 12, 2014