Alaska’s premier outdoor organization has voted to end, for now, its affiliation with the National Rifle Association. The Alaska Outdoor Council issued the statement on Saturday, saying differences over the NRA’s controversial endorsement of Rep. Mary Peltola was at the heart of the decision.
The Alaska Outdoor Council has endorsed Nick Begich.
The outdoor group will review its decision about being associated with the NRA at its next annual business meeting in 2025.
“On Oct 5th at the Alaska Outdoorsman Banquet in Anchorage AOC proudly announced its support for Nick Begich for U.S. Congress. The Board of Directors for AOC felt Nick Begich is the best candidate as his beliefs and platform are aligned with AOC Bylaws and Policies. NRA’s continued endorsement of candidate Mary Peltola for Congress is not in the AOC membership’s best interest,” the Alaska-based group announced on Saturday.
Many saw the endorsement of Peltola as a purely political chess move by the NRA, which has been embattled by various organizational controversies. The NRA was trying to look like it is bipartisan and could not find any other Democrat in the country to endorse, thus settled on Peltola as its choice for Alaska.
Alaska members of the NRA contacted Must Read Alaska and said they were withdrawing their membership from that organization and joining Gun Owners of America, a group that is seen as stronger on the Second Amendment.
Alaska Outdoor Council is a federation of 50 member clubs with the common interest of access Alaska’s natural resources through hunting, fishing, trapping, public access, or just enjoying a day out in the wilderness. Organizations belonging to the Alaska Outdoor Council stretch from Southeast Alaska to Fairbanks.
