National Rifle Association employees are demanding the firing of its new CEO after it was revealed he was involved in the torture and killing of a cat while in college.
Doug Hamlin, who was appointed NRA CEO earlier this year, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty in the vile killing of his fraternity’s cat, BK, in 1980.
As previously reported by DailyMail.com, Hamlin was an undergraduate at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor when he and four of his Alpha Delta Phi brothers charged with capturing the cat, cutting its paws off, stringing it up and setting it on fire.
Following the revelation, fourteen employees ‘with a combined 113 years experience’ sent a letter to the NRA board of directors asking that Hamlin be removed from his post while an investigation is conducted.
‘Noting the recent story that broke about Doug Hamlin’s involvement in the killing, torture, and cover-up of a harmless house cat makes all of us feel uncomfortable and worried for our safety,’ they wrote.
Douglas Hamlin, who was appointed NRA CEO this this year, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty in the vile killing of his fraternity’s cat, BK, in 1980
Following the revelation, fourteen employees ‘with a combined 113 years experience’ sent a letter to the NRA board of directors asking that Hamlin be removed from his post while an investigation is conducted
‘Anyone who can do that and try to cover it up is a sadistic human and cannot be trusted with the organization’s reputation and employees’ safety.’
The employees added: ‘If something is not done, Doug Hamlin will destroy any chances of a NRA comeback.’
The anonymous NRA workers also mentioned other issues they have with Hamlin, claiming he is unqualified and has ‘no understanding of any other part [besides publications] of the NRA and not interested in learning.’
‘We se it daily; you don’t,’ the employees wrote to the board of directors.
The letter also accuses Hamlin of ‘trading friendships and favors for important internal positions’ and takes issues with the fact Hamlin was elected by popular vote.
In it the employees ask that an NRA leader be chosen by a professional search firm.
Hamlin, who served in the Marines after college, previously served as the NRA’s executive director of its publications division.
Hamlin, who served in the Marines after college, previously served as the NRA’s executive director of its publications division
District court judge SJ Elden singled Hamlin out during the case, saying he could have stopped the ‘unconscionable and heinous’ killing as the president of the fraternity
He was elected as executive vice president and CEO in May after former NRAS boss Wayne LaPierre was found liable in February at a civil trial in New York of wrongly using millions of dollars of the organization’s money to pay for an extravagant lifestyle.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the NRA for comment on this story.
Hamlin previously told DailyMail.com that he wasn’t directly involved in the cat’s killing.
‘I do not in any way condone the actions that took place more than 44 years ago,’ Hamlin said.
‘I took responsibility for this regrettable incident as chapter president although I wasn’t directly involved. Since that time I served my country, raised a family, volunteered in my community, started a business, worked with Gold Star families, and raised millions of dollars for charity. I’ve endeavored to live my life in a manner beyond reproach.
‘My focus now is on protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.’
Hamlin, pictured with his wife, was elected as executive vice president and CEO in May
The students killed the cat because they were angry it was not using its litterbox, according to local news reports from the time uncovered by The Guardian.
The animal’s killing, which happened in December, 1979, sparked fury in the community at the time and all five students were expelled from the fraternity, including Hamlin who was the group’s president at the time.
District court judge SJ Elden singled Hamlin out during the case, saying he could have stopped the ‘unconscionable and heinous’ killing as the president of the fraternity.
Judge Elden also suggested the fraternity tried to cover up the crime to protect its members.
One of the frat brothers involved in the killing told The Guardian the incident was ‘regrettable’ and ‘not a good chapter for anybody.’
The fraternity’s cook Earl Carl resigned following the killing, as reported by Michigan Daily, and filed a lawsuit claiming members of the group tried silencing him.
Carl said Hamlin initiated an attempted coverup.
The five men had their records expunged after they each completed 200 hours of animal-related community service.
