Behind the Bastards: CZM Rewind - Harlan Carter: the Man Who Militarized the Cops and the NRA

Episode Overview: In this episode of Behind the Bastards, host Robert Evans delves into the life and legacy of Harlan Carter, a pivotal figure responsible for the militarization of the U.S. Border Patrol and the transformation of the National Rifle Association (NRA) into a powerful gun advocacy organization. The discussion uncovers Carter's influence on gun culture, his strategic maneuvers within the NRA, and the enduring impact of his actions on contemporary American society.

1. Introduction to Harlan Carter and His Legacy

Robert Evans begins by introducing Harlan Carter as a central figure in the history of American gun culture. He describes Carter as the man who not only militarized the Border Patrol but also played a crucial role in shaping the NRA's trajectory.

Robert Evans (04:49): "He’s the guy who started militarizing the police, and he's the guy who made the NRA."

2. Early Life and Formative Years

Carter was born on August 10, 1913, in Granbury, Texas. Growing up in a semi-rural environment, he developed a strong affinity for firearms through hunting and target shooting. At age 14, his family moved to Laredo, a border town, where his father became one of the first Border Patrol agents.

Robert Evans (35:19): "He develops an intense affinity for firearms from an early age."

In 1931, at the age of 16, Carter was involved in a fatal confrontation where he shot a Hispanic teenager, Raymond Casiano, after falsely accusing him of car theft. This incident resulted in Carter's conviction for murder, though his sentence was later overturned on appeal.

Robert Evans (45:28): "Carter is arrested, he is tried and he is convicted of murder. He's sentenced to three years in prison, but he only serves two years."

3. Transition to the NRA and Early Influence

After his release, Carter enrolled at the University of Texas, changed his name slightly to distance himself from his criminal past, and followed in his father's footsteps by rejoining the Border Patrol in 1936. By 1950, he was running the entire Border Patrol.

In 1930, Carter joined the NRA, which at the time was a non-political organization focused on hunting and target shooting. His presence marked the beginning of a shift within the organization towards a more militant and politically active stance.

Robert Evans (60:14): "He starts filling the NRA with his buddies from the Border Patrol who are wanting a cushy job in the private sector."

4. Operation Cloudburst and Operation Wetback

Carter spearheaded Operation Cloudburst and later Operation Wetback, aimed at purging undocumented Mexican immigrants from the United States. These operations involved extensive raids, building of physical barriers, and collaboration with the military to enforce immigration laws aggressively.

Robert Evans (63:50): "Operation Cloudburst is the first modern attempt to build a wall, specifically designed to use violence to keep the borderlands white."

Carter's tactics were explicitly racially motivated, aiming to maintain white supremacy by disarming Mexican Americans and controlling their presence within the U.S. border regions.

Robert Evans (64:37): "He believed that guns were a tool to enforce white supremacy, and he wanted to ensure that white people maintained the right to do this."

5. Internal Conflict Within the NRA: Old Guard vs. Carter's Faction

By the mid-1970s, Carter's radical approach clashed with the NRA's old guard, who preferred the organization to remain a sportsmen’s association. Carter, along with Neil Knox, pushed for the NRA to adopt a more aggressive defense of the Second Amendment, focusing on individual gun ownership rights.

Robert Evans (146:26): "Carter and Knox have built a very effective, both fundraising and propaganda wing. They are building a moral panic over this."

The resulting power struggle led to the "Weekend Massacre" in 1976 when members loyal to Carter were purged from the NRA, allowing Carter and his allies to gain greater control over the organization's direction.

Robert Evans (157:25): "Carter plans to take over the NRA by mobilizing its membership to vote for bylaw changes that favor his militant vision."

6. Rise of Wayne LaPierre and the Modern NRA

After Carter's resignation in protest, Wayne LaPierre emerged as a dominant figure within the NRA. By the 1980s, LaPierre was leading the NRA's lobbying efforts, transforming it into one of the most influential gun advocacy groups in the United States.

Robert Evans (172:38): "Carter’s strategies laid the groundwork for LaPierre to turn the NRA into a massive lobbying powerhouse."

Under LaPierre's leadership, the NRA focused on expanding its lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA), and pushing for aggressive gun rights policies, aligning closely with Harlan Carter's original vision.

7. Impact on Gun Control Legislation and Policy

Carter and his allies were instrumental in blocking gun control measures, such as the 1970s National Firearms Act (NFA), and later influencing federal legislation like the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. Their efforts ensured that gun manufacturers could operate with minimal regulation and that individuals could maintain widespread ownership of firearms.

Robert Evans (210:12): "The NRA blocked legislation aiming to give the CDC oversight of defective weapons, ensuring gun manufacturers remained largely unregulated."

The NRA's shift towards political activism under Carter and LaPierre led to a nationwide pushback against any form of gun control, cementing the organization's role in American politics.

8. Conclusion: Legacy of Harlan Carter

Harlan Carter's legacy is evident in the current state of American gun culture and the NRA's formidable influence on gun legislation. His strategic use of fundraising, lobbying, and propaganda transformed the NRA from a sportsmen’s association into a politically charged organization dedicated to preserving Second Amendment rights at all costs.

Robert Evans (193:46): "Carter's actions laid the blueprint for the NRA's dominance in gun politics, making it a cornerstone of right-wing advocacy."

Carter's relentless pursuit of armed enforcement of racial hierarchies and his manipulation of gun culture continue to shape debates around gun control, police militarization, and individual rights in the United States today.

Notable Quotes:

• Robert Evans (04:49): "He’s the guy who started militarizing the police, and he's the guy who made the NRA."

• Robert Evans (35:19): "He develops an intense affinity for firearms from an early age."

• Robert Evans (45:28): "Carter is arrested, he is tried and he is convicted of murder. He's sentenced to three years in prison, but he only serves two years."

• Robert Evans (60:14): "He starts filling the NRA with his buddies from the Border Patrol who are wanting a cushy job in the private sector."

• Robert Evans (64:37): "He believed that guns were a tool to enforce white supremacy, and he wanted to ensure that white people maintained the right to do this."

• Robert Evans (157:25): "Carter plans to take over the NRA by mobilizing its membership to vote for bylaw changes that favor his militant vision."

• Robert Evans (210:12): "The NRA blocked legislation aiming to give the CDC oversight of defective weapons, ensuring gun manufacturers remained largely unregulated."

• Robert Evans (193:46): "Carter's actions laid the blueprint for the NRA's dominance in gun politics, making it a cornerstone of right-wing advocacy."

Final Thoughts: This episode offers a chilling exploration of how one individual's extremist views and strategic actions can reshape national institutions and influence societal norms. Harlan Carter's role in the militarization of the Border Patrol and transformation of the NRA underscores the profound and lasting impact of his legacy on American gun culture and politics.