The National Rifle Association plays a central role in the gun control controversy in the United States.
Starting this Friday (April 14), the National Rifle Association (NRA) is holding its annual convention in Indianapolis, USA where former US President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will address attendees .
The meeting comes amid growing calls for tougher gun laws in the country, following a record number of massacres in 2023.
Second Gun Violence Archivethere have been 146 bombings in the country since January.
What is ANR?
Founded in 1871 as a recreational group designed to “promote and encourage rifle shooting,” the National Rifle Association has grown into one of the most powerful political organizations in the United States.
He strongly lobbies against all forms of gun control and actively advocates that more guns make the country safer.
The organization relies on and strongly defends a controversial interpretation of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, which it claims gives American citizens the right to bear arms.
The association directly funds US politicians and legislators who support its goals.
Who manages the ANR?
Wayne LaPierre has led the NRA since 1991.
How big is the ANR?
Estimates of the number of NRA members vary widely. The association said membership increased to about five million in response to the 2012 Sandy Hook High School massacre.
However, some analysts believe the number is closer to three million.
Current NRA members include former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and actors Tom Selleck and Whoopi Goldberg.
Former Vice President Mike Pence is expected to join Trump and DeSantis at the 2023 convention in Indianapolis.
How influential is the ANR?
In 2022, the NRA received $97 million in dues, down more than 40% from its peak year, 2018.
The organization blamed the covid-19 pandemic for the decline.
However, the NRA still has a sizeable budget which it uses to try to influence US politicians on gun policy.
In 2021, it spent $4.2 million on lobbying, according to the OpenSecretsan impartial US research firm.
The data from OpenSecrets suggest that the NRA has awarded more than $140 million to pro-gun electoral candidates since 2010.
The NRA also has considerable influence through its members, many of whom will vote for a candidate based solely on their stance on guns.
The association ranks members of Congress from A to F, based on their perceived sympathy for gun rights. These rankings could cost pro-gun control candidates their seats.
Why is the NRA controversial?
For decades, the NRA has actively opposed measures that would limit gun ownership, despite a number of high-profile shootings, including many in schools.
The late actor Charlton Heston — a former NRA president — famously held a shotgun over his head after the 1999 Columbine massacre, telling gun control advocates they should carry the gun “over my dead body.”
What did the NRA ever say about school shootings?
On March 27, six people, including three children, were killed at a Nashville school.
The NRA reacted by calling for more safety in schools rather than restrictions on gun ownership.
The Nashville massacre was the worst US school shooting since 19 children and two adults were killed in Uvalde, Texas in May 2022.
The NRA held its 2022 convention outside of Houston just days after the Uvalde attack despite widespread calls to cancel the event.
In 2018, the association backed a proposal by then President Donald Trump to arm teachers and other staff to prevent gun attacks, even though many teachers don’t want to be armed.
Source: Terra
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