Gun Control:
- The NRA is arguably one of the most powerful pressure groups in the USA with membership of up to 3 million
- Formed in 1871 dedicated to teaching Americans how to use guns, then in the 1960s it became influential in stopping what it seeks as a "encroachment on citizens right to own and use legal firearms"
- Wants to keep the second amendment "right to bear arms" and it also works to oppose tougher gun control laws
- Has opposed the law on background checks and trigger locks
- Became involved in national debate after Sandy Hook shooting
How Much Influence
Does The NRA Have On Gun Control Debate In Congress:
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Democratic Members Of
Congress:
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Republican Members Of
Congress:
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“NRA has been effective
in ensuring that there has been relatively little gun control
debate in recent years”
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“Few if any interest
groups are in the same league as the NRA. They are well funded,
are committed and have active grassroots networks and members of
Congress both fear and respect them as apolitical force”
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“The NRA “own Congress”
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“The NRA has influenced
gun control because the majority of American agree with their
principles”
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“You can’t even discuss
the issue with rationality within Congress thanks to the NRA let
alone bring in tougher gun controls”
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“The NRA is the best
single issue lobby group in politics bar none”
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“The NRA own the
republican party”
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“Their membership is vast
and deep and protecting our constitutional rights is an important
advocacy”
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“Members are afraid to
upset the NRA”
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What The American
People Think Of Guns:
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For Gun Control:
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Against Gun Control:
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“You don’t want gun
control until you’ve been shot at, then your perspective
changes, no body realises what goes through you”
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“I believe in a right to
defend my life” There are so many criminals in the world that we
need guns to protect ourselves “It takes a good guy with a gun
to stop a bad guy with a gun”
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“Once you bring in one
restriction, it can be built upon and a total ban can be bought
further down the line”
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“I use guns for something
else e.g. hunting bear population because the population density
is out of control”
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President Trump’s
suggestion of allowing teachers to bear arms will “create more
of a problem”
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“Raising the age of
consent to buy to 21 will not help as it the parents
responsibility to secure their guns and not to store loaded guns”
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“You already need a
license to have a handgun” – this is enough “control”
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NRA
Website:
- Founded in 1871 with the primary goal to “promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis”
- A practice range was made but the NRA was forced to find a new range
- In 1903, the NRA begun to promote shooting sports among the youth in America
- Before WW2 the NRA were committed to training, education and marksmanship
- After WW2 the NRA concentrated its efforts on a much needed arena for education and training
- Law enforcement was next on the priority list and a NRA Police Firearms program was created to make sure guns were being used in the correct manner.
- The NRA foundation was provided a means to raise millions of dollars to fund gun safety and educational projects
- “They get what they want over time” former Clinton spokesperson George Stephanopoulos.