National Rifle Association Analysis
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One of the biggest advocates of protecting the second amendment is the National Rifle Association. The Encyclopedia of Interest Groups and Lobbyist in the United States reports that the NRA consists of over 3 million members nationwide (pg. 532) The NRA was founded in 1871 with the purpose of training the National Guard to be sharpshooters as well teaching its other members how to shoot (pg. 532). The first president of the organization was one of the Civil War Generals of the Union, Ambrose Burnside(pg. 532) In 1905, congress passed Public Law 149 which the NRA to purchase military surpluses and administer them to rifle clubs that they sponsored (pg. 532). Today the NRA is a national organization and has club members in all 50 states, making
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In 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act which was heavily backed by the NRA (NRA.org). The law helps protect firearms dealers and manufacturers from being held liable when crimes have been committed with the products that they specialize in. Then in 2012 after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the NRA called on the United States Congress to appropriate funds for a National School Shield Program (NRA.org). From humble beginnings, the NRA has transformed from a club on how to shoot to one of the most influential groups on policy over the second amendment.
The next group to be mentioned, in contrast to the NRA, is a special interest group that is pro-gun control. Handgun Control Inc. which is a nonprofit lobbying group with over 400,000 members. The interest group is considered to be on the national level because they lobby for federal legislation and public policy. The HCI also is associated with the sub national level because they have state legislative and public outreach departments. Handgun Control INC. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Washington D.C (Ness, …show more content…
During the 1997-1998 cycle, it received $90,755 in receipts and spent $178,430. This latter figure includes $146,114 in contributions to candidates and parties, $136,614 to Democrats and $9,500 to Republicans (pg. 523). The Handgun Control INC underwent a name change to The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. It should also be noted that this interest group also connects to the community through grass root approach via their twitter account. They are funded through donations. The only incentives that they offer is information on how donations are tax deductions (Bradycampaign.org). The third interest group I found to have a prevalent voice for pro-gun control is a newer grassroots movement by the name of Everytown for Gun Safety. This interest was found in 2013 and is a result of a merger between Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America (Everytown.org). This group seems to be on the forefront for the representation on gun control policy due to fact of how much money they are spending in comparison to other similar interest
In 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act which was heavily backed by the NRA (NRA.org). The law helps protect firearms dealers and manufacturers from being held liable when crimes have been committed with the products that they specialize in. Then in 2012 after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the NRA called on the United States Congress to appropriate funds for a National School Shield Program (NRA.org). From humble beginnings, the NRA has transformed from a club on how to shoot to one of the most influential groups on policy over the second amendment.
The next group to be mentioned, in contrast to the NRA, is a special interest group that is pro-gun control. Handgun Control Inc. which is a nonprofit lobbying group with over 400,000 members. The interest group is considered to be on the national level because they lobby for federal legislation and public policy. The HCI also is associated with the sub national level because they have state legislative and public outreach departments. Handgun Control INC. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Washington D.C (Ness, …show more content…
During the 1997-1998 cycle, it received $90,755 in receipts and spent $178,430. This latter figure includes $146,114 in contributions to candidates and parties, $136,614 to Democrats and $9,500 to Republicans (pg. 523). The Handgun Control INC underwent a name change to The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. It should also be noted that this interest group also connects to the community through grass root approach via their twitter account. They are funded through donations. The only incentives that they offer is information on how donations are tax deductions (Bradycampaign.org). The third interest group I found to have a prevalent voice for pro-gun control is a newer grassroots movement by the name of Everytown for Gun Safety. This interest was found in 2013 and is a result of a merger between Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America (Everytown.org). This group seems to be on the forefront for the representation on gun control policy due to fact of how much money they are spending in comparison to other similar interest