NRA has supported laws since 1934 such as the National Firearms Act, Federal Firearms Act, Gun Control Act, Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, and Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act. I personally support the NRA because they make sure that my right to bear arms in the constitution are protected. I carry everywhere I go because you never know what some idiot is thinking about doing and I feel the need to protect my family no matter what it takes. Observers and lawmakers see the NRA as one of the top three most influential lobbying groups in Washington, DC. After 1977, the organization expanded its membership by focusing heavily on political issues and forming coalitions with conservative politicians, most of them being
The article, "America's Unique Gun Violence Problem," by Michel Martin considers that though there is more support for gun control in America, "the NRA's power comes from a lot of single issue pro-gun voters because they're very intense…" (Martin). This intensity is a major reason for the lack of success against anti-gun control parties such as the NRA being that most constituents of the NRA are very active in the voting and political process. Thus, when it comes down to it laws are being passed in the NRA's favor usually because at the voting stand NRA support is much higher than those advocating for gun control laws. In order to see a change, support for gun control has not increased, but rather its supporters have been more active in the voting process and at the political
While choosing electing official with common values and philosophies is a great way to get representation on social issues, interest groups are also helpful in keeping an open line of communication with elected officials on what is most important to the affected group. Interest groups use tactics to protect policies by focusing on the unknown consequences and keeping close relationships with government officials whose values are similar (Baumgartner, Jeffery, & Hojnacki (2009). One interest group who has knowledgeable lobbyists to affect public policy is the National Rifle Association (NRA). The NRA is a single issue group who advocates their position by using both the direct and indirect approach to rally support on issues in Congress.
“The lobbying arm of the NRA” was established as members believed that, in order to protect their right to bear arms, they had to directly impact decision-making in Washington (NRA-ILA n.d.). Due to the contemporary debate of whether the number of gun regulations should increase, the Institute has retained the media’s spotlight since 2008 because of their prominent public influence, especially during the former presidency of Barack
They have a thorough mission statement that declares, “ATF is a law enforcement agency in the United States’ Department of Justice that protects our communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and storage of explosives, acts of arson and bombings, acts of terrorism, and the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products,” (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, n.d.). They work with many leaders, such as the police, to ensure our country stays safe (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, n.d.). There are also various interest groups involved in the social policy. For gun control, there are Americans for the Protection of Children Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Gun Owners of America, Gun Sense, National Rifle Association, and National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, who either are for or against stricter gun control laws. For women’s rights there are, CitizenLink, Campaign for Working Families, Democrats for Life of America, Emily’s List, NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Right to Life Committee, Republican National Coalition for Life PAC, Susan B. Anthony List, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Population
I agree with Kleck and feel that gun control organizations definitely have a moral obligation to be honest in their statistics and also take into consideration the opposing side. This issue reminds me on what is happening within our government where democrats and republicans do not simply want to give in to reason. They are so preoccupied with winning instead of having a pro-active approach with discussions to allow problems to be resolved which both sides approve. Instead, these gun organizations seek to cover their actual agenda by stating that they are not actually for the prohibition of guns, but instead want to regulate them.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association of the gun industry, sponsors a program called HomeSafe that hands out free gun locks to as many as one million gun owners a year. If gun buyers want guns with particular features, they can buy such guns. Supporters of gun control cite other stories about guns intended for self-defense-stories about assailants grabbing guns from gun owners' hands and using them against the owner, or about gun owners who awake in the night and shoot a family member they mistake for a burglar. Supporters of gun control also argue that gun owners themselves contribute unwittingly to the flow of guns to criminals. "I think what we need is tougher enforcement."
The Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights is the right to bear arms, which gives American citizens a constitutional right to own and purchase guns. It states, "A well-regulated
The point of view of the NRA in this campaign is that “The only thing stopping a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” (Wayne LaPierre, 2012, Washington DC speech) which is exactly what this campaign is trying to enforce. They follow the ideology of conservative libertarianism as they are looking for change in community and government action to bring in new laws and change current policies to protect children, also showing their value of children 's
They believe that it was targeted at militias and the military only, and does not encompass the common people and individuals. Their argument comes from the phrase “well regulated militia”, proving their claim that the Amendment does not protect or support an individual’s right to own guns. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia even said in the 2008 case U.S. v. Heller? That, “Like most rights, the 2nd Amendment right is not unlimited.” They also argue that the times have changed, and that the Founding Fathers never could have predicted that weapons such as machine guns would be created.
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right of the individual to keep and bear firearms. When the Second Amendment was written it was for the right to arm oneself as a personal liberty to deter undemocratic or oppressive governing bodies from forming and to repel impending invasions. Furthermore, gun advocates proclaim that guns are for the right to self-defense. Some people try to participate and uphold the law. We have seen how guns in the hands of children can cause fatal accidents and people have committed mindless crimes leading to
In summary, the NRA uses a lot of money and economic support to government officials to push their agenda of more relaxed gun laws and to oppose gun
Debates about the Second Amendment have focused on its parameter to protect private rights of individual people to possess firearms, and the ability to be apart of militia organizations. The world has seen a drastic change since the implementation of the amendment in 1791. Civilian ran militias are almost obsolete, and most militias are now ran and regulated by state governments. The military of the United states has also seen a dramatic increase, and is undoubtedly more powerful. For the most part, civilians are no longer expected or desire to be apart of a militia, however firearms are still essential for self defence, hunting, and
The PBS program “Gunned Down: The power of the NRA” highlighted how the NRA continues it’s stranglehold on the government and gun policies. It is quite clear that gun control advocates attempt to play off the emotion of citizens whereas pro gun advocates fear the public into believing the government is attempting to steal their guns and liberties. The side of the gun control advocates can be seen through the likes of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. Conversely, the pro gun effort is shown through Ringleader Wayne LaPierre who continues to save the NRA and second amendment rights. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were both portrayed as compassionate, caring individuals that were fighting for a life or
The fight for gun control has been a never-ending battle in recent years amongst the Republican and Democratic Party. How the media portrays gun control has a lot to do with how people view guns and the gun laws at hand; for example, CNN and Fox news are best known for having completely different views and reporting styles. In a CNN article titled “NRA chief accuses Democrats of pushing ‘socialist’ agenda in the wake of the Florida shooting” written by Lauren Fox it discusses the tension between the NRA and Democrats when it comes to gun control. (Fox, 2018)