National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association, commonly known as NRA, is a non-profit organization that is committed to defending the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights. The second amendment ascertains the right of individuals to possess and use guns. Since its inception in 1871, the NRA has also been the leading organization for firearms education and its millions of members continually advocate firearm safety, firearm ownership rights, hunting protection, self-defense and marksmanship in the United States. Recognized as an influential political force, its political movement is rooted in the principle that ownership of firearms is a civil liberty protected by the Second Amendment.
In its commitment to steadfastly preserve the right of law-abiding individuals to buy, own, and use firearms for rightful purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment, the National Rifle Association has created its lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA), which was established in 1975. The Institute for Legislative Action employs a staff of over eighty people distributed in its NRA headquarters in Virginia and offices in California and Washington, D.C.; they defend the Second Amendment in local government bodies and state legislatures. The Institute also works to educate the public about the issues and concerns regarding aspects of firearms ownership in the United States through giving out pamphlets, fact sheets, and articles every year and through regularly updating information in their website. Members of Congress have recognized NRA as the nation’s most powerful lobbying group for several successive years.
What It Represents
The National Rifle Association through its Institute for Legislative Action represents the millions of gun owners across the nation, protecting their right for firearms ownership. With its more than four million members, ILA has worked strongly in passing legislation of pro-gun reform at state level. Whenever legislation for gun control is proposed at the local, state, or federal level, NRA members and advocates assertively take action and make their position known by sending e-mails, faxes, and individual letters and calling their elected representatives.
History
In 1871, NFA was established by William C. Church and General George Wingate and was granted a charter by the state of New York. The association had the chief aim of supporting and upholding rifle shooting on a scientific basis. In 1934, its Legislative Affairs Division was created in response to constant attacks on the Second Amendment rights; it was tasked to send out legislative information and analyses to members. In 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action was finally formed. In 1986, the association and millions of gun owners across the country celebrated as President Ronald Reagan signed the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act into law.
Major Issues
NRA continues its advocacy in issues that may directly or indirectly affect firearms use and ownership including product liability; lawsuit protection; crime victim rights; wilderness and wildlife conservation; hunting and hunting land access; trapping; criminal justice reform; international/UN gun control issues; workers protection and private property; registration and licensing; and law-enforcement related issues. Among its current issues are strengthening the right to self-defense; ensuring a place to hunt for future generations; parking lot gun laws and the right to transport arms; and state emergency powers against the right to arms.
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