NRA: Power, Influence, and Protection of Rights

The National Rifle Association defends our second amendment right to keep and bear arms.  It is one of the most powerful special interest groups in the U.S. This group fights infringements of our constitutional rights and individual liberties. Founded in 1871, it has grown in membership and purpose. The NRA has the strong support of its many members. It uses considerable financial recourses to protect our rights.  Money equals power, but so do the high-profile members and leaders of this group. The NRA needs to focus its efforts on a national strategic plan to protect Americans’ Second Amendment rights. This plan should focus funding toward laws that better prosecute violent offenders, arm school officials, and fund better mental health services.

One strength of the NRA is its membership. According to recent figures, the NRA has an estimated membership of 5 million people (“US Gun Control”). In addition to possessing a high number of members, the NRA Members include people from all walks of life such as outdoorsmen, collectors, and law enforcement officers. But don’t be fooled, many ordinary people carry guns everyday for their own protection and support the NRA (Lott 72). Membership means power, but it also means contributions.

Another important resource of the NRA is money. It has a substantial budget of $250 million dollars a year (“National Rifle Association”). This is more than all other gun advocacy groups combined. A large amount is spent on lobbying for gun rights. In 2018, over 5 million dollars was spent on this cause (“National Rifle Association”). Money is also spent to help get the right candidates elected. This year an additional 335,000 dollars was spent on campaign contributions and advertising costs were in the millions (“National Rifle Association”). The NRA makes it their job to know how legislators will vote. They even rank them on a scale from A-F based on their views. Constituents then know for whom to cast their votes (“US Gun Control”). The NRA makes generous campaign contributions. It helps block or pass important gun legislation.  It gets people who support our freedom elected. (“National Rifle Association of America”).  All this happens with money.

There are many high-profile people who support or work within the NRA making them yet another resource. Our sitting president, Donald Trump, has a conceal carry permit and supports gun rights. Sarah Palin is another political supporter. Celebrities such as Tom Selleck and Chuck Norris act as spokesmen. Ted Nugent is also a high profile, outspoken NRA supporter (“Ted Nugent”). The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence reports there are military supporters like Oliver North who sits on the NRA board. Radio talk show host, Howard Stern, speaks out for the cause. Those who support the NRA work together as a cohesive unit to funnel financial resources to the right people and places. At this point in history, it is important that they come together even more to create a national strategic plan to protect our constitutional freedoms.

This plan must include several important elements. The NRA should continue its outstanding support and use of resources but focus more on making changes that decrease gun crime. If the crime rate decreases without gun control, there will be no need for our rights to be questioned. At this point, law-abiding citizens are being blamed for gun violence. However untrue this may be, our rights are at risk.  Not everyone understands that guns do not kill people. It is people who kill people. Limited real-life experience with guns leads people to base their opinions on the media, which puts a negative spin on gun rights.

The first important element of a national strategic plan is one concerning criminal justice. Violent criminals often are not caught or get off too easy. The NRA needs to commit funds to lobby for laws that prosecute criminals to the full extent. Increasing penalties will decrease gun violence and reduce crime. A higher probability of arrest is a deterrent in itself. People are discouraged from negative behavior by consequences. When law-abiding citizens are armed, crime becomes more difficult (Lott 129). Increased funding for law enforcement, a higher probability of arrest, and longer sentences for violent crimes will be deterrents.

Another element of the plan should be to arm school officials and place more security officers in schools. This is a hot button topic with recent school shootings. Did you know criminals fear armed victims? In a survey of convicted felons, it was reported they were more afraid of an armed victim than the police. 56 percent of prisoners said they would not attack a person with a gun. Arming those in charge of schools will protect our children. Simply put, armed school officials lead to fewer school shooting casualties (Lott 46). 

A final element of the plan should be to improve funding for mental health services. Those with serious mental health issues often do not receive the help they need. Funding has been cut and facilities closed down. People find themselves on the street. Psychotic patients are two to three times more likely to be violent (Freidmann).  They need treatment and medications for public safety.

It is well established that the NRA is a powerhouse and can affect change. With all its resources and a new national strategic plan, our Second Amendment rights should be secure for future generations.

Works Cited

Freidmann, Richard A. “Violence and Mental Illness- How Strong is the Link?” The New England Journal of Medicine, 3 September 2006, http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp068229. Accessed 20 April 2018. 

Lott, John R. More Guns Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws. 3rd ed. University of Chicago Press, 2010.

 “National Rifle Association of America.” Encyclopedia Britannica, https://britannica.com/topic/National-Rifle-Association-of-America. Accessed 19 April 2018. 

“National Rifle Association.” OpenSecrets.org. https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=d000000082. Accessed 19 April 2018. 

 “Ted Nugent: Board Member.” Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. 24 August 2004, www.nraontherecord.org/ted-nugent/. Accessed 20 April 2018. 

“US Gun Control: What is the NRA and Why is it so Powerful?” BBC News. 8 January 2016, www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada35261394. Accessed 19 April 2018.