The NRA
Leading the “pro-gun” side of the debate is the NRA. One of the most powerful lobbying groups in Washington, they have successfully advocated for and against legislation since the mid-70s. Before they took up political activism, they were primarily an organization that was concerned with education on the sport of shooting and forming rifle clubs. Sportsmen, hunters and target shooters were the NRA’s main focus and they largely ignored firearm centered legislation. Former actor and liberal activist Charlton Heston was the five-time NRA president who helped turn the NRA into what it is today, which is a highly aggressive and effective registered lobbying group that wields tremendous influence on Capitol Hill. The NRA’s actions have garnered a substantial amount of criticism over the years. Many have accused the group of being indirectly responsible for the high rate of firearm related homicides that occur in the US each year. The opposition has also accused them of buying politicians and stifling those who support gun control.
The Brady Campaign
One of the oldest gun control advocacy groups is the Brady Campaign to prevent gun violence. The organization was founded in 1974 as the national council to control handguns. They received national attention after the shooting of John Lennon and the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan. After 2001, the group was renamed the Brady campaign to prevent gun violence after Jim Brady, a man who was disabled after the Reagan assassination attempt, and Sarah Brady, Jim’s wife and current campaigner for gun control. The group has challenged gun related issues such as stand-your-ground laws, which they deem dangerous and unnecessary. They were also instrumental in adopting the Brady Act, which created a national background check system on licensed firearm dealers in the United States.
Leading the “pro-gun” side of the debate is the NRA. One of the most powerful lobbying groups in Washington, they have successfully advocated for and against legislation since the mid-70s. Before they took up political activism, they were primarily an organization that was concerned with education on the sport of shooting and forming rifle clubs. Sportsmen, hunters and target shooters were the NRA’s main focus and they largely ignored firearm centered legislation. Former actor and liberal activist Charlton Heston was the five-time NRA president who helped turn the NRA into what it is today, which is a highly aggressive and effective registered lobbying group that wields tremendous influence on Capitol Hill. The NRA’s actions have garnered a substantial amount of criticism over the years. Many have accused the group of being indirectly responsible for the high rate of firearm related homicides that occur in the US each year. The opposition has also accused them of buying politicians and stifling those who support gun control.
The Brady Campaign
One of the oldest gun control advocacy groups is the Brady Campaign to prevent gun violence. The organization was founded in 1974 as the national council to control handguns. They received national attention after the shooting of John Lennon and the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan. After 2001, the group was renamed the Brady campaign to prevent gun violence after Jim Brady, a man who was disabled after the Reagan assassination attempt, and Sarah Brady, Jim’s wife and current campaigner for gun control. The group has challenged gun related issues such as stand-your-ground laws, which they deem dangerous and unnecessary. They were also instrumental in adopting the Brady Act, which created a national background check system on licensed firearm dealers in the United States.