Is the NRA simply a lobbying group for the Gun Industry?

[Purplehood]

I have been seeing the statement that the NRA is really a lobbying group for the Gun Industry.

Being a life-member of the NRA, I am offended by that statement.

My question is this: Do any forum members consider this to be an accurate statement?

[jmra]

Not I. Recently became a Life Member.

[G.A. Heath]

The NSSF (National Shooting Sports Foundation) is the industry group for the Firearms Industry, their purposes include (but is not limited to) lobbying for the industry.

[OldCannon]

The NSSF (National Shooting Sports Foundation) is the industry group for the Firearms Industry, their purposes include (but is not limited to) lobbying for the industry.

This.

Not that the NSSF always does a great job for the retail side of the industry. But they run an awesome SHOT show.

[Purplehood]

My question is, do any of the forum members think that there is any element of truth in this statement?

I don't ask this for the sake of argument. As I am biased and tend to think from my own perspective, I doubt that there is any truth to it. But I would like to see if there are any valid arguments otherwise.

[RoyGBiv]

I believe Barack Obama will prove to be the greatest gun salesman in history.
The NRA is just trying to make sure those guns stay sold.

[Abraham]

Just ask any liberal...

[gigag04]

I think is an element of truth to it, sure. I think they represent the members well, but firearms companies have made some sizeable donations. I tend to think most of us have the same goals so its not an issue for me.

[terryg]

My question is, do any of the forum members think that there is any element of truth in this statement?

I don't ask this for the sake of argument. As I am biased and tend to think from my own perspective, I doubt that there is any truth to it. But I would like to see if there are any valid arguments otherwise.

I think that actively lobbying for and promoting the right of the citizen to keep and bear arms has the natural effect of encouraging gun sales. There is no way for that not to lead to the impression by some, and intentional misdirection by others, that the NRA is a lobby for the Gun Industry. There is really no way around that.

Do I think that, on some levels, that connection goes beyond coincidence and appearance? Possibly. People are human and fallible. Despite the purity of the goal of the organization - there is bound to be some back slapping that occurs. To what level I don't know. But I am sure it occurs. But that doesn't mean that the NRA is a lobby for the gun-industry - just that some crossover will naturally occur.

Similarly - as much as I support the military, do I see problems with the iron triangle of the military industrial complex? Yep - you bet. But it doesn't mean that I think I totality of the function is corrupted.

[hpcatx]

I think is an element of truth to it, sure. I think they represent the members well, but firearms companies have made some sizeable donations. I tend to think most of us have the same goals so its not an issue for me.

1) The percentage of funding from firearms companies is much less than from general membership, regardless if you use the NRA's numbers or those quoted in the MSM.
2) The end goals are the same, so #1 is actually secondary in concern.

[E.Marquez]

I see it as a coexisting relationship, what is good for one, benefits the other.. So in effect, yes, the NRA is lobbying for gun manufactures.

And practically,yes they are lobbying for gun manufactures to some degree, as the large donations from gun manufactures greatly exceed membership dues.

But as the question was posed..” Is the NRA simply a lobbying group for the Gun Industry?” Then no, I do not agree with that as a statement of fact.

[DevilDawg]

Since both was not an option I voted yes. To think that there is not a reward from the gun manufactures to the NRA for their works would be niave. However they also do for the most part stand for and lobby with the same beliefs as mine. Hence my membership.

No one group can be everything to everyone. However given the current attacks and pending future attacks a required solidarity movement by gun owners should be self evident.

my two cents and worth what you paid for it.

[TexasCajun]

The NRA's stated purpose in advocating pro-2A issues as well as promoting shooting sports and firearms safety runs parallel to the interests of the gun and ammunition manufacturers. Is there some overlap? Yes, there's bound to be some as the issues and interests have to do with the products that the industries manufacture. Do the manufacturers exert undue influence on the NRA? I don't think so, since membership dues account for a much larger percent of revenue than does manufacturer donations. Also, if the NRA were simply a lobby for the gun industry they would probably be more voocal in trying to repeal existing firearms and ammunition restrictions than they are.

[Charles L. Cotton]

For decades, the firearms industry had nothing to do with the NRA. They aggressively avoided any contact with or support of the NRA. They believed we were too political, too much of a lightening rod and as businessmen, they didn't want anything to do with us. This was also true for most companies outside the firearms industry (like auto manufacturers) that wouldn't advertise in our magazines.

As the NRA image improved and we became more and more successful in the election and political arenas, the firearms industry and other companies like those in the auto industry and more, saw the critical role we play in preserving gun rights. They started to advertise and help the NRA in other ways. I can't give the numbers, but direct monetary donations by the firearms industry is quite low. Midway and Brownells do donate generously, but it's still a very small part of our large budget. However, firearms manufacturers do help the NRA recruiting by including our materials in their packaging and with other recruiting efforts. The NRA "brand" has come to symbolize more than just firearms; it is finally recognized as the most powerful civil rights organization in the world and with that realization comes acceptance and support. So it's not that we lobby for the industry; it's more a matter of the industry recognizing our importance and supporting us.

Not only do we not lobby directly for the "gun industry," we sometimes take hardline pro-citizen positions that the industry would rather we not take. For example, some companies would support limitations on so-called assault weapons (not those making them!) if it would lessen the pressure on their companies and their part of the market. Liberal anti-gunners desperately want to convince the unsuspecting public that we are just a shill for the gun companies, rather than a civil rights organization fighting for the Second Amendment.

Chas.

[Jumping Frog]

When answering the original question, if the NRA is a gun manufacturer's lobby, it is a smokescreen to get wrapped up in trying to read the tea leaves and estimate monetary donations as a percent of revenue.

The core issue is the NRA is an individual membership organization, as the entire Board or Directors is elected by individual voters with qualifying memberships. The BOD has authority over the NRA management team, who serves at the BOD's pleasure.

it is an individual-based civil rights organization.

All attempts to tar it with the "gun manufacturer" brush is simply the same old tired liberal playbook: demonize corporations.