Does the NRA Represent Gun Manufacturers or Gun Owners?

[Galraedia]

Over the last four years, Congress and the Obama administration have only enacted laws that have deregulated gun use in America. It’s no secret why. As pundits love to note, the gun lobby is incredibly influential. But as we consider the potential for reform in the wake of the tragedy today, one of the first questions we should ask this time is: who does the gun lobby really represent?

The National Rifle Association portrays itself as an organization that represents “4 million members” who simply love the Second Amendment. The truth is much more murky.

In reality, the NRA is composed of half a dozen legal entities; some designed to run undisclosed attack ads in political campaigns, others to lobby and collect tens of millions in undisclosed, tax-deductible sums. This power has only been enhanced in the era of Citizens United, with large GOP donors in the last election reportedly funneling money to the NRA simply to use the group as a brand to pummel Democrats with nasty ads. (As The Huffington Post’s Peter Stone reported, even the Koch network now provides an undisclosed amount to the NRA.)

Despite the grassroots façade, there is much evidence to suggest that corporations that profit from unregulated gun use are propping up the NRA’s activities, much like how the tobacco lobby secretly funded “Smokers Rights’” fronts and libertarian anti-tax groups, or how polluters currently finance much of the climate change skepticism movement.

Read more: http://www.thenation.com/blog/171776/does-nra-represent-gun-manufacturers-or-gun-owners#

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. Manufacturers.

Owners? *pfffft*

[Hoyt]

2. Manufacturers, other gun profiteers, and callous right wingers.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

3. Interesting-Yes the mission of the NRA has certainly changed. The original purpose is now a facade.

[michigandem58]

4. Smart Gun Manufacturers and Stupid Gun Owners

IMO

[rrneck]

5. Here's the common denominator.

Politics is good business and the NRA has a good business model.

[ZombieHorde]

6. Both. nt

[Thav]

11. Yup, although the manufacturers more.

They protect the manufacturers two ways: 1. They lobby congress hard to prevent any laws from taking effect that could negatively affect their bottom line. 2. They whip gun owners into a fear-frenzy, thereby boosting the bottom line with sales.

It's not about the rights of gun owners anymore, it's about industry profit.

[ZombieHorde]

12. If I wanted to figure out which group was benefited more, I would somehow try to figure

out which love is greater, the manufacturer's love for money or the enthusiast's love for guns.

I absolutely love zombie movies, table-top role playing games, and other nerdy things, but I would never threaten to kill police officers if I thought they were going to come to my home and take these things away from me.

Many gun enthusiasts seem to love their guns the way the rest of us love our close family members.

Many US football fans also have a special love that is difficult to understand.

[samsingh]

7. that's a question every gun owner should be asking

manufacturers

[Fish man]

8. Gun industry

The main cause of the NRA today is to protect the profits of the gun industry. Everything else is secondary.

[Special Agent Oso]

9. Manufacturers

and the GOP represents them.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

10. it represents itself. all lobbyist's agenda is their own survival. that is why they all suck.

they are the leeches on the political system.

[ZombieHorde]

13. Duh, why didn't I think of that?

I feel slow now.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. it is the nature of the beast.