history of the NRA

  • Founded 1871

    • William Conant Church, Captain George Wood Wingate, General Burnside

    • Modeled after britain’s NRA

    • Shooting range and competitions

      • Rifle clubs

    • Training programs

  • Advocates for gun rights

  • 5 million ish members since 2018 (unconfirmed)

  • Firearm owners protection Act

    • Changed Gun control act of 1968

  • Dickey amendment

    • Stops CDC from promoting gun control (w/ federal money)

  • Revolt at Cincinnati (1977)

    • Big big change in ideals/leadership

      • Before: “hunting, conservation, marksmanship” and shooting for scientific purposes at a range

      • Now: right to bear arms

    • Institute for legislative action

    • Political victory fund

  • Before 1970s: non-partisan

  • After 1970s: republican

  • Started endorsing presidential candidates in 1980

    • Reagan

    • Rick santorum

    • Trump

  • National Firearms Act of 1934

    • Taxed distribution and production of firearms

  • Federal Firearms Act of 1938

    • Required licenses

    • Restricted certain people

  • United States v Miller 1939

    • Added age restrictions

    • Banned guns for non sporting purposes

  • Gun control act of 1968

    • Repealed FFA and replaced it

  • Federal assault weapons ban - 1994

    • 10 years

    • Prohibited manufacture of some assault weapons