Successful Groups The NRA and Breast Cancer Advocacy

1
Successful GroupsThe NRA and Breast Cancer
Advocacy

• 18 Nov 2004

2
History and Mission

• Increase marksmanship among Union soldiers after
  the Civil War
• Original focus on shooting and sporting needs
• Lobbied in support of gun control legislation in
  the first half of the 1900s.
• Expanded to include 2nd Amendment purists and
  fought against gun control laws wanting to
  license gun owners in the wake of the MLK and RFK
  assassinations

3
Formally Amended its Charter (1977)

• Formally adds Second Amendment ideology to the
  groups chater
• Two competing subgroups
• Sportsmen
• 2nd Amendment ideologues

4
The NRA and Public Opinion

• Most Americans favor further gun control
• The magnitude of this has been weakening somewhat
• The NRAs public image has been deteriorating, as
  the public views it as an uncompromising,
  extremist organization
• Now, about half of Americans have a favorable
  image
• NRA is perceived to be a Republican group
• If George W. Bush is elected, the NRA will be
  able to work out of his office.

5
Columbine

• The NRAs national convention in Denver
• The push for gun control
• The push back against gun control
• The House and Senate both passed versions of the
  gun control bill, but the conference never
  reported a compromise

6
Membership Growth and Decline

• Material benefits
• Solitary benefits
• Ideological (purposive) benefits
• Dues
• Issues that pose a threat
• Mobilization (membership drives)

7
NRAs Electioneering

• Only supports full ideologues
• In 1992, it advocated the defeat of Clinton,
  while failing to support Dole because he didnt
  have a strong enough record on the 2nd Amendment

8
NRA Electioneering

• Grades candidates from A to F and publishes the
  results in their newsletter and online
• Endorses faithful allies
• Campaign Contributions (through the Political
  Vicotry Fund administered by the Institute for
  Legislative ActionILA)
• In-kind Contributions (fundraising, meet the
  candidates)
• Independent expenditures
• For specific candidates
• Vote freedom first

9
The NRA and 9/11

• Didnt waiver in their support of Second
  Amendment rights, even when others did