National Rifle Association: Money, Firepower & FearThe National Rifle Association is the most powerful and feared lobby in America. It has tens of millions of dollars, millions of well-armed members and influence at the highest levels of government. Sugarmann, a leading expert on firearms violence, gun control and the NRA, is nationally recognized as an innovative and insightful voice in America's gun control debate. This is the first in-depth account of how the NRA uses fear, intimidation and cash to promote firearms sales and derail gun controls. The byzantine world of the gun lobby is explored: NRA internal power struggles and scandals; competing pro-gun organizations; the warm and longstanding ties between the NRA and the firearms industry; and the power and influence of the Second Amendment fundamentalists, alert to any infringement on their "right" to own any weapon they choose. To boost firearms sales and increase its membership, the NRA has teamed up with the industry to stake out new markets: women, children and black Americans. Preying on Americans' fears, the NRA promises that true security can only come from the barrel of a gun. On Capitol Hill and in state legislatures, the NRA cherishes its reputation for brass-knuckle political power. The result is that intimidation--including death threats--from NRA members is not uncommon. Faced recently with a litany of unpopular issues to defend--cop-killer bullets, plastic "terrorist special" handguns and assault weapons--today's NRA is increasingly out of step with the American public, the majority of gun owners and police. As a result, the NRA is at a crossroads. Will it retreat to its traditional activities of target shooting, hunting and safety training? Or will it regroup andrearm, ready to wage war on the increasing number who dare question its unyielding pro-gun stance? NRA: Money, Firepower & Fear chronicles the past, present and uncertain future of this uniquely American institution and its role in the gun control wars. Tossing aside accepted stereotypes, it reveals an NRA that will shock gun owners and non-gun owners alike. The NRA's original vision of a coonskin-capped "citizen-soldier" has turned into a national nightmare of violence and death. NRA: Money, Firepower & Fear tells why. |
Contents
Introduction | 13 |
Soldiers to Lobbyists | 25 |
Revolt at Cincinnati | 48 |
Copyright | |
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American Rifleman ammunition annual meeting anti-gun Arenberg's armor-piercing armor-piercing bullets Arnett assault rifle assault weapons attack battle bear arms Brady bill bullets campaign civilian Congress congressional court crime criminal dealers Democrat election endorsement Executive Vice President federal firearms industry Gianoutsos Gottlieb gun control movement gun lobby gun owners gun ownership Handgun Control Heston House hunters hunting Ibid included Institute for Legislative issue keep and bear kill Knox's LaPierre law enforcement leader letter licensing lobbyist machine gun magazine manufacturers Maryland McClure-Volkmer million Morton Grove National Firearms Act National Rifle Association Neal Knox NRA members NRA membership NRA's NRAction offered organization percent pistol police political pro-gun protect Reagan Republican result right to keep Saturday Night Special Second Amendment Second Amendment Foundation self-defense semi-automatic semi-automatic firearms Senate shooting sporting tion told Tydings vote waiting period warned Washington Post Wayne LaPierre women