The National Rifle Association is an American non-profit organization founded in 1871. It is known for lobbying for gun rights and fighting gun control laws, and it has maintained influence and power within our government.

The NRA started out as a group of people who banded together during the civil war to defend and arm themselves. After the civil war ended, the right to bear arms carried on. The NRA offers training programs in several states to those who are interested in purchasing guns. Carrying guns has become a social norm. Guns are a part of NRA members’ personal culture and traditions, and it will be a long time before any changes will be made.

The primary reason that the NRA has so much power is that its members have direct connections to those in the government. Old, rich, white males tend to have more wealth and are much more active in politics. NRA representatives are known to be more politically active and engaged. They are always present to vote, write to political officials, and help fund campaigns.

In turn, politicians will serve those who serve them. They are inclined to fulfill the needs of those who donate and fund their campaigns. According to an article written in the New Yorker, the NRA “has an annual operating budget of some quarter of a billion dollars, and between 2000 and 2010 it spent 15 times as much on campaign contributions as gun-control advocates did.” Presidential candidates are bought out early on as well, with the NRA offering huge donations in return for support NRA ambitions. “The NRA has also been known to be one of the biggest donors to federal elections. In 2012, 271 candidates received donations from the NRA totaling in over $700,000.”

The NRA stems from something much deeper than just the surface and it will be a long time before it can be rooted out. A majority of those who support the NRA have a lot of money, and money talks. They are able to manipulate those in the government and keep any real action against the NRA from taking place. White rich people in general tend to have more influence in the direction of this country, and though we are making strides to change the habits of this country there is still a long way to go. The NRA will not lose power and influence with our government anytime soon.