What is the name of this organization?
The organization under study is the National Rifle Association, which is abbreviated as NRA.
What is the purpose of this organization? Who is their pitch aimed at?
NRA is an organization that is involved in lobbying for and against legislation dealing with firearm legislation. Furthermore, the NRA informs its members about all legislations that relate to firearms. NRA handles this responsibility through publications, which also help to teach about firearm competency and safety. NRA pitch is aimed at its members who need to understand where they stand when it comes to legislation and firearm safety. Moreover, NRA’s pitch is directed at policymakers who are involved in making and passing firearm-related legislation.
Can an individual join this group? If so how much would it cost?
NRA is open for individual membership. The cost for joining NRA is dependent on various factors but with just $ 45 one can get an annual membership that unlocks all the NRA benefits including hundreds of dollars in savings. Disabled veterans, juniors, and seniors can get discounted membership fees and pay up to $35 per year (National Rifle Association b).
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Are there different levels of membership?
Yes. The different levels of membership at NRA include life membership at $1,500, Golden Eagle membership, and NRA Life of Duty membership
Can an individual join online?
Yes. NRA has the option of an online subscription to the organization. Online members who are joining for the first time are required to choose their membership term, gift, and magazine subscription, enter their information and payment information.
What would the individual receive for joining?
New members will receive several benefits depending on their level of membership. An NRA Life member would receive NRA’s brushed leather jacket. An NRA Life Duty member would receive discounted membership rates, free subscription to one NRA magazine and free admission to NRA’s Gun, Gear and Outfitter show among other benefits. On the other hand, a Golden Eagle member will receive an annual member card, insignia pin, shooter’s cap, certificate of recognition and a decal (National Rifle Association a)
What opportunities are open to the individual by being part of the group?
Being part of NRA opens endless opportunities considering one to participate fully in implementing the provisions of the Second Amendment. NRA members have an opportunity of lobbying for or against legislation that may render the public unsafe from the existing firearms. More so, NRA membership opens doors to get involved in competitive shooting and thus one is able to develop a shooting talent. Of importance is the fact that one becomes part of a noble responsibility of helping individuals and corporates to understand firearm safety standards.
Is this group engaged in lobbying?
Yes. NRA is a lobby group that directly lobbies for and against the legislation of firearms in the US.
Is there a role to play for the individual member to play in the lobbying activities?
Individual members are not involved in lobbying activities as the lobbying is left to the organization's lobbyists who advance the organization's agenda. Most of the time NRA employs the services of The Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) considering that NRA conducts direct lobbying. ILA has been the lobbying firm for NRA for a long time and their collaboration has seen the passing and stopping of many bills. Moreover, their collaboration has been instrumental in influencing the outcome of numerous, local, state and national elections (Musa, 2016). Individual members offer support to the NRA as it finds new ways of ensuring that firearm legislation either passes or fails to depend on its interpretation. At times, NRA uses its members who in turn pursue their legislators concerning firearm-related legislation.
Does the group have an affiliated PAC? Do they give money at the national level? Describe the patterns in giving. Do they give in state politics?
NRA has an affiliated PAC with the ILA, which is charged with the responsibility of influencing the political class into action on firearm legislation. The NRA-IRA, super PAC is influential at both state and national levels and has managed to influence policies on several occasions. For instance, in 2012 ILA used its influence in Florida to pass legislation that would lead to punishment of doctors who wanted to know if the patients had guns (Musa, 2016). The NRA’S influence is felt at a national level as they spend substantial money in funding Senate committees involved in firearm legislation. For instance, NRA spent up to $220,250 on 15 US senate committees. This spending is said to have had a major effect on the Senators voting patterns as well as influencing people’s decisions on the presidential elections. NRA goes to all extremes to influence the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary to elicit support in firearm legislation.
Does the group endorse candidates for office? Is there a pattern?
NRA has a strong political influence and some seem to think that it is capable of electing the US president. Musa (2016) establishes that the NRA played a significant role in the election of President Bush, which led to the reversal of firearm legislation. NRA is among the many organizations that endorse candidates for office having endorsed Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney back in 2012.
Does it seem like this group is offering an agenda to attract new people to their cause or is their model more aimed at motivating “true believers”? Describe how you view their message
NRA is keen on getting and attracting new members who are keen on ensuring that America remains safe in the face of rising domestic and foreign terrorism. The home page reads” our rights are under attack like never before. Join today”. This message is a clear indication that this is a forum for all people who are keen on ensuring that the government protects their rights. Apart from attracting new people, NRA is keen on ensuring that it maintains its” true believers” by offering them a greater platform to develop their discipleship. They are reminded “Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance”. In this case, the fight for freedom is not over and the members should be all in to ensure its pursuit.
Based only on their webpage, do you think they are likely to be effective? Why or why not? Does your view change when you research online?
NRA is likely to be effective based on their webpage considering that it is organized, relevant up-to-date and contain all the necessary information. Any individual who is keen on joining the NRA or knowing what it stands for will not be disappointed. My view does not change as it receives positive reviews from other webpages. The five million members are an indication that NRA is poised for greatness as they cause is relevant in the face of safety concerns related to firearms.
References
Musa, S. (2016). The impact of the NRA on American policy. Journal of Political Sciences &
Public Affairs , 4(4), 1-6.
National Rifle Association. NRA Golden Eagles. Retrieved on 20 November 2019, from https://ge.nra.org/member-benefits/
National Rifle Association b. National Rifle Association Membership . Retrieved on 20 November 2019, from https://membership.nra.org/Join/Annuals
