« When, for God’s sake, are we going to face the gun lobby? » launched Joe Biden, Wednesday, May 25. The day before, an 18-year-old young man opened fire in an elementary school in Uvalde (Texas), killing 19 children and two teachers. The young American had recently bought himself two assault rifles and 375 cartridges, just after his 18th birthday. This new bloody attack revives the debate on the proliferation of firearms in the United States.
While American public opinion seems favorable to their regulation, in particular through the control of the criminal background of buyers or the establishment of a waiting period before the purchase of a weapon, the Biden administration (and Obama before her) seems incapable of reforming this law. In this field, Washington notably encounters opposition from the powerful National Rifle Administration (NRA), a pro-arms lobby. The association cleared itself of all responsibility for the carnage on Wednesday, denouncing « the act of an isolated and deranged criminal ». It is also preparing to welcome its members at an annual convention which begins Friday, May 27 in Houston (Texas), in the presence of former President Donald Trump.
This lobby opposes any bill that would limit the possibility of possession of firearms, regardless of the scale, local, state or national, notes the BBC *. Its raison d’être: to defend the second amendment of the American Constitution, which protects the right of citizens to possess weapons.
Founded in 1871, the NRA was created by Union veterans, « appalled by the lack of marksmanship of their troops », specifies its site. The association structured its lobbying action from the 1930s, informing its members of future legislation concerning weapons. Today, for example, she rates political figures with grades ranging from A to F. The « A »s are allies who consistently support the NRA’s struggle. The Fs are positioned anti-weapons. “Many A-rated candidates receive an endorsement, which can provide support in the form of money, mailings and campaign announcements”specifies the New York Times*.
To push its ideas, the NRA financially supports pro-arms candidates in local and national elections. In 2000, she spent twenty million dollars on Republican candidate George W. Bush’s campaign against Democrat Al Gore. “The NRA played a decisive role” in the ballotconfirmed Matt Bennett, former adviser to the White House, interviewed by The echoes. In 2016, of the $54 million spent by the NRA, $31 million went to Republican candidate Donald Trump’s campaign. In 2020 again, $ 29 million was injected into the campaign for his re-election, according to the magazine Time. This time, the opposing candidate, Joe Biden, was elected.
In 2020, the NRA had a budget of $255.9 million, with net income of $36.6 million, according to a financial report* from the association. Its income comes from donations from its members, manufacturers and distributors of weapons. the Guardian* relativizes these sums, however. Excluding the election period, the first pro-gun lobby invested only $4.1 million in 2017. This is eight times less than the National Association of Realtors, one of the biggest spending lobbies on housing issues.
The main strength of this lobby is « linked to the political dedication, activism and intensity of its members », analyzes however Matthew Lacombe, professor of political science at Barnard College in New York, interviewed by Time*. The NRA picks its fights and focuses its efforts on the primaries to win pro-gun candidates.
« Most Americans engage little in politics, so when a small group of people do, they can carry a lot of weight. » explained Robert Spitzer to franceinfo. The organization, which has 5 million members, can also rely on its 125,000 instructors and the million gun owners they train each year. Gradually, the NRA has even expanded its audience by relying on actors like Clint Eastwood or Chuck Norris, or by producing pro-weapons content for social networks, reports Konbini.
The NRA remains by far the most powerful pro-gun lobby in the United States, but its aura is waning. Its budget has fallen by 39% in four years, from $419 million in 2016 to $255.9 million in 2020.
His image has suffered from recent infighting and a court scandal. Accused of financial fraud by the New York State prosecutor, the lobby had tried to declare itself bankrupt, before escaping dissolution in March 2022. The historic leader of the NRA, Wayne LaPierre, is also suspected misuse of corporate assets and corruption.
But behind the NRA, other pro-gun groups are becoming increasingly important, notes the American magazine Mother Jones*. The Virginia Citizens Defense League, the Second Amendment Foundation, the National Association for Gun Rights and Gun Owners of America are ready to take up the torch. And their position is even firmer than that of the NRA: these associations will not yield anything vis-a-vis the defenders of the control of the weapons. Even if the NRA were to collapse, the vacuum would soon be filled.
* Links followed by an asterisk lead to sources in English.