tate (TheNRA Home Page: web). The NRA bases its position on the SecondAmendment to the Constitution of the United States: "A well regulatedMilitia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of thepeople to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." The NRA argues thatthis amendment confers upon individual citizens the right to possessfirearms without government interference or regulation. The organization's opposition to the Brady Bill, a federal handgun lawfirst proposed in 1985, helped to delay its passage for seven years (TheNRA Home Page: web). Presently, the NRA lobbies vigorously for thepassage of state laws allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons. Furthermore, the NRA has warred to enact legislation in 13 statesprohibiting lawsuits against gun manufactures for the misuse of theirproducts. Just this October, a Cincinnati judge dismissed one suchlawsuit. The defense, of course, was assisted by the NRA (The NRAHome Page: web).Nonetheless, the NRA has recently seen a decline in membership asschool-shootings have terrorized the country and pushed gun manufacturesaway from the NRA (James, NY Times 5/25/99: web). Following theLittleton shooting, gun manufactures agreed to meet with governmentofficials to discuss certain gun restrictions. The NRA, adamantly opposingnew restriction on gun owners, refused to join them (Glaberson, NY Times5/30/99: web). In all, negative publicity and a rift between the NRA andgun manufacturers has weakened the organization. It has intensified itsmembership drive that exploits fears about federal restrictions on gunownership. However, it has contributed to the loss of some members whosupport the NRA's traditional sport and safety programs but do not acceptthe organization's focus on gun control legislation (Butterfield, NY Times3/3/99: web). Among those resigning their NRA membership was formerU.S. President George Bush (James, NY Times 5/25/99: web). The NRA is guided b...
