y two influential affiliates. The Institute forLegislative Action, the NRA's lobbying arm, advises lawmakers and buildspublic support for the rights of gun owners through advertising anddirect-mail campaigns. The NRA's Political Victory Fund is a politicalaction committee that raises money to support political candidates whoendorse the organization's objectives (The NRA Home Page: web).Because of its great financial resources and ability to mobilize itsmembership, the NRA has become one of the most effective single-issueinterest groups in the United States. Through fund-raising programs likeFriends of the NRA that seek out private individuals and corporations suchas Miller Brewing Co., Sturm Ruger & Company and Kawasaki, theNRAs Political Victory Fund has been able to grant millions of dollars topolitical candidates (James, NY Times 5/25/99: web). In the 1993-1994election cycle, the NRA, longing to repeal a ban on the manufacture ofcertain semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity ammunitions clips,donated $5.6 million to candidates sympathetic to their cause. In contrast,anti-gun organizations could only donate $500,000 to candidates. Thisultimately led to the repeal of the ban, as 190 of the 206 representativeswho had received NRA money voted to repeal (Clymer, NY Times3/23/96: web). Representative Charles Schumer angrily noted that therepeal was a payback for the NRAs contributions, while Vice-President AlGore said: This is not complicated. This is an IOU to the NRA(Clymer). In the end, however, the NRA, in a tremendous show of politicalclout, was victorious. The NRA also has donated more than $17 million to sponsor gunsafety programs, personal protection training, shooting competitions, huntereducation, wildlife conservation research, shooting range development, andlaw enforcement. The "Eddie Eagle" program develops gun-safetyeducational materials for preschool and elementary students, the CrimeStrike program works to reduc...
