Introduction
National Rifle Association (NRA) is an organization in the United States that started in 1871 which stands to protect the Second Amendment that guarantees the right of a citizen to retain and bear arms. NRA informs its followers on firearm-related legislation beginning 1934, and it has lobbied for and in contradiction of firearms legislation as from 1975 (Friedman M,.2019). This essay discusses why the power of the NRA should be limited, and why there should be some form of gun control in the United States.
NRA uses its large resources to hire lobbyists who represent their welfares to the government officials. At times, direct lobbying by the NRA influences policymakers to implement ineffective policies. Also, The NRA practices its power to quiet responsible legislators and suppress positive efforts to minimize gun violence. Similarly, this organization spends. For example, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA), is the lobbying arm that belongs to the NRA that controls the association's Political Action Committee (PAC). NRA-ILA has influenced the result of local, state, and national elections. In 2012, ILA influenced the passing of a law that would discipline doctors if they question patients, whether they possess guns (Friedman, 2019). Additionally, the NRA spends a large amount of money to fund a political campaign that influences the election of leaders. In the 2016 elections, The NRA spent $14.4m to support 44 candidates and they won, and $34.4m to oppose 19 candidates who lost (Philips, 2018). Probably, the candidates who lost the election might have become the great leaders of the USA than those who won as a result of NRA's support. Therefore, the power of the NRA should be limited to the main objective of why the organization was started. Majorly, the government should infringe NRA from lobbying, and influencing elections both at the state and national levels.
Gun control is a legal measure that most countries advocate restricting the possession and use of guns, mostly firearms. The government does this to ensure public safety and control criminal activities such as mass killings and terrorism. The congress should enact legislation for gun control which includes inspection of background before assigning guns to individuals. People suspected to be terrorists or have the previous criminal recorded should not be licensed to possess guns. In the USA, the constitution protects gun possession but vast killings committed with arms are common. This includes the killing of 49 individuals in Orlando in 2016, and still the murder of 6 adults and 20 children in Newtown at an Elementary school (Philips, 2018). Other mass murders committed with guns are not even stated in mainstream broadcasting outlets.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the NRA has many negative impacts than positive impacts on USA citizens. This organization is also a source of insecurity and the emergence of several criminal activities in the country. NRA also influences policy formulation which might lead to the implementation of bad policies. The power of this organization should be limited and gun control measures enacted to control the possession of guns by individuals.
