I'm confused on the NRA's power over government.

[Stryguy]

"During the 2012 election cycle, the NRA donated $719,596 to candidates. Republicans received $634,146 of that, according to the Center for Responsive Politics' analysis of federal campaign data."

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/18/politics/nra-silence-regrouping/index.html?hpt=hp_c1


How is this little bit of money making them a lobbying super power? A measly 4.3 million members? Set me straight if I'm totally wrong about this but it just doesn't sound like they're throwing around the money needed to have any weight in an elections that now are in excess of a billion dollars per candidate.

[liberal N proud]

1. Its a lesson in coercion, corruption and how the American lobby system works.

[ZombieHorde]

2. Interesting. nt

[SpartanDem]

3. It may be a rural/urban issue

I'd bet most that money goes candidates in rural districts and the money probably goes futher with having to mail fewer people, ad rates are probably cheaper.

[LeftInTX]

4. I think it consists of more than just the primary organization

Snipped from
How The NRA Became The Most Powerful Special Interest In Washington

The primary organization is the National Rifle Association of America, a 501(c)4 organization. This is the group that maintains the spokespeople, raises the money, counts the members, recruits volunteers, and raises awareness and encourages the use of firearms. They advertise, hold conventions, convince country singers and actors to raise awareness about gun use, produce training materials and coordinate volunteers.

Within the National Rifle Association of America is the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. This is the NRA main lobbying and campaign operation. NRA-ILA maintains a staff of lobbyists to support pro-gun legislation, and runs most of the election operations for the organization, producing and buying advertisements in support of pro-gun candidates and against gun control advocates. The NRA-ILA also manages the NRA Political Action Committee, which contributes money directly to candidates.

The NRA is also connected to a 501(c)3, the NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund, which does pro-bono legal work for people with cases that have to do with constitutional Second Amendment rights. Essentially, if the CRDF finds a case that could lead to a new interpretation of the Second Amendment, they'll send in the cavalry and pay the bill. They're currently litigating cases in 35 states about the right to posses, use, and carry arms.

In addition, the organization is connected to the NRA Foundation, another 501(c)3 that raises and donates money to hundreds of different causes. In 2010, recipients included hundreds of organizations including outdoors groups, sportsmen's associations, state Fish & Game departments, ROTC organizations, 4-H groups, Boy Scout councils, and children's charities. Much of this went to purchasing equipment and training to encourage the recreational use of firearms.

http://www.businessinsider.com/nra-lobbying-money-national-rifle-association-washington-2012-12

[ZombieHorde]

5. Thanks for the post. nt

[RomneyLies]

6. It has more to do with the effect of the NRA on the rural vote

As time passes, that influence will decrease significantly.