The Gun Lobby

Over the last four decades, the leaders of the National Rifle Association have steered the organization away from advocating on behalf of sportsmen and hunters towards lobbying for the most extreme policies and opposing virtually all gun violence prevention legislation. In recent years, that’s meant working tirelessly to prevent the passage of common-sense laws that would do more to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.

The gun lobby has also worked to keep the country in the dark about gun violence, with dire consequences for public health and public safety. The NRA has fought to prevent Congress from providing any funding for research on gun violence; it has blocked law enforcement from being able to share analyses of crime gun trace data; and it has tried to pass laws prohibiting doctors and military leaders from talking to patients and service members about responsible gun ownership and suicide prevention.

the gun lobby

the gun lobby

Reports

Access Denied

In January 2013, Mayors Against Illegal Guns released a report that surveys the gun lobby’s efforts to suppress data and research funding on violence, making it difficult to study the causes of gun violence and to develop evidence-based policies that will reduce America’s gun murder rate.

35 Items
Fact Sheets • Guns in Public Places • February 8, 2019

The Inherent Danger of Stand Your Ground Laws

Also featured in:  The Gun Lobby  

Fact Sheets • The Gun Lobby • January 23, 2019

PERMITLESS CARRY: Concealed Carry in Public with No Permit and No Training

Permitless carry bills lower the bar for who may carry hidden handguns in public—allowing violent criminals, teenagers and people with no safety training to carry in crowded town centers and on city streets.

Also featured in:  Guns in Public Places  

Litigation Documents • Unintentional Deaths • August 13, 2018

Bass, et al. v. City of Edmonds, et al.

Following the City of Edmonds’ passage of an ordinance requiring responsible gun storage, the NRA and the Second Amendment Foundation, along with two individuals, sued the City, seeking a declaratory judgment that the ordinance is invalid. Everytown for Gun Safety’s Litigation Team agreed to represent the City on a pro bono basis, along with the Summit Law Group The City moved to dismiss the complaint, arguing that the plaintiffs do not have standing and the dispute is not yet ripe.

Also featured in:  The Gun Lobby  

Fact Sheets • The Gun Lobby • March 7, 2018

Stand Your Ground

Stand Your Ground laws upend centuries of traditional self-defense doctrine and are a threat to public safety by upending centuries of traditional self-defense doctrine. These laws encourage armed vigilantism by allowing a person to kill another person to defend himself, even in there is a safe and clear way to avoid the conflict.

Also featured in:  Guns in Public Places  

Fact Sheets • The Gun Lobby • February 20, 2018

State Firearm Preemption Laws

Thanks to NRA lobbying, more than 40 states have passed broad firearm preemption laws that prevent local mayors and police chiefs from passing common-sense public safety measures designed to keep their communities safe.