NRA and their influences

Question

write a ½ page essay (minimum of 200-300 words) that explains how the NRA is an example of an interest group, what tactics they use, how they influence the government, legislation (laws) and elections. You should include examples of success and failures of the NRA and why they have been criticized in recent years.

Answer 1

To complete this essay, I would start out with a sentence or two that draws the reader’s interest to the topic. Then, define what a ‘special interest’ group is. Your instructor will likely be pleased if you used the definition in your textbook with a citation. Then, inform your reader that your essay discusses factors that exemplify the NRA as a special interest group. For the rest of the essay, treat them assignment description almost as a checklist. Make sure you include every part of what the prompt asks for, before concluding. Once finished, go back and copy edit to ensure you are within your 300 word maximum. See where you can be more concise by eliminating unnecessary words, passive voice, and repetitive sentences.

Some thoughts for key points:

1. Tactics: do they use PSAs? Protests? Direct lobbying? Op-Eds? Advertisements? Debates? Social media? Confrontation? Partnerships/collaborations?
2. Political Influence: do they endorse specific candidates? Do they post position statements on pending legislation to their website? Do they testify on pending legislation at the state and/or federal level? Have they lobbied for a law that was passed or defeated due in part to their efforts?
3. Successes & Failures: did they lobby for something that they successfully got to pass? Were they successful in helping a candidate get elected into office? Did they promise to do anything they didn’t end up doing? Your instructor is likely not looking for your opinion on whether or not they are good or bad for society overall. Successes and failures can be objectively described by looking at what the organization states as its reason for existing, what its goals are, and whether or not it is meeting its own goals.
4. Criticism: this isn’t an argumentative essay so you do not need to criticize the NRA yourself. Find a well-known source that criticizes the NRA, and relay that criticism in your essay with a citation. Although not required, it would be a good idea to also acknowledge and report a well-known source that praises the NRA as well.

Answer 2

They are an interest group in that they actively advocate for gun ownership rights and lobby the government and lawmakers to legally enforce the protection of those rights. For tactics you want to think about how they raise money and spend it on advertising for gun ownership and gun ownership rights (2nd Amendment is constantly brought up), giving money to politicians, political campaigns, etc. One example is NRA donations to President Trump and how he has publicly supported gun ownership and NRA interests during his term.

They've been criticized in recent years especially in response to numerous mass shootings and how they continue to try to block new laws regulating gun use/ownership.

Hope this helps.