Four Things to Know about the Debate over Guns

 

1. Who Is Getting Killed with Guns and Why

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2. The Dramatic Increase in Gun Sales in the U.S.

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3. Where the NRA Now Generates More than Half of Its Revenue

Here, according to Walter Hickey in an article published in Business Insider, is a breakdown of where the NRA generates its revenue:

“In its early days, the National Rifle Association was a grassroots social club that prided itself on independence from corporate influence.

“While that is still part of the organization’s core function, today less than half of the NRA’s revenues come from program fees and membership dues.

“The bulk of the group’s money now comes in the form of contributions, grants, royalty income, and advertising, much of it originating from gun industry sources.

“Since 2005, the gun industry and its corporate allies have given between $20 million and $52.6 million to it through the NRA Ring of Freedom sponsor program. Donors include firearm companies like Midway USA, Springfield Armory Inc, Pierce Bullet Seal Target Systems, and Beretta USA Corporation. Other supporters from the gun industry include Cabala’s, Sturm Rugar & Co, and Smith & Wesson.

“The NRA also made $20.9 million — about 10 percent of its revenue — from selling advertising to industry companies marketing products in its many publications in 2010, according to the IRS Form 990.

“Additionally, some companies donate portions of sales directly to the NRA. Crimson Trace, which makes laser sights, donates 10 percent of each sale to the NRA. Taurus buys an NRA membership for everyone who buys one of their guns. Sturm Rugar gives $1 to the NRA for each gun sold, which amounts to millions. The NRA’s revenues are intrinsically linked to the success of the gun business.

“The NRA Foundation also collects hundreds of thousands of dollars from the industry, which it then gives to local-level organizations for training and equipment purchases.”

Walter Hickey’s complete article is available at: http://www.businessinsider.com/gun-industry-funds-nra-2013-1

If you want a breakdown of all of the gun and ammo manufacturers in the NRA’s “Ring of Freedom,” from the “James Madison Level” [$25,000-$50,000 in contributions] to the “Harlon Carter Level [$5,000,000 to $10,000,000], see: http://www.vpc.org/studies/bloodmoney.pdf

Or if you want a visual:

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Almost everything other than the membership dues comes directly or indirectly from corporate sponsorships.

4. Political Spending Related to Guns

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3 thoughts on “Four Things to Know about the Debate over Guns

  1. Stop mass murder by American imperialist forces throughout the world. They set the standard of excellence when it comes to evil, slaughter of innocents.
    Abolish hand guns: and at least if that cannot be accomplished then:
    Abolish 10+ ammo clips
    Abolish gun “shows”
    Abolish the manufacture, possession or distribution of any firearm.
    Abolish automatic weapons
    Abolish Saturday-night specials
    Demand instant background checks
    Designate the NRA as a terrorist organisation, but due to free speech, allow them despite the label to advocate their mass murder policy.
    Allow no more than one hand-gun purchase a month. Many by them in bulk and sell to gangs.
    Stop grieving over mass death, sending “prayers,” tsk tsk it is a mentally crazed person and get rid of guns.
    Hunters: you are no better than golfers. Many will rent a club to tee off. Want to kill defenceless animals? Then rent your butchery weapon.

    Have a nice day!!!

  2. “By calling attention to a well-regulated militia for the security of the Nation, and the right of each citizen to keep and bear arms, our founding fathers recognized the essentially civilian nature of our economy. Although it is extremely unlikely that the fear of governmental tyranny, which gave rise to the 2nd amendment, will ever be a major danger to our Nation, the amendment still remains an important declaration of our basic military-civilian relationship, in which every citizen must be ready to participate in the defense of his country. For that reason I believe the 2nd Amendment will always be important.”

    John F. Kennedy, 1962,
    35th President (D)

    “Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. ..”

    George Washington
    1 President

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