Political Parties, Pressure Groups, and Voting Behavior

Daniel E.

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Political Parties, Pressure Groups, and Voting Behavior

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Abstract

The National Rifle Association is among both the most effective and most controversial lobbying groups in the United States today. While their initial intention is to preserve people's right to bear arms, they have done so by staunchly opposing any piece of legislation specifically targeting any form of gun control. This has allowed legislation that could prove to be harmful to citizens to pass, and potentially life saving legislation to fail. While the NRA has made some big concessions over the years, they have remained largely successful in their mission to ensure that gun control laws do not supersede individual rights.

Introduction
Confiscating weapons from victims of the catastrophe
Integral divisions of the National Rifle Association
Realizing just how effective the divisions of the NRA are
A power struggle
The power to influence and create public policy
Conclusion

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[...] This is done by providing the law enforcement firearm instructor with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to teach their students how to "WIN A LETHAL ENCOUNTER!"[3] Another integral division of the National Rifle Association is their Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF). The purpose of this division is to help ensure the election of gun rights advocates, and prevent gun control supporters from gaining seats. 2004, NRA-PVF was involved in 265 campaigns for the U.S. House and Senate, winning in 254 of those races. [...]

[...] Additionally, the NRA members were again thanked for their participation in the approval process.[16] Having now realized the goals of the organization, and their ability to control elections, along with their active role in the political process on both the state and nation level, it seems like they should never lose, however that is simply not the case. Despite its many successes, the NRA does have a few glaring failures when it comes to protecting gun rights. Most specifically, and most glaringly, that would be the Assault Weapons of 1994. [...]

[...] It becomes important to show force predominantly because, “Groups that can convince candidates of their voting power become feared and respected.”[10] As a result, the NRA functions on the premise that any senator or representative, who votes in favor of a gun control law, will not receive any of the votes of NRA members within his or her district. Groups are not forced to depend on size however, as it is often just as important to have a unity of ideology to ensure success. [...]

[...] Over the last 10 years the NRA campaigned to ensure that on September the Ban would be allowed to expire, and that was exactly what happened. Utilizing the strength of their voters, along with mixed results on the legislation effectiveness, the NRA was able to ensure that sale of semi-automatic assault weapons was resumed, much to the chagrin of Democrats and Law Enforcement Officials. Over the history of National Rifle Association, the organization has made some major strides in protecting the gun rights of American Citizens. [...]

[...] Inversely, on the other side of the spectrum if the gun control law is affirmed and the NRA does not make good on to remove the congressman, then it will seem as though there is no unification and the NRA has lost a tremendous amount of political influence. Combining the proper amount of pressure and passion is the most critical aspect of the NRA's dealing on Capitol Hill. The reason being, that most senators will not give the National Rifle Association, or many other pressure groups the time of day, without them successfully achieving this delicate balance. [...]

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