The NRA's place in American politics
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The NRA is arguably the most powerful lobbying group in Washington, but they're facing increasing scrutiny from politicians and citizens alike in the wake of the Newtown shooting.
However, the group is claiming that100,000 new members have joined since Newtown. And a majority of Americans still have a favorable view of the group.
From Paul Barrett of Bloomberg Businessweek:
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Gallup polled Americans about guns over four days immediately following the Newtown atrocity, including on the day Wayne LaPierre, chief executive officer for the NRA, held a take-no- prisoners press conference.
"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," LaPierre told reporters.
Gallup found that the NRA continues to enjoy the support of the majority of the country, "as it has in all but one of the seven surveys in which Gallup has measured it since 1993." Fifty-four percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of the gun lobby.
Gallup also found that more than 80 percent of Republicans have favorable views of the NRA. A slight majority of independents share the positive opinion, while less than 40 percent of Democrats have a favorable view.
Barrett will join The Daily Circuit Wednesday, Jan. 16 to talk about the group's sway with average gun owners and how it continues to shape the country's gun laws.
Richard Feldman, president of the Independent Firearms Owners Association and the author of "Ricochet: Confessions of a Gun Lobbyist," will also join the discussion.
READ MORE ABOUT NRA AND GUN CONTROL:
After Newtown, gun control steps we can take (Bloomberg Businessweek)
Silent since shootings, N.R.A. could face challenge to political power (New York Times)
Obama says he'll outline gun-control proposals by the end of the week (The Hill)
Survey: Broad U.S. support for some gun control proposals (NPR)
How NRA's true believers converted a marksmanship group into a mighty gun lobby (Washington Post)
Why the NRA gets its way (CBS News)
Biden: NRA meeting was 'productive'(Politico)
Three areas where Biden and NRA can find common ground (CNN)
