NRA: An American Legend

Being a liberal Democrat, I joined the NRA with deep reluctanceover 10 years ago, fearing that I would be surrounded by rightwing zealots and KKK members. Instead, I found that I had lucked into membership in one of the country's finest organizations. This book provides fodder for anyone curious about those reasons.The NRA was formed after the Civil War by those who understoodthat our heritage as a nation of rifle experts had declined substantially. Personal weapons are a soldier's life insuranceand the NRA has done much in the World Wars and after to ensurethat our soldiers have the best chance possible to stay alivethrough combat and come home safely.Shooting is stereotypically a male sport, yet it is also onein which women can compete with men with complete equality. Infact, this book revealed that women have been competing with mensuccessfully at shooting sports since 1906! Since I collectold NRA magazines, I have always been struck by the equality with which male and female competitors have been presented inissues I have seen back into the 1930s and 40s.I happen to also know that the NRA accepted an NAACP chapter as an affiliate in the FIFTIES, when chapter members werethreatened by a police force riddled with KKK members. Thisvision of equality is shared by the unfairly maligned CharltonHeston, who was an active civil rights fighter.The NRA and its educational programs are largely responsible for the steep drop in fatal gun accidents between 1970 and 1990, a FIFTY percent drop from 2400/year to 1200/year.The NRA has been forced by gun hating politicians and lobbyiststo become a no-compromise lobby for our rights. It is onlysensible that they fight for our rights with the same tenacity that the ACLU and Planned Parenthood do. Really the ACLU hassold us out by ignoring gun rights and I feel that the NRA isidentical in value, scope and success to Planned Parenthood.Both support freedom with responsibility and both have my praisefor this.

For anyone, friend or foe, this is the definitive history of the National Rifle Association of America. From its 19th century beginning ("to improve and promote civilian marksmanship"), to its current battle to promote and defend Second Amendment rights, this tome presents a cogent and interesting account of the Association's mission and of its ongoing efforts in the current civil rights arena. A good read and a valuable addition to the bookshelf of any American.