The National Rifle Association (NRA) is an organization at the center of America’s discussion about all things firearms. The 150-year-old organization was not always in the public consciousness; it started with the simple goal of teaching rifle shooting on a scientific basis.
The NRA began to transition to the political sphere in the 1930s, and by the 1970s, it took shape as the activist organization we recognize today. Currently, the NRA faces lawsuits from government agencies and former vendors for mismanagement of funds.
In the news, it would seem the NRA has come a long way from its original purpose, but the organization still provides education, competition, and firearm training to members. The history of the NRA is not as simple as any headline would make you believe, so it’s worth a deeper dive.