Facts

National Rifle Association Facts:

 1. The NRA organization is governed by a large board of directors. 2. Ron Schmeits is the current president. 3. Union veterans Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate formed the National Rifle Association in 1871. 4. The Primary goal of the association would be to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis" 5. Civil War Gen. Ambrose Burnside became the fledgling NRA's first president. 6. In 1872, the Creed Farm, was purchased for the purpose of building a rifle range, which was later named Creedmoor. 7. Creedmoor is where the first annual NRA matches were held. 8. In 1892, NRA's matches moved to Sea Girt, New Jersey. 9. In 1903, NRA Secretary Albert S. Jones urged the establishment of rifle clubs at all major colleges, universities and military academics. 10. Youth programs are still a cornerstone on the NRA, with more than one million youth participating in NRA shooting sports events and affiliated programs with groups such as 4-H, the Boy Scouts of America, the American Legion, U.S. Jaycees and others. 11. In response to repeated attacks on the Second Amendment rights, NRA formed the Legislative Affairs Division in 1934. 12. In 1975, recognizing the critical need for political defense of the Second Amendment, NRA formed the Institute for Legislative Action, or ILA. 13. In 1949, the NRA, in conjunction with the state of New York, established the first hunter education program. 14. NRA became the only national trainer of law enforcement officers with the introduction of its NRA Police Firearms Instructor certification program in 1960. 15. Today, there are more than 10,000 NRA-certified police and security firearms instructors. 16. In 1990, NRA established the NRA foundation, a 50 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, provided a means to raise millions of dollars to fund gun safety and educational projects and benefit to the general public. 17. The NRA publishes gun safety rules. 3 Rules are given special importance. 1. Always keep gun pointed in a safe direction 2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. 3. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. 18. 3 Days before Nov. 4, voting in 1980 presidential election, the NRA endorsed a presidential candidate for the first time in its history, backing Ronald Regan over Jimmy Carter. 19. NRA opposes most new gun-control legislation, calling instead for stricter enforcement of existing laws. 20. NRA lobbies for shall issue right to carry laws for concealed carry licenses in many states.

Here is an extra fact for you...

===** According to Department of Justice crime statistics, a privately owned firearm was used to stop a crime from happening 1.6 million times in 2007! **===