1. By: Alex Wilson

2.  Dismayed by the lack of marksmanship shown by their troops, Union veterans Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate formed the National Rifle Association in 1871. The primary goal of the association would be to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis”.  The association was created because of the lack of marksmanship and the need for training for the soldiers.

3.  The NRA is designated by the IRS as a 501 with four 501 charitable subsidiaries and a section 527 lobbying group segregated fund: The NRA Political Victory Fund. The NRA controls through its board of trustees the following 501 organizations: NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund, NRA Foundation Inc., NRA Special Contribution Fund (dba NRA Whittington Center), and NRA Freedom Action Foundation. The NRA is also the parent organization of affiliated groups such as the Institution for legislative action (ILA).

4.  Charlton Heston served famously as president from 1997 to 2003.  Rob Schmeits served from 2009–2011 and was followed by David Keene.  James W. Porter an Alabama attorney, became the new president of the NRA on May 6, 2013, replacing Keene.

5.  “Smart Guns" is a made-up term for a conceptual firearm that incorporates technology that theoretically permits the gun to be fired only by the authorized user. Failed attempts to develop and market "smart guns" have been going on for years. NRA does not oppose new technological developments in firearms; however, we are opposed to government mandates that require the use of expensive, unreliable features, such as grips that would read your fingerprints before the gun will fire. And NRA recognizes that the "smart guns" issue clearly has the potential to mesh with the anti-gunner's agenda, opening the door to a ban on all guns that do not possess the government-required technology.

6.  NRA filed a “friend of the court” brief in federal district court supporting an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit challenging the National Security Agency's (NSA) phone records surveillance and collection program. The massive NSA data-mining program collects the records of millions of Americans.  The NRA brief argues that NSA's mass surveillance program threatens the rights of NRA and its members because it could allow identification of NRA members, supporters, potential members, and other persons with whom the NRA communicates, potentially threatening their willingness to communicate with NRA."

7.  Groups such as the NRA have focused for years on building relationships with state legislators, contributing to their campaigns and hiring lobbyists to pressure them to loosen existing gun laws or block legislation.  The NRA is trying to stop the increase in gun control because, they think it is every American’s right to own a gun and the laws should even be loosened rather than strengthened.

8.  The website features different members benefits, and show various images that state their causes. There is a news feed on the side showing their current topics.  There is a list of annual events and they give you an option to find NRA meeting near you. These events consists of gun shows, competitions, conferences, speeches and more.

9.  There is a button where you can donate to the NRA as well as an option to join there website for updates on current events.  There is also an option to contact public officials also if you have legislative questions there is a separate link.