Why exactly is the NRA so powerful?

...and what can people who believe it's too powerful do about it?

Although he said this in jest, I think Wendell Pierce might be on to something...



What's to stop liberal thought leaders from joining the NRA, motivating their flock to do the same, then, oh, I dunno, running a slate anchored by Gabby Giffords for all the organization's leadership posts?

If the NRA really is the reason Congress has not passed any meaningful gun control legislation, why not change the NRA instead of changing Congress?

 

The people currently in the NRA would just reform in a new group.

 

The NRA isn't why Congress hasn't passed any "meaningful" gun control legislation. For lack of a better way to phrase it, the NRA is a symptom of a cause, not the cause itself.

 

Sister Souljah's NRA would be better than whitey's NRA.

 

Didn't whites try and do that to the NAACP?

 

In answer to the question, it's because Democrats have little stomach to fight for strict campaign finance reform and Republicans believe corporations are people and the rich are entitled to more speech than everyone else.

 

Why do they "have little stomach," Baron?

 

What is the cause? The Constitution?

 

The answer to the titular question is simple:

'Cause they've got guns.

Duh.

 

Because it's not an issue that is sexy with voters.

 

Straight answer: Because NRA lobbyists are backed by a membership that actually votes in elections, in strong numbers. People who are passionate about protecting their rights to gun ownership are united on that issue, and vote often; the other side is splintered into dozens of political organizations and includes many non-voters.

If people want to change that reality, they've got a long, long road to travel.