What is the NRA, when is the convention and what has the National Rifle Association of America said about gun control?
Who are they and what do they do? Here’s the lowdown on the gun lobbying group
THE National Rifle Association (NRA) is one of the most powerful - and controversial - organisations in the world.
But what do they do and who are they? Here’s what you need to know about the group that lobbies against gun control in the United States.
What is the NRA?
The National Rifle Association is better known as the NRA is a gun lobbying group in the US.
It was founded on November 16, 1871, by William Conant Church and George Wood Wingate.
There are five million members located across the US.
The NRA is an American non-profit organisation and in 2017 they spend at least $4.1 million on lobbying.
What did TV host John Oliver say about the NRA?
Last Night Tonight host John Oliver recently took aim at the group on his show.
In particular he made fun of the NRA’s television network which features pro-gun content and multiple shows heavily featuring fire arms.
Oliver showed a video of an NRA member standing in front of a television which showed numerous media reports regarding Trump and segments about guns and even one of Oliver himself.
The NRA member then proceeds to smash the TV with a sledgehammer.
Oliver said: “If NRA members are annoyed with what I’m saying now they should do the exact same thing and smash their expensive televisions with large sledgehammers.”
He started the segment by saying: “The NRA is a group that feels about guns the way the rest of us feel about Nutella
“A little is good, more is better, and you can tell me it’s bad for me all you like, but you will pry it from my cold, dead hands.”
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What did the NRA say about gun control?
Following the Parkland shooting Trump’s plans for tighter gun control were branded “stupid” and a “betrayal” by members.
Recently they released a video that warned journalists, Hollywood stars and athletes that their “time is running out”.
The sinister threat was made by the National Rifle Association (NRA), who posted a video fronted by TV host Dana Loesch.
On behalf of the NRA, Loesch tells “every lying member of the media” that they have “had enough”.
Ominous-sounding guitar music plays in the background as the presenter, who is dressed in black, stands next to an hourglass.
Loesch said: “We have had enough of the lies, the sanctimony, the arrogance, the hatred, the pettiness, the fake news.”
The presenter, who is known for hating and baiting lefties, added: “We are done with your agenda to undermine voters' will and individual liberty in America."
Loesch then addresses every "lying" member of the media, "Hollywood phony", and role model athlete who uses their free speech to "alter and undermine what our flag represents".
When is the NRA Convention?
On May 4, 2018, Donald Trump gave a speech at the NRA's annual convention in Dallas, Texas.
Vice President Mike Pence also attended the event.
As many as 80,000 NRA members visited the three-day meeting.
Since a mass shooting at a Florida high school in February, the NRA has faced renewed criticism amid increased calls for stricter gun laws in America.
During his speech Mr Trump said that gun-owners Second Amendment rights were "under siege" and that he would protect them while he was in office.
He also suggested the Paris terror attacks where 13o people died at the hands of Islamic State terrorists would have been different had citizens been armed.