Up until the late 1960s, the National Rifle Association supported gun laws. Even today, the majority of NRA members are reasonable people who support background checks on gun sales. But NRA officials have become extremely combative, convincing some gun owners that the government will take their guns, while the NRA channel promotes guns and aggressive behavior.

According to “The Week” magazine of March 23, the NRA gets million-dollar donations from 22 different gun makers and received up to $52.6 million between 2005 and 2013 from the gun industry. They are using the Second Amendment to make money.

When NRA representatives are asked, “Why do civilians need military weapons?” they often attack the questioner, shouting “Why aren’t teachers armed?” “People should react to warning signs.”

The NRA blames victims, agitates gun owners and bribes politicians with large donations. In 2016 alone, the NRA spent over $14 million trying to influence voters (Sunlight Foundation information).

TV interviewers frequently fall for NRA tricks, trying to get answers, but get verbally attacked instead.

The students who survived the murders in Parkland and marched to show their grief for their dead friends should be praised for trying to do something, unlike the politicians who tell the public to pray every time children are massacred and refuse to oppose the NRA.

Why don’t politicians care about the U.S. murder rate? Many other countries have little gun violence. We can’t stop the murders easily, but it is shameful that political leaders such as Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell won’t even try.

Ellen Field, New Gloucester

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