NRA Financial Support from the Gun Industry

In its 1967 official history Americans and Their Guns, the National Rifle Association stated that it “…is not affiliated with any manufacturer of arms or ammunition or with any jobber or dealer who sells firearms and ammunition.” Those days are long gone. As documented by the Violence Policy Center’s two Blood Money studies, the NRA has received tens of millions of dollars from its gun industry “corporate partners.” Industry members who donate a million dollars or more to the NRA are inducted into the organization’s Golden Ring of Freedom, the honors of which include a yellow sports coat. Among the industry members who have given a million dollars or more to the NRA are Remington Outdoor Company (formerly Freedom Group), Smith & Wesson, Beretta USA, Springfield Armory, and Sturm, Ruger & Co. as well as accessories vendors MidwayUSA and Brownells.