NPR’s Tim Mak Details the NRA’s Downfall in New Book “Misfire”
Author Tim Mak details the dysfunction and corruption leading to the decline of the National Rifle Association’s political influence.
For decades, the National Rifle Association used its strong political influence and lobbying powers to block gun control legislation in the name of the Second Amendment. As it faces internal conflict and attempts in court to dissolve the organization, author Tim Mak says the NRA’s political influence is waning.
“The NRA decides it’s much less interested in reaching out to Democrats and moderates as it used to be … embracing this kind of culture war approach to gin up fundraising and membership numbers.” –Tim Mak, author of “Misfire”
Listen: Author Tim Mak on the NRA’s waning influence.
Guest
Tim Mak is an investigative correspondent for NPR and author of “Misfire: Inside the Downfall of the NRA.” He says after having unrivaled influence, the NRA is facing misappropriation investigations that could lead to its downfall. “Right now, a judge is … in court deciding whether the NRA should be dissolved entirely,” he notes.
Mak says the NRA decided to build an increasingly conservative identity for itself after the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. “The NRA decides it’s much less interested in reaching out to Democrats and moderates as it used to be … embracing this kind of culture war approach to gin up fundraising and membership numbers.” Unable to keep waging the culture war, Mak says Donald Trump’s election in 2016 was “kind of the start of the end for the NRA.”
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