National Rifle Association: Money, Firepower & Fear

An expose of the principal lobbying group for the right-to-bear-arms, accusing the organization and its members of intimidation, misappropriation of funds, sexual misconduct, and endorsing prurient videos. Available from National Press Books, 7200 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 212, Bethesda, MD 20814. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

In this slashing attack, the executive director of the Violence Policy Center depicts the National Rifle Association as a sinister organization of immense power. Sugarmann establishes that the group is not monolithic but embraces members who view it as a force to encourage hunting, target-shooting and comparable activities as well as others who see in any curb on the ownership of any firearm an attempt to undermine the American way of life. He reports that the latter faction has dominated the NRA for some time, adding that the association has hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of members and lots of money for lobbying, and is in bed with the federal government, which continually sells its adherents "surplus" weapons and ammunition. Set back by the 1991 passage of the Brady bill, the NRA is now trying to recruit more women, children and blacks. Sugarmann offers a new agenda for the NRA, including a call to end its lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., which most readers will likely find unrealistic. A chilling expose. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The National Rifle Association will not be happy with this book. Sugarmann carefully marshals the evidence against the NRA and its positions on gun control legislation. He includes a chapter on the infamous "teflon-coated bullet," which is capable of piercing police body armor, and the falling out between the major police associations and the NRA over its failure to support legislation banning sale of the bullet. Lead shot is forbidden to duck hunters because lead-filled ducks might be ingested by endangered eagles, but police receive no such protection from armor-piercing bullets. Guns are one of the few products sold in the United States that do not come under regulating power of a specific federal agency. The debate will end only when this is corrected. Fairness requires that this book be on the shelf next to the NRA literature.
- John Broderick, Stonehill Coll., North Easton, Mass.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.