ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the state has the authority to regulate guns under the Second Amendment and, if so, how to explain existing pattern of weak national gun control laws in light of history, politics, and court interpretation. The National Rifle Association (NRA) was formed in 1871 by Colonel William C. Church, editor of Army and Navy Journal, and by George W. Wingate, an officer in New York National Guard. Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) primary responsibilities is to apply political pressure on federal and state elected officials and to provide the NRA membership with current information and alerts on impending firearms legislation and court rulings. The Institute for Legislative Action also manages the NRA's political action committee (PAC), which is called the Political Victory Fund. Formed in 1976, the NRA PAC has funneled millions of dollars to gun control foes. The ideological antithesis of NRA is Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, known before 2001 as Handgun Control, Inc. (HCI).
