NRA-ILA Election Activity In 2008

The 2008 election provided a serious challenge for supporters of the Second Amendment. The start of the Obama administration will require vigilance and renewed dedication to defending our liberties.

The 2008 election results will embolden our opponents. They will undoubtedly try to push gun control schemes in the new Congress, but we will work with a strong group of pro-gun Republicans and Democrats to ensure they stand firm on their pledge to defend our Second Amendment freedom and hunting heritage.

Over the past eight years, our members and our Association have truly changed politics in America. Across the country, from the presidential race, to the U.S. Senate and House, to state legislative races, there was a noted in 2008 -- ads proudly proclaiming candidates' anti-gun credentials.

In the 2008 elections, NRA resources were more widely deployed in more critical battles than ever before. Millions of dollars were spent on direct campaign donations, independent campaign expenditures and on mobilizing the most aggressive grassroots operation in NRA history. In 2009 and in preparation for 2010, NRA-ILA will build on that grassroots organization with continued programs to effectively communicate with NRA members and others.

The NRA-Political Victory Fund ranks political candidates -- irrespective of party affiliation -- based on voting records, public statements and their responses to an NRA-PVF questionnaire. In 2008, NRA-PVF was involved in 271 campaigns for the U.S. House and Senate, winning in 230 of those races (85%).

In 2008, NRA-PVF endorsed thousands of candidates running in state legislative races and achieved an 84% success rate in those elections.

NRA relies on a very simple premise: when provided with the facts, the nation’s elected officials will recognize that "gun control" schemes are an infringement on the Second Amendment and a proven failure in fighting crime. The importance of this premise lies in the knowledge that, as one U.S. Congressman put it: "The gun lobby is people."