Why the NRA is so powerful

[Perd Hapley]

Short video explains why the NRA has such clout:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdt6Jj64TVU

Do you think that's a good explanation? What else might explain the success of gun rights groups?

[zxcvbob]

There's some truth to it, but he sets up a false dichotomy between the 5 million members of the NRA (assumed to be against gun control) vs everybody else who is assumed to be for gun control.  In fact, you have 5 million NRA members plus a bunch of freeloaders against gun control vs a large number of people who are for gun control, and an indeterminate number (I suspect the vast majority) who don't care.

His "cleaning up after a party" principle is called the Tragedy of the Commons -- but it works against *both* organized group.

The NRA is effective because it represents a large voting block (5MM plus the freeloaders minus the loyal Democrats)  That's pretty much it.  The 2nd Amendment probably also plays a part, but not the part you would expect -- it's because 2A shows the righteousness of the NRA's position and some politicians still have a somewhat working (although atrophied) conscience.

[CNYCacher]

There's some truth to it, but he sets up a false dichotomy between the 5 million members of the NRA (assumed to be against gun control) vs everybody else who is assumed to be for gun control.  In fact, you have 5 million NRA members plus a bunch of freeloaders against gun control vs a large number of people who are for gun control, and an indeterminate number (I suspect the vast majority) who don't care.

His "cleaning up after a party" principle is called the Tragedy of the Commons -- but it works against *both* organized group.

The NRA is effective because it represents a large voting block (5MM plus the freeloaders minus the loyal Democrats)  That's pretty much it.  The 2nd Amendment probably also plays a part, but not the part you would expect -- it's because 2A shows the righteousness of the NRA's position and some politicians still have a somewhat working (although atrophied) conscience.

Freeloaders, huh?

[zxcvbob]

Yup.  The video author's idea, not mine, I just ran with it. 

Politicians know that the NRA represents not only the votes of its 5 million members, but also other gun owners who don't join because they don't want to cough up $25.  (A lot of them still vote.)  It offsets the NRA members who vote straight ticket Democrat because that's what their union tells them to do.

Have you got a better theory, or just looking for something to be offended by?

[Monkeyleg]

The NRA has estimated that for every member, there are 20 people who think they're members through their clubs or who don't know their memberships have expired. So that 5 million is more like 105 million. Add into that the people who are sympathetic, and it's a big number.

Anecdotally, at every legislative hearing I've attended, our side outnumbered the anti's by 20:1 or more. I don't think there's many committed anti-gunners.

[MechAg94]

The actual membership of Antigun groups has always been small.  Their funding has almost always come from liberal foundations. 

[SADShooter]

The actual membership of Antigun groups has always been small.  Their funding has almost always come from liberal foundations. 

This, combined with the MSM as a force multiplier.

[RevDisk]

This, combined with the MSM as a force multiplier.

And politicians' innate dislike/distrust/disdain of the public.

[Perd Hapley]

And politicians' innate dislike/distrust/disdain of the public.

And the fact that regulating stuff let's them claim they "did something."

[gunsmith]

for every voting NRA member there are at least 5 who are not members but basically agree with the NRA and will have the sticker on their car or something, because it is kind of cool.