NRA

It's not a big secret that I'm not the biggest fan of the National Rifle Association. They used to be an organization that promoted gun safety and responsible gun use but now they've turned into a shameless lobbying machine that lines the pockets of a swath of politicians and other powerful figures. One of the things I hate most about the NRA is that they espouse a callous and heartless nature whenever a mass shooting occurs. They blame anything and everything besides the fact that guns are far too prevalent and easy to access in this country. The really awful thing about the NRA is that it actually isn't as big as many people think it is, however, they are incredibly powerful and influential. Their members, few as they may be, are incredibly vocal about their agenda and are infamous for doing everything in their power to protect gun "rights" in this country. I can't stand the rhetoric of NRA members. They use tired and disproven clichés such as "the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun", and "you can take my gun from my cold dead hands." They are a shameless organization that does everything in their power to make sure that pretty much any individuals, even those that are profoundly mentally disturbed, can get their hands on a gun. The smugness of NRA members should also be mentioned. They are just absolutely convinced that they're right and label anyone who disagrees with them as a "left wing lunatic" or other labels to that effect. Don't get me wrong, in the 60's when the NRA first came around, they served a valuable purpose. They taught people how to be safe and responsible gun owners and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, the NRA of today has abandoned that purpose and seem dead set on making sure that as many guns as possible are in circulation in this country. They are an incredibly harmful organization, and in my opinion, the blood of those innocent individuals that have been killed in mass shootings is partially on their hands. This country would be a better place without the NRA. There are many politicians who call for "common senses gun control" but they have a difficult time enacting those measures thanks to the handiwork of the National Rifle Association. It should be said again, that the NRA isn't as powerful as they make themselves out to be, but the fact that so many politicians, mostly republicans, are arguably afraid of them or receiving a negative grade from the NRA. This needs to stop. I'm happy to know that there are also many politicians, mostly democrats, who are making their best efforts to stand up to the NRA and the harmful rhetoric that they peddle. Fighting the NRA isn't an easy thing to do, but it's absolutely crucial if we want to get to a point as a nation where mass shootings are a thing of the past.