Interview with Jim Porter from the NRA
Shelley sat down in 1993 for an interview with Jim Porter, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association (NRA). The arguments have not changed for the past 30 years, yet the problem of gun violence persists and, in fact, continues to grow in 2023. Shelley explores the challenges that existed in 1993 and compares them to today.
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Listen to the podcast here: Episode 10: Interview with Jim Porter from the NRA.
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iCivics Resource
Constitution Explained:
To Keep and Bear Arms
Dive Deeper
Council of Foreign Relations
U.S. Gun Policy: Global Comparisons
June 10, 2022
More Americans died of gun-related injuries in 2021 than in any other year on record, according to the latest available statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That included record numbers of both gun murders and gun suicides. Despite the increase in such fatalities, the rate of gun deaths – a statistic that accounts for the nation’s growing population – remained below the levels of earlier decades.
NPR
How AR-15-style rifles write the tragic history of America's mass shootings
March 10, 2023
The weapon used to carry out the mass shooting at an outlet shopping mall in Allen, Texas, on Saturday that left eight people dead and seven others injured is one all too familiar to Americans and lawmakers who have witnessed mass shootings occur again and again.
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Mauricio Garcia, 33, was seen on dashcam video opening fire with an AR-15-style rifle.
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Garcia was carrying three weapons with him and had five more in his car — all legally obtained, according to Hank Sibley, regional director with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
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The AR-15 has a long history in mass shootings in the U.S.
The White House
FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Reduce Gun Violence and Make Our Communities Safer
March 14, 2023
Today, in Monterey Park, California, President Biden will announce an Executive Order with the goal of increasing the number of background checks conducted before firearm sales, moving the U.S. as close to universal background checks as possible without additional legislation. The Executive Order will also keep more guns out of dangerous hands by increasing the effective use of “red flag” laws, strengthen efforts to hold the gun industry accountable, and accelerate law enforcement efforts to identify and apprehend the shooters menacing our communities. President Biden is also encouraging the Federal Trade Commission to issue a public report analyzing how gun manufacturers market firearms to minors.
Pew Research Center
What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S.
April 26, 2023
More Americans died of gun-related injuries in 2021 than in any other year on record, according to the latest available statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That included record numbers of both gun murders and gun suicides. Despite the increase in such fatalities, the rate of gun deaths – a statistic that accounts for the nation’s growing population – remained below the levels of earlier decades.
BBC
How many US mass shootings have there been in 2023?
May 26, 2023
Gun violence is a fixture in American life - but the issue is a highly political one, pitting gun control advocates against people who are fiercely protective of their right to bear arms.
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We've looked into some of the numbers behind firearms in the US.
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Advocacy Organizations
Gun Rights Advocacy Organizations
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National Rifle Association (NRA)
The National Rifle Association seeks to educate the public about firearms, defend US citizens' second amendment rights, and lobbies for gun rights legislation.
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Gun Owners of America (GOA) is a non-profit lobbying organization formed in 1975 to preserve and defend the Second Amendment rights of gun owners.
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The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) is dedicated to promoting the right of U.S. citizens to privately own and possess firearms. They carry on many educational and legal action programs designed to inform the public about the gun control debate.
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Gun Control Advocacy Organizations
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Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
The Brady Campaign works to pass and enforce federal and state gun laws, regulations, and public policies through grassroots activism, electing public officials who support gun control legislation, and increasing public awareness of gun violence.
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An umbrella organization coordinating the activities of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Mayors against Illegal Guns.
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Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Important grassroots activist organization formed by stay-at-home mom Shannon Watts following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012.
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Mayors Against Illegal Guns is a coalition of over 1000 current and former mayors across the country who have joined together to prevent criminals from possessing guns illegally.
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Third Way is a think tank that seeks to advance public policy. Their agenda includes tighter gun safety laws.