Do NRA Members Support an "Assault Weapon" Ban?

by
posted on February 8, 2013
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
20132159333-bullshooters-logo.jpg

By BullShooters Staff

The Myth
“74 percent of NRA Members Support a Ban on Assault Weapons."

The Lies
You’ve likely heard it reported several dozen times across news media outlets. Michael Bloomberg’s anti-gun group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, claims responsibility for conducting this Frank Luntz poll that claims 74 percent of NRA Members support a ban on so-called assault weapons. Then President Obama mentioned this stat in his address in which he presented 23 executive orders on gun control.

The Facts
The NRA was founded in 1871 to train military men and civilians in the proper marksmanship of the military arm of the day, which now happens to be AR-style rifles, the civilian versions of the M16 that was adopted by the U.S. military in 1964. The NRA has legions of competitive shooters, enthusiasts, collectors and hunters who use these rifles. NRA’s flagship magazine, American Rifleman, contributes significant pages to AR rifles each month. Another magazine, Shooting Illustrated, is dedicated to these useful guns. Feedback and surveys indicate the magazines are well received by NRA membership. So, it’s difficult at best for me to believe this “poll,” one that happens to be sponsored by one of the most notorious and certainly the most well funded anti-gun group on the planet. In fact, I’m dialing the toll free 1-800-BullShooters hotline for immediate help.

The Real Poll
If there is any group that has its finger on the pulse of NRA members, it’s the NRA. After all, its membership rosters are private. To combat the Bloomberg nonsense, NRA, via a professional third-party polling company, recently conducted its own scientific poll of its members.

Findings are as follows:

• 91 percent of NRA members support laws keeping firearms away from the mentally ill.
• 92 percent of NRA members oppose gun confiscation via mandatory buy-back laws
• 89 percent oppose banning semi-automatic firearms, often mistakenly called “assault rifles”.
• 93 percent oppose a law requiring gun owners to register with the federal government.
• 92 percent oppose a new federal law banning the sale of firearms between private citizens

That’s right. Bloomberg, Obama and the majority of the leftist media are off by 63 percentage points. Fact is, 89 percent of NRA members oppose banning assault rifles.

The Anti-BS Quote
“Mayor Bloomberg’s claims that gun owners are divided are totally false. It is nothing more than an attempt by anti-gun activists to further their long-standing political agenda,” said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox. “American gun owners and Second Amendment supporters are ready for Washington to put politics aside and come together to fix our broken mental health system.”

The Answer
When it comes to its Membership and about guns, Chris, the NRA and millions of law-abiding gun-owning Americans are the experts. Period.

The Lesson
Don’t trust the polls and the stats parroted by politicians and the mass media. Find them for yourself, for freedom can be found in the truth.

Latest

350 Raging Hunter Lede
350 Raging Hunter Lede

#SundayGunday: Taurus Raging Hunter 350 Legend

On this week's #SundayGunday, we're taking a look at a capable hunting revolver that’s chambered in a caliber you’re more likely to see in a rifle: the 350 Legend. That’s right, Taurus has released their large-frame Raging Hunter in the whitetail-thumping 350 Legend cartridge. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

Recipe: Deep-Rooted Venison Stew

Several friends and I often circle back to the same campfire debate about which wild game makes the best stew. Mule deer usually leads the pack, with moose close behind, but any well-handled game meat can stand out when you build the right layers of flavor. The real magic starts long before the broth simmers. It comes from the vegetables and mushrooms you choose.

61-Year-Old Elk-Hunting Dream Fulfilled in Michigan

Michigan elk hunters faced challenging weather and storm-ravaged terrain to harvest 153 elk in 2025. That didn’t deter Bruce Nelson of Hastings, Mich. He applied for an elk license every year Michigan has held a drawing.

New for 2026: Blaser R8 Professional 2.0

The Blaser R8 Professional 2.0 promises to be the modern evolution of the iconic straight-pull rifle. The rifle features a new, ergonomically optimized vertical pistol grip for increased comfort and improved control when firing, and its ambidextrous palm swell fits both right- and left-handed shooters.

New for 2026: Leupold BX-6 Range HD Rangefinding Binocular

Leupold has launched its BX-6 Range HD rangefinding binocular. With fast, accurate ranging capabilities out to 6,000 yards, an advanced ballistics intelligence and precision GPS pinning, the BX-6 Range HD is looking to carve out a space for itself as a feature-rich rangefinding offering.

(Squirrel) Dog Days in the Delta

In the Deep South, Ringo and Max prove the sole purpose in the life of a feist is to hunt squirrels.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.