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What is the NRA's history?
The National Rifle Association was founded in 1871 by U.S. Army veterans Col. William C. Church and
Gen. George Wingate to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis." In the following decades, the NRA has provided
world-class firearms instruction to thousands of gun owners across the country.
When anti-gun lobbyists and politicians began their war on the Second Amendment four decades ago, the NRA fought back. And over
the years, we've defeated hundreds of attempts on the national, state and local levels to infringe on your Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Today, the NRA stands as America's oldest civil rights organization. Every time there's a threat to your gun rights, the NRA is there to
defend your freedom. We also provide firearms training and gun safety programs to gun owners from all walks of life.