History of Pride
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has a long and complex history that reflects shifting American attitudes toward firearms, politics, and personal liberty.Founded in 1871 by Union veterans William C. Church and George Wingate, the NRA’s original goal was to improve marksmanship among civilians and military personnel. An important facet of the NRA’s creation was the development of a practice ground. In 1872, with financial help from New York state, a site on Long Island, the Creed Farm, was purchased for the purpose of building a rifle range. Named Creedmoor, the range opened a year later, and it was there that the first annual matches were held. This was the establishment of the NRA's first shooting range in Creedmoor, in Long Island, they later moved competitions to Sea Girt, NJ, and eventually Camp Perry, OH.
By the ,early 1900s, the NRA began promoting shooting sports among youth, partnering with groups like the Boy Scouts and 4-H. In 1934, the NRA created its Legislative Affairs Division to inform members about gun-related legislation, though it didn’t directly lobby at first.The pivotal moment came in 1977 during the “Revolt at Cincinnati,” when leadership shifted focus from hunting and conservation to Second Amendment advocacy.This led to the formation of the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) in 1975, which became the NRA’s lobbying arm.
The NRA grew into one of the most powerful lobbying organizations in the U.S., influencing legislation like the Firearm Owners Protection Act and opposing measures like universal background checks.It has consistently framed gun control as a threat to constitutional rights, especially after mass shootings, often arguing that armed citizens could prevent such tragedies.The organization has faced internal strife, lawsuits, and public backlash in recent years, especially regarding financial transparency and its role in political polarization.
The Conundrum
The relationship between the Black Panther Party and the National Rifle Association (NRA) is a revealing chapter in American history—one that exposes the racial double standards embedded in gun legislation and advocacy.In 1967, the Black Panthers staged a dramatic protest at the California State Capitol, openly carrying firearms to challenge police brutality and assert their constitutional right to self-defense.Their actions were entirely legal under California law at the time, which allowed the open carry of loaded firearms.The protest alarmed lawmakers—including then-Governor Ronald Reagan—and led to the swift passage of the Mulford Act, which banned the public carrying of loaded guns.
Contrary to its current stance as a staunch defender of gun rights, the NRA supported gun control measures in the 1960s—particularly those aimed at disarming Black activists like the Panthers.The NRA’s alignment with the Mulford Act and other restrictive laws reflected a broader societal fear of Black militancy, not a consistent defense of Second Amendment rights.
The Black Panthers were among the first to reinterpret the Second Amendment as a tool for community protection against state violence.Their armed patrols and public demonstrations reframed gun ownership as a political act, especially for marginalized communities facing systemic oppression.The NRA’s historical support for gun control when Black Americans exercised their rights highlights a racialized inconsistency in gun advocacy.This moment catalyzed broader debates about who gets to bear arms, under what conditions, and why the law responds differently depending on race and ideology.
How can something so deeply woven into American identity also be the source of such division, fear, and unresolved grief? From colonial mandates requiring firearms to modern debates over mass shootings and self-defense, the gun has evolved from a tool of survival to a symbol of power, protection, and protest. This post explores the tangled roots and modern tensions of gun culture, asking: what does ownership really mean when safety, sovereignty, and systemic inequality collide?
Source, Photo Credit- California Gun Control: How Ronald Reagan and the Black Panthers Started a Movement
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