Title: I Am the NRA: An Analysis of a National Random Sample of Gun Owners

Publication Date: January 1993

What does it say?

This report examines whether members of the National Rifle Association (NRA) are a representative sample of all gun owners and whether the NRA’s lobbying position on gun control reflects the views of all gun owners, both membership owners and non members.

From the data collected from a random sample of gun owners, nonmembers were more supportive of specific proposals to regulate gun ownership. However, a majority of both NRA members and nonmembers favored a waiting period for the purchase of a handgun (77% and 89% respectively) and mandatory registration for handguns (59% and 75%).

How can I use it?

Use this report to help advocate for stricter gun ownership regulations, such as mandatory registration on all firearms and establishing a longer waiting period to purchase a gun so thorough background checks can be conducted. The NRA’s position on gun policy is not representative of the views of all gun owners and should not dictate gun regulation in the United States.

Citation

Weil, Doug S. and David Hemenway, “I Am the NRA: An Analysis of a National Random Sample of Gun Owners,” Violence and Victims 8(4)(Winter1993):367-385

[367]