The Workings of the NRA Today the National Rifle Association is the largest association protecting your Second Amendment rights. The NRA was created in 1871 for one main reason. However, what most people don't know is that his intentions have changed a lot over time. Over time there have been many presidents and spokesmen of the NRA, which has always been ready to defend gun rights at all costs. Additionally, the NRA's base has changed with a growing and changing government. The location where the NRA is primarily based has also changed a lot over time. Going into detail, the NRA will be explained in depth providing knowledge of the history and its purpose in the years to come. Two Union veterans, Colonel William C. Church and General George Wingate, created the National Rifle Association in 1871 (1) . The main reason they created it was to help soldiers with their marksmanship, because Colonel Church and General Wingate noticed that their troops had a serious lack of accuracy. Starting in 1873 the NRA began holding annual races at its Creedmoor range. Their scope once again began to expand rapidly with the promotion of filming among America's youth. The NRA pushed for colleges and universities to start rifle clubs. Even today, over a million young people are involved in shooting competitions. In 1934 the NRA formed the Legislative Affairs Division established to inform people of legislative facts about their Second Amendment rights. This only informed members of matters, however, if they wanted to do something about government matters, they would have to act on their own. After time passed, the NRA realized they would have to step up their game and... middle of paper......seen. The NRA funds firearms safety courses and conducts simnars across the United States and Canada to ensure women's safety. The NRA is America's longest-running civil rights organization. In Scott Melzer's book Gun Crusaders he says "They fear losing their guns and they fear losing their freedoms." (p.1) This is what the NRA fights for, to keep your rights and freedoms away from the government. Works Cited “A Brief History of the NRA.” A Brief History of the NRA. Np, nd Web. April 16, 2014. Melzer, Scott. Gun Crusaders: The NRA's Culture War. New York: New York UP, 2009. Print."NRA | History." NRA | History. Np, nd Web. April 16, 2014. “The NRA Speaks: 14 Wayne LaPierre Quotes One Week After the Sandy Hook Tragedy.” Gun control now in the United States. Np, nd Web. April 16, 2014."NRA|Contact Us." NRA|Contact us. Np, nd Web. April 16 2014.