"Power" Within the NRA

     Though the article is a little dated (2007), the facts are still relevant today.  The NRA has money, motivated members, and powerful allies and influence in Washington.  Come election time, there isn't a doubt in anyone's mind that the NRA can and will successfully bring in pro-gun freshmen to House seats, whether Democrat or Republican.  Despite the near dozen gun-related deaths in America daily, somehow the NRA continues to uphold citizens' second amendment gun rights.
     A major factor as to why the NRA gets what it wants is the fact that it's approximate 4 million members vote at a very high rate.  As stated in the article, NRA members vote in elections 95 percent of the time!  This is unreal when compared to the turnout of America as a whole.  Some quick figures tell us just how many voters this group can bring to the polls; 95 percent of its 4 million members is around 3.8 million votes.  This to me is even more important than the millions spent on campaigns, advertisements, and other questionably affective investments. 

     It was also stated that issue networks arise around the NRA and its pro-gun ideals.  Alliances between hunters and gun rights groups have helped the efforts of the NRA in recent times.  The large membership and spending budget of the NRA leaves many politicians cowering, afraid that their stance on legislation may result in opposition by the group as well as other consequences.
     After reading the article and the class text, I feel that in order to rank the power of an interest group, you have to take into account its membership, lobbying skills/tactics, and where ( to whom or how much) they spend their money.  The NRA appears very powerful to me because of its large member-base.  I feel that with the backing of an almost guaranteed 4 million votes, any organization could get its views heard and put into law with little competition.