Today, the gun control debate is fraught with divisiveness and partisanship, especially after mass shootings like the one at a Florida high school that left 17 dead.
Many gun control advocates blame the NRA's aggressive lobbying tactics and dramatic rhetoric for driving Americans' opinions on the issue apart, but the group says its mission is to "protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
While the cigarette, pharmaceutical, and insurance industries spend far more, the NRA spends nearly 10 times as much as the biggest gun control lobbying group in the country.
The NRA is especially active during presidential campaigns, contributing millions to candidates that support expanded gun rights and targeting those who threaten to control or regulate guns. In the 2016 election, the group threw its support behind President Donald Trump, and against Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.
The NRA also contributes tens of thousands of dollars to Congressional candidates and members of both parties, though the lion's share goes to the GOP. The top 81 members of Congress with the most career NRA contributions are all Republicans.
There are also significant differences in how NRA members and non-NRA members view the same gun control policy proposals โ even among Republican gun owners.