- Eddie The Eagle--a program for elementary school children to learn what to do if they find a gun anywhere;
- Don't Be A Victim--for women who want to learn how to properly use a firearm to protect themselves even if they have never handled a firearm prior to the program;
- Hunter Safety classes--initial and refresher training for hunters before they go into the field. These courses are required in many states before a hunter can get his or her license for the season;
- Police Shooting classes--for post-academy training and qualifications of current or new firearms for police and security personnel;
- Concealed Carry classes--another qualifying and refresher training for those applying or renewing concealed carry licenses.
- Competition training--for those who wish to become competitive shooters in any variety of competition;
- The Association also sponsors competitions in various kinds of meets including the Camp Perry Meet at Camp Perry Marine Corps Base, Ohio, and Olympic qualifying meets for the American Shooting team.
So what about the lobbying done in the name of the NRA? Isn't that what makes the Association the gun lobby? Lobbying is done by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (ILA). The ILA monitors bills introduced in the Congress and the states' legislatures that affect the rights of all firearms owners. Less than 10% of the ILA's budget is supported by NRA's general funds. The ILA relies primarily on the non-deductible donations made by supporters.
The NRA also has a PAC called the Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF). The purpose of the NRA-PVF is to raise funds for candidates that support gun owners' rights and defeat anti gun candidates. This money is separate from ILA's budget but it is raised through the same channels.
The NRA also operates a legal defense fund to protect gun owners and gun shop owners against criminal and civil prosecution, particularly frivolous lawsuits designed to break the bank of the defendant.
In short, most of the legal actions tendered by the NRA are really done by internal organizations so as not to interfere with the primary purpose of the Association. That primary purpose is to make better and safer shooters of all gun owners.
