Summary
Highlights
The documentary begins by recounting the tragic Parkland school shooting in 2018, where 17 people were killed. Students like Emma González and Ryan Deitsch emerged as vocal advocates for gun control, directly challenging the NRA and calling out politicians who accepted donations from the organization. Their activism gained significant media attention and sparked a new wave of youth-led movements demanding change.
Initially, the NRA was primarily a gun safety organization. However, the assassinations of the 1960s and subsequent calls for gun control prompted a transformative shift. In 1977, a pivotal convention saw gun-rights activists seize control, reorienting the NRA to become a staunch defender of Second Amendment rights. This marked the beginning of its evolution into a formidable political lobbying force.
The Columbine High School shooting in 1999, which involved privately purchased weapons through a 'gun-show loophole,' reignited the gun control debate. President Bill Clinton attempted to pass legislation to close this loophole. Despite early success in the Senate, the bill ultimately failed in the House due to intense lobbying by the NRA, led by Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. This demonstrated the NRA's significant political influence.
Wayne LaPierre employed a 'playbook' involving fear-mongering and mobilizing NRA members to oppose gun control measures. This strategy was particularly effective in the 2000 presidential election. The NRA actively campaigned against Al Gore, who had supported gun control, spending millions and significantly impacting the election outcome. Democrats subsequently became wary of challenging the NRA directly.
The horrific Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, which claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults, led President Obama to push for stricter gun laws, including expanded background checks. Senator Joe Manchin, with an NRA-friendly rating, attempted to broker a bipartisan deal, anticipating NRA support. However, smaller, more extreme gun-rights groups pressured the NRA, leading LaPierre to withdraw support for the bill, which ultimately failed in Congress despite widespread public support.
Following the Parkland shooting, the student activists organized the 'March for Our Lives,' drawing hundreds of thousands to Washington D.C. This new generation of activists presented an unprecedented challenge to the NRA, with their emotional appeals and organized efforts to advocate for gun control. Even President Trump initially showed openness to gun control measures, but after a meeting with LaPierre, he aligned back with the NRA.
The 2018 midterm elections saw many Democrats successfully challenging NRA-backed candidates, indicating a shift in the political landscape. Concurrently, New York Attorney General Letitia James launched an investigation into the NRA's financial practices, fueled by leaks about lavish spending and alleged misconduct by Wayne LaPierre. This investigation, coupled with internal dissent, has plunged the NRA into crisis, facing significant legal and financial challenges from within.