Donations to NRA’s lobbying arm surged in March, despite rise in gun control protests
Biggest amount came from ‘small-dollar donors’ who contributed less than US$200 each
The National Rifle Association’s political arm had a record spike in donations in March, even as students took part in demonstrations in Washington and around the country calling for stronger gun control.
The NRA Political Victory Fund raised US$2.4 million, up from US$779,063 in February, according to its latest filing with the Federal Election Commission.
That was more than it had raised in any month since at least 2000, a review of FEC records showed.
In 2016, when the NRA spent US$31 million either attacking Hillary Clinton or supporting the campaign of Donald Trump, its political action committee collected a little less than US$1.5 million in its best fundraising month. The Political Victory Fund ended March with US$5.8 million in the bank.
The February 14 mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, has led to calls for more firearms safety measures, which the NRA opposes. Students have organised protests, including school walkouts and March for Our Lives events across the country.