State Sen. George G. Kirkpatrick Jr. (D-Gainesville) protested in an interview that he had been savagely attacked by Hammer's group in his latest campaign despite a "strong pro-gun" voting record. The National Rifle Association is battling against those who would enact state or federal gun control legislation, using direct mail to raise depleted funds and urge members to contact legislators. The NRA suffered a series of setbacks in the past three years as Congress and state legislatures enacted bans on "cop killer bullets," Saturday Night Specials and plastic guns that elude metal detectors. But this year, the group has been buoyed by an influx of new members, including many from rural areas where hunting rifles are still popular. Various states have passed gun control acts and prominent law enforcement officials and politicians, such as U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini have ceased supporting the NRA cause.
The National Rifle Association is battling against those who would enact state or federal gun control legislation, using direct mail to raise depleted funds and urge members to contact legislators. The NRA suffered a series of setbacks in the past three years as Congress and state legislatures enacted bans on "cop killer bullets," Saturday Night Specials and plastic guns that elude metal detectors. But this year, the group has been buoyed by an influx of new members, including many from rural areas where hunting rifles are still popular. Various states have passed gun control acts and prominent law enforcement officials and politicians, such as U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini have ceased supporting the NRA cause.