Poll: NRA is largely a

[alexey]

It's a silly poll then, cause I would argue that a group like the Audobon Society which indirectly gains contributions through it's advocacy on behalf of Birds and nature preservation is entirely different than a group like Exxon which directly benefits from it's advocacy on behalf of Exxon service stations. To lump them together is fundamentally dishonest regardless of the fact that their are professional folks who are entirely supported by their work at the Audobon non profit. Nobody see's the Audobon society volunteers cleaning birds after an oil spill and mutters under their breath... selfish bastards. But that is what you are suggesting here. That folks who indirectly benefit financially from providing advocacy are equivalent to those who benefit directly.
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You seem to keep missing the point. All organizations have to get money, people, etc. Some organizations are primarily driven by principles while others are driven by economics. Audobon Society is a great example of the former. American Petroleum Institute is a great example of the latter. So far, 41 people have placed NRA into the former category, 76 people into the latter category, and an unknown number of people have abstained from voting.

[JMS]

You seem to keep missing the point. All organizations have to get money, people, etc. Some organizations are primarily driven by principles while others are driven by economics. Audobon Society is a great example of the former. American Petroleum Institute is a great example of the latter. So far, 41 people have placed NRA into the former category, 76 people into the latter category, and an unknown number of people have abstained from voting.

The poll doesn't make the distinction between direct and indirect benefits from their advocacy, that you did which I believe are determinative in identifying their "primary" interest. That's all I'm saying.

Thus I would argue both are true.. The NRA has a primary interest in advancing pro gun policy and upholding the second amendment of the constitution to it's traditional meaning. This is the stated purpose of the NRA non profit and they are independently and thoroughly scrutinized annually to verify that their financials are used towards these pursuits by the IRS as terms of their non profit status.. This has the effect of advancing economic interests of gun manufacturers.