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On Target: Gun Culture, Storytelling, and the NRA
The National Rifle Association (NRA) is an important actor in the American gun debate. While popular explanations for the group’s influence often focus on the NRA’s lobbying and campaign donations, it receives lesser attention for the mass mobilization efforts that make these political endeavours possible.
On Target explores why the NRA is so influential and how we can understand the group’s impact on firearms policy in the United States. The book looks at how the NRA both draws upon and shapes historical meta-narratives regarding the role of firearms in America’s national identity and how this is part of a larger effort to expand the community of gun owners. Noah S. Schwartz demonstrates how the NRA portrays a vision of the past through events such as its annual meeting; communications such as American Rifleman magazine and NRA TV; and points of contact including the National Firearms Museum.
Based on fieldwork in Indiana and Virginia, including participant observation at NRA events and firearm safety classes, thematic analysis of audio-visual material, and interviews with NRA executives and members, On Target sheds light on the ways in which the NRA tells stories to build and mobilize a politically motivated network of gun owners.
On Target explores why the NRA is so influential and how we can understand the group’s impact on firearms policy in the United States. The book looks at how the NRA both draws upon and shapes historical meta-narratives regarding the role of firearms in America’s national identity and how this is part of a larger effort to expand the community of gun owners. Noah S. Schwartz demonstrates how the NRA portrays a vision of the past through events such as its annual meeting; communications such as American Rifleman magazine and NRA TV; and points of contact including the National Firearms Museum.
Based on fieldwork in Indiana and Virginia, including participant observation at NRA events and firearm safety classes, thematic analysis of audio-visual material, and interviews with NRA executives and members, On Target sheds light on the ways in which the NRA tells stories to build and mobilize a politically motivated network of gun owners.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2022
1 person is currently reading
About the author
Noah S. Schwartz
6 books1 followerDr. Noah S. Schwartz is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of the Fraser Valley. His scholarship focuses on advocacy groups, social movements, and firearms policy in Canada and the United States.
His research interests include group politics and social movements; the politics of narrative and memory; the theories of the policy process; and firearms policy.
He is the author of On Target: Gun Culture, Storytelling & the NRA, as well as several journal articles and op-eds.
His research interests include group politics and social movements; the politics of narrative and memory; the theories of the policy process; and firearms policy.
He is the author of On Target: Gun Culture, Storytelling & the NRA, as well as several journal articles and op-eds.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 25, 2023
NRA explained
Excellent model to trace the past, present and understand why change will be so difficult. As a Canadian, the author has immersed himself into the community to understand what makes it tick in a neutral way.
Excellent model to trace the past, present and understand why change will be so difficult. As a Canadian, the author has immersed himself into the community to understand what makes it tick in a neutral way.
Displaying 1 of 1 review