Taking on NRA’s political power

The political clout of the NRA is renowned, but it now faces its biggest battle, write Julie Bykowicz and Greg Giroux

THE National Rifle Association in the US spent at least $12m (€9m) — and bestowed its endorsement on Republican nominee Mitt Romney — in its unsuccessful bid to oust Barack Obama.

The pro-gun rights organisation invested $300,000 in each of the Senate races in Ohio, Virginia, and Florida, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, and lost them all. Its lone winner in a competitive Senate contest: Arizona Republican Jeff Flake.