<P> The National Rifle Association has been criticized by newspaper editorial boards, gun control and gun rights advocacy groups, political commentators, and politicians . Democrats and liberals frequently criticize the organization . The NRA's oldest organized critics include the gun control advocacy groups the Brady Campaign, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV), and the Violence Policy Center (VPC). Twenty - first century groups include Everytown for Gun Safety (formerly Mayors Against Illegal Guns), Moms Demand Action, and Americans for Responsible Solutions . </P> <P> In 1995, former US President George H.W. Bush resigned his life membership to the organization after receiving a National Rifle Association Institute of Legislative Action (NRA - ILA) fund - raising letter, signed by executive vice president Wayne LaPierre, that referred to ATF agents as "jack - booted government thugs". The NRA later apologized for the letter's language . </P> <P> In December 2008, The New York Times editorial board criticized the NRA's attacks, which it called false and misleading, on Barack Obama's presidential campaign . </P> <P> After Donald Trump's election, the NRA closely aligned with Trump . At an event in February 2018, Trump said that he was a "big fan of the NRA" but said that "that doesn't mean we have to agree on everything ." </P>

When was the nra founded and for what purpose