NRA Donations Tripled After Parkland Shooting
Despite the public attacks against the National Rifle Association following the February 14 high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, contributions to the organization tripled in February.
According to recent Federal Election Commission data, supporters of the NRA donated about $779,000 in February, just over triple the $248,000 that was collected in January.
While there isn’t any hard data linking the increase in donations to the Florida shooting, the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics tracked itemized contributions (donations of $200 made by an individual) in the days after the shooting. According to the data, the contributions made to the NRA had doubled just two weeks after the shooting. Additionally, the number of people contributing increased by almost 500% seven days after the shooting.
The exact cause of the spike is unclear as it could have been triggered by a combination of events, such as the NRA outreach or the movements that have begun pushing for more regulations on guns.
Regardless of the cause, the money is being put to use. According to The Hill, the NRA has increased its online ad spending sixfold in the weeks following the shooting.
