the National Rifle Association
/ðə ˌnæʃnəl ˈraɪfl əsəʊsieɪʃn/, /ðə ˌnæʃnəl ˈraɪfl əsəʊʃieɪʃn/
/ðə ˌnæʃnəl ˈraɪfl əsəʊsieɪʃn/, /ðə ˌnæʃnəl ˈraɪfl əsəʊʃieɪʃn/
(abbreviation the NRA)
- a US organization, established in 1871, which supports the use of guns for hunting, sport and self-defence. Its several million members argue that according to the US Constitution people have a right to own guns, and they form a powerful group trying to prevent Congress passing new laws limiting the use of guns.