Does the NRA expect the candidates it supports to oppose an assault weapons ban?
The National Rifle Association financially supports candidates with pro-gun records and stances, with the expectation that they will advocate against gun control legislation in office.
The endorsement policy of its political action committee—the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund—states, "NRA has a pro-gun incumbent-friendly policy that dictates our support for pro-gun incumbents seeking reelection." The PAC evaluates the voting records of incumbents and then grades them on gun friendliness from "A" to "F." A questionnaire designed by the PAC is used to grade non-incumbents. Its 2022 questionnaire asks whether the candidate supports "a ... ban on semi-automatic firearms" similar to the one President Clinton signed into law in 1994 (which expired in 2004).
NRA-PVF receives the majority of its funding from small membership dues and donations, although the PAC does receive millions of dollars from the firearm industry.
One hundred percent of the candidates NRA-PVF has donated to so far in 2022 are Republicans, reflecting the party's strong Second Amendment stance.