The Sandy Hook school shooting may have added new fuel to the gun control debate, but advocacy groups have given hundreds of thousands of dollars to federal legislators since 2009, according to a report released Friday.
Nonpartisan research organization MapLight, in coordination with Tableau Software, compiled contribution totals for the leading advocacy groups in the gun control debate—the National Rifle Association and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
The NRA’s Political Action Committee dwarfs the Brady Campaign’s in terms of contributions to legislators. It gave about $1.5 million to legislators compared to the Brady Campaign’s $5,900.
In Minnesota, the NRA gave nearly $30,000 to legislators—ranking the state 20th in NRA contributions.
The Brady Campaign didn’t make any contributions to Minnesota legislators during that time period.
Not surprisingly, the NRA didn’t give anything to 5th District Rep. Keith Ellison, a DFLer who’s been an advocate for more limits on firearms. But Minnesota Republican Erik Paulsen, who represents the state's Third Congressional District, received $2,250 during 2012 election season—according to the report—and $5,250 since 2010. DFL candidates Colin Peterson and Tim Walz together received nearly $14,000. Michelle Bachman recieved $7,000 from the NRA since 2010.
Minnesota also ranks 20th in the number of contributions to the NRA’s PAC, giving the organization about $22,000. The Brady Campaign did not receive any contributions from Minnesotans.
Use the search box above to see which which legislators received NRA money and how much they received.
