National Rifle Association of America was formed in 1871 by two former Civil War officers Col. William Church and Gen. George Wingate. While widely recognized today as a major political force and as America's foremost defender of Second Amendment rights, the NRA has, since its inception, been the premier firearms educational organization in the world. The association s interest in promoting shooting sports among America's youth began in 1903 with the establishment of rifle clubs at major colleges, universities and military academies. The National Rifle Association has thousands of volunteers, and millions of members that promote the safe and responsible use of firearms and the rights of Americans under the Second Amendment.