After a series of missteps that gave President Obama the early advantage in this year's gun-violence debate, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has struck back.

The powerful gun lobbying group had stumbled in the immediate wake of December's Newtown, Conn., grade-school massacre, launching a blistering attack on opponents that alienated even some NRA supporters and upped the odds of Obama moving tougher gun laws through Congress.

But three months later, the NRA has regained its footing, rallying gun owners and lawmakers against new gun controls in a fierce lobbying effort that appears to be paying dividends on Capitol Hill.

Indeed, over the last 100 days, Democrats have grown more divided over Obama's proposed reforms.



[link to thehill.com]