The NRA was created in 1871 (6 years after the Civil War) by former Union Army officers. It's original purpose was to promote shooting as a sport and facilitate and improve civilian marksmanship, b/c it's founders had been troubled that during the Civil War, too many of the Union civilians came into the Army with poor shooting skills and required a lot of firearms training.

The NRA was created in 1871 (6 years after the Civil War) by former Union Army officers. It's original purpose was to promote shooting as a sport and facilitate and improve civilian marksmenship, b/c it's founders had been troubled that during the Civil War, too many of the Union civilians came into the Army with poor shooting skills and required a lot of firearms training.