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118-496: Tiahrt twice sought to regain the 4th District House seat, representing a district which encompasses eleven counties in the south central region of the state, including the City of Wichita . In 2014 , he ran against incumbent Mike Pompeo in the Republican primary but was defeated. Then, in 2017, after Pompeo vacated the seat to become President Donald Trump 's CIA Director , Tiahrt sought

236-558: A M.B.A. from Southwest Missouri State University in 1989. He was a teacher at Kansas Newman College and Evangel College and worked for Boeing as a proposal manager. Tiahrt was elected to the Kansas State Senate in 1992. After only one term, in 1994, he won the Republican nomination for the 4th Congressional District and was elected in an upset over 18-year Democratic incumbent Dan Glickman . Over 1,800 people volunteered for Tiahrt's campaign which spent only $ 200,000, less than

354-458: A Rhode Island gunsmith , was elected president . When Burnside resigned on August 1, 1872, Church succeeded him as president. Union Army records for the Civil War indicate that its troops fired about 1,000 rifle shots for each Confederate hit, causing General Burnside to lament his recruits: "Out of ten soldiers who are perfect in drill and the manual of arms , only one knows the purpose of

472-404: A speculative land boom in the late 1880s, stimulating further expansion of the city. Fairmount College, which eventually grew into Wichita State University , opened in 1886; Garfield University, which eventually became Friends University , opened in 1887. By 1890, Wichita had become the third-largest city in the state after Kansas City , and Topeka , with a population of nearly 24,000. After

590-667: A 4th consecutive congressional race A+ rating for his contributions to the pro-gun efforts. Tiahrt had earned the highest rating, by "voting for every pro-gun bill." This included "critical pro-gun reforms" like the 2005 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA); "legislation to expand Right-to-Carry to national parks and wildlife refuges", the Tiahrt Amendment to reform the ATF, and "legislation to restore" Second Amendment rights to Washington, DC . The A+ ranking took into consideration

708-516: A Manhattan jury. When the National Rifle Association of America was officially incorporated on November 16, 1871, its primary goal was to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis". The NRA's website says the organization is "America's longest-standing civil rights organization". On February 7, 1872, the NRA created a committee to lobby for legislation in the interest of

826-422: A PAC which is excluded from these figures. The organization donated to congressional races for both Republicans (223) and Democrats (9) to candidates for Congress . The NRA has been described as influential in shaping American gun control policy. The organization influences legislators' voting behavior through its financial resources and ability to mobilize its large membership. The organization has not lost

944-496: A brothel there from early 1874 to the middle of 1876. The area had a reputation for violence until lawmen like Wyatt stepped up enforcement, who officially joined the Wichita marshal's office on April 21, 1875. He was hired after the election of Mike Meagher as city marshal, making $ 100 per month. By the middle of the decade, the cattle trade had moved west to Dodge City . Wichita annexed Delano in 1880. Rapid immigration resulted in

1062-526: A center of the industry that the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce dubbed it the "Air Capital of the World" in 1929. Over the following decades, aviation and aircraft manufacturing continued to drive expansion of the city. In 1934, Stearman's Wichita facilities became part of Boeing , which would become the city's largest employer. Initial construction of Wichita Municipal Airport finished southeast of

1180-509: A coalition of moderate leaders who supported movie star Charlton Heston , despite Heston's past support of gun control legislation. In 1994, the NRA unsuccessfully opposed the Federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB), but successfully lobbied for the ban's 2004 expiration. Heston was elected president in 1998 and became a highly visible spokesman for the organization. In an effort to improve the NRA's image, Heston presented himself as

1298-475: A destination for cattle drives traveling north from Texas to Kansas railroads, earning it the nickname "Cowtown". Wyatt Earp served as a police officer in Wichita for around one year before going to Dodge City . In the 1920s and 1930s, businessmen and aeronautical engineers established aircraft manufacturing companies in Wichita, including Beechcraft , Cessna , and Stearman Aircraft . The city became an aircraft production hub known as "The Air Capital of

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1416-485: A female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were not families. About 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48, and the average family size was 3.14. The median age in the city was 33.9 years; 26.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between 18 and 24; 26.9% were from 25 to 44; 24.9% were from 45 to 64; and 11.5% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of

1534-523: A growing number of NRA gun rights activists, including Harlon Carter . In 1975, it began to focus more on politics and established its lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), with Carter as director. The next year, its political action committee (PAC), the Political Victory Fund , was created in time for the 1976 elections. The 1977 annual convention was a defining moment for

1652-491: A law enforcement agency or prosecutor in connection with a criminal investigation. This precludes gun trace data from being used in academic research of gun use in crime. Additionally, the law blocks any data legally released from being admissible in civil lawsuits against gun sellers or manufacturers. Some groups, including the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition , believe that having further access to

1770-444: A legislative counsel for Tiahrt from 2008 to 2011. Joel Katz currently serves as district director for U.S. Representative Andrew Clyde (R-GA). He served as legislative correspondent for Tiahrt from 2009 to 2011, and then went on to serve as legislative assistant for U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Eric Cantor , and chief of staff to U.S. Representative Doug Collins (R-GA). Jeff Kahrs began as an intern for Tiahrt in

1888-632: A letter that was sent to President Abraham Lincoln and published in The New York Times , R.G. Moulton and R.B. Perry recommended forming an organization similar to the National Rifle Association in Britain, which had formed a year and a half earlier. They suggested making a shooting range, perhaps on the base on Staten Island , and were offering Whitworth rifles for prizes for the first shooting competition with those rifles. They suggested

2006-419: A major battle over gun control legislation since the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban. At the federal level, the NRA successfully lobbied Congress in the mid-1990s to effectively halt governments-sponsored research into the public health effects of firearms, and to ensure the passage of legislation in 2005 largely immunizing gun manufacturers and dealers from lawsuits. At the same time, the NRA stopped efforts at

2124-663: A provisional committee to start the Association which would include: President Lincoln, Secretary of War, officers, and other prominent New Yorkers. The National Rifle Association of America was chartered in the State of New York on November 17, 1871 by Army and Navy Journal editor William Conant Church and Captain George Wood Wingate . On November 25, 1871, the group voted to elect its first corporate officers. Union Army Civil War General Ambrose Burnside , who had worked as

2242-451: A quarter of Glickman's expenditures. One factor in the win was the 1990s reapportionment, in which Hutchinson and surrounding Reno County were shifted to the "Big 1st" District. Hutchinson was replaced with more reliably Republican Montgomery County . After a tough reelection bid in 1996, Tiahrt was reelected to the U.S. House six more times with little difficulty, before his unsuccessful U.S. Senate bid in 2010. In November 1997, Tiahrt

2360-441: A separate race. The racial makeup (including Hispanics in the racial counts) was 63.39% (251,997) white , 10.95% (43,537) black or African-American , 1.33% (5,296) Native American , 5.09% (20,225) Asian , 0.12% (482) Pacific Islander , 7.41% (29,444) from other races , and 11.71% (46,551) from two or more races. The racial and ethnic makeup (where Hispanics are excluded from the racial counts and placed in their own category)

2478-506: A town company, and surveyor Darius Munger built a log structure for the company to serve as a hotel, community center, and post office. Business opportunities attracted area hunters and traders, and a new settlement began to form. That summer, Mead and others organized the Wichita Town Company, naming the settlement after the Wichita tribe. In 1870, Munger and German immigrant William "Dutch Bill" Greiffenstein filed plats laying out

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2596-521: A trustee to oversee the organization's affairs. Hale doubted that the NRA was "faced with financial difficulties", instead ruling that the true purposes of the lawsuit were "to gain an unfair litigation advantage" against the New York Attorney General, and to "avoid" regulation from New York. On March 2, 2022, New York state court in Manhattan ruled against Letitia James's effort to break up

2714-577: A year and 100 °F (38 °C) an average of 12 days a year. The minimum temperature falls to or below 10 °F (−12 °C) on an average 7.7 days a year. The hottest temperature recorded in Wichita was 114 °F (46 °C) in 1936; the coldest temperature recorded was −22 °F (−30 °C) on February 12, 1899 . Readings as low as −17 °F (−27 °C) and as high as 111 °F (44 °C) occurred as recently as February 16, 2021, and July 29–30, 2012 , respectively. Wichita receives on average about 34.31 inches (871 mm) of precipitation

2832-469: A year, most of which falls in the warmer months, and experiences 87 days of measurable precipitation. The average relative humidity is 80% in the morning and 49% in the evening. Annual snowfall averages 12.7 inches (32 cm). Measurable snowfall occurs an average of nine days per year with at least an inch of snow falling on four of those days. Snow depth of at least an inch occurs an average of 12 days per year. The average window for freezing temperatures

2950-435: Is Eastborough . Adjacent to the city's east side is Andover . McConnell Air Force Base is in the extreme southeast corner of the city. To the south, from east to west, lie Derby and Haysville . Goddard and Maize border Wichita to the west and northwest, respectively. Wichita lies within the humid subtropical climate zone ( Köppen Cfa ), typically experiencing hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. Located on

3068-409: Is manufacturing , which accounted for 21.6% of area employment in 2003. Aircraft manufacturing has long dominated the local economy, and plays such an important role that it has the ability to influence the economic health of the entire region; the state offers tax breaks and other incentives to aircraft manufacturers. Healthcare is Wichita's second-largest industry, employing about 28,000 people in

3186-415: Is October 25 through April 9. Wichita is consistently ranked as one of the worst major cities in the nation for seasonal allergies, due largely to tree and grass pollen (partly from surrounding open plains and pastureland), and smoke from frequent burning of fields by the region's farmers and ranchers, driven by the strong Kansas winds. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America , ranked Wichita—out of

3304-543: Is a gun rights advocacy group based in the United States. Founded in 1871 to advance rifle marksmanship , the modern NRA has become a prominent gun rights lobbying organization while continuing to teach firearm safety and competency. The organization also publishes several magazines and sponsors competitive marksmanship events. According to the NRA, it had nearly 5 million members as of December 2018, though that figure has not been independently confirmed. The NRA

3422-452: Is among the most influential advocacy groups in U.S. politics. The NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) is its lobbying division, which manages its political action committee (PAC), the Political Victory Fund (PVF). Over its history, the organization has influenced legislation, participated in or initiated lawsuits, and endorsed or opposed various candidates at local, state, and federal levels. Some notable lobbying efforts by

3540-734: Is an attorney at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. John Tiahrt graduated from Wichita State University. On July 24, 2004, the Tiahrts' youngest child, sixteen year-old Luke, died of an apparent suicide at the family home in Virginia. The family established the Luke Tiahrt Memorial Fund to provide grants to organizations that benefits teenagers. Wichita, Kansas Wichita ( / ˈ w ɪ tʃ ɪ t ɔː / WITCH -ih-taw )

3658-638: Is chairman of the American Conservative Union and a Fox News political commentator. Schlapp began his political career as a campaign volunteer for Tiahrt in 1994 and following Tiahrt's election in November 1994, Schlapp moved to Washington, D.C. to serve as Tiahrt's communications director and eventually chief of staff for five years. He later served as White House Political Director for President George W. Bush. Matthew Stroia serves as chief of staff to U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA). He served as

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3776-670: Is not a part of the Wichita MSA or Wichita-Winfield CSA, but, were it included, it would add an additional population of 64,511 as of 2010. It is the birthplace of famous restaurants such as White Castle and Pizza Hut . A survey of well-known Kansas-based brands conducted by RSM Marketing Services and the Wichita Consumer Research Center showed many of the top-25 Kansas-based brands such as Koch , Coleman , Cessna , Pizza Hut, Beechcraft , Freddy's , and more are based in Wichita. Wichita's principal industrial sector

3894-512: Is one who has "not only an excellent voting record on all critical NRA issues, but who has also made a vigorous effort to promote and defend the Second Amendment", whereas an NRA "F" candidate is a "true enemy of gun owners' rights". The NRA endorsed a presidential candidate for the first time in 1980, backing Ronald Reagan over Jimmy Carter . The NRA has also made endorsements even when it viewed both candidates positively. For example, in

4012-531: Is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Sedgwick County . As of the 2020 census , the population of the city was 397,532. The Wichita metro area had a population of 647,610 in 2020. It is located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River . Wichita began as a trading post on the Chisholm Trail in the 1860s and was incorporated as a city in 1870. It became

4130-630: Is the principal city of both the Wichita Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and the Wichita-Winfield Combined Statistical Area (CSA) . The Wichita MSA encompasses Sedgwick, Butler , Harvey , and Sumner counties and, as of 2010, had a population of 623,061, making it the 84th largest MSA in the United States. The larger Wichita-Winfield CSA also includes Cowley County and, as of 2013, had an estimated population of 673,598. Nearby Reno County

4248-555: Is the third-largest post-secondary institution in the state. Archaeological evidence indicates human habitation near the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers , the site of present-day Wichita, as early as 3000 BC. In 1541, a Spanish expedition led by explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado found the area populated by the Quivira, or Wichita, people . Conflict with the Osage in

4366-545: The American Civil War , and established a settlement on the banks of the Little Arkansas. During this period, trader Jesse Chisholm established a trading post at the site, one of several along a trail extending south to Texas which became known as the Chisholm Trail . In 1867, after the war, the Wichita returned to Indian Territory. In 1868, trader James R. Mead was among a group of investors who established

4484-671: The Andover, Kansas tornado outbreak of April 1991, and during the Oklahoma tornado outbreak of May 1999. Winters are cold and dry; since Wichita is roughly midway between Canada and the Gulf of Mexico , cold spells and warm spells are equally frequent. Warm air masses from the Gulf of Mexico can raise midwinter temperatures into the 50s and even 60s (°F), while cold-air masses from the Arctic can occasionally plunge

4602-656: The Civil War in their homeland. Thousands of immigrants from Vietnam moved to Wichita in the aftermath of the Vietnam War . The 2020 United States census counted 397,532 people, 154,683 households, and 92,969 families in Wichita. The population density was 2,454.1 per square mile (947.5/km ). There were 172,801 housing units at an average density of 1,066.7 per square mile (411.9/km ). The U.S. census accounts for race by two methodologies. "Race alone" and "Race alone less Hispanics" where Hispanics are delineated separately as if

4720-606: The Elcho Shield in 1873 at Wimbledon , then a village outside London, the Irish Rifle Team issued a challenge through the New York Herald to riflemen of the United States to raise a team for a long-range match to determine an Irish-American championship. A team was organized through the subsidiary Amateur Club of New York City . Remington Arms and Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company produced breech-loading weapons for

4838-638: The Fraternal Order of Police (although it allows municipal police departments only limited access to ATF trace data in any criminal investigation). The NRA has claimed that undoing the Tiahrt Amendment would lead to a rash of lawsuits against gun dealers. In their 2010 letter of appreciation on behalf of the NRA Political Victory Fund and the 50,000 NRA members in Kansas, Tiahrt was honored with

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4956-514: The Garvey Center , and the Epic Center . Old Town is also part of downtown; this 50-acre (0.20 km ) area is home to a cluster of nightclubs, bars, restaurants, a movie theater, shops, and apartments and condominiums, many of which make use of historical warehouse-type spaces. Two notable residential areas of Wichita are Riverside and College Hill . Riverside is northwest of downtown, across

5074-511: The Great Plains , far from any large moderating influences such as mountains or large bodies of water, Wichita often experiences severe weather with thunderstorms occurring frequently during the spring and summer. These occasionally bring large hail and frequent lightning. Particularly destructive ones have struck the Wichita area several times in the course of its history - in September 1965, during

5192-568: The Sunlight Foundation , "It is important to note that these contributions are probably a better measure of allegiance than of influence." Internationally, the NRA opposes the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). It has opposed Canadian gun registry, supported Brazilian gun rights, and criticized Australian gun laws. In 2016, the NRA raised a record $ 366 million and spent $ 412 million for political activities. The NRA also maintains

5310-688: The United States Department of War provided free ammunition and targets to civilian rifle clubs with a minimum membership of ten United States citizens at least 16 years of age. After the passage of the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934, the first federal gun-control law in the US, the NRA formed its Legislative Affairs Division to update members with facts and analysis of upcoming bills. Karl Frederick , NRA president in 1934, during congressional NFA hearings testified "I have never believed in

5428-603: The right to bear arms . The organization has been the focus of intense criticism in the aftermath of high-profile shootings, such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and the Parkland High School shooting , after both of which they suggested adding armed security guards to schools. A few months after the Civil War began in 1861, a national rifle association was proposed by Americans in England. In

5546-539: The sights on his gun or can hit the broad side of a barn." The generals attributed this to the use of volley tactics, devised for earlier, less accurate smoothbore muskets. Recognizing a need for better training, Wingate sent emissaries to Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany to observe militia and armies' marksmanship training programs. With plans provided by Wingate, the New York Legislature funded

5664-627: The 1750s drove the Wichita further south. Prior to European settlement of the region, the site was in the territory of the Kiowa . Claimed first by France as part of Louisiana and later acquired by the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, it became part of Kansas Territory in 1854 and then the state of Kansas in 1861. The Wichita people returned in 1863, driven from their land in Indian Territory by Confederate forces in

5782-762: The 1876 Centennial celebrations of the founding of the nation. Australia, Ireland, Scotland and Canada accepted the challenge, and the Centennial Trophy was commissioned from Tiffany & Co. (later known as the "Palma Trophy"). The United States won the 1876 match, and the Palma Match went on to be contested every four years as the World Long Range Rifle Championships. The NRA organized rifle clubs in other states, and many state National Guard organizations sought NRA advice to improve members' marksmanship. Wingate's marksmanship manual evolved into

5900-409: The 1920s. The careers and fortunes of future oil moguls Archibald Derby, who later founded Derby Oil , and Fred C. Koch , who established what would become Koch Industries , both began in Wichita during this period. The money generated by the oil boom enabled local entrepreneurs to invest in the nascent airplane-manufacturing industry. In 1917, Clyde Cessna built his Cessna Comet in Wichita,

6018-538: The 1970s, Wichita has continued to grow steadily into the 21st century. In the late 1990s and 2000s, the city government and local organizations began collaborating to redevelop downtown Wichita and older neighborhoods in the city. Intrust Bank Arena opened downtown in 2010. Boeing ended its operations in Wichita in 2014. However, the city remains a national center of aircraft manufacturing with other companies including Spirit AeroSystems and Airbus maintaining facilities in Wichita. Wichita Mid-Continent Airport

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6136-443: The 21st century, most becoming low-income neighborhoods. In terms of population, Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and the 49th largest city in the United States, according to the 2020 census . Wichita has an extensive history of attracting immigrants. Starting in 1895, a population of Lebanese Americans moved to the city, many of whom were Orthodox Christians . A second wave of Lebanese migrants moved to Wichita to flee

6254-575: The ATF database would help municipal police departments track down sellers of illegal guns and curb crime. These groups are trying to undo the Tiahrt Amendment. Numerous police organizations oppose the Tiahrt Amendment, such as the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Conversely, the Tiahrt Amendment is supported by the National Rifle Association of America , and

6372-583: The Arkansas River near the western edge of the Flint Hills in the Wellington-McPherson Lowlands region of the Great Plains . The area's topography is characterized by the broad alluvial plain of the Arkansas River valley and the moderately rolling slopes that rise to the higher lands on either side. The Arkansas follows a winding course, south-southeast through Wichita, roughly bisecting

6490-423: The Arkansas River, and surrounds the 120-acre (0.49 km ) Riverside Park. College Hill is east of downtown and south of Wichita State University. It is one of the more historic neighborhoods, along with Delano on the west side and Midtown in the north-central city. Four other historic neighborhoods—developed in southeast Wichita (particularly near Boeing , Cessna and Beech aircraft plants) -- are among

6608-462: The Kansas State Senate from 1993 to 1994 and later served as Tiahrt's legislative director and chief of staff from 1995 to 2010. Kahrs currently serves as senior advisor to U.S. Representative Jake LaTurner (R-KS). Josh Bell served as a legislative correspondent and aide for Tiahrt from 2002 to 2011. He currently serve as chief of staff to U.S. Representative Ron Estes (R-KS). Robert Noland

6726-572: The NRA backed the Federal Firearms Act of 1938 . The NRA supported the NFA along with the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), which together created a system to federally license gun dealers and established restrictions on particular categories and classes of firearms. The organization opposed a national firearms registry, an initiative favored by then-President Lyndon Johnson . Until the 1970s,

6844-517: The NRA was nonpartisan . Previously, the NRA mainly focused on sportsmen, hunters, and target shooters. During the 1970s, it became increasingly aligned with the Republican Party . After 1977, the organization expanded its membership by focusing heavily on political issues and forming coalitions with conservative politicians. Most of these are Republicans. However, the passage of the GCA galvanized

6962-520: The NRA while allowing the portion of the legal actions against the NRA's leadership to continue. The judge found that dissolving the NRA would have a negative impact on the free speech and assembly rights of the organization's members. It was also found that the NRA as an organization did not benefit from the alleged misconduct of its leadership and "less intrusive" remedies against NRA officials could be sought instead. In February 2024, NRA leaders were found guilty of financial misconduct and corruption by

7080-459: The NRA's organizational policies, following what is now referred to as the Revolt at Cincinnati at the 1977 NRA annual convention. The changes, which deposed former NRA executive vice president Maxwell Rich and included new organizational bylaws, have been described as moving the organization away from its previous focuses of "hunting, conservation, and marksmanship" and toward a focus on the defense of

7198-466: The NRA's traditional focus on gun-related issues. There were also concerns about possible conflicts of interest, such as the $ 1 million contract to host NRATV between Ackerman and NRA president Oliver North . Leading up to the NRA's 2019 national convention in April, there were reports that North and LaPierre were at odds, with North demanding that LaPierre resign and LaPierre accusing North of extortion. At

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7316-701: The NRA-ILA are the Firearm Owners Protection Act , which lessened restrictions of the Gun Control Act of 1968 , and the Dickey Amendment , which blocks the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from using federal funds to advocate for gun control. Starting in the mid- to late 1970s, the NRA has been increasingly criticized by gun control and gun rights advocacy groups, political commentators, and politicians. This criticism began following changes in

7434-479: The NRA-ILA. Insurgents including Carter and Knox had demanded new leadership in part because they blamed incumbent leaders for existing gun control legislation like the GCA and believed that no compromise should be made. With a goal to weaken the GCA, Knox's ILA successfully lobbied Congress to pass the Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) of 1986 and worked to reduce the powers of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In 1982, Knox

7552-539: The Republican nomination for the special election to fill it, but came in third, losing to Kansas state treasurer Ron Estes . Tiahrt was born in Vermillion , South Dakota , the son of Marcine (née Steele) and Wilbur E. Tiahrt. He attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology where he played football as a running back. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Evangel College in 1975, and received

7670-407: The US, the National Firearms Act . The Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), the lobbying branch of the NRA, was established in 1975. According to political scientists John M. Bruce and Clyde Wilcox, the NRA shifted its focus in the late 1970s to incorporate political advocacy, and started seeing its members as political resources rather than just as recipients of goods and services. Despite

7788-579: The United States Army marksmanship instruction program. Former President Ulysses S. Grant served as the NRA's eighth president and General Philip H. Sheridan as its ninth. The US Congress created the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice in 1901 to include representatives from the NRA, National Guard, and United States military services. A program of annual rifle and pistol competitions

7906-404: The World". Textron Aviation , Learjet , Airbus , and Boeing / Spirit AeroSystems continue to operate design and manufacturing facilities in Wichita, and the city remains a major center of the American aircraft industry . Several airports located within the city of Wichita include McConnell Air Force Base , Colonel James Jabara Airport , and Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport ,

8024-472: The age of 18; 42.6% were married couples living together; 29.4% had a female householder with no spouse present. 33.2% of households consisted of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.2. 24.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

8142-514: The airport to establish McConnell Air Force Base . By 1954, all nonmilitary air traffic had shifted to the new Wichita Mid-Continent Airport west of the city. In 1962, Lear Jet Corporation opened with its plant adjacent to the new airport. Throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries, several other prominent businesses and brands had their origins in Wichita. A. A. Hyde founded health-care products maker Mentholatum in Wichita in 1889. Sporting goods and camping-gear retailer Coleman started in

8260-528: The already hurting private aviation industry and in turn the local communities where the small aircraft are manufactured in Kansas. Tiahrt voted against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and spoke against the stimulus in the House, planning to introduce an act to repeal the stimulus. Tiahrt and his wife Vicki met while attending Evangel University. They have three children, Jessica, John and Luke, and five grandchildren. Jessica Tiahrt Healy graduated from George Mason University School of Law and

8378-399: The amendment requires that any experimental contraceptive drugs and devices and medical procedures are provided only in the context of a scientific study in which participants are advised of potential risks and benefits. Concern that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was possibly funding a forced sterilization campaign in Peru led Tiahrt to enact the Amendment. Tiahrt

8496-454: The bankruptcy trial LaPierre stated that he had kept the bankruptcy filing secret from the NRA's board of directors and most of its senior officials. LaPierre's spending of NRA funds on himself and his wife, such as upscale suits, chartered jet flights, and a traveling "glam squad" for his wife, became a subject of testimony in the eleven-day Texas proceedings. On May 11, 2021, Judge Harlin Hale of

8614-421: The boom, however, the city entered an economic recession, and many of the original settlers went bankrupt. In 1914 and 1915, deposits of oil and natural gas were discovered in nearby Butler County . This triggered another economic boom in Wichita as producers established refineries, fueling stations, and headquarters in the city. By 1917, five operating refineries were in Wichita, with another seven built in

8732-498: The city in 1935. During World War II , the site hosted Wichita Army Airfield and Boeing Airplane Company Plant No. 1. The city experienced a population explosion during the war when it became a major manufacturing center for the Boeing B-29 bomber. The wartime city quickly grew from 110,000 to 184,000 residents, drawing aircraft workers from throughout the central U.S. In 1951, the U.S. Air Force announced plans to assume control of

8850-485: The city in the early 1900s. A number of fast-food franchises started in Wichita, beginning with White Castle in 1921 and followed by many more in the 1950s and 1960s including Pizza Hut in 1958. In the 1970s and 1980s, the city became a regional center of health care and medical research. Wichita has been a focal point of national political controversy multiple times in its history. In 1900, famous temperance extremist Carrie Nation struck in Wichita upon learning

8968-416: The city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female. The median income for a household in the city was $ 44,477, and for a family was $ 57,088. Males had a median income of $ 42,783 versus $ 32,155 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 24,517. About 12.1% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over. Wichita

9086-418: The city was 71.9% White , 11.5% African American , 4.8% Asian , 1.2% American Indian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 6.2% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race were 15.3% of the population. Of the 151,818 households, 33.4% had children under 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, 13.1% had

9204-412: The city was not enforcing Kansas's prohibition ordinance. The Dockum Drug Store sit-in took place in the city in 1958 with protesters pushing for desegregation . In 1991, thousands of anti-abortion protesters blockaded and held sit-ins at Wichita abortion clinics, particularly the clinic of George Tiller . Tiller was later murdered in Wichita by Scott Roeder in 2009. Except for a slow period in

9322-468: The city's first streets. Wichita formally incorporated as a city on July 21, 1870. Wichita's position on the Chisholm Trail made it a destination for cattle drives traveling north from Texas to access railroads, which led to markets in eastern U.S. cities. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway reached the city in 1872. As a result, Wichita became a railhead for the cattle drives, earning it

9440-551: The city. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 163.59 sq mi (423.70 km ), of which 4.30 sq mi (11.14 km ) are covered by water. As the core of the Wichita metropolitan area , the city is surrounded by suburbs. Bordering Wichita on the north are, from west to east, Valley Center , Park City , Kechi , and Bel Aire . Enclosed within east-central Wichita

9558-528: The city. It is joined along its course by several tributaries, all of which flow generally south. The largest is the Little Arkansas River, which enters the city from the north and joins the Arkansas immediately west of downtown. Further east lies Chisholm Creek , which joins the Arkansas in the far southern part of the city. The Chisholm's own tributaries drain much of the city's eastern half; these include

9676-473: The construction of a modern range at Creedmoor , Long Island , for long-range shooting competitions. The range officially opened on June 21, 1873. The Central Railroad of Long Island established a railway station nearby, with trains running from Hunter's Point , with connecting boat service to 34th Street and the East River , allowing access from New York City. After beating England and Scotland to win

9794-418: The convention a letter was read from North, saying he had been told he would not be granted a second term as NRA president and adding that he intended to create a committee to investigate allegations of financial mismanagement. A subsequent resolution to oust LaPierre over "highly suspect" financial practices was hotly debated for an hour before members voted not to discuss financial issues in public and to refer

9912-510: The creek's West, Middle, and East Forks, as well as further south, Gypsum Creek. The Gypsum is fed by its own tributary, Dry Creek. Two more of the Arkansas's tributaries lie west of its course; from east to west, these are Big Slough Creek and Cowskin Creek. Both run south through the western part of the city. Fourmile Creek, a tributary of the Walnut River , flows south through the far eastern part of

10030-841: The dissolution of the NRA as being "fraught with fraud and abuse". On the same date, Attorney General for the District of Columbia Karl Racine filed a lawsuit against the NRA for misusing charitable funds. On January 15, 2021, the NRA announced in a press release that it and one of its subsidiaries had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas in Dallas. It also announced that it would reincorporate in Texas , subject to court approval, although its headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia , would not move. During

10148-402: The federal bankruptcy court of the Northern District of Texas, dismissed the bankruptcy petition without prejudice, describing that it "was not filed in good faith", warning that if the NRA chose to file a new bankruptcy case, Hale's court would immediately revisit concerns about "disclosure, transparency, secrecy, conflicts of interest of litigation counsel", which could lead to the appointment of

10266-485: The federal level to increase regulation of firearms. At the state and local level, the NRA successfully campaigned to deregulate guns, for example by pushing state governments to eliminate the ability of local governments to regulate guns and removing restrictions on guns in public places (such as bars and campuses). The NRA Political Victory Fund (PVF) PAC was established in 1976 to challenge gun-control candidates and to support gun-rights candidates. An NRA "A+" candidate

10384-561: The first aircraft built in the city. In 1920, two local oilmen invited Chicago aircraft builder Emil "Matty" Laird to manufacture his designs in Wichita, leading to the formation of the Swallow Airplane Company . Two early Swallow employees, Lloyd Stearman and Walter Beech , went on to found two prominent Wichita-based companies, Stearman Aircraft in 1926 and Beechcraft in 1932, respectively. Cessna, meanwhile, started his own company in Wichita in 1927. The city became such

10502-409: The general practice of carrying weapons. I seldom carry one. I have when I felt it was desirable to do so for my own protection. I know that applies in most of the instances where guns are used effectively in self-defense or in places of business and in the home. I do not believe in the general promiscuous toting of guns. I think it should be sharply restricted and only under licenses." Four years later,

10620-554: The home, and that Washington, D.C.'s handgun ban and requirement that lawfully-owned rifles and shotguns be kept "unloaded and disassembled or bound by a trigger lock" violated this guarantee. and the 2010 SC case McDonald v. Chicago which found that the right of an individual to "keep and bear arms" is protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment against the states , clearing up any uncertainty left in

10738-471: The impact on the volatility of membership, the politicization of the NRA has been consistent and its PAC, the Political Victory Fund established in 1976, ranked as "one of the biggest spenders in congressional elections" as of 1998. A 1999 Fortune magazine survey said that lawmakers and their staffers considered the NRA the most powerful lobbying organization three years in a row. Chris W. Cox

10856-440: The largest airport in Kansas. As an industrial hub, Wichita is a regional center of culture, media, and trade. It hosts several universities, large museums, theaters, parks, shopping centers, and entertainment venues, most notably Intrust Bank Arena and Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center . The city's Old Cowtown Museum maintains historical artifacts and exhibits the city's early history. Wichita State University

10974-515: The letter he submitted to court briefs that he signed as a "critical friend of the court briefs" in the 2008 landmark case District of Columbia v. Heller , in which the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within

11092-422: The local area. Since healthcare needs remain fairly consistent regardless of the economy, this field was not subject to the same pressures that affected other industries in the early 2000s. The Kansas Spine Hospital opened in 2004, as did a critical-care tower at Wesley Medical Center . In July 2010, Via Christi Health, which is the largest provider of healthcare services in Kansas, opened a hospital that will serve

11210-403: The nation's 100 largest cities—6th worst for people with allergies in 2016, 3rd worst in 2021, 2nd worst in 2022, and worst nationwide in 2023. Wichita has several recognized areas and neighborhoods. The downtown area is generally considered to be east of the Arkansas River, west of Washington Street, north of Kellogg, and south of 13th Street. It contains landmarks such as Century II ,

11328-445: The nation's few remaining examples of U.S. government-funded temporary World War II housing developments to support war factory personnel: Beechwood (now mostly demolished), Oaklawn, Hilltop (the city's highest-density large neighborhood), and massive Planeview (where over 30 languages are spoken) -- in all, home to about a fifth of the city's population at their peak. Though designed as temporary housing, all have remained occupied into

11446-465: The nickname "Cowtown". Across the Arkansas River, the town of Delano became an entertainment destination for cattlemen thanks to its saloons, brothels, and lack of law enforcement. James Earp ran a brothel with his wife Nellie "Bessie" Ketchum. His brother Wyatt was likely a pimp, although historian Gary L. Roberts believes that he was an enforcer or bouncer. Local arrest records show that Earp's common-law wife Sally and James' wife Nellie managed

11564-456: The northwest area of Wichita. Via Christi Hospital on St. Teresa is the system's fifth hospital to serve the Wichita community. In 2016, Wesley Healthcare opened Wesley Children's Hospital, the first and only children's hospital in the Wichita area. Thanks to the early 20th-century oil boom in neighboring Butler County, Kansas , Wichita became a major oil town, with dozens of oil-exploration companies and support enterprises. Most famous of these

11682-710: The organization and came to be known as " The Cincinnati Revolution " (or as the Cincinnati Coup, the Cincinnati Revolt, or the Revolt at Cincinnati). Leadership planned to relocate NRA headquarters to Colorado and to build a $ 30 million recreational facility in New Mexico, but activists within the organization, whose central concern was Second Amendment rights, defeated the incumbents (i.e. Maxwell Rich ) and elected Carter as executive director and Neal Knox as head of

11800-498: The organization. Its first lobbying effort was to petition the New York State legislature for $ 25,000 to purchase land to set up a range . Within three months, the legislation had passed and had been signed into law by Governor John T. Hoffman . In 1934, the National Rifle Association created a Legislative Affairs Division and testified in front of Congress in support of the first substantial federal gun control legislation in

11918-670: The resolution to the NRA board. On June 25, 2019, the NRA severed all ties with Ackerman McQueen and shut down the NRATV operation. Following an 18-month investigation, on August 6, 2020, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a civil lawsuit against the NRA, alleging fraud , financial misconduct, and misuse of charitable funds by some of its executives, including its long-time former CEO and EVP Wayne LaPierre , treasurer Wilson Phillips, former chief of staff and current executive director of general operations Joshua Powell, and general counsel and secretary John Frazer. The suit called for

12036-506: The team. Although muzzle-loading rifles had long been considered more accurate, eight American riflemen won the 1874 Irish-American Match firing breech-loading rifles. Publicity of the event generated by the New York Herald helped to establish breech-loading firearms as suitable for military marksmanship training, and promoted the NRA to national prominence. In 1875, the NRA issued a challenge for an international rifle match as part of

12154-600: The temperature below 0 °F. Wind speed in the city averages 13 mph (21 km/h). On average, January is the coldest month (and the driest), July the hottest, and May the wettest. The average temperature in the city is 57.7 °F (14.3 °C). Over the course of a year, the monthly daily average temperature ranges from 33.2 °F (0.7 °C) in January to 81.5 °F (27.5 °C) in July. The high temperature reaches or exceeds 90 °F (32 °C) an average of 65 days

12272-528: The voice of reason in contrast to Knox. In April 2019, the group unexpectedly sued its longtime public relations firm Ackerman McQueen , which was responsible for two decades of aggressive gun-rights advertising on behalf of the NRA. The lawsuit alleges that the firm refused to turn over financial records to support its billings to the NRA, which amounted to $ 40 million in 2017. The lawsuit questioned recent programming on NRATV, an online channel operated by Ackerman, which has taken political positions unrelated to

12390-577: The wake of the Heller case. A bill was introduced by Tiahrt and Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA) called the Fairness for American Students Act that would close a loophole in current law that several states have used to provide lower-cost college tuition to illegal immigrants compared to tuition rates U.S. citizens from neighboring states have to pay. Kansas and Nebraska are two of the states that currently offer in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. Matt Schlapp

12508-494: Was $ 31,875 (+/- $ 408). Approximately, 10.9% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line , including 21.4% of those under the age of 18 and 8.7% of those ages 65 or over. As of the census of 2010 , 382,368 people, 151,818 households, and 94,862 families were residing in the city. The population density was 2,304.8 inhabitants per square mile (889.9/km ). The 167,310 housing units had an average density of 1,022.1 per square mile (394.6/km ). The racial makeup of

12626-471: Was 35.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 95.7 males. The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $ 53,466 (with a margin of error of +/- $ 1,028) and the median family income $ 69,930 (+/- $ 1,450). Males had a median income of $ 38,758 (+/- $ 1,242) versus $ 26,470 (+/- $ 608) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old

12744-400: Was 58.79% (233,703) White (non-Hispanic) , 10.62% (42,228) Black (non-Hispanic) , 0.86% (3,400) Native American (non-Hispanic) , 5.03% (19,991) Asian (non-Hispanic) , 0.11% (429) Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic) , 0.40% (1,585) from other race (non-Hispanic) , 5.89% (23,410) from two or more races, and 18.31% (72,786) Hispanic or Latino. Of the 154,683 households, 26.6% had children under

12862-580: Was Koch Industries, today a global natural-resources conglomerate. The city was also at one time the headquarters of the former Derby Oil Company , which was purchased by Coastal Corporation in 1988. National Rifle Association of America This is an accepted version of this page Defunct Newspapers Journals TV channels Websites Other Economics Gun rights Identity politics Nativist Religion Watchdog groups Youth/student groups Miscellaneous Other The National Rifle Association of America ( NRA )

12980-501: Was authorized, and included a national match open to military and civilian shooters. In 1907, NRA headquarters moved to Washington, D.C. to facilitate the organization's advocacy efforts. Springfield Armory and Rock Island Arsenal began the manufacture of M1903 Springfield rifles for civilian members of the NRA in 1910. The Director of Civilian Marksmanship began manufacture of M1911 pistols for NRA members in August 1912. Until 1927,

13098-653: Was cited as responsible for preventing the City of Washington D.C., from spending federal or District funding on "needle exchange programs" for drug users from 1998 through 2007. On November 23, 2010, Tiahrt spoke in Wichita against recent TSA security measures and how they affect citizens' privacy. In 2009, along with Kansas' then-U.S. Senators, he co-authored a letter to the Homeland Security Secretary expressing concerns over new rules for privately owned aircraft over 12,500 pounds, which critics feared would further burden

13216-536: Was most recently included in the FY2020 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, ensures that no government funding is used in connection with forcible sterilizations in foreign countries. The amendment ensures that in foreign countries where the U.S. government funds voluntary family planning projects, women are not denied the right to participate in any general welfare program or denied the right of access to health care. Further,

13334-561: Was officially renamed Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport after the Kansas native and U.S. President in 2015. Wichita is in south-central Kansas at the junction of Interstate 35 and U.S. Route 54 . Part of the Midwestern United States , it is 157 mi (253 km) north of Oklahoma City , 181 mi (291 km) southwest of Kansas City , and 439 mi (707 km) east-southeast of Denver . The city lies on

13452-602: Was one of eighteen Republicans in the House to co-sponsor a resolution by Bob Barr that sought to launch an impeachment inquiry against President Bill Clinton . The resolution did not specify any charges or allegations. This was an early effort to impeach Clinton, predating the eruption of the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal . The eruption of that scandal would ultimately lead to a more serious effort to impeach Clinton in 1998. On October 8, 1998, Tiahrt voted in favor of legislation that

13570-550: Was ousted as director of the ILA, but began mobilizing outside the NRA framework and continued to promote opposition to gun control laws. At the 1991 national convention, Knox's supporters were elected to the board and named staff lobbyist Wayne LaPierre as the executive vice president. The NRA focused its attention on the gun control policies of the Clinton Administration. Knox again lost power in 1997, as he lost reelection to

13688-578: Was passed to open an impeachment inquiry . On December 19, 1998, Tiahrt voted in favor of all four proposed articles of impeachment against Clinton (only two of which received the needed majority of votes to be adopted). Tiahrt is the author of the Tiahrt Amendment which prohibits the National Tracing Center of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from releasing information from its firearms trace database to anyone other than

13806-580: Was the NRA's chief lobbyist and principal political strategist, a position he held from 2002 until 2019. In 2012, 88% of Republicans and 11% of Democrats in Congress had received an NRA PAC contribution at some point in their career. Of the members of the Congress that convened in 2013, 51% received funding from the NRA PAC within their political careers, and 47% received NRA money in their most recent race. According to Lee Drutman, political scientist and senior fellow at

13924-473: Was the only employee of Tiahrt's congressional campaign in 1994 and worked for Tiahrt throughout his tenure in the U.S. House, mostly as his district director in Wichita. Noland later served as executive director of the Kansas Family Policy Council. Tiahrt opposed government-funded abortions. While serving in Congress, he spoke at the annual March for Life. The "Tiahrt Amendment" of 1998, which

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