The majority of Americans support stronger gun laws — laws that are proven to reduce deaths. But in 2019, the NRA spent $3.22 million to benefit the political campaigns of senators who oppose gun safety legislation. In 2020, they spent $2.20 million. These senators refuse to support common-sense gun reform, like expanding Brady Background Checks and banning assault weapons.
Our chart lists the senators who have benefitted the most from the NRA’s political spending throughout their entire political careers, along with the average number of gun deaths per year in their state. Mitch McConnell comes in at #14, having received more than $1.2 million in direct donations, independent expenditures, and other patronages over his career.
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Note: This data includes direct and indirect support, including political spending independent of any coordination of said campaign. An * indicates updated 2020 election cycle funds.
Senator | NRA Spending | Gun Deaths in State (per year) |
---|---|---|
Mitt Romney (UT) | $13,647,676 | 400 |
Richard Burr (NC) | $6,987,380 | 1,470 |
Roy Blunt (MO) | $4,555,722 | 1,288 |
Thom Tillis (NC) | $4,429,333* | 1,470 |
Marco Rubio (FL) | $3,303,355 | 2,449 |
Joni Ernst (IA) | $3,129,723* | 302 |
Rob Portman (OH) | $3,063,327 | 1,602 |
Todd C. Young (IN) | $2,897,582 | 1,021 |
Bill Cassidy (LA) | $2,870,574* | 1,036 |
Tom Cotton (AR) | $1,971,214* | 596 |
Pat Toomey (PA) | $1,475,448 | 1,628 |
Josh Hawley (MO) | $1,391,548 | 1,288 |
Marsha Blackburn (TN) | $1,306,130* | 1,273 |
Mitch McConnell (KY) | $1,283,515* | 770 |
Ronald Harold "Ron" Johnson (WI) | $1,269,486* | 641 |
Mike Braun (IN) | $1,249,967 | 1,021 |
John Thune (SD) | $638,942 | 112 |
Shelley Moore Capito (WV) | $346,688* | 330 |
Richard Shelby (AL) | $258,514 | 1,090 |
Chuck Grassley (IA) | $226,007 | 302 |
John Neely Kennedy (LA) | $215,788 | 1,036 |
Ted Cruz (TX) | $176,274 | 3,647 |
Lisa Murkowski (AK) | $146,262 | 173 |
Steve Daines (MT) | $133,611* | 214 |
Johnny Isakson (GA) | $131,571 | 1,693 |
Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS) | $112,047* | 686 |
Roger Wicker (MS) | $106,680 | 686 |
Rand Paul (KY) | $104,456 | 770 |
Mike Rounds (SD) | $100,549* | 112 |
John Boozman (AR) | $82,352 | 596 |
John Cornyn (TX) | $78,945 | 3,647 |
Ben Sasse (NE) | $73,573* | 183 |
Jim Inhofe (OK) | $74,708* | 735 |
Lindsey Graham (SC) | $66,420* | 964 |
Mike Crapo (ID) | $55,039 | 278 |
Jerry Moran (KS) | $34,718 | 434 |
John Barrasso (WY) | $26,989 | 125 |
John Hoeven (ND) | $23,050* | 238 |
Jim Risch (ID) | $22,013* | 278 |
Susan Collins (ME) | $19,850* | 154 |
Deb Fischer (NE) | $19,638 | 183 |
James Lankford (OK) | $18,955 | 735 |
Tim Scott (SC) | $18,513 | 964 |
Kevin Cramer (ND) | $13,255 | 238 |
Bill Hagerty (TN) | $10,550 | 1,273 |
Roger Marshall (KS) | $5,950 | 434 |
Tommy Tubberville (AL) | $4,950 | 1,090 |
Cynthia Lummis (WY) | $2,500 | 125 |
The data in the chart above was obtained from OpenSecrets, a nonprofit organization that tracks data on campaign finance and lobbying.