logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
29m 1s

Another Take: The NRA’s hold on the USA

Al Jazeera
About this episode

Every Saturday, we revisit a story that’s in the news again. 

This originally aired on June 6, 2022. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. 

Mass shooting after mass shooting, Americans cry out for gun control, but more often than not, nothing is done. Why? Many Americans, including President Joe Biden, blame the gun lobby. We hear how America’s most influential lobbying organization changed tactics in the 1970’s and secret recordings that throw back the curtain on how they get business done.

  • Ryan Busse (@ryandbusse), Author of Gunfight and Senior Adviser to Giffords @giffordscourage 
  • Peter Charley, Manager of Investigative Journalism at Al Jazeera

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Amy Walters. The original production team was Amy Walters, Ruby Zaman, Alexandra Locke, Ney Alvarez, Negin Owliaei, and Malika Bilal.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer.

Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

A special thanks to Frank Smyth for his help. And Tim Mack at NPR, who put out those secret post-Columbine NRA tapes.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on TwitterInstagram, FacebookThreads and YouTube

Up next
Oct 8
What does life look like for Gaza, two years into a genocide?
Gaza has faced relentless bombs and hunger for two years. Families struggle to live, children grow up in fear and hope feels distant. We speak to Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum to hear what life is really like in Gaza. How do people keep going when the world watches bu ... Show More
21m 30s
Oct 8
The objects Gaza’s women refused to leave behind
The smallest belongings can become the most powerful relics. As Palestinians are forced to flee again and again within the Gaza Strip and beyond, people carry personal items that hold deep meaning. In this episode, we explore the stories behind those objects in the midst of a war ... Show More
21m 36s
Oct 6
With Gaza in ruins, will US media name the crime?
Despite a UN inquiry and multiple human rights organizations finding that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, Western news outlets are still reluctant to use the term. After nearly two years of bombardment and at least 65,000 Palestinians dead, will they change their tune on I ... Show More
24m 40s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2021
Mass shootings: This is America
2021 is on track to be America's deadliest year for gun violence in two decades. With record numbers of mass shootings across the country, is the US finally ready to confront the problem? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday ... Show More
29m 27s
Jan 2023
Armando Iannucci on the prince, politicians and being a 'spare'
The creator of The Thick of It, Veep and Alan Partridge Armando Iannucci joins us to talk about the current state of politics and his popularisation of its dirty underbelly. Jon and Emily disagree about Harry’s attack on the media. And we discuss the attempt to upend democracy in ... Show More
35m 36s
Jan 2022
America's Anniverscary
It’s been one year since the Capitol Hill attack and, as the world remembers, we hear from the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse about his new podcast, The Coming Storm, investigating some of the conspiracy theories that fuelled the events of January 6th 2021.   With lots of people asking ... Show More
36m 18s
Feb 2023
Born in the UFO
Why is the White House shooting down flying objects? Adam is joined by the BBC’s security correspondent, Gordon Corera, and North America correspondent, Sarah Smith, to discuss the mystery that’s gripping America. After a weekend of showbiz news Radio 1 DJ, Jack Saunders, gives h ... Show More
32m 18s
Jul 2021
A reality check on rising gun violence
There have been lots of headlines this year about the rise in gun violence. And some of that is true - more than 180 people were killed in shootings across the country over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Plus, a swift exit from Afghanistan. And, how Ohio's influencing the na ... Show More
10m 35s
Dec 2022
2022 in review, Part II: The King, 3 PMs and a failed president
Emily, Jon and Lewis review 2022; at home and abroad. You know about the prime ministers and the monarchs and the presidents, but what’s going on beneath the headlines this year? The News Agents discuss a realignment in politics over the course of the last six months and ask if a ... Show More
36m 58s
Nov 2022
Americast: Trump v DeSantis
As the midterm results continue to come in, the Americast team are taking over the Newscast feed for one day only! The team are in Washington DC, taking a closer look at the rivalry between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump.Americast is presented by ... Show More
42m 9s
Sep 2022
Americast: Mar-a-Legal Trouble
Welcome to episode one of the new-look Americast (we thought you Newscasters might enjoy listening to Americast's first episode back)! Classified documents stored at former President's Florida home were likely concealed as part of an effort to obstruct an FBI investigation, says ... Show More
45m 4s
May 2022
Beer Today, Gone Tomorrow?
Sir Keir Starmer says he’ll quit if he’s fined for breaking lockdown rules…Adam chews over the Labour leader’s predicament with Chris, who’s having a busy first day in the job as BBC political editor. They also discuss the news that the Queen won’t be at the State Opening of Parl ... Show More
36m 48s