The website “I Love My Freedom” published an article claiming that “millions RUSH to join the NRA after anti-gun lectures by the liberal media.”
Facebook users were skeptical of the story—which garnered over 25,000 reactions and several thousand shares—and rightfully so. Because “millions” of new NRA members in a couple weeks would be pretty amazing.
The only evidence provided in the article are Google trends and an assortment of tweets.
“Google Trends even show a massive surge in ‘how to join the NRA’ searches this week,’” I Love My Freedom touted. Indeed, Google searches did see an 80 percent increase in searches for “How to join the NRA,” but searches do not necessarily translate to actual new memberships.
In conclusion, the article cited several tweets claiming support for the NRA. One of the tweets cited in the story is from a fake “Clint Eastwood” account:
Out of respect for the families of the #FloridaSchoolShooting I’ve been quiet on the attacks on our #2A #GunRights #NRA.
That ends today.
Go follow/join @NRA #SupportNRA now. Tell the @GOP, You don’t intend to let anyone take your Gun rights away. I’m a #NRALifeMember pic.twitter.com/uuTc7Ee2AX
— Clint Eastwood??? (@ClintEastwoodLA) February 25, 2018
For a sense of scale for this “millions” of new members claim, the NRA, on its website, currently reports having “nearly five million members.” So 2 million new members—the minimum number to support the “millions” claim—would mean at least a 40 percent surge in the space of a week or so.
And for perspective, over the course of six months after the terrible spree shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, the NRA reported a 10 percent increase in membership. The claim from I Love My Freedom, then would require at least four times that increase, in about 1/25th of the time frame. And I Love My Freedom provides literally no actual evidence to support their claim.
The NRA did not respond to TWS Fact Check’s requests for comment prior to publication. Until they do, there is no reason to regard this claim as true.
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