I did do research outside the NRA. As noted I read the biographies of the founders; nothing. Since then I have read several historical treatments of the KKK and some histories of gun clubs in the South; nothing. I don’t know what you mean when you say you use NRA resources? Where does the NRA say they were founded for the purpose of fighting the KKK, or arming blacks.
BTW, the video where Barton made his claim has been removed.

I’m betting his sources turn out to be the NRA story from the 1950s/60s.
any takers :)?

Sure, but your sources were all NRA. You just omitted to do any research outside some NRA documentation. So why should I not also use NRA resources as well?

Michael – Since you are obviously not a hack, could you be so kind as to provide primary source documentation of your claims?

For the zillionth time, we are not talking about the 1950s. Read the comments, this has been discussed. Mr. Ehline apparently doesn’t have any documentation about the founding of the NRA, and Mr. Bryant, you are not addressing the issue raised by the post.

The article is pretty much a hack job. The NRA in fact, actively assisted blacks in making it possible for them to defend themselves against the democrats/KKK. The democrats basically have kept blacks on the plantation with the Great Society. The piece itself is an example of liberal reporting at its best or worst, depending on your sense of honesty.

Yes I would. In the 1950s, a branch of the NRA was started in Monroe, NC by the leader of the local NAACP to quell the violence that was aimed at blacks by the Klan. PBS actually ran a story on it. Google it. You will find it.

Robert – There is no dispute about the time period you refer to. I am familiar with the Negroes with Guns book. However, that is not what this post is about. It is about the founding of the NRA, nothing more.

Susan – Thanks for stopping by.
However, your comments don’t directly address the post. First, you are making assumptions, I think, about my position on gun control and the 2nd Amendment. I am a moderate on this issue and I favor about what the NRA did in the 1930s. This post does not take any position on gun control laws.
What is at issue, and where I disagree with your assessment that Barton’s statements are much ado about nothing, is the nature of Barton’s comments on history. Creating or repeating a fiction is something an historian should never do. Glenn Beck wondered aloud why the NRA didn’t use the story about the NRA fighting the KKK. The reason? There is no proof for the contention. Even if you reject all restrictions on arms, you should want the debate to be informed by truth and not fiction.
What I don’t understand about Barton’s followers is why they are so reluctant to even consider that he might be wrong.

As I believe is discussed before, there is no evidence for this claim. The pastors in the video offer none, but instead make claims without evidence. No one has provided any evidence.