"John Dingell's Hidden Agenda: The Truth Behind His Support for Gun Rights"
Late Democratic Rep. John Dingell, who served in Congress from 1955 to 2015, played a significant role in the rise of the NRA's political influence in the 1970s and helped develop the organization's lobbying outfit. Despite voting for the 1994 assault weapons ban, Dingell privately sought ways to repeal it after the bill was signed into law. His views on the NRA and guns evolved over his career, with him recognizing the need for change. Dingell's efforts and relationship with the NRA are revealed in a trove of documents examined by The New York Times.