Final answer:
The 1993 Brady Bill was opposed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), a powerful interest group advocating for Second Amendment rights and opposing regulation of gun ownership.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1993 Brady Bill, a piece of legislation that mandated federal background checks on firearm purchasers in the United States, was opposed by several interest groups, prominently including the National Rifle Association (NRA). The NRA is a membership organization that consists of members who promote gun rights. They advocate for Second Amendment rights and frequently oppose measures that aim to impose stronger regulations on gun ownership and access.
Interest groups have significant influence in the political process and often support candidates who are sympathetic to their views. The NRA, for example, employs a grading system to evaluate political candidates based on their stance on Second Amendment issues. The opposition to the Brady Bill by the NRA stemmed from their belief that it infringed upon the rights of lawful gun owners.
Critics point out that powerful economic interest groups, such as the NRA, might wield too much influence, leading to a disproportionate representation of their interests in legislation over those of groups with smaller financial resources.