The National Rifle Association (NRA) has received record breaking donations in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, even as students across the country have led massive demonstrations to promote gun control legislation.

The organisation’s political action committee, dubbed the Political Victory Fund, raised $2.4m in March — the first full month following the massacre in Parkland, Florida where 17 people were killed including 14 teenagers.

That is $1.5m more than the $884,000 in donations the organisation received during the same month last year, and $1.6m more than it raised in February this year. The fundraising total is the most the organisation has been able to raise in a single month since 2003, the furthest back that digital records are readily available for their totals, according to an analysis by the Tampa Bay Times.

Most of the funds — $1.9m of the total — were raised by small dollar donors who contributed $200 or less.

While the NRA contributes some of those funds to political candidates, the organisation primarily spends its money on outside operations to help bolster candidates it supports.

That strategy can be seen in Florida, where Senator Marco Rubio received only $9,900 in direct contributions from the NRA during his 2016 Senate campaign, but was supported by the organisation with $3.3m in outside spending to boost his campaign.

March for Our Lives – in pictures Show all 13 1 /13 March for Our Lives – in pictures March for Our Lives – in pictures Demonstrators chant during the protest for gun legislation and school safety AP March for Our Lives – in pictures Trevon ‘Tre’ Bosley, 19, of Chicago, the brother of Terrell Bosley who was killed in 2006 in a case of mistaken identity, speaks during the rally AP March for Our Lives – in pictures Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Delaney Tarr speaks at the rally AFP/Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Protestors line the streets in Washington Getty Images March for Our Lives – in pictures People arrive for the March For Our Lives rally against gun violence in Washington, DC AFP/Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Protestors carrying placards in Washington AFP/Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Protestors hold up placards in Washington AFP/Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Schoolchildren wear targets ahead of the rally Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Attendees congregate in preparation for the march Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Students brought a host of innovative placards AFP/Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures The movement’s main demand is the banning of assault rifles Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Since the Florida shooting, students have called for urgent gun reform AFP/Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures In the wake of the Florida attack, President Donald Trump called for teachers to be armed AFP/Getty

Even so, the group wields considerable power over Republican candidates through its ability to energize its members to vote in GOP primaries across the country — often ensuring that Republican candidates who want to have any chance of making it to Washington tow the NRA’s policy lines when it comes to firearms.

That influence can be seen in the recent letter from the group’s powerful lobbyist in Florida, Marion Hammer, to members in the state.

The letter attacked Republicans in the state who had voted for a rare gun control bill following the Parkland shooting that instituted a three-day waiting period for buying shotguns and rifles, raised the age to buy a gun from 18 to 21, and banned so-called bump stock attachments that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire at near-automatic rates.

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“We did NOT support the gratuitous gun control provisions added to the bill by REPUBLICANS,” the letter, which named the “betrayers” in the state who voted for the measure, read. “Republican legislators are responsible for passage of the 'gun control bill.' They lacked the courage to uphold their oath of office and keep their word to constituents who voted for them. They were in total control. They no longer deserve your trust.”

The NRA’s spending to support or oppose candidates at the federal level has so far outpaced gun control groups and their fundraising prowess.

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The gun lobby sent $31m attacking Democrat Hillary Clinton or supporting Donald Trump during the 2016 election, and spent millions more on other federal elections.

The March for Our Lives group has raised $3.5m since a GoFundMe account was cerated online February 18, but much of that has been used to help victims’ families and to organize marches around the country.