The NRA spent $655,000 lobbying in the last three months of 2012. | REUTERS NRA spent $2.5M lobbying in 2012

The National Rifle Association spent $2.5 million lobbying the federal government in 2012, on par with its activity in 2011 new lobbying reports show.

The powerful gun rights group spent $655,000 lobbying in the last three months of 2012, slightly down from the fourth quarter of 2011, when it spent $700,000. The decrease could be attributed to the group’s silence in the immediate aftermath of the Newtown shooting on Dec. 14. The NRA was largely mum for nearly a month before it unleashed its lobbyists once again on Capitol Hill.


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Republican lobby shops Crossroads Strategies and Shockey Scofield Solutions also reported spending a combined $80,000 during the same time period to lobby on behalf of the NRA’s subsidiary, the Institute for Legislative Action, bringing the institute’s lobbying 2012 total to $380,000.

The NRA reported lobbying on several measures related to protecting recreational hunting, fishing and shooting during the fourth quarter. It also lobbied on bills such as Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act and Second Amendment Sovereignty Act of 2012.

The group spent $575,000 in the first quarter, $675,000 in the second quarter and $595,000 during the third quarter. Prime Policy Group and SNR Denton also reported spending a combined $100,000 on lobbying on behalf of the NRA in 2012.

The NRA also spent nearly $18 million during the 2012 election – mostly in opposition to President Barack Obama.