Harlon_Carter

Harlon Bronson Carter (August 10, 1913 – November 19, 1991) was an American advocate for gun rights and a leader of the National Rifle Association. Carter's 1977 election as NRA Executive Vice President marked a turning point for the organization. During his tenure, from 1977 to 1985, he shifted the organization's focus from promoting marksmanship and sports shooting towards strident advocacy for less restrictive gun laws. Under Carter's leadership, the NRA became less compromising on gun rights issues. It also tripled its membership and gained considerable political influence.When Carter was 17 years old, he shot and killed 15-year-old Ramón Casiano. Though Carter was convicted of Casiano's murder, this conviction was later overturned on a technicality, and the incident was not generally known during most of Carter's leadership of the NRA, but rose to greater prominence and infamy later.