HELENA, Mont. (AP) -- The nation's largest gun-rights group is conspicuously absent -- and nearly silent -- in a growing battle between states and the federal government.
The National Rifle Association is taking a very low profile when it comes to the firearms freedom acts that has spawned a legal fight between some gun groups, joined by seven states, and the federal government.
The NRA has largely been sitting on the sidelines.
The NRA's Chris Cox has previously told gun owners in a short message that he thinks the litigation faces many hurdles because the Supreme Court has given Congress "a very long reach."
Gun enthusiasts who launched the fight say they would like the NRA to be more assertive.
