The National Rifle Association (NRA) is an American gun rights advocacy group, which defends the right to own a gun, whether it is for self-defense purposes, or recreational activities such as hunting. Frequently criticised by anti-gun groups and celebrities who want stricter firearms laws in the US, there are some stars who not only support the NRA but are actually members. Read on to find out who they are...

Country music star Miranda Lambert, 39, has been an NRA member since she was in her 20s. In an interview with Time, Miranda revealed why she is an outspoken gun enthusiast. She said: "My dad was a police officer, so early on I was taught gun safety, what guns were for, how to use them and when not to touch them. I’ve just grown up around them, so it’s my normal. I’m a girl, I travel a lot by myself, and I like to carry to protect myself. I know everybody has an opinion on it and it’s polarizing, but for me it’s just a way of life.”

‘Blue Bloods’ actor Tom Selleck, 78, has been a member of the NRA for decades. He famously got into a heated row with Rosie O’Donnell when he appeared on her show in 1999. During the interview, the host asked him about his support for the organization, to which he replied: "I didn't come on your show to have a debate about guns. I came on your show to plug a movie. That's what I'm doing here. Do you think it's proper to have a debate about the NRA? I'm trying to be fair with you."

In 2014, a petition circulated asking the Glastonbury Music Festival organizers to remove James Hetfield’s band Metallica from the schedule. Why? Because he is an NRA member and hunting enthusiast. In 2016, the 59-year-old musician confirmed it on an episode of ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’, by saying: "I don’t want to make it easier for someone to have an assault weapon, but I also want to be able to protect my family." However, in a 2009 interview with Guitar World, James revealed he was not hunting anymore. He said: "Nowadays it doesn't feel necessary, killing things just to kill them. I'm not against hunting, but it doesn't seem as necessary as going 150 miles an hour in my car now."

Action legend Chuck Norris, 82, has been a long-time NRA member and has even appeared in many TV commercials, encouraging people to join the organization. In 2010, Norris was part of the “Trigger the Vote” campaign as the honorary chairman, inviting voters to support candidates endorsed by the association.

NBA legend Karl Malone, 59, has been practicing hunting for a really long time and is a member of the NRA. However, in an interview with Sports Illustrated, he made it clear that he does not fully support the argument that you need a gun for self-defense. He said: "The big picture is that guns won't protect you. If someone really wanted to get you, they would."

The 74-year-old rock star is one of the most outspoken NRA members. In 2015, during an episode of the organization’s radio show, he said the NRA's opponents are "subhuman mongrels" and "some kind of inbred Martian". Four years before, in a 2011 appearance on ‘Piers Morgan Tonight’, Nugent made it clear he is a strong proponent of the Second Amendment, which is the right to own guns. He said: "More guns equals less crime. Period."

TV personality Jesse G. James, 53, took to Facebook to send a support message to the NRA, encouraging people to join the organization. His social media post took place in 2012 following the Sandy Hook school shootings, in which 28 people died. He wrote: "People that should not have guns will still find a way to get them. Please join the NRA now."

Darth Vader himself, James Earl Jones, 92, published his autobiography titled ‘Voices and Silences’ in 1993. In the tome he spoke about being an NRA member. He wrote: "I am a member of the National Rifle Association, but not a political member. I just throw the political mail from the NRA into the trash (…) When it comes to the right wing politics of the NRA, I don't get into that. I just believe in my right to have a gun in my house. Ceci [wife Cecilia Hart], on the other hand, is a member of the anti-gun lobby, so we pretty much cancel each other out."

‘Purple Color’ actress Whoopi Goldberg, 67, admitted on her show ‘The View’ that she is an NRA member. Whoopi was speaking about gun control with author John Stossel when she made the revelation, adding: "I don’t mind having to register and let them know that I have them. I want to know that there’s at least some way to prevent folks who are just getting out from mental institutions [from getting guns].”

Documentary director Michael Moore, 68, spoke in 2002 with The Guardian about his documentary ‘Bowling For Columbine’, where he surprisingly revealed he is an NRA member. But Michae's motivation to be a member is different to most people. He said: “I was a junior member when I was in the boy scouts when I was a kid. But I became a lifetime member after the Columbine Massacre. Because my first thought after Columbine was to run against Charlton Heston for the presidency of the NRA. "You have to be a lifetime member to be able to do that, so I had to pay $750 to join. My plan was to get 5m Americans to join for the lowest basic membership and vote for me so that I'd win and dismantle the organization. Unfortunately, I figured that's just too much work for me so instead I made this movie. But I'm still a lifetime member, until they excommunicate me... which is not far off, from what I hear.”