The Rifleman

NEW DOCS

Harlon Carter, widely considered the father of the modern National Rifle Association, propelled the evolution of the NRA with his staunch anti-regulation stance. What originated as an organization of sportsmen invested in marksmanship education was transformed entirely under his leadership. The Rifleman traces Carter’s career trajectory over decades, from his days at the U.S. Border Patrol to the NRA, and his impact on gun control legislation, with careful attention to the tactics used to shift national attitudes about gun rights.

Sierra Pettengill’s cinematic essay meticulously layers archival materials to reveal Carter’s influence while never losing sight of America’s racist history. A dynamic musical score captures the spirit of each phase of the story but stays anchored in a tense, ominous undercurrent. Pettengill’s short is a sobering, illuminating reflection on the origins of the modern NRA, and a snapshot of how fear has been wielded throughout American history.  SO

 

Closed Captioning available

 

Director

Sierra Pettengill

Producer

Arielle de Saint Phalle

Executive Producer

Charlotte Cook

Editor

Daniel Garber

Release Year

2020

Festival Year

2021

Country

United States

Run Time

19 minutes