21.   It also invited gun manufacturers and other gun lobbyists who have practiced more moderate tactics than the rifle association.

22.   Later, the rifle association complained publicly about the incident and acknowledged that it had hired the experts.

23.   Legislatures in more that two dozen states, under pressure from the rifle association, have adopted laws barring cities from suing the gun industry.

24.   Ms. Sparks gave them a tape of a telephone answering machine message from Fran Haga, a consultant to the rifle association.

25.   Officials of the rifle association also said Thursday that they had no plans to tone down their attacks on Clinton.

26.   Standing with the rifle association was another lobbyist for the gun industry who had been invited to the summit but boycotted it.

27.   That does not mean, however, that the rifle association will sit out the election.

28.   Tensions between some gun makers and the NRA could also make it harder for the rifle association to defeat those measures in the House.

29.   That was when Ms. Haga acknowledged being a consultant for the rifle association, which opposes gun-control laws and routinely criticizes federal agents who enforce those laws.

30.   Tanya Metaksa, chief lobbyist for the rifle association, agreed.