NRA Sees Huge Spike in Membership After Sandy Hook Massacre; Numbers Said to 'Dwarf Past Trends

A gun enthusiast looks at weapons at the Wall of Guns on the floor at the National Rifle Association (NRA) Annual Meetings and Exhibits on April 14, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Though it has remained largely silent since the horrific school shooting in Newtown, Conn. last week, the National Rifle Association has reportedly registered about 8,000 new members a day since the tragedy.

An NRA source tells Fox News that, based an internal memo prepared by the group's membership division, the number of individual contributions to the NRA and the average amount given have spiked significantly in the time since the shooting.

"While this broadly aligns with trends seen after similar incidents in the past, the surge in membership this time is said to dwarf past trends," Fox News reports.

The NRA in a statement on Tuesday said it would have a news conference to answer questions Friday, the one-week anniversary of the shootings.

"The National Rifle Association of America is made up of 4 million moms and dads, sons and daughters, and we were shocked, saddened and heartbroken by the news of the horrific and senseless murders in Newtown," the statement said. "The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again."

"Out of respect for the families, and as a matter of common decency, we have given time for mourning, prayer and a full investigation of the facts before commenting."

Additionally, Fox News, citing a source close to the situation, recently reported that the NRA would soon begin to "push back" against gun control activists.

Gun sales have also increased dramatically after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.