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NRA Names Virginia Lawmaker Defender of Freedom

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

NRA Names Virginia Lawmaker Defender of Freedom

Fairfax, Va.The National Rifle Association awarded Virginia Delegate Todd Gilbert the Defender of Freedom Award at the 146th National Rifle Association annual meeting in Atlanta on Friday, April 28. 

 “Todd Gilbert is a staunch defender of our Second Amendment freedoms,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). “He has consistently stood up to the gun control lobby and aggressively fought to promote our fundamental right to self-protection.”

The Defender of Freedom Award  is awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves in preserving and protecting our Second Amendment rights.

“On behalf of the NRA’s five million members, I thank Delegate Gilbert for his unwavering commitment to freedom,” concluded Cox.. 

Gilbert most recently promoted the right to self-defense by working tirelessly on an NRA-backed domestic violence package. If signed into law, this important legislative initiative would allow petitioners of protective orders to concealed carry without a permit and create a firearms training fund for domestic violence victims. Gilbert has battled Virginia's anti-gun administration for over two years in an effort to enact this important and potentially life-saving legislation. He has pledged to continue the fight.

Gilbert, the incoming Republican Majority Leader, has served in the Virginia House of Delegates since 2005 and is a Lifetime Endowment member of the NRA.  


Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.

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Virginia: More Gun Control Bills Filed Including Semi-Auto Ban and Tax on Suppressors!

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Virginia: More Gun Control Bills Filed Including Semi-Auto Ban and Tax on Suppressors!

Anti-gun legislators in Richmond have been busy ahead of the 2026 legislative session working on ways to burden your Second Amendment rights.

Virginia: More Gun Control Introduced in General Assembly

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Virginia: More Gun Control Introduced in General Assembly

The 2026 Virginia legislative session is underway, and lawmakers are continuing their assault on your Second Amendment rights.

DOJ Determines 1927 Prohibition on Mailing Handguns Violates Second Amendment

News  

Monday, January 19, 2026

DOJ Determines 1927 Prohibition on Mailing Handguns Violates Second Amendment

In a monumental development for gun owners, the Department of Justice has acknowledged that one of the oldest federal gun control laws on the books is unconstitutional.

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Up in Committee on Monday

Friday, January 23, 2026

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Up in Committee on Monday

On Monday, January 26th, the Senate Courts of Justice committee will hold a hearing on over a dozen gun control bills, including semi-automatic bans and concealed carry prohibitions. The hearing will begin at 8am.

North Carolina: Permitless Carry Veto Override Vote Postponed

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

North Carolina: Permitless Carry Veto Override Vote Postponed

Today, the North Carolina House of Representatives rescheduled this morning’s veto override on Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, to February 9, 2026.

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

In September, the North Carolina General Assembly briefly returned from recess and re-referred Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, to the House Rules Committee.

Mixed Results in Massachusetts Show the Promise of and Need for Vigilant Advocacy

News  

Monday, January 19, 2026

Mixed Results in Massachusetts Show the Promise of and Need for Vigilant Advocacy

The fundamental right to travel has garnered increased attention over the past decade with the United States Supreme Court expanding and confirming that United States citizens have a protected right to travel from state to ...

Virginia: Gun Bills in Committee This Thursday

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Virginia: Gun Bills in Committee This Thursday

On Thursday, January 23rd, the House Public Safety Subcommittee – Firearms will hold a hearing on several pro-gun measures.

Australia’s Wretched Bargain, Trading Liberty for Safety and Having Neither

News  

Monday, January 19, 2026

Australia’s Wretched Bargain, Trading Liberty for Safety and Having Neither

Last week, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the federal parliament would be recalled to debate sweeping new laws on guns and hate crimes, including the establishment of a new national gun buyback program.

Washington: Senate Passes Gun-Free Zone Expansion Bill

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Washington: Senate Passes Gun-Free Zone Expansion Bill

Yesterday, January 21st, the Senate held the final vote on Senate Bill 5098, a carry-over bill from the 2025 session that effectively turns the entire state of Washington into a "gun-free" zone. 

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NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.