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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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Minnesota: Hearing on Semi-Auto and Magazine Bans Next Week

Friday, February 20, 2026

Minnesota: Hearing on Semi-Auto and Magazine Bans Next Week

On Tuesday, February 24th, the House Public Safety Finance and Policy committee will hold a hearing on two all-encompassing ban bills, House File 3433 and House File 3402

Firearms Industry “Responsible Controls” Legislation is an Existential Threat to Gun Owners

News  

Monday, February 23, 2026

Firearms Industry “Responsible Controls” Legislation is an Existential Threat to Gun Owners

Anti-gun activists think they have figured out a way around the Second Amendment, democratic accountability, and the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) to impose a limitless raft of gun control on ...

Virginia: Gun Bill Updates As Crossover Deadline Arrives

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Virginia: Gun Bill Updates As Crossover Deadline Arrives

Today, February 17th is the legislative crossover deadline in Virginia, and any bills that have not left their chamber of origin by the end of the day are considered dead for the session.

Connecticut’s “Convertible Pistol” Ban Picks up Where California’s Overreach Left Off

News  

Monday, February 23, 2026

Connecticut’s “Convertible Pistol” Ban Picks up Where California’s Overreach Left Off

What the Second Amendment community has long known has become increasingly difficult for gun grabbers to deny: no handgun is safe from the prohibitionist agenda.

Virginia Gun Owners Face Magazine Confiscation!

Monday, February 2, 2026

Virginia Gun Owners Face Magazine Confiscation!

Astute Virginia gun owners anticipated terrible gun control legislation from the 2026 General Assembly. Still, some may be shocked to learn that anti-rights zealots in the Virginia Senate have advanced a bill to CONFISCATE standard capacity firearm ...

Breach of Canadian Firearm Owners’ Data: The Latest in a String of Failures

News  

Monday, February 23, 2026

Breach of Canadian Firearm Owners’ Data: The Latest in a String of Failures

Canada’s gun owners have no reason to trust the federal government, and whatever misplaced faith remains took a huge hit when details of a cybersecurity breach at the Canadian Firearms Program became public.

Oregon: Floor Vote TODAY on Ballot Measure 114 Override Bill - LAST CHANCE TO TAKE ACTION!

Monday, February 23, 2026

Oregon: Floor Vote TODAY on Ballot Measure 114 Override Bill - LAST CHANCE TO TAKE ACTION!

Today, HB 4154 is scheduled for third reading and a vote on House Bill 4145, the Ballot Measure 114 override bill. This is the last opportunity for Second Amendment advocates to oppose this bill in the ...

NRA Files Amicus Brief to Protect Gun Owners’ Private Information

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

NRA Files Amicus Brief to Protect Gun Owners’ Private Information

Today, the National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation filed an amicus brief in Hall v. Sig Sauer, urging a Pennsylvania federal court to reconsider an order requiring Sig Sauer to disclose its customers’ names and ...

Minnesota: Bill Amendment to Create Semi-Auto Ban in Committee TODAY

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Minnesota: Bill Amendment to Create Semi-Auto Ban in Committee TODAY

TODAY, February 18th, the House Public Safety Finance and Policy committee will hold a hearing on HF 3380, including a proposed "delete all" amendment that would make the bill an "assault weapon" and large capacity magazine ban.

New Mexico Legislature Adjourns!

Thursday, February 19, 2026

New Mexico Legislature Adjourns!

Today at noon, the New Mexico legislature adjourned sine die from the 2026 legislative session. Despite efforts by anti-gun advocates, Second Amendment supporters were able to engage and help prevent two radical anti-gun proposals from ...

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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.