Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

NRA Honors Liberty University Student

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

NRA Honors Liberty University Student

Fairfax, Va.— The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) is recognizing Liberty University student Riley Hayes for his grassroots activism in protecting the Second Amendment.

NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox presented Riley with the Youth Leadership Award at the NRA’s January 2018 board meeting.  “Riley is the future of gun rights in America,” said Glen Caroline, NRA-ILA Grassroots Programs & Campaign Field Operations Director. “Riley played a critical role in turning out the pro-Second Amendment vote in southern Virginia. Now, more than ever, we need to honor our young activists such as Riley because they will be leading our fight for freedom in the coming years.” 

The Youth Leadership Award recognizes an individual college student or recent graduate for his or her meritorious defense of the Second Amendment.

Riley is a senior at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Throughout his time at Liberty University, he has been heavily involved in a pro-gun campus group called “Students at Liberty for Gun Rights” where Riley served as club treasurer. Riley has been a steadfast NRA activist and currently serves as the NRA-ILA Campus Coordinator at Liberty.

Throughout the 2016 campaign, Riley took it upon himself to start, grow, and encourage Liberty Students to advocate for NRA-Political Victory Fund-endorsed candidates, including Donald Trump and Congressman Tom Garrett. Leading his ground team, he and his volunteers spoke to thousands of Virginia voters over the phone and at their doorsteps about the importance of the Second Amendment.

“Without Riley’s commitment and resolute leadership, we would not have seen the successes we saw in the greater Lynchburg Area in 2016,” added Cox. “His work ethic and devotion to the National Rifle Association stand as testament to what a true leader looks like.”


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.

TRENDING NOW
The NFA’s New Era: What Has Changed, What Remains the Same, Items of Note

News  

Monday, October 12, 2026

The NFA’s New Era: What Has Changed, What Remains the Same, Items of Note

As we announced separately this week, ATF has determined that it will use its executive discretion to uniformly suspend enforcement of large portions of the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Federal Court Strikes Down NFA Registration Requirements for Suppressors, Short-Barreled Rifles, and Short-Barreled Shotguns in NRA Case

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Federal Court Strikes Down NFA Registration Requirements for Suppressors, Short-Barreled Rifles, and Short-Barreled Shotguns in NRA Case

In another major victory for the National Rifle Association and law-abiding gun owners, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas today held that the National Firearms Act’s registration and approval requirements for ...

Not Your Father’s ATF: Agency Pledges Reform, Distances Itself from Biden-Harris Era

News  

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Not Your Father’s ATF: Agency Pledges Reform, Distances Itself from Biden-Harris Era

A headline on the website of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives appeared late in the day on May 21: “ATF Launches New Era of Reform.” According to the accompanying announcement:

Questions and Answers About the Texas NFA Case

News  

Monday, August 17, 2026

Questions and Answers About the Texas NFA Case

On August 12, we reported on an important development in the ongoing litigation over the National Firearms Act (NFA) filed by multiple plaintiffs in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. These included, ...

Officials Admit It: There’s No Actual Substance Behind Canadian Gun Grab

News  

Monday, October 12, 2026

Officials Admit It: There’s No Actual Substance Behind Canadian Gun Grab

A year ago, Canada’s Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree admitted, in a bombshell recording with a gun owner, that the Liberal government’s “assault-style firearm” ban and confiscation program isn’t driven by public safety or gun ...

Guardsmen’s Arrest Shows D.C. Still Lacks Common Sense, Proportionality on Guns

News  

Monday, October 12, 2026

Guardsmen’s Arrest Shows D.C. Still Lacks Common Sense, Proportionality on Guns

A lot of has changed for the better in the Nation’s Capital since Donald Trump returned to the White House. But the recent arrest of a young National Guardsman for an apparently harmless breach of ...

Jive Turkeys: Everytown Gears Up to Spoil Thanksgiving with Gobbledygook

News  

Monday, November 17, 2025

Jive Turkeys: Everytown Gears Up to Spoil Thanksgiving with Gobbledygook

Thanksgiving in America isn’t just about food, family and football. According to a survey published by casino.ca (with its Great Thanksgiving Family Feud Map), the holiday typically “comes with a slice of family chaos and a touch of ...

What Does the Texas NFA Decision Mean for You?

News  

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

What Does the Texas NFA Decision Mean for You?

On August 5, 2026, Judge Wesley Hendrix of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas held that the National Firearms Act’s registration and approval requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns ...

Creating Crimes Out of Thin Air: Federal Bill Seeks to Treat Air Guns as Firearms

News  

Monday, October 5, 2026

Creating Crimes Out of Thin Air: Federal Bill Seeks to Treat Air Guns as Firearms

A new bill introduced in Congress proposes to regulate “lethal air guns” as firearms under the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended (GCA). Yet the risk of fatalities and criminal misuse from air guns ...

Trump Administration Issues Report Detailing Firearms Industry Debanking

News  

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Trump Administration Issues Report Detailing Firearms Industry Debanking

Since taking office for the second time, President Donald Trump and his administration have worked to end political debanking and guarantee that all law-abiding Americans and businesses have access to financial services.

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

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.