Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

Georgia: State Representative Mandi Ballinger Receives NRA-ILA Defender of Freedom Award

Saturday, June 25, 2022

Georgia: State Representative Mandi Ballinger Receives NRA-ILA Defender of Freedom Award

Today, state Representative Mandi Ballinger (R-23) received the Defender of Freedom Award from the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action in recognition of her tireless efforts to defend liberty and protect the interests of law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen in Georgia.

Since her time in the Georgia Legislature began in 2013, Representative Ballinger has been a strong and steady advocate for the cherished Second Amendment rights of not just the citizens of her district, but of all Georgians. A Member of the National Rifle Association, Representative Ballinger has worked tirelessly to be a voice for firearms owners. Since first elected, Representative Ballinger has taken the lead to preserve and protect the rights of law-abiding firearms owners with her sponsorship of several pro-gun bills, each being critical legislation that ensured law-abiding adults across our great country could effectively defend themselves in the Peach State. In 2022, she was instrumental in the development and passage of Georgia’s Constitutional Carry legislation, which was signed by Governor Brian Kemp on April 12, 2022. Without her steadfast dedication, Constitutional Carry would not have passed the Georgia legislature.

Representative Ballinger has earned an “A+” rating from NRA-PVF, and as a recipient of the NRA-ILA Defender of Freedom Award, she joins an esteemed list of individuals who have gone "above and beyond" in the fight to defend the Second Amendment.

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than six 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.

TRENDING NOW
Trump’s Gun Rights Policies Making America Safe Again

News  

Monday, November 2, 2026

Trump’s Gun Rights Policies Making America Safe Again

“Crime’s way down thanks to Trump — Dems will fight to send it back up,” warns an editorial in the N.Y. Post. “Law-and-order works. Immigration enforcement works. And — like it or not — Trump’s ...

Article by NRA-ILA Litigation Director Joseph Greenlee and Professor George Mocsary Published in Yale Law Journal Forum

News  

Monday, November 2, 2026

Article by NRA-ILA Litigation Director Joseph Greenlee and Professor George Mocsary Published in Yale Law Journal Forum

A new Essay authored by NRA-ILA Litigation Director Joseph Greenlee and University of Wyoming College of Law Professor George Mocsary has been published in the Yale Law Journal Forum.

The Hunting Vote: What’s at Stake in 2026 and Beyond

News  

Monday, November 2, 2026

The Hunting Vote: What’s at Stake in 2026 and Beyond

As votes are now being cast nationwide, one influential voting bloc is drawing renewed attention: America's hunters, sportsmen, and sportswomen.

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Pennsylvania’s Carry Restrictions for Adults Under 21

Friday, October 30, 2026

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Pennsylvania’s Carry Restrictions for Adults Under 21

Today, the National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and an individual, Daniel Maines, filed a lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania’s carry restrictions for adults under 21.

District Court Declines to Enter Agreement to Invalidate Florida’s Waiting Period Law in NRA Case and Invites Amici Participation

Thursday, October 29, 2026

District Court Declines to Enter Agreement to Invalidate Florida’s Waiting Period Law in NRA Case and Invites Amici Participation

Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday denied the parties’ joint motion for entry of judgment in the National Rifle Association’s challenge to Florida’s firearm waiting period law. The case, Dunn v. Glass, remains pending ...

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).

For Better and for Worse, “Direct Democracy” Seeks to Alter Gun and Hunting Policy

News  

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

For Better and for Worse, “Direct Democracy” Seeks to Alter Gun and Hunting Policy

Not every important Second Amendment or hunting policy fight begins with a bill number.

Fifth Circuit Rules Federal Switchblade Knife Restrictions Violate the Second Amendment

Friday, October 23, 2026

Fifth Circuit Rules Federal Switchblade Knife Restrictions Violate the Second Amendment

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled that the federal Switchblade Act’s restrictions on the interstate commerce of switchblade knives violate the Second Amendment.

Location, Location, Location: Study Finds Crime Concentration Correlates with Politics

News  

Monday, October 26, 2026

Location, Location, Location: Study Finds Crime Concentration Correlates with Politics

It’s well established that certain offenders remain disproportionately responsible for violent crime. A 2001 report on such “chronic offenders” in Minnesota concluded that over a four-year period, just five percent of offenders were responsible for ...

Different Election, Same Billionaire, Same Gun Control Agenda

News  

Monday, October 26, 2026

Different Election, Same Billionaire, Same Gun Control Agenda

Another election, same former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg working to shape the nation’s gun laws. For years, NRA has exposed Bloomberg’s relentless efforts to export New York style gun restrictions to the rest ...

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.