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Grassroots Spotlight: Meet Jay M. Littlefield Award Winners Rick Coufal and Dennis Barthenheier

Monday, February 13, 2023

Grassroots Spotlight: Meet Jay M. Littlefield Award Winners Rick Coufal and Dennis Barthenheier

The annual NRA-ILA Jay M. Littlefield Award recognizes individual NRA members for their meritorious defense of the Second Amendment. Late last year, awards were presented to two individuals for their selfless commitment to upholding and supporting the Second Amendment.

Dennis Barthenheier, owner of Wisconsin Firearms Training Center in Brookfield, Wisconsin, received the award for his invaluable work with the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division over the past five years. Combining his passion for the Second Amendment, with his business, Wisconsin Firearms Training Center, he continually serves as a beacon for pro-Second Amendment activities in Wisconsin.

Dennis is always willing to generously let NRA, local volunteers, and pro-2A activists use his business and resources for so many important grassroots events focused on educating and engaging many in Wisconsin in support of our rights. He additionally lends his own personal time to the cause and has assisted NRA-ILA with other endeavors outside his business, such as NRA State Conferences and other events.

Rick Coufal has been volunteering directly with the NRA-ILA in Oregon for just a few short years, but has made a huge impact!  He has been instrumental in important grassroots outreach in Oregon as a Frontlines Activist Leader, as well as the Legislative Director for the NRA affiliated State Association. Rick went above and beyond the call by not only helping the new NRA-ILA PNW Grassroots Coordinator get acclimated to the region, but also helped to staff numerous gun shows and legislative events that contributed to his accumulation of more than 120+ volunteer hours in a single year. Most recently he was an integral part of the Oregonians for Freedom Committee, which was instrumental in fighting the atrocious Oregon gun control ballot initiative. A U.S. Army Veteran, he has always been a wealth of knowledge and commitment and one day aspires to serve the NRA in a greater capacity on the Board of Directors.

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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: 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.

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 ...

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.

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.

Virginia: Legislative Session Convenes Tomorrow With Onslaught of Gun Control Bills

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Virginia: Legislative Session Convenes Tomorrow With Onslaught of Gun Control Bills

On Wednesday, January 14th, the Virginia General Assembly begins the 2026 legislative session, and lawmakers are once again expected to pursue an aggressive anti-gun agenda.

NRA Urges Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Illinois Public Transit Carry Ban

Friday, January 16, 2026

NRA Urges Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Illinois Public Transit Carry Ban

The National Rifle Association—along with the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, Gun Owners’ Action League, New Jersey Firearms Owners Syndicate, and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association—has filed an amicus brief urging the ...

Secretary of the Interior Issues Order Expanding Hunting Access Nationwide

News  

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Secretary of the Interior Issues Order Expanding Hunting Access Nationwide

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has issued Secretarial Order 3447 – Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access, Removing Unnecessary Barriers, and Ensuring Consistency Across the Department of Interior Lands and Waters. This sets a department wide ...

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.

Georgia: Senate Passes Bill to Strengthen Firearms Preemption

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Georgia: Senate Passes Bill to Strengthen Firearms Preemption

On Tuesday, January 13th, the Senate passed Senate Bill 204, concurring with House amendments to include stronger firearms preemption language.

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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.