Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Take Action

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.

TRENDING NOW
M14s Added to CMP Roster

News  

Monday, August 3, 2026

M14s Added to CMP Roster

Since 1903, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has served a critical role in promoting America’s continued excellence in marksmanship and firearms safety by providing firearms education, training, and competitions nationwide

NRA Submits Comments on Several ATF Rulemakings; the Deadline for Your Input is Aug. 4!

News  

Monday, August 3, 2026

NRA Submits Comments on Several ATF Rulemakings; the Deadline for Your Input is Aug. 4!

This week, NRA submitted comments on several important ATF rulemakings.

DOJ Withdraws Appeal in Challenge to Post Office Firearms Ban

News  

Monday, July 27, 2026

DOJ Withdraws Appeal in Challenge to Post Office Firearms Ban

Another significant victory has emerged in the ongoing effort to roll back unconstitutional restrictions on the right to bear arms in places that millions of law-abiding Americans visit every day in every state in towns ...

Court Stays NRA Challenge to Virginia’s “Assault Firearm” and Magazine Bans, Keeping Statewide Injunction in Place Until Supreme Court Rules on “Assault Weapon” Bans

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Court Stays NRA Challenge to Virginia’s “Assault Firearm” and Magazine Bans, Keeping Statewide Injunction in Place Until Supreme Court Rules on “Assault Weapon” Bans

In the NRA’s challenge to Virginia’s “assault firearm” and magazine bans, Santolla v. Katz, the court today entered an order memorializing the parties’ agreement to stay the case until after the U.S. Supreme Court issues ...

Oregon’s Anti-Hunting Initiative Fails to Meet Signature Threshold

News  

Monday, August 3, 2026

Oregon’s Anti-Hunting Initiative Fails to Meet Signature Threshold

Recently, we alerted our members about an extreme ballot initiative in Oregon, which had the potential to put an end to not just hunting, fishing, and trapping, but traditional ranching and farming practices as well.

Let My Cans Go: Trump Administration Adds Sound Suppressors to Export Reform

News  

Monday, July 27, 2026

Let My Cans Go: Trump Administration Adds Sound Suppressors to Export Reform

Eight years ago, NRA filed comments in support of the Trump Administration’s plan to reform exports of firearms and ammunition – as well as their parts, components, and accessories. 

Punishing Imagination and Childish Impulses Won’t Keep Schools Safe

News  

Monday, August 3, 2026

Punishing Imagination and Childish Impulses Won’t Keep Schools Safe

As the calendar turns to August, many parents are starting the annual check of school supply lists, bus routes, and lunch packing routines.  

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging Indiana Supreme Court to Protect Associational Standing

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging Indiana Supreme Court to Protect Associational Standing

The National Rifle Association joined a coalition of 23 nonprofit organizations, led by the ACLU of Indiana, in filing an amicus brief urging the Indiana Supreme Court to recognize the doctrine of associational standing. 

En Banc Third Circuit Strikes Down New Jersey’s “Assault Firearm” and “Large Capacity Magazine” Bans in NRA Case

Friday, July 17, 2026

En Banc Third Circuit Strikes Down New Jersey’s “Assault Firearm” and “Large Capacity Magazine” Bans in NRA Case

In a landmark victory for the Second Amendment and the National Rifle Association, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit today held that New Jersey’s bans on commonly owned semiautomatic rifles and magazines ...

“Hell, No!” to Beto 2.0

News  

Monday, July 27, 2026

“Hell, No!” to Beto 2.0

Remember “Beto” O’Rourke and his runs for political office, hellbent on gun control?  

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.