Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

Maine: Massive NRA Grassroots Mobilization Makes Lawmakers Take Notice

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Maine: Massive NRA Grassroots Mobilization Makes Lawmakers Take Notice

NRA members are more active in the political process than ever, and Maine politicians are taking notice. At recent Public Hearings on a slew of anti-gun bills, lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum took to the mic to discuss the NRA's highly successful grassroots mobilization efforts.

During his testimony supporting his bill that would serve as the first step to ban lead ammunition in Maine, Rep. William "Bill" Bridgeo (D-Augusta) noted that several hundred NRA members had contacted him in opposition to his bill. Despite this massive outpouring of opposition, Rep. Bridgeo remained steadfast in his support of potential California-style ammunition bans, which would raise hunting costs for over 200,000 hunters in Maine, 850+ of whom live in his district. While the Augusta-area politician said that contacting him is a "waste of time", pro-hunting lawmakers have taken Mainers' concerns to heart and have announced they will vote against this measure.

While this week the mobilization of NRA members took center stage in the debate surrounding hunting rights, last month, the political force of the NRA was on full display for the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary. NRA members put on a full-court press to influence the outcomes of several high-profile gun bills. This included a "Maine Lobby Day" where NRA members showed up to testify in opposition on a slew of extreme gun-control measures. This mobilization was noted in the committee, with lawmakers citing testimony from attendees and requesting that NRA members speak as expert witnesses during the Work Session. Pro-gun lawmaker Rep. Rachel Henderson (R-Rumford) also cited that she had received several hundred emails opposing the progressive push to implement a magazine ban, redefine semi-automatic firearms to "machine guns," and create new restrictions on building and repairing firearms in your home. This massive grassroots mobilization dealt a major bipartisan blow to this extreme gun-control package, resulting in an "Ought Not To Pass" majority report for the magazine bill and the tabling of other anti-gun bills of interest. 

Simply put, the grassroots mobilization of NRA members is working, and Maine politicians are taking notice. The NRA would like to thank all of our incredible members who are active in the fight to protect their rights. From emailing lawmakers to joining their fellow gun-rights supporters at Maine Lobby Days and everything in between, YOU are the Gun Lobby and the key to protecting and preserving our sacred Constitutional rights. 

TRENDING NOW
U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

NRA and 2A Allies Announce NFA Lawsuit

Monday, July 7, 2025

NRA and 2A Allies Announce NFA Lawsuit

Following the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—which eliminates the National Firearms Act of 1934’s (NFA) excise tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and AOWs—the National Rifle Association issued a joint statement along with the ...

Congress Passes the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Now Headed to President Trump

News  

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Congress Passes the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Now Headed to President Trump

Earlier today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” This bill contained a provision that would, among other things, eliminate the burdensome $200 excise tax imposed by federal law on suppressors, short-barreled firearms, ...

United Nation’s Attack on Ammunition Formally Begins

News  

Monday, July 7, 2025

United Nation’s Attack on Ammunition Formally Begins

The recently concluded negotiations on the United Nations’ Global Framework on Through-Life Conventional Ammunition Management (Framework) should be of grave concern to anyone who values the constitutional protections afforded by the Second Amendment. 

U.K. Embarks on Fresh Knife Amnesty, Reminds Americans Why 1776 was a Good Idea

News  

Monday, July 7, 2025

U.K. Embarks on Fresh Knife Amnesty, Reminds Americans Why 1776 was a Good Idea

It has been a while since we’ve looked at weapon news from across the pond, but with Americans everywhere having just celebrated the Glorious Fourth and our independence from British monarchy, the timing seems particular ...

DOJ Declines to Seek Supreme Court Review of Decision Striking Down Federal Laws Prohibiting FFLs From Selling Handguns to 18-to-20-Year-Olds

Thursday, July 10, 2025

DOJ Declines to Seek Supreme Court Review of Decision Striking Down Federal Laws Prohibiting FFLs From Selling Handguns to 18-to-20-Year-Olds

In Reese v. ATF, the Fifth Circuit held that 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(b)(1) and (c)(1)—which together forbid Federal Firearms Licensees from selling handguns to 18-to-20-year-olds—violate the Second Amendment.

President Trump Signs the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into Law

News  

Friday, July 4, 2025

President Trump Signs the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into Law

Earlier today, on the 4th of July, a day on which our Founding Fathers declared their intent for a free nation, the President of the United State of America, Donald Trump, signed the “One Big ...

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Monday, July 7, 2025

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed the Florida Budget for Fiscal Year 2025–2026, which includes a Second Amendment sales tax holiday from September 8 through December 31, 2025. The NRA is thankful for Governor DeSantis’ strong ...

NRA-ILA July 2025 Litigation Update

Thursday, July 10, 2025

NRA-ILA July 2025 Litigation Update

In the second quarter of 2025, the National Rifle Association filed two cert petitions in the U.S. Supreme Court and five amicus briefs, while continuing to litigate dozens of ongoing lawsuits across the country.

North Carolina: Update on Gun Bills Moving through the General Assembly

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

North Carolina: Update on Gun Bills Moving through the General Assembly

Recently, House Bill 193 (H193) was reported favorably out of both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Rules Committee, with amendments.

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.