The city of Atlanta—whose new motto is “Where You Belong”—warmly welcomed NRA members this spring, extending a large dose of Southern hospitality during NRA’s 154th Annual Meetings & Exhibits. The gathering of more than 70,000 members took place from April 24-27 at the Georgia World Congress Center, where NRA showcased in grand style what it does for its members through dynamic seminars, interactive workshops and celebrity entertainment. Throughout the weekend, NRA staff and enthusiastic volunteers gave those
attendees a memorable and productive weekend.
The doors opened to the Exhibit Hall on Friday, where NRA members and guests were treated to more than 600 booths or displays—14 acres’ worth—from the shooting sports and outdoor industries, guides and outfitters, and NRA’s gun-collecting affiliates.
The NRA Women’s Leadership Forum Brunch & Auction featured both silent and exciting live auctions. Keynote speaker Hogan Gidley offered a perspective on working inside the Trump White House, highlighting the administration’s wins in the first days of President Trump’s second term.
A Meeting of Members
On Saturday, it was down to business at the 154th Annual Meeting of Members. By tradition, the oldest and youngest Life members in attendance were recognized. For Norris Jernigan, a 100-year-old World War II veteran, there was no competition. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and eventually served with the 509th Composite Group—which dropped atomic bombs on Japan, ending World War II. The youngest Life member in attendance was teenager Mason Brodie Hague.
NRA-ILA Turns 50
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). “In 1975, if law students heard about the Second Amendment at all, they were taught it preserved the states’ ability to maintain organized militias and it had nothing to do with the individual right to own and use firearms for private purposes. This was the backdrop for the creation of ILA,” said NRA-ILA Executive Director John Commerford. “Its mandate was, and remains, to protect the Second Amendment in the legislatures and courts, to support pro-gun candidates for office and to educate the public on the right to keep and bear arms. Consider where we are now after five decades of ILA’s work. It is now black-letter law that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms for self-defense and other legitimate purposes.”
The Headline Events: Celebrating Freedom & Service
On Friday and Saturday nights, our Second Amendment freedoms were celebrated along with gratitude extended to those who have served our nation in uniform. The sold-out NRA National Foundation Banquet & Auction raised money for the future of the shooting sports. Henry Repeating Arms, a sponsor of the event, presented the first-ever 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Tribute Golden Boy rifle to retired U.S. Marine Corp Maj. Gen. Mike Livingston, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle of Dai Do. There was also a patriotic presentation of “Old Glory” by U.S. Navy veteran and motivational speaker Vann Norris. It was a night of fun, fellowship and celebration of our veterans.
For members who wanted to support The NRA Foundation at other times, the popular Wall of Guns raffle was running all weekend.
The Freedom Experience concert on Saturday night began with the presentation of our nation’s colors and a performance of the national anthem by U.S. Marine veteran John Hensley. The evening’s host was another Marine, Mark “Oz” Geist, co-author of 13 Hours. Musical performances by Will Jones and headliner Big & Rich—proudly led by NRA member John Rich—topped off the night. Rich and his pal, Big Kenny, were joined by Cowboy Troy for a night of music that paid tribute to our Second Amendment freedom and honored our veterans.
Continued and New Events
NRA’s Education and Training Division invited all NRA trainers to attend a two-day Inaugural Trainers’ Symposium, which included seminars from industry leaders such as Mantis and Next Level Training. Attendees learned how to develop and improve as an instructor and business owner. This event joined The NRA Foundation’s Annual Firearms Law Seminar, the NRA Clubs & Associations Workshop and the NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop.
On the last day of the meeting, more than 600 NRA members gathered for the National Prayer Breakfast, during which actor and faith-based filmmaker Kevin Sorbo provided an inspirational message of faith and freedom.
Getting Down to Business
NRA’s Board of Directors meeting, held after the show, ushered in a new crop of directors and addressed the business of the association. The officer elections and most of the meeting were conducted in open session.
The NRA Board of Directors elected Bill Bachenberg, who was nominated from the floor, as NRA President. “I am deeply honored to be entrusted by my colleagues on the Board to serve as president of the NRA,” Bachenberg said. “We are at a pivotal point in our association’s history as we work to reach out to new members, build upon the trust of existing members, and provide the gold-standard programs that American gun owners expect. As the nation’s oldest civil-rights organization, the NRA plays a critical role in protecting and advancing freedom in America.”
Doug Hamlin was unanimously reelected as NRA Executive Vice President & CEO. “As we conclude a very successful NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta, I know one thing for sure: NRA’s best days are ahead of us,” Hamlin said. “This association is moving forward, full speed ahead, to support the shooting sports, train new gun owners and defend the sacred right to self-defense.”
Also elected unanimously were Mark Vaughan as NRA First Vice President and Rocky Marshall as NRA Second Vice President. Hamlin reappointed John Commerford as the Executive Director of the NRA-ILA and Josh Savani as the Executive Director of General Operations. The Board reelected Sonya B. Rowling as NRA Treasurer, Robert Mensinger as NRA Chief Compliance Officer and John C. Frazer as NRA Secretary.
The 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will take place in Houston from April 17-19, 2026. Look for updates at nraam.org.
“We will live free— Always live free.”
“A very special hello to the thousands of hardworking patriots at the NRA, and thank you for your incredible commitment to defending our Second Amendment rights.
“I especially want to thank NRA President Bob Barr—a special guy—and Executive Vice President and CEO Doug Hamlin, and the entire staff over at the NRA.
“A congratulations on 50 years of courageous leadership by the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. And you give it a lot of action, that’s for sure.
“Over the past three months, our new administration has accomplished more than most administrations accomplish in four years—or even eight years.
“Starting on day one, I ended Joe Biden’s attacks on the right to keep and bear arms. They attacked it like nobody’s ever attacked it before. Fortunately, he’s grossly incompetent, and he wasn’t able to do much.
“I abolished their so-called ‘zero-tolerance’ policy, which was putting law-abiding gun dealers out of business for a simple error in paperwork—that’s what happens. And the ATF is ending Biden’s unconstitutional pistol-brace rule.
“And we have launched a Second Amendment Task Force, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi—who’s fantastic, by the way—that will crack down on the attacks on gun rights by Democrat-run cities and states. They really have become radicalized. And we are winning all the way. This is just the beginning—there’s much more to come.
“Americans are born free. And under the Trump administrations, we will live free—always live free.
With me in the White House, your sacred rights will not be infringed.
“Thank you once again to everyone at the NRA. Thank you for your incredible support over the years. You’ve always endorsed me, and I’ve always come through for you.
“Have a great event. Thank you.”
—U.S. President Donald J. Trump
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