NRA members are the backbone of this association. That is no small thing. They’re standing up for our freedom. A large and active membership is what makes the NRA formidable. Our members are why politicians listen to us. The NRA’s millions of members impact elections and how politicians vote when they are in office, as they know we are watching and that there are a lot of us.
With that said, as we reach the end of 2024, it is important to remember that NRA membership also comes with a lot of benefits and opportunities but also some responsibilities. And, as you’re a member, you need to know the state of our programs and services and about changes to parts of this association as we revamp and reorganize into the NRA 2.0.
To keep up with legislative and legal battles, you should be checking into nraila.org often. Also, if you haven’t, sign up for Grassroots Alerts (nraila.org/grassroots-alerts) to be emailed to you. To find events near you to enjoy and support, go to nrailafrontlines.com/calendar. This team has stayed strong through COVID and other challenges as the legislative and legal attacks on our freedom intensified during the Biden administration. There are too many success stories and ongoing battles to detail here, but please know that because of your support, we are on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures across the country looking out for you.
For a time, the pandemic halted most NRA competitions, but we are back and growing again. Go to competitions.nra.org for details on NRA National Matches, the NRA World Shoot, Collegiate Championships, details on how to register a tournament, new competitions and so much more. Go to yhec.nra.org for details on the NRA’s Youth Hunter Education Challenge. Go to NRA Shooting Sports USA’s website (ssusa.org) to find competitions in various shooting disciplines, to keep up with competitors in your favorite shooting sports and more.
The pandemic certainly impacted our shows, but that is behind us. Go to nraam.org for details on the NRA’s Annual Meetings & Exhibits. In 2025, the show will be in Atlanta, Ga., from April 24-27. This show has great music, major speakers, gun manufacturers and more showcasing their products and many associated NRA events. Go to explore.nra.org/interests/events-and-entertainment to see many of the shows and exhibits in one place. You can find details on the Great American Outdoor Show (February 1-9) in Harrisburg, Pa., at greatamericanoutdoorshow.org. Our shows have had record attendances and too many attractions to begin to list here.
Like many public gatherings, Friends of NRA was massively affected by COVID, but these fun dinners and auctions are back and going strong. Go to friendsofnra.org for details on events near you or to sponsor or begin your own event. With more than 600 of these events each year across the nation, Friends of NRA events are a major way the NRA Foundation raises money for local and national grants for youth programs, gun ranges and so much more. Plus, they bring freedom-loving Americans together and often include silent auctions and other attractions.
The number of NRA-supported clubs and ranges has fallen in recent years. The pandemic was hard on their events—but here, too, we have turned the corner. Go to explore.nra.org/programs/clubs for details on affiliated clubs and ranges to join or help. The NRA Clubs & Associations Department provides services and assistance to a network of more than 8,500 NRA affiliated clubs, associations and businesses. Meanwhile, NRA Range Services (rangeservices.nra.org) offers resources to public and private ranges across the country, including on-site assistance, educational seminars and grants.
With more than 3,000 guns on display in 15 galleries and 85 exhibit cases, NRA’s National Firearms Museum at NRA HQ in Fairfax, Va., tells the story of more than 700 years of gun history. At the Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Mo., is NRA’s National Sporting Arms Museum, which includes a “Timeline of American Sporting Arms.” Check nramuseum.org for hours and dates. Both are worth a visit.
To help people get started in the shooting sports, hunting or self-defense, check out nrafamily.org. It has great articles, videos and other resources to help. Indeed, all of NRA Media’s properties (A1F.com, americanhunter.org, americanrifleman.org, nrawomen.com and shootingillustrated.com) have deep wells of gun reviews, how-to advice, video interviews and more that are just a click away.
With this list of NRA resources—all thanks to your support—I have jumped over a lot, as there is just too much to mention. I encourage you to explore all the resources mentioned here and linked in these websites. It is too easy for us to get busy and overlook all the opportunities that membership in this association brings. It can also be too easy to forget the responsibility we have to invite non-members to the range or to tell them about this critical part of our freedom.
So, take another look at all the NRA has to offer and share the great news that we are back and growing again!
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