This morning, 180 staunch, pro-gun patriots attended the NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop, held in conjunction with NRA's Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Louisville, Ky.  Though most attendees were home state Kentuckians, NRA members represented states from across the country. Diversity in geography notwithstanding, all were united in the singular mission of learning what more they could do in their local communities to elect pro-gun lawmakers to office this year—and they weren't disappointed!

Virtually all of NRA's national officers addressed the attendees, including:  NRA EVP Wayne LaPierre; NRA President John Sigler; ILA Executive Director Chris Cox; First Vice President Ron Schmeits; and Second VP David Keene.  One by one, our Association's leaders came to the podium and gave credit for NRA's successes to whom it rightly belongs—our members and grassroots activists—and noted the importance of their continued and increased activism in the following months leading up to Election Day.  Also in attendance were more than a dozen of NRA-ILA's Election Volunteer Coordinators (EVCs)—the true tips of our grassroots arrow.

Grassroots staff provided attendees with an overview of the threats and opportunities we currently face in Congress, including efforts to reform BATFE, micro-stamping legislation, and a bill to end gun shows, as well as updates on the Heller Supreme Court case and efforts to allow Right-to-Carry in national parks.  Once all were apprised of our legislative priorities, and provided with tips to effectively communicate their views to their lawmakers, discussion then turned to grassroots strategies for us to win at the ballot box this year. 

In addition to stressing active participation in NRA-ILA's various grassroots programs, attendees were provided with training and materials on voter registration, early and absentee voting, volunteer recruitment, letters to the editor, yard sign and bumper sticker distribution, literature drops, and of course, integral Get Out The Vote and Election Day activities.

Tomorrow, ILA Grassroots will conduct the second annual "In Their Own Words" Special Session that will feature some of NRA-ILA's most renowned activists in a panel discussion that will include Q&A with their fellow NRA members and grassroots supporters. For additional information on the "In Their Own Words Special Session," click here.

Please keep an eye out for next week's Alert for additional information on NRA-ILA's grassroots activities in Louisville, including more in-depth reporting on the "In Their Own Words Session", NRA-ILA's "Celebration of American Values Forum", and other Annual Meeting news and activities.