Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Texas State Senator Glenn Hegar Receives NRA-ILA Defender of Freedom Award

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Fairfax, Va. – Texas State Senator Glenn Hegar (R – Katy) received the Defender of Freedom Award from the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action in recognition of his outstanding legislative accomplishments in support of the Second Amendment. He was presented the award at the Houston Gun Collectors Association meeting Wednesday night.

Senator Hegar sponsored and helped pass landmark legislation in 2011 protecting the right of hard-working Texans to transport and store firearms in locked, private motor vehicles while parked at work. He built on that success in 2013, extending the same freedom from restrictive administrative parking lot policies to students with Concealed Handgun Licenses on the campuses of public and private institutions of higher education. He is a past Chairman of the Texas Legislative Sportsman's Caucus, and in 2009, he was awarded the Doc Brown Legislator of the Year Award by the Texas State Rifle Association for his strong leadership in support of our Second Amendment rights in the Texas Legislature.

Hegar is the youngest member of the Texas Senate and when he was re-elected to the Texas State Senate in 2012, he was “A+” rated and endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund. During the recently concluded 83rd legislature, Senator Hegar served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Nominations, and as a member of the Committees on Finance; Natural Resources; and Agriculture, Rural Affairs, and Homeland Security.

-NRA-
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than four million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NationalRifleAssociation and on Twitter @NRA.

IN THIS ARTICLE
defender of freedom award
TRENDING NOW
NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Maryland’s Glock Ban

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Maryland’s Glock Ban

The National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Second Amendment Foundation filed a lawsuit yesterday challenging Maryland’s ban on Glock and Glock-style handguns.

Talking Turkey: Spanberger Admits Legislation Bans Firearms “Frequently Used” for Lawful Purpose

News  

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Talking Turkey: Spanberger Admits Legislation Bans Firearms “Frequently Used” for Lawful Purpose

Anti-gun arrogance, or incompetence, is reaching new heights.

New York:  Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democrat Majorities Use The Budget to Adopt Gun Ban

Saturday, May 23, 2026

New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democrat Majorities Use The Budget to Adopt Gun Ban

On Thursday, May 21, the New York Senate and Assembly used the State Budget as a vehicle to not only finance state government but also to pass a handful of their other policy priorities. 

New York:  Gov. Kathy Hochul Signs Gun Ban in State Budget Process

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul Signs Gun Ban in State Budget Process

On Wednesday, May 27, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed S.9005C, which “enacts into law major components” of the state’s public protection and general government budget.

New ATF Director Tells Congress Agency Committed to Rebuilding Trust with the Industry, Federal Firearms Licensees, Lawful Gun Owners

News  

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

New ATF Director Tells Congress Agency Committed to Rebuilding Trust with the Industry, Federal Firearms Licensees, Lawful Gun Owners

America’s Second Amendment community had some insights into the outlook of the newly confirmed ATF Director Robert Cekada, when he recently testified before the House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement. 

Bloomberg’s Concealed Carry Policy Guide Built on Bureaucracy, Not Public Safety

News  

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Bloomberg’s Concealed Carry Policy Guide Built on Bureaucracy, Not Public Safety

Anti-gun extremist Michael Bloomberg thankfully commands fewer headlines these days. But policy efforts like the latest “Public Carry Permitting Model Policy Guide”  from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health’s Center for Gun Violence Solutions still ...

Virginia: Spanberger Signs Unconstitutional Gun Bills into Law

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Virginia: Spanberger Signs Unconstitutional Gun Bills into Law

Today, April 23rd, Governor Spanberger Signed HB1525 and SB727/HB1524 into law. 

NRA-ILA Applauds House Passage of Veterans Protection Bill

News  

Thursday, May 21, 2026

NRA-ILA Applauds House Passage of Veterans Protection Bill

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act. This bill, sponsored by Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL-12) would reverse a controversial and deeply troubling policy that stripped veterans of ...

Virginia: Despite Injunction, Virginia State Police to Conduct Background Checks for Private Sales

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Virginia: Despite Injunction, Virginia State Police to Conduct Background Checks for Private Sales

On May 27th, Virginia-based gun rights group the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) was informed by the Virginia Attorney General’s office that the Virginia State Police (VSP) would resume conducting background checks on private firearm ...

Cert Petition Filed in NRA-Supported Challenge to Maryland’s “Sensitive Places” Carry Restrictions

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Cert Petition Filed in NRA-Supported Challenge to Maryland’s “Sensitive Places” Carry Restrictions

A petition for a writ of certiorari has been filed in the NRA-supported case, Kipke v. Moore, seeking Supreme Court review of Maryland’s sweeping carry restrictions enacted under the Gun Safety Act of 2023.

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.