Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

NRA Honors Liberty University Student

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

NRA Honors Liberty University Student

Fairfax, Va.— The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) is recognizing Liberty University student Riley Hayes for his grassroots activism in protecting the Second Amendment.

NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox presented Riley with the Youth Leadership Award at the NRA’s January 2018 board meeting.  “Riley is the future of gun rights in America,” said Glen Caroline, NRA-ILA Grassroots Programs & Campaign Field Operations Director. “Riley played a critical role in turning out the pro-Second Amendment vote in southern Virginia. Now, more than ever, we need to honor our young activists such as Riley because they will be leading our fight for freedom in the coming years.” 

The Youth Leadership Award recognizes an individual college student or recent graduate for his or her meritorious defense of the Second Amendment.

Riley is a senior at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Throughout his time at Liberty University, he has been heavily involved in a pro-gun campus group called “Students at Liberty for Gun Rights” where Riley served as club treasurer. Riley has been a steadfast NRA activist and currently serves as the NRA-ILA Campus Coordinator at Liberty.

Throughout the 2016 campaign, Riley took it upon himself to start, grow, and encourage Liberty Students to advocate for NRA-Political Victory Fund-endorsed candidates, including Donald Trump and Congressman Tom Garrett. Leading his ground team, he and his volunteers spoke to thousands of Virginia voters over the phone and at their doorsteps about the importance of the Second Amendment.

“Without Riley’s commitment and resolute leadership, we would not have seen the successes we saw in the greater Lynchburg Area in 2016,” added Cox. “His work ethic and devotion to the National Rifle Association stand as testament to what a true leader looks like.”


Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five 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 NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.

TRENDING NOW
Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Advance in Senate

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Advance in Senate

On Monday, January 26th, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee advanced a slate of gun control bills targeting semi-automatic firearms, standard capacity magazines, carry rights, home storage, and more.

The Stakes are High as U.S. Supreme Court Considers Anti-gun “Vampire Rule”

News  

Monday, January 26, 2026

The Stakes are High as U.S. Supreme Court Considers Anti-gun “Vampire Rule”

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the U.S. Supreme Court held oral arguments in a Second Amendment case that asked whether handgun carry licensees could be presumptively banned from carrying their arms onto publicly accessible private property. 

ATF Rewrites Rules for Addicts/Unlawful Drug Users as Supreme Court Case Looms

News  

Monday, January 26, 2026

ATF Rewrites Rules for Addicts/Unlawful Drug Users as Supreme Court Case Looms

On Jan. 22, ATF published an interim final rule (IFR) that revises the agency’s approach to determining who is an “unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance” and therefore prohibited from owning or receiving firearms ...

Commonwealth Countries Continue to Illustrate Folly of Overreach on Guns

News  

Monday, January 26, 2026

Commonwealth Countries Continue to Illustrate Folly of Overreach on Guns

As America gets ready to embark on its 250th birthday celebrations, it’s a good time to assess and appreciate how lucky we are, with constitutional protections of speech and gun rights. Nothing puts that into ...

Virginia: More Gun Control Bills Filed Including Semi-Auto Ban and Tax on Suppressors!

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Virginia: More Gun Control Bills Filed Including Semi-Auto Ban and Tax on Suppressors!

Anti-gun legislators in Richmond have been busy ahead of the 2026 legislative session working on ways to burden your Second Amendment rights.

Second Amendment Momentum: Quick Takeaways from SHOT Show

News  

Monday, January 26, 2026

Second Amendment Momentum: Quick Takeaways from SHOT Show

Last week’s 48th annual SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade) Show hosted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)) showcased not only the latest and greatest guns and gear, but an invigorated and promising outlook for the Second ...

Grassroots Spotlight – VCDL Lobby Day

News  

Monday, January 26, 2026

Grassroots Spotlight – VCDL Lobby Day

On January 19th, grassroots activists came together in Richmond for the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) Lobby Day, and it was a resounding success.

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Up in Committee on Monday

Friday, January 23, 2026

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Up in Committee on Monday

On Monday, January 26th, the Senate Courts of Justice committee will hold a hearing on over a dozen gun control bills, including semi-automatic bans and concealed carry prohibitions. The hearing will begin at 8am.

New Mexico: Anti-Gun Legislation to be heard Wednesday in Senate Committee

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

New Mexico: Anti-Gun Legislation to be heard Wednesday in Senate Committee

Tomorrow, the New Mexico Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on an omnibus gun control package that would severely undermine the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding New Mexicans and threaten ...

Virginia: Gun Bills in Committee This Thursday

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Virginia: Gun Bills in Committee This Thursday

On Thursday, January 23rd, the House Public Safety Subcommittee – Firearms will hold a hearing on several pro-gun measures.

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.