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Grassroots Spotlight: Meet Jay M. Littlefield Award Winners Rick Coufal and Dennis Barthenheier

Monday, February 13, 2023

Grassroots Spotlight: Meet Jay M. Littlefield Award Winners Rick Coufal and Dennis Barthenheier

The annual NRA-ILA Jay M. Littlefield Award recognizes individual NRA members for their meritorious defense of the Second Amendment. Late last year, awards were presented to two individuals for their selfless commitment to upholding and supporting the Second Amendment.

Dennis Barthenheier, owner of Wisconsin Firearms Training Center in Brookfield, Wisconsin, received the award for his invaluable work with the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division over the past five years. Combining his passion for the Second Amendment, with his business, Wisconsin Firearms Training Center, he continually serves as a beacon for pro-Second Amendment activities in Wisconsin.

Dennis is always willing to generously let NRA, local volunteers, and pro-2A activists use his business and resources for so many important grassroots events focused on educating and engaging many in Wisconsin in support of our rights. He additionally lends his own personal time to the cause and has assisted NRA-ILA with other endeavors outside his business, such as NRA State Conferences and other events.

Rick Coufal has been volunteering directly with the NRA-ILA in Oregon for just a few short years, but has made a huge impact!  He has been instrumental in important grassroots outreach in Oregon as a Frontlines Activist Leader, as well as the Legislative Director for the NRA affiliated State Association. Rick went above and beyond the call by not only helping the new NRA-ILA PNW Grassroots Coordinator get acclimated to the region, but also helped to staff numerous gun shows and legislative events that contributed to his accumulation of more than 120+ volunteer hours in a single year. Most recently he was an integral part of the Oregonians for Freedom Committee, which was instrumental in fighting the atrocious Oregon gun control ballot initiative. A U.S. Army Veteran, he has always been a wealth of knowledge and commitment and one day aspires to serve the NRA in a greater capacity on the Board of Directors.

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Trump Administration Continues to Deliver for Gun Owners with Recent Initiatives

News  

Monday, April 6, 2026

Trump Administration Continues to Deliver for Gun Owners with Recent Initiatives

Amid a steady stream of headlines highlighting anti-gun legislative proposals in the states, ongoing litigation battles, and regulatory uncertainty, there is also good news to report on the Second Amendment front, courtesy of the Trump ...

Trump Administration Addresses Defensive Carry for Active-Duty Military Members

News  

Monday, April 6, 2026

Trump Administration Addresses Defensive Carry for Active-Duty Military Members

Just as we were finalizing another article this week on pro-gun initiatives by the Trump Administration, yet another example was announced. 

Virginia: Governor Spanberger Signing Away Your Rights

Friday, April 10, 2026

Virginia: Governor Spanberger Signing Away Your Rights

Today, April 10th, Governor Spanberger met the expectations of her anti-gun allies, signing two bills into law. This action sets the tone for what may come next as she has until April 13th to render a ...

Anti-gun Chicago Mayor Spends Astronomical Amounts of Tax Dollars on Armed Security

News  

Monday, April 6, 2026

Anti-gun Chicago Mayor Spends Astronomical Amounts of Tax Dollars on Armed Security

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who was dragged for spending over $30,000 of his campaign funds on hair and makeup in a year, is now facing scrutiny over the optics and price tag of his personal security force.

Rhode Island:  Extreme Gun Bill Package Threatens Every Ocean State Gun Owner

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Rhode Island: Extreme Gun Bill Package Threatens Every Ocean State Gun Owner

On Wednesday April 8, the House Judiciary Committee had a lengthy hearing with 17 bills on the agenda, the vast majority of which were anti-gun.

California: Anti-Gun Legislation Scheduled for Committee Hearings Next Week!

Thursday, April 9, 2026

California: Anti-Gun Legislation Scheduled for Committee Hearings Next Week!

On Monday, April 13th at 10:00 AM, the Senate Committee on Appropriations will hear Senate Bill 948, legislation aimed at dramatically expanding the scope and requirements of California's Firearm Safety Certificate.

Social “Science” Replication Crisis Shows Danger Field Poses to Public Policy

News  

Monday, April 6, 2026

Social “Science” Replication Crisis Shows Danger Field Poses to Public Policy

Gun rights supporters know that civilian disarmament advocates have long employed dubious social “science”/public “health” research in their mission to strip Americans of their Second Amendment rights.

Rhode Island:  Gun Bans On Tap In Providence Next Week

Friday, April 3, 2026

Rhode Island: Gun Bans On Tap In Providence Next Week

On Wednesday April 8, the House Judiciary Committee will meet in the House Lounge at 4 p.m. to launch an historic attack on our Second Amendment rights. 

Virginia: Legislature Adjourns from 2026 Session; Anti-Gun Bills on Governor's Desk

Sunday, March 15, 2026

Virginia: Legislature Adjourns from 2026 Session; Anti-Gun Bills on Governor's Desk

On Saturday, March 14th, the Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die from the 2026 legislative session, and the future of the Commonwealth hangs in the balance. 

Maine: FFL Killer Bill Fails on the House Floor, Rights Restoration Bill Passes

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Maine: FFL Killer Bill Fails on the House Floor, Rights Restoration Bill Passes

On Thursday, April 9th, LD 1821, the FFL Killer Bill failed on the House floor in Augusta on a bipartisan vote (85-63). 

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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.