Make Plans to Attend the 2021 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits
With the dates for what would have been the 2020 National Rifle Association Annual Meetings & Exhibits (NRAAM) having come and gone with nary a shooter, hunter, outdoorsman, or Second Amendment supporter to be seen, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing cancellation, sights are now set on the 2021 show, slated to begin one year from today.
The NRA noted that they “did not reach this decision lightly” and “were ultimately guided by our responsibility to help ensure the safety and well-being of our NRA members, guests, and surrounding community.” Continue reading
NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits Kicks Off Friday in Dallas
Visit Industry Members, Attend Classes, Vote for the Board of Directors
The 147th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits (NRAAM) begins its four-day run today at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, with exhibits running Friday, May 4 through Sunday, May 6.
More than 80,000 attendees are expected to turn out to visit with over 800 exhibitors from the shooting and hunting industries. The exhibits aren’t the only draw, however, with numerous other events on the schedule, including seminars, banquets, musical performances, the annual meeting of members, and the Leadership Forum featuring speakers such as President Donald J. Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Ted Cruz, Benghazi survivor Mark Geist, Dana Loesch, social media hotshots Diamond & Silk, as well as many others.
The NRAAM is free to all NRA members and their families (including spouses and children under 18 years old), although there are paid ticketed events, so be sure to check the schedule for details of specific events.
To keep track of exhibitors you want to visit, events you want to attend, and more, you can download the official NRAAM mobile app for Android and iOS.
Firearm Policy at NRAAM
A perennial question surrounding the NRA show is whether or not attendees can carry their personal firearms at the show, either openly or concealed. The NRAAM website states that “During the 2018 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, lawfully carried firearms will be permitted in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and the Omni Dallas Hotel in accordance with Texas law. When carrying your firearm remember to follow all federal, state, and local laws.”
So, yes, you can carry your firearm, BUT… Due to the attendance POTUS and VPOTUS at the NRA-ILA Leadership Conference, the U.S. Secret Service will be responsible for event security at this portion of the event in the Arena at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. As such, firearms and firearm accessories, knives or weapons of any kind will be prohibited in the Forum prior to and during his attendance. For more details, check out the Secret Service notice. Continue reading
Vice President Pence to Speak at the 2018 NRA-ILA Leadership Forum
The National Rifle Association (NRA) Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) today announced that Vice President Mike Pence will keynote the annual NRA-ILA Leadership Forum on Friday, May 4, in Dallas, Texas. The event kicks off the 2018 election cycle and will feature a powerful lineup of pro-freedom speakers.
NRA-ILA executive director, Chris Cox, says of Pence’s appearance, “It’s an honor to have Vice President Pence address our members in Dallas. He is a lifetime supporter of the Second Amendment and he has a long a record of fighting to defend our freedoms. Now more than ever we need principled people in public office who will fight to defend the Constitution. Our members are excited to hear him speak and thank him for his leadership.”
Both the NRA and President Trump, who has appeared at previous Leadership Forums during the NRA Annual Meetings, have taken heat recently for their support of certain gun control measures, such as placing restrictions on firearm accessories including bump-stocks, which the ATF had previously determined did not fall under their purview.
The NRA-ILA Leadership Forum takes place Friday, May 4, 2018 from noon to 3PM. The lineup of speakers includes NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre; NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox; Hon. Mike Pence, Vice President; Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas; Sen. John Cornyn, Texas; Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas; Gov. Pete Ricketts, Nebraska; Rep. Richard Hudson, North Carolina; Mark Geist, Benghazi Survivor; Diamond & Silk, Social Media Personalities; Dana Loesch, NRA Spokesperson; Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA Founder.
More details are available on the NRAAM website. While the NRAAM is free to attend for current NRA members and their immediate family, the Leadership Forum requires an additional paid ticket.
Pete Brownell Elected NRA President Following NRAAM 2017
The NRA Board of Directors elected the next generation of leadership for the nation’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group, electing lifelong NRA Life Member Pete Brownell as President May 1, capping off the 146th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Atlanta.
Brownell, whose entire life has been dedicated to the outdoors and shooting traditions, is the CEO of his family’s namesake business and firearms industry leader, Brownells, Inc. Under his leadership, Brownells experienced a ten-fold growth from a “niche-specific supplier” of gunsmithing tools to an international company offering firearms, parts, ammo and accessories to shooters, hunters, gunsmiths and retailers worldwide.
His Iowa roots rich with shooting and hunting heritage combined with his family’s commitment to serve and uphold those traditions set the stage for Brownell to seek election to the NRA Board of Directors in 2010. Since then, he has served as chairman of the Membership Committee, and as a member of the Finance, Law Enforcement Assistance, Publications Policies, and Sport Shooting Committees. He was elected as the NRA’s Second Vice President in 2013, and elected as First Vice President in 2015. He succeeds Allan D. Cors to become the 64th President of the NRA.
“It’s an honor and privilege to serve the 5 million members of the National Rifle Association of America. I am humbled to serve alongside Wayne LaPierre – the true heart and soul of this Association and to walk in the footsteps of my predecessors,” said Brownell. “I’m a proud NRA member from day one who grew up with a passion for guns, our rich hunting heritage, and a passion to strengthen our Second Amendment.”
In addition to Brownell’s election, the NRA Board of Directors re-elected Wayne LaPierre as the NRA Executive Vice President. Under his trusted leadership, the NRA has grown to unprecedented levels, becoming the preeminent force in American politics and strengthening its position as the nation’s foremost defender of the Second Amendment. Upon his re-election, LaPierre reappointed Josh Powell to the position of Executive Director of NRA General Operations and Chris W. Cox to the position of Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. Continue reading
Atlanta to Host NRA’s 146th Annual Meetings and Exhibits
The 146th National Rifle Association (NRA) Annual Meetings and Exhibits will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia from April 27-30, 2017. This four-day event will be attended by tens of thousands of patriots and features more than 15 acres of the most spectacular displays of firearms, and shooting and hunting accessories in the world. For more information on the massive RKBA event, visit www.nraam.org.
The NRAAM features a powerhouse lineup of political speakers, a Saturday night celebration like no other, hundreds of exhibitors from around the firearms industry, fellowship with like-minded Second Amendment supporters at a variety of breakfasts, luncheons and dinners, and much more. Learn about the progress made over the past year and what the upcoming year has in store at the annual Meeting of Members during the show and make your voice heard within the country’s preeminent gun rights organization.
Attendance to the 146th NRA Show is free for current members of the National Rifle Association. If you are not yet a member, you can join the NRA at discounted rates here.
Exhibit hall hours are from 9AM to 6PM on Friday April 28 and Saturday April 29 and 10AM to 5PM on Sunday April 30. Click here for a complete list of NRAAM exhibitors and here for a schedule of events.
Participate in workshops and seminars on everything from Methods of Concealed Carry to effective dog training to self defense talks from the Refuse to be a Victim program. NRAAM also includes separate ticketed events like the Saturday night celebration with a concert by Hank Williams Jr with guest Lee Brice. Tickets for those events are available here.
For open and concealed carry practitioners, the NRAAM website offers the following statement: “During the 2017 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, lawfully carried firearms will be permitted in the Georgia World Congress Center and the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center in accordance with Georgia law. However, firearms are not allowed in the remainder of the CNN Center, including the food court and shops. When carrying your firearm, remember to follow all federal, state and local laws.”
If you are already an NRA member, you can preregister here to have your admission badges mailed directly to you for free. Your badges give you full access to the exhibit hall for all three days. NRA members can include their spouse and up to 5 children (under the age of 18). If you still need to join NRA before the event, click here to join here for reduced dues.
2016 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits Gallery
The 2016 iteration of the National Rifle Association Annual Meetings and Exhibits (NRAAM) has drawn to a close and it was a resounding success.
With just over 80,000 in attendance over the three-day span, this year’s event was the second biggest in the show’s 145-year history, creating what the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates to be a $53 million economic impact for the city.
The GunLink team was there from the pre-show events to the closing bell on the last day (serenaded out by Mark Wills at the FN booth). We got to catch up with some old friends, speak with exhibitors and attendees, spend money on show specials, and snap photos. In case you were not able to make it to Louisville, here is some of what you missed…
