United States Hunters & Firearms Associations

The National Rifle Association : In countless ways every day, the NRA is making the great American traditions of gun ownership and marksmanship enjoyable everyday activities for the nation's entire family.

* The NRA Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is committed to preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
* Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. ("NRA Foundation") is a501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.
* The NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund was established by the NRA Board of Directors in 1978 to become involved in court cases establishing legal precedents in favor of gun owners. To accomplish this, the Fund provides legal and financial assistance to selected individuals and organizations defending their right to keep and bear arms.

"Founded in 1903, the Illinois State Rifle Association, the Illinois NRA Affilliate, has evolved into the state's premier firearm owners organization. Today's ISRA is a quality-driven organization grounded in a philosophy of service to the total shooter. Our organizational values are reflected in every aspect of our mission - from our capital development program to our legislative agenda.

* ISARA Political Victory Fund is a political action committee affiliated with the Illinois State Rifle Association." ... more

"Seminole County Gun and Archery Association (SCGAA) is a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting the safe and lawful use of firearms, protecting the second amendment rights of its members and providing a safe and enjoyable place to shoot.

We are affiliated with the National Rifle Association, Unified Sportsmen of Florida, Civilian Marksmanship Program, National Association of Shooting Ranges, and Florida Sports Shooting Association.

SCGAA provides numerous training and competitive events throughout the year that are open to the public as well as club members." ... more

"The idea of forming a Hunting & Shooting Sports Heritage Foundation (HSSHF) to raise funds for a broad-based industry communications program first came about in May 1998 at the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)-sponsored Shooting Sports Summit held in Branson, Missouri. The NSSF turned that idea into reality at a series of meetings in the fall of 1998 and early 1999, culminating in the chartering of the Hunting & Shooting Sports Heritage Foundation to “…create a sustainable environment for the shooting sports in America.” The concept was expanded to legal defense later in 1998 in response to politically motivated lawsuits against the industry." ... more

"The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) provides direct lobbying and grassroots coalition support to protect and advance the rights of hunters, trappers, anglers, and scientific wildlife management professionals. The USSA is the only organization exclusively devoted to combating the attacks made on America’s sportsman traditions by anti-hunting and animal rights extremists. This is accomplished through coalition building, ballot issue campaigning and legislative and government relations." ... more

Video Library

Awards
Eye on the Anti's
Families Afield
Legislative
On Target Live
Sentry Program
Trailblazer Program
Updates

"Project HomeSafe is a nationwide program, developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), whose purpose is to promote safe firearms handling and storage practices among all firearms owners through the distribution of key safety education messages and free gun locking devices.

NSSF, with over 1,900 members, is the shooting sports industry's largest and most diverse trade association.

Formed in 1961, NSSF manages a variety of outreach programs with a special emphasis on efforts to promote firearm safety education to all gun owners." ... more

"National Hunting and Fishing Day was established by Congress in 1972, to recognize the vital role that hunters and anglers play in wildlife conservation.

Through special license fees and excise taxes on their equipment, sportsmen and sportswomen contribute over $3 million each day -- some $2.3 billion to date -- to pay for land acquisition, habitat improvement and other wildlife programs.

These contributions have led to the dramatic recovery of many species that have never been hunted, from chipmunks and panthers to songbirds and eagles, as well as game species such as the white-tailed deer, elk and wild turkey.

The future of our world, and the preservation of precious natural resources for our great hunting and fishing traditions, rests with America's youth. 4-H members have known this fact for a century.

That is why 4-H members learn about the importance of conserving our Home build's natural resources for future generations and, more importantly, they put their knowledge to work."

... more

"The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations and publishers."

NSSF's History
Following a series of industry meetings in the late 1950s sponsored by Field & Stream magazine, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) was chartered in 1961 to promote a better understanding of and a greater participation in hunting and the shooting sports.

In 1963, the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) merged its promotional arm into the NSSF enabling the foundation to significantly expand its efforts and establish its own headquarters in Riverside, Conn.

Recognizing the growing urbanization of America, NSSF's first efforts sought to build public awareness of the sportsman's role in conservation, and the contributions of our system of wildlife management through landmark efforts such as the annual National Hunting and Fishing Day, established in 1973.

Over the years, the foundation has continued its public outreach efforts while also developing a wide array of programs to encourage new and added participation in hunting and the target shooting sports." ... more

"The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) is an association of the nation's leading manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and components. SAAMI was founded in 1926 at the request of the federal government and tasked with:

• •Creating and publishing industry standards for safety, interchangeability, reliability and quality
• •Coordinating technical data
• •Promoting safe and responsible firearms use

The work at SAAMI is accomplished by its committees. Technical excellence is always our goal and safety is always the prerequisite. SAAMI supports science-based solutions to the many issues related to firearms, ammunition and components. "Who We Are" contains specific information and a description of the function of each committee.

The Web site also contains a glossary of terms, a chart of unsafe firearm and ammunition combinations, a catalog of SAAMI publications, a list of SAAMI member companies (including links to their Web sites) and links to member companies' product manuals." ... more

The Dallas Arms Collector's Association

"The Dallas Arms Collector's Association sponsors the biggest gunshow in Texas and is a not-for-profit organization (501c3). The Dallas Arms Collector's Association currently schedule five shows annually at the Market Hall in Dallas.

The Dallas Arms Collector's Association is affiliated with the National Rifle Association and direct all visitors to review their efforts in support of firearms safety and in legislative activities. The Dallas Arms Collector's Association support also the Texas State Rifle Association and its competition, safety, and legislative activities in Texas.(...)

Education
The DACA schedules the Hunter Education Program at each of our gun shows (except our January shows ). These are invaluable to all individuals as well as being a requirement for hunting in Texas.(...)

Collecting
The DACA is dedicated to promote friendship among those interested in the collection of arms and their accessories. The club provides a means for members to locate, secure and exchange arms and to increase the members knowledge of the history of arms and their values. To achieve the above aims, the DACA holds monthly meetings and sponsors five gun shows a year in Dallas." ... more

"Winchester Arms Collectors Association (W.A.C.A.) is a non-profit tax-exempt corporation and an international organization comprised of over 2,200 members devoted to the preservation, understanding and collecting of Winchester firearms and related products as well as the role these products had throughout American history. W.A.C.A. was organized in July 1977, incorporated February 21, 1978, in the State of Montana and has been NRA affiliated (#G8143) since 1978.

The Winchester Arms Collectors Association, Inc. (WACA) is dedicated to the preservation of all Winchester produced and related items. including Volcanic Rifles and Pistols, Henry Rifles, Model 1866, Winchester Rifle Model 1873, Model 1876, Winchester Rifle Model 1885, Model 1886, Winchester Rifle Model 1892, model 1894, Winchester Rifle Model 1895, Model 1895 Lee, Winchester Model 1887 Shotgun, Winchester Model 1893 Shotgun, Winchester Model 1897 Shotgun, Winchester Model 1901 Shotgun, Winchester Model 12 Shotgun, Winchester model 21 Shotgun, Winchester Model 42 Shotgun, Antique Winchesters, Vintage WInchesters, Winchester Collecting, Historical Winchesters, Winchester Commemoratives, Winchester memorabilia, Winchester Collectable's, and Winchester Cartridge Boards." ... more

"The Washington Arms Collectors (WAC) is a membership organization affiliated with the National Rifle Association. WAC puts on one of the largest gun shows in Washington State. You can and SHOULD become a member of WAC. Only members can buy and sell guns at our shows. Only members may carry firearms into the venue. Look through this site to find out all the ways that a WAC membership can be of value to you. WAC director positions are occupied by some of the most powerful people in the gun rights arena. WAC works to preserve your 2nd amendment rights. The WAC is based on the principles set forth by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution which states that every free citizen has the right to keep and bear arms. WAC members VOTE!!

The Washington Arms Collectors website is dedicated to a short list of purposes.

• Membership - Recruit and help new members join WAC.
• Show information - Maps, reminders, schedules.
• WAC staff contact links
• Important gun rights links." ... more

"The Colt Collectors Association (CCA) was founded in 1980 by a group of avid collectors of Colt firearms and Colt memorabilia. The organization was established to… PROMOTE THE COLLECTING OF ALL TYPES OF COLT FIREARMS & MEMORABILIA

PROVIDE A MEANS OF EXCHANGING KNOWLEDGE AMONG COLT COLLECTORS, and OFFER AN ANNUAL CONVENTION WHERE MEMBERS AND GUESTS CAN MEET.

The organization has more than 2,400 members from all over the world. There is an annual three-day convention in a different location every year covering the whole United States. (...)

All throughout the year, the membership keeps in touch through The Rampant Colt, the official magazine of the CCA. This is a wonderful magazine full of articles, pictures, and advertisements that keep the membership together as a family." ... more

"The Kentucky Rifle Association is a non-profit corporation organized to establish a permanent international organization for promotion of the pleasure and recreation of its members interested in the collection and preservation of the Kentucky Rifle, Kentucky Pistol and related accoutrements.

The Kentucky Rifle Association is dedicated to the heritage of the Kentucky Rifle.

Researchers generally agree that the Kentucky rifle was born in Pennsylvania. Why, then, is the gun called the "Kentucky" rifle? Why is the Kentucky Rifle Association bent on keeping things that way?

The term "Kentucky Rifle" first appeared, in print, in a victory song soon after the American defeat of the British in the Battle of New Orleans. In the song reference was made to "The Kentucky men and their Kentucky rifles." The rifle was used almost exclusively in that battle by the militia from Kentucky and Tennessee under Andrew Jackson.

The name therefore, goes back over 150 years. It was born in battle, honorably, and in defense of our young and struggling nation - the United States of America.

Forged in the heat of battle, the name is covered with glory. This should be enough! But there is more. The name, through long association, conjures up a mental image of the rifle. Say "Kentucky rifle" and people know what you are talking about. Say anything else and you have to explain!

The Kentucky Rifle Association believes that this important and romantic piece of American history is properly named. Early in the Association's life, therefore, the preservation and perpetuation of the name "Kentucky rifle" was adopted as one of its objectives." ... more

"The Willamette Valley Arms Collectors Association (W.V.A.C.A.) grew out of the desire of a group of men who were weapons collectors to form an association of like minded individuals with similar interests. The first regular meeting, held in Halsey, Oregon resulted in the formation of the association with 21 “Original & Charter” members. Some of the “Original & Charter” members were Floyd Jinks, Steve Neshyba, Byron Higbe, Dick Linsday, Harold McCallum, Norm Hill, John Burkland, Andy Maxon, Ernie Cockell, and casey Landon. The next month in Brownsville, Oregon an additional 12 members were added as “Charter” members. That same year in April 29 -30 they held their first semi-annual Gun Show in Tangent, Oregon and in September, the second semi-annual Gun Show.

On May 24th, 1968 the club was incorporated as a non-profit association. By 1972 the Association had reached a level of 99 active members with two regular gun shows held each year. In 1974 a Show Chairman and Historian position was implemented. By 1977 the Association had a roster of 200 active members and was selling out over 250 Swap & Display tables at their shows held at the Lane County Fairgrounds.

The common objective of the club has been to create an association to all members for the benefit of sharing a common interest in the collection, history, and the safe use of all types of firearms and accessories, to sponsor gun shows for the clubs benefit, and to hold monthly meetings to promote fellowship and to educate the public about arms collecting." ... more

"The International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) is commemorating the 60th Anniversary of hunter education in North America with a collector Henry Golden Boy .22 caliber lever action rifle, and/or a Limited Edition Browning model 322571 knife. Click on the image of the gun to open a PDF with more photos, descriptions, and ordering information.

IHEA is affiliated with the Association of Fish and Wildlife agencies, and its goals are many. Since its inception, IHEA has endeavored to:

• Serve as the primary resource for information on hunter education;
• Promote hunter education by providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experiences;
• Promote hunter education by fostering cooperative efforts between government agencies, organized groups, and industry;
• Uphold the image of hunting as a legitimate tool of wildlife management, and as a recreational activity throughout North America;
• Promote programs which prevent hunting accidents;
• Cultivate honesty, self-discipline, self-reliance, responsible behavior, and good citizenship among hunters;
• Strive for constant improvement in hunter education programs;
• Fully involve volunteers and other associate members in all affairs of the International Hunter Education Association." ... more