NRA Names New Federal and State <br> Legislative Hunting Affairs Liaison

(Fairfax, VA) -- The National Rifle Association, the nation’s oldest sportsmen’s organization, has named Dawson R. Hobbs as Manager of Hunting Policy.  Mr. Hobbs will serve as the principal liaison for all hunting related legislative issues at both the congressional and state level. 

This is a new position within the NRA created to consolidate and strengthen American hunters’ political power through a visible advocacy group that preserves the sport, expands seasons, opens lands and celebrates the culture of hunting.  A vital part of this position will be to rein in the growing effort to marginalize rank and file hunters by reducing hunting opportunities and increasing hunting tariffs. 

“Hunters in this country face increased regulation every day at every level of government.  They’ve become a constituency that many politicians pay lip service to every election year but then are ignored during the legislative process.  This routine must stop,” NRA chief lobbyist and chairman of the National Rifle Association’s Political Action Committee, Chris W. Cox said.    

Dawson Hobbs joined NRA as a legislative aide in 1998.  He then worked as a research analyst during 2000 election, assisting with the writing and production of election mailings.  He also authored numerous legislative and election related articles for NRA magazines. 

In 2001, Dawson was promoted to lobbyist for state and local government issues, where he successfully worked on lawsuit preemption bills in Kansas and West Virginia, dove hunting bills in Michigan and Minnesota, and 16 pro-gun bills in Virginia -- including major exemptions from one-handgun-a-month law, expanded reciprocity for RTC permit holders and expanded Virginia’s firearms preemption law.  In 2003, Hobbs spearheaded efforts to save the West Virginia University rifle team by securing an appropriation from the legislature.  And, during his tenure as a lobbyist he helped defeat anti-gun legislation in seven states, including a gun ban in Illinois that would have seriously impacted hunters.

A native of Dallas, Texas, Dawson Hobbs received a bachelor of arts in history from Texas A&M University.  He grew up hunting and shooting with his father and two brothers, and still enjoys spending days afield.

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Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights group.  Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights 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.