Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News Take Action

To November and Beyond!

Friday, May 11, 2018

To November and Beyond!

On May 5th, 175 pro-Second Amendment patriots packed a meeting room in Dallas’s Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center to learn what more they can do to be a force multiplier in this year’s elections, and to learn from the next generation of Second Amendment leaders on how to further engage college and high school students in our efforts.

Attendees were welcomed by James Dickey, Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, who was followed by Florida State Representative Cord Byrd. Rep. Byrd gave a chilling account of the political climate in Tallahassee that ultimately led to the passage of a package of gun control laws.  Both gentlemen stressed the need for enhanced involvement in the 2018 elections by NRA members and gun owners.

The highlight of the event, however, was an energetic panel of young, passionate Second Amendment activists, who gave their perspectives on the emerging youth movement in the gun rights debate.  The panel, moderated by ILA Grassroots Programs and Campaign Field Operations Director Glen Caroline, featured: 

  • Rachel Malone who serves as Operations Director for the Republican Party of Texas, where she works to implement Chairman Dickey's vision within each department of RPT and connects with board members, elected officials, and the grassroots on behalf of the Chairman. Rachel is a nationally certified defensive handgun and rifle instructor whose passion is to train Texans in the process by which they can make change happen.
     
  • Rachel Freehill who is the field director for Turning Point USA in North Texas and Oklahoma, as well as the Texas Media Spokeswoman for EmPOWERed, a nonprofit organization that fights for women's rights to self-defense on college campuses. She is the daughter of a Dallas Police Officer and the soon-to-be wife of a Denton County Sheriff's Deputy and says that being close to law enforcement has taught her the importance of being well armed. Rachel works at over 60 college campuses and has become skilled at appealing to the interests of a variety of different personalities, from the social justice warrior student to the professor who is deeply set in their convictions that guns have no place in civilized societies.
     
  • Estrella Gonzales who is completing her second year as a broadcasting major at the University of Texas at Arlington. She joined Turning Point USA in the fall of 2016 and founded a chapter on her campus. She has served as Chapter President for two years and works as a Campus Coordinator for the organization as well. Last summer, she was awarded the Margaret Thatcher Young Leader Award at the Young Women's Leadership Summit and is a finalist in the 2018 Radio Mercury Awards for her PSA "Mixed Signals". Last September, she served on a panel at the NRA Women's Leadership Forum Summit. 
     
  • Jeramy Kitchen who is the former President of Texas Tech Young Conservatives of Texas; Former Board Member of Young Conservatives of Texas, and Current Chief of Staff to a Texas House member.


The panelists provided insight outlining their own personal experiences, including mobilizing young activists, and took questions and comments from audience members.

The final speaker was Trey Ramsey, NRA-ILA’s Southeast Grassroots Field Coordinator, who discussed ILA’s various volunteer programs and how conference attendees could enroll and work to recruit other volunteers.

If the attendance and passion exhibited in Dallas were any indications, those on the front lines of our battle to preserve and protect the Second Amendment understand what’s at stake in this November’s election and are ready to lead the charge!

TRENDING NOW
Washington: Gun-Free Zone Expansion Bill Scheduled for Hearing on Tuesday

Friday, March 14, 2025

Washington: Gun-Free Zone Expansion Bill Scheduled for Hearing on Tuesday

On Tuesday, March 18th, the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary will hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 5098, a gun-free zone expansion bill. The hearing has been set for 10:30AM.

NRA Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order Protecting Second Amendment Rights

News  

Second Amendment  

Friday, February 7, 2025

NRA Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order Protecting Second Amendment Rights

Today, the White House announced a new Executive Order to protect and expand the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. This is the first action taken by President Donald J. Trump to carry through ...

MA Supreme Judicial Court Holds Old Nonresident Carry Licensing Scheme Unconstitutional But Upholds New Law

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

MA Supreme Judicial Court Holds Old Nonresident Carry Licensing Scheme Unconstitutional But Upholds New Law

On March 11, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts issued two decisions concerning the Commonwealth’s firearms carry licensing scheme for nonresidents.

Vermont: Crossover Day Defeats All Anti-Gun Bills for 2025

Friday, March 14, 2025

Vermont: Crossover Day Defeats All Anti-Gun Bills for 2025

Today, March 14th, is  the "crossover" deadline in the Vermont legislature. Bills that fail to advance out of the chamber of origin are considered "dead" for the session.

Oregon Court Of Appeals Reverses Lower Court Decision, Lifts Hold on Ballot Measure 114

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Oregon Court Of Appeals Reverses Lower Court Decision, Lifts Hold on Ballot Measure 114

On Wednesday, March 12th, the Oregon Court of Appeals reversed a lower court decision that had declared unconstitutional Ballot Measure 114, which imposed a permit-to-purchase scheme and banned the possession of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. ...

New Mexico: Semi-Auto Ban Legislation Held Over in Committee Until Friday

Thursday, March 6, 2025

New Mexico: Semi-Auto Ban Legislation Held Over in Committee Until Friday

Yesterday the New Mexico Senate Judiciary Committee met to continue discussions on Senate Bill 279 (GoSAFE). The author did not accept the committee substitute to amend the near all-encompassing ban on semi-auto firearms with equally ...

California: Bill to Restrict Self Defense Withdrawn by Sponsor

Friday, March 14, 2025

California: Bill to Restrict Self Defense Withdrawn by Sponsor

On Wednesday afternoon, Assemblymember Zbur announced he is withdrawing Assembly Bill 1333 that would have restricted self-defense rights in California. The legislation, which was strongly supported by Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action, ...

Oregon: Permit-to-Purchase and FFL-Killer Bills in Committee Next Week!

Friday, March 14, 2025

Oregon: Permit-to-Purchase and FFL-Killer Bills in Committee Next Week!

In the wake of this week's court decision on Ballot Measure 114, anti-gun radicals in the legislature intend to add insult to injury. 

Colorado: FOID Bill Passes House Judiciary With More Amendments

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Colorado: FOID Bill Passes House Judiciary With More Amendments

Yesterday, March 11th, Senate Bill 25-003 underwent another transformation during a late-night hearing in the House Judiciary committee, ultimately passing with amendments along a party-line vote. 

New Mexico: Anti-Gun Extremists Introduce Sweeping Gun Ban

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

New Mexico: Anti-Gun Extremists Introduce Sweeping Gun Ban

As they have tried in the past, anti-gun radicals in the New Mexico Senate have introduced Senate Bill 279, the "GOSAFE Act," a near all-encompassing ban on semi-automatic and NFA firearms.

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.