What a year it has been! Friends of NRA events have brought together thousands of supporters, volunteers, and shooting sports enthusiasts across the country and there’s still plenty more to come this fall.
From sold-out crowds and record-breaking events to unforgettable nights of fellowship and fundraising, these events showcase what happens when passionate communities come together with a shared commitment to the future of the shooting sports.
A special thank-you goes to our dedicated volunteers who have gone above and beyond to make each event possible. We’re also grateful to every attendee, donor, sponsor, and supporter whose generosity helps make a lasting impact on the shooting sports and the programs that support them. We are especially proud to recognize Ruger, our Defender Level Sponsor, for their generous support and continued commitment to Friends of NRA.
Adding to the excitement at Friends of NRA events this year is the 2026 Gun of the Year, the Daniel Defense H9 9mm with Vortex Red Dot Friends of NRA Edition, one of the standout firearms featured in this year’s exclusive merchandise lineup.
Here’s a look at just a few of the memorable Friends of NRA events from this year so far. Five of these standout events reached an impressive fundraising milestone, each raising more than $25,000 at a single event to earn prestigious High Caliber Club status. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of these committees and the incredible support of their local communities. High Caliber Club committees are also eligible to receive a specialty firearm to feature at the following year’s event, making this accomplishment one worth celebrating!
Smokey Mountain Friends of NRA | Whittier, North Carolina
Smokey Mountain Friends of NRA brought the community together in Whittier for one of North Carolina’s most successful events to date, welcoming more than 775 attendees. This year, the committee took a bold step by moving to a larger venue, allowing them to sell 200 more seats than ever before. Even with that increased capacity, the event sold out weeks in advance, and the event reached the Guardian High Caliber Club Level raising over $150,000 net dollars! Local businesses also played a major role in the event’s success, underwriting every game and demonstrating the incredible support from the community. The outstanding turnout and strong local partnerships made for an unforgettable evening and showcased the enthusiasm and dedication behind Friends of NRA events.
Tri-Cities Friends of NRA | Colonial Heights, Virginia
The Tri-Cities Friends of NRA event had another record-breaking year for Virginia events! Hosted at the Keystone Truck & Tractor Museum in Colonial Heights, the continued success of this event is a testament to the dedication of its volunteers and the strong support of the local community. A special relationship with Smith & Wesson helped secure a few donated unique collectible firearms again for this year's event and an original WWII Colt 1911 and holster brought in over $20,000 in the live auction. With these accomplishments, the event reached Guardian High Caliber Club Level for the first time, a milestone that reflects the committee’s hard work, strong partnerships and commitment to making each year better than the last.
Mid-Hudson Friends of NRA | Wappingers Falls, New York
New York’s Second Amendment community came together for the Mid-Hudson Friends of NRA event in Wappingers Falls for another successful night of fundraising and fun. The dedicated volunteer team has deep ties to the area, even though many now live more than an hour away or even several states away. One of the committee’s keys to success is securing quality collectible firearms for games and raffles, helping generate strong fundraising results. Their hard work continues to pay off, as the event has achieved High Caliber Club status for each event since 1998.
Kootenai Valley Friends of NRA | Libby, Montana
Friends of NRA events bring supporters together in communities of all sizes, and Libby, Montana, was no exception. The event highlighted the enthusiasm and camaraderie that make Friends of NRA gatherings so special. With MT Machine and Fabrication as the Headline Sponsor and Kerr Supply/NAPA Auto Parts Libby as the Independence Sponsor, the event raised more than $50,000, helping the committee reach the Protector High Caliber Club Level.
Lancaster Friends of NRA | Lancaster, California
Recently, supporters in Lancaster, California, came together in August for an exciting Friends of NRA event. The local community showed tremendous support, with 35 local businesses represented at the event. This driven committee also continues to build on its success, earning a spot in the nation’s Top 5 Committees last year, largely thanks to its competitive live auction. This year they have successfully reached Defender Level High Caliber Club status.
These are just a few of the highlights from an incredible year so far, and with a full slate of events still ahead this fall, there are plenty more opportunities to get involved.
Whether you attend an event, volunteer your time, donate, sponsor, or simply help spread the word, your support makes a difference. Together, Friends of NRA supporters are helping strengthen the future of the shooting sports and the programs that keep them thriving.
Don’t miss your chance to join the fun this fall!
Find an upcoming Friends of NRA event near you:
https://www.friendsofnra.org/events
