Gun Owners Urged to Register and VOTE

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), along with groups like the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) and private efforts such as Shoot the Vote, are urging gun owners, hunters, recreational shooters and Second Amendment supporters to make their voices heard this election season. With Election Day, November 5th, rapidly approaching and just over a month away, these organizations are emphasizing the importance of registering to vote and staying informed about where candidates stand on gun rights. (The presidential election is an easy one on this matter: Kamala bad, Trump, at least much better.)

The NSSF, the firearm industry’s trade association, has launched its #GUNVOTE campaign, which seeks to ensure gun owners are registered and ready to vote.

“For millions of Americans who cherish their Second Amendment rights, this truly is the most critical election in history,” said Larry Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Vice President Kamala Harris has clearly laid out her anti-gun agenda, and it’s clear she will continue the Biden-Harris attack on the Second Amendment.”

NSSF’s #GUNVOTE initiative directs gun owners to visit GunVote.org to register and find polling locations. Keane stressed the narrow margins in previous elections, citing the 2020 presidential election, which swung in key states by just a few thousand votes.

“More than 10 million hunters and Second Amendment supporters remain unregistered to vote ahead of the 2024 election,” Keane said, urging voters to not only register themselves but also ensure their fellow gun owners and shooting buddies are ready to vote.

The NSSF pointed out that in several states, hundreds of thousands of gun owners have yet to register. These states include Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina and Arizona, all of which could be pivotal in the upcoming election. For instance, more than 515,277 hunters and gun owners in Pennsylvania alone are still unregistered, while states like Georgia, Wisconsin and Virginia each have over half a million unregistered gun owners.

The NSSF’s #GUNVOTE campaign provides a comprehensive voter education tool that lists every U.S. state with direct links to their respective Secretary of State websites. These resources offer detailed information about voter registration deadlines, early voting procedures and polling locations.

With states already beginning to send out mail-in ballots and offering early voting, the NSSF and other groups are calling on Second Amendment supporters to act swiftly.

“Make sure you’re registered. Check that your hunting and range buddies are registered too,” Keane urged, reinforcing the message that every vote counts.

In addition to the NSSF, the Virginia Citizens Defense League, Shoot the Vote and others have joined the effort to mobilize gun owners ahead of the 2024 election. Their collective message is clear: Don’t risk your rights—register, vote, and protect the Second Amendment.