Being right isn’t inevitably a winning argument. If it were, the gun-control left would never win again, as all the data shows that arresting and prosecuting criminals, not going after law-abiding citizens’ guns, is what makes violent crime drop.
The Trump administration has again made this clear.
As the Trump administration continues to target criminals, a recently published FBI report on crime just disclosed the largest year-to-year drop (by 9.3% from 2024 to 2025) in violent crime since national estimates began in 1936; in fact, the national murder rate fell to 4.1 per 100,000 in 2025, which the FBI says is tied with 1955-56 for the lowest rate in its historical estimates.
This precipitous drop in violent crime is correlating with decades-long increases in gun sales. We now have 29 constitutional-carry states as NRA-led or backed efforts have increased freedom across the land.
Clearly, despite what gun-control groups and the politicians they support continue to claim, the peoples’ guns are not a problem.
As a result of these successes stemming from pro-freedom policies, guns and the Second Amendment are not polling as a central issue for the midterm elections (Nov. 3).
The problem with this is success can lead to complacency.
As I began, being right is often not enough to win national arguments. Elections, after all, are complicated things. Many other issues, policies and personalities impact how citizens vote. This is part of the reason why the political party in power—meaning the one that controls the presidency—often loses seats in Congress in a midterm election.
The political party in power has not always lost seats in midterm elections. The most-recent exception was President George W. Bush in 2002. Still, in the last five midterm elections, the party in power did lose seats.
If a pro-gun-control majority takes control of the U.S. Senate, then the Senate Committee on the Judiciary would also be controlled by anti-gun ideologues. Such politicians could then promote judges for the federal courts who do not even think the Second Amendment protects an individual right. In such a situation, if President Trump does get the opportunity to nominate another U.S. Supreme Court justice, he would have a very difficult time getting someone who backs our most basic freedom confirmed.
Therefore, if you have not voted already, it is imperative you do so. We need every NRA member, and all of the millions who should be members, to vote. Before you do, check how the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) rates candidates on our freedom—you can find candidates’ Second Amendment ratings at NRAPVF.org.
Also, as you speak to people, remind them that tough-on-crime policies—not policies that target law-abiding gun owners—are what got us to the lowest violent-crime rates in more than half a century.
Freedom, after all, is not free. Because NRA members are generous with their time, money and influence, in the last few years, we’ve achieved significant victories. In Washington, D.C., the NRA helped remove the $200 federal excise tax on suppressors and short-barreled firearms. More recently, in a case involving one of our state affiliates, a U.S. district court judge ruled that the National Firearms Act’s registration and approval requirements exceed Congress’ constitutional authority. The work continues. Even today, we’re involved in over 70 cases. You make this work possible.
In continuing the work for freedom, we have had to assess our costs. Beginning Oct. 23, we are introducing a modest price increase as we respond to the ongoing needs of our mission. Significant inflation over the last few years is requiring us to make these changes. Standard dues are moving to $50 for one year, $85 for two years, $110 for three years, and $165 for five years. Life membership will stay at $1,500. We have not made these decisions lightly—this is our first price increase since 2018. The one-year price of $45 has been our base rate since that fall. The Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Calculator puts $45 in September 2018 at almost $60 today. As all of you have undoubtedly experienced yourselves, we live in a more expensive world today than we did eight years ago. We must adjust for this reality.
While we have had to increase our annual membership prices, we have also thought about our Endowment, Patron and Benefactor Patriot Life memberships, the contributory membership levels above Life membership. To upgrade to these levels, we’re lowering the base price of these to $500, $600 and $700, respectively.
Our victories come from you, and we understand your hard-earned dollars make our work possible. We are committed to fiscal responsibility and spending every dollar wisely. We do not make decisions like this lightly, and we know that together, we’ll continue to support our fundamental Second Amendment rights.
With regards to this critical election, for what is right—our freedom—to win, we must show up!
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