The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) is delighted to welcome back Keely Hopkins as State Director of State & Local Affairs. In this crucial role, Hopkins will oversee legislative and regulatory activities within the western states previously managed by Dan Reid, utilizing her extensive experience in firearm policy and advocacy to champion the rights of NRA members and gun owners across her assigned region.
Keely Hopkins returns to the NRA-ILA with a wealth of experience, both from her previous tenure with our association and her recent impactful work at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. As the Manager of Western States & Firearm Policy, Hopkins directed legislative and regulatory activities across a 13-state region, demonstrating her capacity to lead, innovate, and advocate effectively for firearm-related issues. Her efforts have led to significant accomplishments, such as the formation of the Oregon Sportsmen Opposed to Gun Violence campaign and her leadership in managing CSF’s participation in legal challenges to California’s youth firearm advertising law.
Randy Kozuch, Executive Director of NRA-ILA, expressed his enthusiasm for Hopkins’s return: “Keely’s deep understanding of the legislative process, combined with her proven track record in advocating for Second Amendment rights, makes her a perfect fit for this role. Her previous success with the NRA-ILA and her recent achievements at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation exemplify her commitment and ability to advance our mission. We are confident that Keely will excel in advocating for our members’ rights and continue to build on our successes in state and local affairs.”
Before her work with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Hopkins served as an NRA-ILA State Director, where she developed and implemented legislative agendas, monitored legislation, and provided direct lobbying in multiple states. Her strategic approach to campaign management and her ability to negotiate complex legislation underscore her expertise in firearm policy and political strategy. Hopkins’s background also includes significant grassroots coordination, where she built infrastructure and mobilized members in support of NRA-ILA’s goals, earning her the NRA’s “Outstanding Achievement Award” in 2016.
Hopkins holds a Juris Doctorate with a focus on Government and Lawmaking from Willamette University College of Law, further solidifying her credentials as a formidable advocate for gun rights. Her educational background, combined with over ten years of experience in government relations and her status as a licensed attorney, equip her with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the legislative landscape effectively.
As Hopkins steps into her role covering a new region, her comprehensive understanding of firearm policy, direct lobbying experience, and dedication to protecting Second Amendment rights will be invaluable assets to NRA-ILA. Her return to NRA-ILA marks a promising development in the organization’s efforts to ensure the preservation and advancement of gun owners’ rights across the United States.