NSSF Honors Rep. Ben Cline as 2025 Legislator of the Year for Firearm Industry Advocacy
Event summary
- NSSF awarded Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va.) its 2025 Legislator of the Year for his support of firearm industry legislation.
- Cline led efforts to zero out NFA tax stamps for suppressors and short-barrel firearms, resulting in tens of thousands of new suppressor applicants.
- He championed the Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act to ensure industry operations during government shutdowns.
- Cline earned an A+ on NSSF's 2024 Congressional Report Card with a 100% voting record on NSSF priority legislation.
The big picture
The honor highlights the firearm industry's strategic focus on legislative advocacy to reduce regulatory burdens and expand Second Amendment rights. Rep. Cline's leadership demonstrates the industry's ability to push through significant policy changes, particularly around tax policy and government shutdown protections. This comes amid ongoing tensions between the industry and federal regulators.
What we're watching
- Legislative Momentum
- Whether Rep. Cline can maintain or grow support for key NSSF-backed bills like the Hearing Protection Act.
- Regulatory Environment
- How the Biden administration's policies may continue to impact the firearm industry.
- Industry Growth
- The pace at which NFA tax stamp changes drive new suppressor and short-barrel firearm applications.