Special Report
House Representatives Who Do the Most to Help the American Gun Industry
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Gun control advocates were dealt a blow in June, when the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court struck down a New York law that placed strict restrictions on carrying concealed firearms. According to the new ruling, law-abiding citizens have a constitutional right to carry concealed weapons in public, a decision that threatens gun restrictions in several states.
The ruling comes as gun advocates have succeeded for years in blocking federal gun control laws, such as bans on certain semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines. Those who are pro guns have been successful in promoting lawmakers who advocate for fewer gun control measures.
To identify the House representatives who do the most to help the gun industry, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the National Shooting Sports Foundation 2022 Congressional Report Card, which assigned each member of Congress with a grade based on their support of gun legislation, opposition to NSSF-opposed legislation, and work in Congress to further the goals of the gun lobby. Here we listed the 44 House representatives with an A+ rating from the NSSF who received donations from the gun lobby of $5,000 or greater.
The NSSF, a Newtown, Connecticut-based firearms trade association, has given an A+ rating to 117 House representatives. This means 27% of all House representatives have the highest possible rating for their legislative work on behalf of the firearms industry lobby and absolutist interpretations of the Second Amendment.
The U.S. is one of the few countries in the world with a constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and subsequently is a global outlier in gun proliferation and gun violence. Though the interpretation of the Second Amendment has been a subject of perennial debate, it seems that the absolutists are winning. (Here are states where people buy the most guns.)
The number of House representatives from each state is proportioned based on the population of the state, but the share of representatives from each state that get the highest marks for their advocacy of gun proliferation does not always correlate with population size.
California has the highest number of House representatives, 53, but only three of its lawmakers have an A+ rating from the NSSF: Republican Reps. Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa, and Kevin McCarthy. Texas, the second most populous state, has 36 representatives, and 10 of them get the highest marks from the NSSF.
At least a third of the representatives have A+ ratings in 22 states, including the following states with populations higher than 10 million residents: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. (This is the year lobbyists influenced government policy the most since 2008.)
Here are the House representatives that do the most to help the gun industry.
44. Rep. Randy Weber, R-TX
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $5,000
> Career largest donor (2012-2022): McCorvey Sheet Metal Works ($56,400)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 61.6% approve, 38.4% disapprove
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43. Rep. Greg Steube, R-FL
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $5,000
> Career largest donor (2018-2022): Club for Growth ($122,654)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 64.6% approve, 34.1% disapprove
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42. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-AL
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $5,000
> Career largest donor (2002-2022): Southern Co ($246,118)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 67.5% approve, 32.5% disapprove
41. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-MI
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $5,000
> Career largest donor (2020-2022): Hantz Group ($190,075)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 66.3% approve, 33.7% disapprove
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40. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-SD
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $5,000
> Career largest donor (2018-2022): State of South Dakota ($98,802)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 81.0% approve, 19.0% disapprove
39. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-AZ
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $5,000
> Career largest donor (2010-2022): House Freedom Fund ($79,635)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 69.7% approve, 30.2% disapprove
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38. Rep. Jared Golden, D-ME
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $5,000
> Career largest donor (2018-2022): Alphabet Inc ($160,701)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 53.0% approve, 47.0% disapprove
37. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-TN
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $5,000
> Career largest donor (2010-2022): McKee Foods ($141,125)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 67.3% approve, 30.5% disapprove
36. Rep. Trent Kelly, R-MS
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $5,500
> Career largest donor (2015-2022): Dunlap & Kyle ($66,100)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 68.7% approve, 31.3% disapprove
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35. Rep. Ken Calvert, R-CA
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $5,500
> Career largest donor (1992-2022): General Atomics ($203,000)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 57.1% approve, 42.9% disapprove
34. Rep. Ben Cline, R-VA
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $5,500
> Career largest donor (2018-2022): House Freedom Fund ($72,650)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 64.6% approve, 35.3% disapprove
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33. Rep. Dan Bishop, R-NC
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $5,500
> Career largest donor (2019-2022): House Freedom Fund ($122,178)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 55.6% approve, 44.4% disapprove
32. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-SC
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $6,000
> Career largest donor (2001-2022): Blue Cross/Blue Shield ($141,734)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 55.7% approve, 42.6% disapprove
31. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-AR
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $6,000
> Career largest donor (2014-2022): PotlatchDeltic Corp ($81,200)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 69.7% approve, 27.5% disapprove
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30. Rep. Thomas Tiffany, R-WI
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $6,000
> Career largest donor (2020-2022): Rice Lake Weighing Systems ($33,800)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 60.7% approve, 39.2% disapprove
29. Rep. Jason Smith, R-MO
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $6,000
> Career largest donor (2013-2022): National Rural Electric Cooperative Assn ($56,100)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 76.9% approve, 21.4% disapprove
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28. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-MI
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $6,000
> Career largest donor (2014-2022): Dow Inc ($229,705)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 65.0% approve, 35.0% disapprove
27. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-VA
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $6,064
> Career largest donor (2007 – 2022): Huntington Ingalls Industries ($161,435)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 58.1% approve, 41.8% disapprove
26. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-ID
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $6,500
> Career largest donor (1998-2022): IDACORP Inc ($133,958)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 64.1% approve, 35.9% disapprove
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25. Rep. Andy Harris, R-MD
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $6,500
> Career largest donor (2010-2022): Club for Growth ($345,251)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 63.4% approve, 36.6% disapprove
24. Rep. Mike Carey, R-OH
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $6,500
> Career largest donor (2021-2022): Jennmar Corp ($35,050)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 58.3% approve, 41.7% disapprove
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23. Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-ND
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $6,550
> Career largest donor (2018-2022): NACCO Industries ($57,500)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 69.0% approve, 31.0% disapprove
22. Rep. William Timmons, R-SC
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $7,000
> Career largest donor (2018-2022): Majority Cmte PAC ($35,000)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 61.6% approve, 38.4% disapprove
21. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-PA
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $7,000
> Career largest donor (2010-2022): Armstrong Group of Companies ($100,950)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 59.3% approve, 40.7% disapprove
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20. Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-GA
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $7,000
> Career largest donor (2016-2022): American Dental Assn ($129,056)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 65.0% approve, 35.0% disapprove
19. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-AL
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $7,393
> Career largest donor (1996-2022): Southern Co ($167,143)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 82.2% approve, 17.8% disapprove
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18. Rep. Don Bacon, R-NE
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $7,450
> Career largest donor (2016-2022): No Labels Problem Solvers ($363,677)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 50.8% approve, 49.2% disapprove
17. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-TX
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $7,500
> Career largest donor (1996-2022): Votesane PAC ($226,400)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 55.9% approve, 44.1% disapprove
16. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-PA
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $7,500
> Career largest donor (2018-2022): Votesane PAC ($40,500)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 64.7% approve, 35.3% disapprove
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15. Rep. Michael Cloud, R-TX
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $8,000
> Career largest donor (2018-2022): Club for Growth ($72,014)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 63.1% approve, 36.9% disapprove
14. Rep. Tom Emmer, R-MN
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $8,450
> Career largest donor (2014-2022): Votesane PAC ($201,000)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 65.7% approve, 34.3% disapprove
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13. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-WV
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $8,565
> Career largest donor (2014-2022): House Freedom Fund ($125,726)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 63.1% approve, 36.9% disapprove
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12. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $9,500
> Career largest donor (2014-2022): Elliott Management ($216,515)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 58.8% approve, 41.2% disapprove
11. Rep. Ken Buck, R-CO
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $10,000
> Career largest donor (2014-2022): Hensel Phelps Construction ($173,600)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 60.1% approve, 39.9% disapprove
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10. Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-SC
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $11,022
> Career largest donor (2010-2022): Club for Growth ($130,100)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 71.2% approve, 28.8% disapprove
9. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-PA
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $11,406
> Career largest donor (2008-2022): Varischetti & Sons ($97,305)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 73.5% approve, 26.5% disapprove
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8. Rep. Blake Moore, R-UT
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $11,633
> Career largest donor (2020-2022): No Labels Problem Solvers ($70,250)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 69.5% approve, 30.5% disapprove
7. Rep. Yvette Herrell, R-NM
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $12,900
> Career largest donor (2020-2022): House Freedom Fund ($472,919)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 53.7% approve, 46.3% disapprove
6. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-WA
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $13,324
> Career largest donor (2014-2022): Bechtel Group ($53,573)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 66.2% approve, 33.8% disapprove
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5. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-OH
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $13,950
> Career largest donor (2006-2022): House Freedom Fund ($93,879)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 67.9% approve, 32.1% disapprove
4. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-LA
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $14,950
> Career largest donor (2008-2022): Votesane PAC ($376,196)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 72.2% approve, 27.8% disapprove
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3. Rep. Ted Budd, R-NC
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $17,950
> Career largest donor (2016-2022): Club for Growth ($461,311)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 68.2% approve, 31.8% disapprove
2. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-CA
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $24,900
> Career largest donor (2006-2022): Goldman Sachs ($263,150)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 58.7% approve, 41.3% disapprove
1. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-NC
> NSSF grade: A+
> Gun lobby donations (2021-2022) $25,899
> Career largest donor (2012-2022): Hendrick Motorsports ($101,300)
> Election results (Nov. 2020): 53.3% approve, 46.7% disapprove
Methodology
To identify the House representatives who do the most to help the gun industry, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) 2022 Congressional Report Card, which assigned each member of congress with a grade based on their support of gun legislation, opposition to NSSF opposed legislation, and work in congress to further the goals of the gun lobby. This list is limited to those house representatives with an A+ rating from the NSSF and who received donations from the gun lobby of $5,000 or greater. The amount of money each representative received from the gun lobby in 2021-2022 and the career-largest donor comes from Open Secrets, and is current as of Sept. 22, 2022. Election results from the Nov. 3, 2020 general election come from Ballotpedia.
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