Liberty Bell Friends of the NRA Dinner in Philly a Success

The Friends of the National Rifle Association is an important fundraising arm for the organization. Funds raised through the group go directly back to fostering and supporting the shooting sports. March 25, 2025 was the Liberty Bell dinner in Philadelphia, and it was a rousing success.

The dinner was held at Cannstatter Volksfest-Verein, a private wedding and event venue. It was said that there were approximately 200 guests and the room was packed.

In attendance at the dinner were NRA CEO and Executive Vice President Doug Hamlin, NRA 1st Vice President William “Bill” Bachenberg, NRA Board Member Todd Ellis, Field Representative Cory Schaeffer, and others.

Friends of the NRA events attract supporters from surrounding areas. Represented in the room were folks from as far away as northern New Jersey, western Pennsylvania, and beyond. The fundraising event held a number of bucket raffles, as well as NRA’s famous “Wall of Guns” drawing, and a live auction.

Having CEO and Executive Vice President Hamlin present for the evening’s proceedings was a nice treat for attendees. During the event, Hamlin delivered some poignant remarks about the importance of the Second Amendment and how the NRA aids in its preservation.

Hamlin talked about how during times of turmoil and uncertainty friends and neighbors might reach out about how to get firearms or even about borrowing gear. “Do you have an extra firearm? Do you have extra ammunition?” Hamlin parroted questions many gun owners have received at one point or another during their lives. “Same thing when COVID hit. There are a lot of your neighbors that know that you’re NRA members, they know you have firearms, and they reached out. ‘Do you have an extra firearm or an extra shotgun? Because I’m concerned, there’s a lot of uncertainty out there.’”

Hamlin asserted that the NRA will continue to safeguard Americans’ right to keep and bear arms…the very same right that early Americans used to absolve their relationship with England nearly 250 years ago.

After Hamlin’s remarks, a live auction commenced and the first table to be served dinner was auctioned off.

Hamlin and 1st Vice President Bachenberg circulated the room and took some time to talk to attendees throughout the night.

“My table had four retired school teachers who have been coming to Friends of NRA banquets for many years,“ Bachenberg said when asked for a comment about the dinner. “These ladies provided a first-person perspective on how woke our schools have gotten and the complete absence of teaching American history and the Constitution. Our Friends of NRA banquets are one of the last defenses in supporting youth shooting sports and American history.”

Hamlin was asked to weigh in about the dinner and offered the following remarks:

It’s always such a privilege to rub elbows and participate in a Friends of the NRA dinner. Pennsylvania is such a dynamic state…and it’s our third largest state for membership. I met a lot of great law-enforcement and military veterans, FFL holders – the mood was very positive and compliments to the NRA field staff who conducted the event itself.

Particular thanks to NRA 1st Vice President Bill Bachenberg and Board Member Todd Ellis, the president of the Keystone State Rifle and Pistol Association who attended.

With the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation coming up in a year, there is a lot of momentum growing on so many fronts. The one common thread that runs through all these dinners is the participants appreciate their Second Amendment rights and they love our country.

NRA, as the USA’s oldest civil rights organization, will be investing in firearms education and training and youth programs in the immediate future. We hope to see everyone in Atlanta April 25-27th for the 154th Annual Meeting.

The Liberty Bell Friends of the NRA banquet was a great event. Knowing that the proceeds from events like the dinner will go directly into important projects such as promoting firearm safety to range improvements to youth shooting programs, is reassuring. The best part for the local chapter is that half of those funds raised go right back into supporting programs in their own state.

With the Annual Meeting right around the corner, members have an opportunity to get in on the action in Atlanta. For those who are going to attend, keep your eyes peeled for Bearing Arms’ very own Editor Cam Edwards and contributor Tom Knighton – It’s said they’ll be on site and you’re likely to catch one or both of them at booth #665 during the show.