List of presidents of the National Rifle Association

The position of president of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is a symbolic figurehead role,[1][2] which dates back to the organization's foundation in New York on November 17, 1871.

[10] Throughout its history, presidents have served purposes and effects including providing the NRA greater legitimacy;[7][11] holders of the office have also intentionally provoked outrage and condemnation.

[3][12] Since the 1990s, some NRA presidents have made controversial statements such as when James W. Porter II referred to Barack Obama, whose administration he perceived as hostile to gun rights,[13] as a "fake president" and when Charlton Heston proclaimed to gun control advocates that they could only have his firearm after taking it "from my cold, dead hands.

[17] However, the NRA board of directors amended the organization's bylaws to make a personalized exception for actor Charlton Heston to allow him to serve out a unique five-year term.

Others who have held the position include former United States president Ulysses S. Grant, lobbyist Harlon Carter, American Football League commissioner Joe Foss, and conservative activist David Keene.

Ambrose Burnside in a chair
Post- Civil war photograph of Ambrose Burnside of Rhode Island
colored painting of President Ulysses S. Grant
Presidential Portrait of Ulysses S. Grant (1875)
Black and white photograph of Merritt A. Edson in uniform
Retired Marine officer "Red Mike" Edson ( c. 1936)
Photograph of Charlton Heston in a suit addressing guests
Actor Charlton Heston at an American Film Institute gala (1981)
Oliver North speaking from notes behind a red background at a blue podium
Oliver North speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (2015)
Carolyn Meadows speaking at a convention
Former president Carolyn Meadows served two nonconsecutive terms