Who’s Your Gun Daddy? The Republicans Have It Hands Down 

In light of last night’s vice presidential debate, Americans are reminded there are more elections at stake than just the ticket for the presidency. There are numerous Senate and House races as well.

The NSSF has released its 2024 Congressional Report Card, offering a clear look at where members of Congress stand on key legislation affecting the firearm industry, Second Amendment rights and the interests of hunters and recreational shooters. As the nation inches closer to the November elections, gun owners and advocates of firearm freedoms can see exactly which politicians are their strongest allies—and, unsurprisingly, Republicans dominate the top of the list. In fact, they OWN the top of the list.

The NSSF’s grading system ranks lawmakers on their support for pro-firearm legislation during the 118th Congress (2023-2024). The scores are based on voting records, sponsorship and co-sponsorship of key bills, committee work and overall leadership in defending the gun industry. These grades don’t serve as endorsements but are a clear signal of which lawmakers prioritize gun owners’ rights.

The Senate Breakdown: A Stark Contrast

Republicans in the Senate overwhelmingly received high marks, with 27 Senators earning an “A+” grade, while another 11 received grades ranging from A to B. Among the top performers were eight Senators who achieved a perfect voting record and earned special recognition on the NSSF’s Dean’s List. Meanwhile, not a single Democrat managed to rise above a failing grade, with 39 Senate Democrats receiving an “F.”

This divide shows that when it comes to gun rights, party affiliation plays a major role. Republican Senators, by and large, stood strong in defense of the Second Amendment, while their Democratic counterparts were widely viewed as hostile to the industry and gun ownership.

Senate Grades by Party

Republicans

• A+: 27
• A: 8
• A-: 3
• B+: 3
• B: 1

Democrats

The House: Republicans Lead the Charge

The situation in the House of Representatives mirrors that of the Senate, with Republicans standing as the clear champions of gun rights. A total of 127 Republican Representatives earned an “A+” rating, and 24 of those were placed on the NSSF’s Dean’s List. An additional 75 Republican lawmakers received grades between A and B, while a small handful had lower marks or incomplete grades due to insufficient records.

On the other side of the aisle, the grades for Democrats were dismal. Out of 157 Democratic House members, the overwhelming majority were handed an “F,” indicating a consistent pattern of voting against pro-gun legislation. Only five Democrats avoided outright failing marks, with four receiving a “D-” and one earning a “D.”

House Grades by Party

Republicans

• A+: 127
• A: 26
• A-: 20
• B+: 16
• B: 9
• C+: 5
• C: 0
• Incomplete: 3

Democrats

Who’s on the Dean’s List?

In both the House and Senate, a select group of Republicans achieved the highest possible distinction. These lawmakers had a perfect voting record, co-sponsored key legislation, and demonstrated consistent leadership in defense of the firearm industry and Second Amendment rights. This group represents the staunchest defenders of gun owners’ rights and will likely remain key allies for those invested in the preservation of gun freedoms.

Dean’s List Members in the Senate

• Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
• Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
• Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
• Mike Crapo (R-ID)
• Steve Daines (R-MT)
• Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
• Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
• Pete Ricketts (R-NE)

Dean’s List Members in the House

• Mark Alford (R-MO-04)
• Brian Babin (R-TX-36)
• Cliff Bentz (R-OR-02)
• Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05)
• Ken Buck (R-CO-04)
• Lauren Boebert (R-CO-03)
• Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04)
• Ron Estes (R-KS-04)
• Brad Finstad (R-MN-01)
• Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07)
• Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI-05)
• Jeff Duncan (R-SC-03)
• Russ Fulcher (R-ID-01)
• Mike Garcia (R-CA-27)
• Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09)
• Glenn Grothman (R-WI-06)
• Kay Granger (R-TX-12)
• Richard Hudson (R-NC-09)
• Wesley Hunt (R-TX-38)
• Jim Jordan (R-OH-04)
• Ralph Norman (R-SC-05)
• Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24)
• Thomas Tiffany (R-WI-07)
• Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04)
• Rob Wittman (R-VA-01)
• Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19)
• Tim Burchett (R-TN-02)
• Mike Bost (R-IL-12)
• Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY-04)
• Pat Fallon (R-TX-04)
• Vicky Hartzler (R-MO-04)
• Brian Mast (R-FL-21)
• Chip Roy (R-TX-21)
• Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21)

Chart: NSSF Grades by Party

This table visually summarizes the grades for both Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate based on the NSSF’s 2024 report card, showing a clear divide between the parties on their support for gun rights and the firearm industry.

For gun owners heading to the polls this November, this report card highlights who is most committed to defending their Second Amendment rights. The distinction between the two parties on this issue could not be clearer, and gun owners have the data they need to make informed decisions in the voting booth.