New England Firearms Advocacy Conference
CCRKBA, in conjunction with our New England partners — Connecticut Citizens Defense League, Massachusetts Gun Owners’ Action League, Gun Owners of Maine, New Hampshire Firearms Coalition, Rhode Island 2nd Amendment Coalition, and Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs — will host the inaugural Firearms Advocacy Conference
Join us as the New England Firearms Advocacy Conference where together some of the top minds and staunchest advocates from the New England states to discuss legislation, litigation, lobbying, and more! Speakers are to include Second Amendment giants, legislators, attorneys, and content creators. Participants will be provided coffee, pastries, and lunch as well as a program packed with quality presentations and speakers.
If you need a hotel room, we have a block at the nearby Marriott Residence Inn at a discounted rate of 179.00 USD per night.
Last Day to Book : Sunday, April 19, 2026
https://app.marriott.com/reslink?id=1773061601801&key=GRP&app=resvlink
The hotel address is:
Marriott Residence Inn
500 Memorial Drive
Chicopee, MA 01020
The closest airport is Hartford’s Bradley Airport (BDL). It is about 24 miles away from the event location in Chicopee.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Castle of Knights
1599 Memorial Dr, Chicopee, MA 01020 United States
Agenda and Schedule
Opening Remarks
9:00am
Presentation of Colors: Dick Heller, The Heller Foundation
National Anthem Invocation: Klint Macro, Trigger Pressers Union Emcee Introduction: Charlie Cook Opening Remarks: Holly Sullivan & Mike Harris
A Word From Our Sponsor, USCCA
9:20am
Greg Wilks
2A State of the State: Maine
9:25am
Laura Whitcomb
President, Gun Owners of Maine
2A State of the State: Rhode Island
9:35am
Michael O'Neil
Rhode Island 2nd Amendment Coalition
2A State of the State: Vermont
9:45am
Joe LoPorto
State Director, NRA-ILA
2A State of the State: New Hampshire
9:55am
JR Hoell
President, New Hampshire Firearms Coalition
2A State of the State: Connecticut
10:05am
Matt Strasser
Vice President, Connecticut Citizens Defense League
2A State of the State: Massachusetts
10:15am
Mike Harris
Director of Public Policy, Gun Owners Action League
The MA Chapter 135 Repeal Effort
10:25am
Toby Leary
Chairman, Civil Rights Coalition
Legislative Panel: What Pro2A Legislators Need from Constituents
10:50am
Rep. Doug Dubitsky (CT), Sen. Peter Durant (MA), Rep. Rachel Henderson (ME), Rep. Tom Mannion (NH)
Fireside Chat: Second Amendment Issues Across the Aisle
11:30am
Jim Wallace (GOAL) and Representative Jeffrey Turco (MA)
Panel Discussion: How the Firearms Industry Can Support Advocacy Through Business
12:45pm
Patrick Collins (The Gun Food), Toby Leary (Cape Gun Works)
Finding My Second Amendment Voice
1:00pm
Cam Edwards (video)
Making a Positive Impact: Talking 2A on Social Media
1:10pm
Jared Yanis: Guns and Gadgets (video)
Panel Discussion: 2A Advocacy at the Municipal Level
1:25pm
Walt Kupson: CCDL Outreach, John Petrolino: CCRKBA & The Pen Patriot
Connecticut Judicial Update
2:00pm
Attorney Cameron Atkinson: Atkinson Law Firm
Maine Judicial Update
2:15pm
Attorney Kevin Wynosky: Clement & Murphy
Massachusetts Judicial Update
2:30pm
Attorney Jason Guida: Law Office of Jason A. Guida
Rhode Island Judicial Update
2:45pm
Attorney Frank Saccoccio: Comerford & Saccoccio
Panel Discussion: How National Orgs, State Orgs and Local Gun Owners Succeed Together
3:00pm
Joe LoPorto: NRA; Bill Sack: SAF; Holly Sullivan: CCRKBA & CCDL
Keynote Speaker
3:35pm
Dr. John Lott, Crime Prevention Research Center
Critical Elections: Winning Outside of Legislative Session
3:55pm
Kim Morin: Women’s Defense League of NH, Silvana Apicella: CCDL Elections Coordinator, Wendy Wakeman: Civil Rights Coalition
Closing Comments
4:15pm
Mike Harris: GOAL Holly Sullivan: CCDL & CCRKBA
