BASTROP, Texas — The Texas State Rifle Association today announced

Sam LaRue Gerdes as their new Executive Director, selecting a lifelong

Second Amendment advocate, firearms industry attorney, and battle-tested

political operative to lead Texas' oldest Second Amendment organization. 

Gerdes' family founded and operates LaRue Tactical, one of the most

respected firearm manufacturers in America. In her capacity as LaRue

Tactical General Counsel, Gerdes successfully fought regulatory overreach

and defended the company against all legal threats. She brings more than

15 years of Texas political experience advising candidates, building

coalitions, and winning high-stakes legislative fights.

"Sam Gerdes is uniquely qualified to lead our organization and advance our

values because she has lived them her entire life" said Jeff Folloder,

President of the Texas State Rifle Association. "Sam knows the industry, she

knows the Texas Capitol, and she knows how to win tough political fights.

We cannot sit back and play defense while anti-gun forces organize their

next attack. Sam will keep us on the offense and advance our rights at every

opportunity."

"I didn't come to the Second Amendment through theory. I grew up in it, I

built my career defending it, and I believe deeply in the right of law-abiding

Texans to keep and bear arms," Gerdes said. "Texas must continue to

advance pro-Second Amendment legislation, recruit a new generation into

our movement, and ensure lawmakers know that Texas gunowners are

informed, organized, and ready to fight."

Gerdes ' priorities include expanding TSRA's grassroots network,

strengthening its Capitol presence, growing statewide membership,

cultivating industry partnerships, and improving strategic communications so

TSRA achieves its biggest wins yet — building on the momentum from

TSRA's recent landmark victory in Jensen v. ATF. As a named plaintiff in the case, 

TSRA helped secure a federal court ruling that struck key registration

and transfer requirements under the National Firearms Act for suppressors,

short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns — defeating a nearly 100-

year-old infringement on the right to keep and bear arms.

Gerdes lives in Bastrop County with her son and husband, Representative

Stan Gerdes (House District 17), just minutes from TSRA headquarters and

the Texas Capitol.