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October 17, 2024

NSSF Government Relations Team Profile: Nephi Cole


NSSF’s Government Relations Team is working hard on behalf of the entire firearm and ammunition industry, both at the federal level and at state capitals across the country. To give our members a better understanding of who is fighting for their businesses and Second Amendment rights every day, NSSF will periodically publish a Government Relations Team member profile. October’s NSSF GR Team profile is for Nephi Cole, NSSF Director for Government Relations – State Affairs, Mountain West Region.

1) What is your favorite hunting or recreational shooting sports activity?

It’s probably a tie right now. I’m really enjoying shooting National Rifle League (NRL) hunter matches. I think the “sporting clays” style precision rifle events tailored for hunting weight rifles is the next big frontier of sport shooting. The reason I like it so much, though, is probably because I love western mountain elk hunting so much. The weekend shooting sport really compliments building the skills to chase those once-in-a-lifetime type hunts.

2) How did you become interested in professionally advocating for pro-firearm industry policies and Second Amendment rights?

I was policy advisor for a governor and was heavily involved in firearm policy and recruiting companies to my state. But my personal roots in that are very deep. I grew up hunting and shooting. That history in my family tree goes back to Colonial America and the Mayflower. I’m passionate about protecting our personal freedoms. Freedom of speech, religion and the fundamental protection of those with the right to bear arms. My tenth great-grandfather is buried in Plymouth. His tombstone has the inscription in Latin, “What your forefathers gained through hardship, don’t give away lightly.” I think that’s something to live by, as much as it is one to put on a tombstone.

3) Describe your role within NSSF to the firearm industry community.

I work with elected and appointed government officials in the Rocky Mountains and upper Midwest to craft policies that protect the rights of our industry members to do business supporting the fundamental right to bear arms, as well as the right to hunt and fish. We’ve been successful in doing that. I also serve as a liaison for NSSF to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and attend most of our events that have state chief executives as a focus – Governors.

4) What is your favorite aspect of your role with NSSF while interacting with industry partners?

I love taking people hunting and shooting. I love introducing people to new aspects of the sport. I’m a total gearhead. I absolutely love learning about new technologies and gear in our industry.

5) Describe your favorite “win” from your role/advocacy on behalf of the firearm industry.

A few years ago, in Utah we were able to pass a ballot measure to change the state constitution to add a fundamental right to hunt. I think we need that in every state constitution. I loved following that up by passing bills in South Dakota and Wyoming that made it legal to take predators with thermal and night vision. I believe the industry needs to protect the appropriate use of new technologies. If we don’t, we risk people that don’t understand or use those innovations regulating them out of existence.

6) What’s a favorite hobby or recreational activity outside of hunting or shooting sports?

I love sports. I like stick and ball sports a lot. I’ve taken a recent interest in trying to improve my golf game. It’s a slow process. I shoot a lot more birdies hunting than on the golf course, but it has been a lot of fun.

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