The collection spans over 600 years of firearm history, beginning with early hand cannons.
The 'Hollywood Guns' gallery contains pieces used in iconic films, including those from Westerns and modern action blockbusters.
The museum holds significant presentation pieces gifted to U.S. Presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The galleries are designed to simulate historical environments, such as a frontier trading post and an early 20th-century gun shop.
It is one of the few national-level museums dedicated exclusively to the study and preservation of firearms technology and history.
The NRA National Firearms Museum houses a massive collection of nearly 3,000 firearms displayed across 15 interconnected galleries. The exhibits track the history of firearms in America from the colonial period through the modern era. Displays include significant historical artifacts, such as firearms used by American presidents and weapons featured in popular film and television productions. The facility is located within the NRA headquarters building in Fairfax, Virginia. Each gallery features period-specific aesthetics to provide context for the technological evolution of the weaponry on display. Visitors walk through a chronological progression, beginning with early flintlocks and transitioning into military, sporting, and law enforcement pieces. The collection also includes rare prototypes and highly engraved artisan pieces of significant craftsmanship.
The dramatic, wide-angle view of the 'Western' gallery displays featuring large, immersive dioramas.
Download the museum's digital map or app before arriving to help navigate the 15 distinct galleries.
Allocate extra time for the 'Hollywood Guns' and 'Winchester' galleries as they are often the most detailed.
Parking is located directly on-site and is generally straightforward due to the facility's suburban location.
Do not attempt to touch the display cases, as the alarms are highly sensitive.
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Visitors must follow standard museum decorum; photography is permitted for personal use, but flash and tripods are prohibited.
