NRA Members: Responsible Gun Owners
If you are a member of the NRA, chances are you are not the problem with gun violence in America. The NRA and its members tend to take gun ownership and safety seriously. The NRA supports the second amendment and supports gun owners who shoot for sport or carry for self-defense. The vast majority of gun violence and homicides is gang-related or committed by people who illegally obtained the weapons used in a crime. Most newly proposed gun laws would merely target responsible gun owners while doing nothing to prevent gang violence, or criminals from continuing to illegally obtain guns, from across the border or otherwise. Criminals don't bother with conceal and carry permits. Law-abiding citizens do.NRA as Leader in Gun Safety and Training
The NRA offers countless educational and training courses on responsible gun use. They teach proper care and use of guns to children, adults, and the elderly. They train women how to not be a victim of violence and how to defend themselves beyond dialing 9-1-1 and hoping that the police show up on time. They have a program that teaches young children what to do if they come across a gun. The NRA does everything a responsible organization should do to promote the safe and proper use of guns. Blaming the NRA for gun violence is like saying AAA – an organization offering driving courses for beginners, the elderly, and everyone in between – is responsible for car accidents. Guns exist in America, and they always will. An organization that trains on and emphasizes safety is not the enemy.Opposition to the Glorification of Gun Violence
Since the NRA is considered a “conservative” organization (supporting that whole crazy Constitution and Bill of Rights and such), they are easy targets for anti-gun politicians and media-types. Yet the clear visual proponent of gun violence – even if “unintentional” – is often given a pass for their ties to Democratic politicians. Yes, we are talking about Hollywood. Rather than teach gun safety, Hollywood and video game producers create and market “cool” gun violence movies, shows, and games to young males. The cooler the gun death scene the better. Over-the-top gun scenes are now the norm, desensitizing America’s youth to the horrible reality of gun violence and making it “cool.” Were that gun safety and responsibility programs were made “cool” instead. (Read more about Gun Violence and the culture.)Special Thanks to the NRA
Rather than continue to vilify the NRA, we should thank them. We should thank them for teaching children what to do if they find gun, rather than leave them to their own devices and an imagination defined by an entertainment culture that glorifies gun violence. We should thank them for taking those same children and teaching them how to properly use, clean, and care for a gun when age appropriate. We should thank the NRA for helping women, homeowners, and anyone else from becoming victims. We should thank the NRA for doing everything right when it comes to handling guns, rather than a culture that teaches everything wrong.Notable Quotes
"There are hundreds of millions of gun owners in this country, and not one of them will have an accident today. The only misuse of guns comes in environments where there are drugs, alcohol, bad parents, and undisciplined children. Period." - Ted Nugent, NRA Board Member and Rock Musician
"Well [the NRA] sure are a fringe group, but whether enough of my colleagues are ready to admit that, I’m not sure... They are a very extreme group. They don’t even represent average gun holders." - Anti-gun US Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
