Ryan Moore: The NRA is the true gun safety organization

I’m proud to be a life member of the National Rifle Association. The NRA was founded in the 19th century and it’s an organization that is committed to gun safety and to protecting our constitutional rights. There are other organizations that literally have the words “Gun Safety” in their name but they don’t actually offer any gun safety courses. They believe gun safety is not owning any guns but they have found that “gun safety” polls a lot better than “gun control” or “gun ban.”

The NRA, however, does offer a wide variety of gun safety courses and advanced training. They offer online training as well as in-person firearm training from total beginner to competitor level. The NRA’s popular Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program teaches children in pre-K through third grade the four important steps they should take if they find a gun: STOP! Don’t touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult. The NRA’s Carry Guard program is a very complete self-defense membership program for everyone who decides to exercise their Second Amendment right to carry a gun.

We can all agree that making our schools safe for our children must be a top priority. When you join the NRA, to me one of the most important programs that your money goes toward is their National School Shield program. This is an impressive program the NRA offers free of charge to schools to help them with school security, including best practices in security infrastructure, technology, personnel, training and policy. Gun-free zones do not stop criminals as criminals do not obey gun laws. The NRA’s School Shield program is focused on real solutions that will protect our children.

I wasn’t always a supporter of the Second Amendment – in fact I was very anti-gun since my teens. I still have tweets where I called for the Second Amendment to be repealed. But after being the victim of a crime and after deciding to move back to Washington state and build a house, I realized that I needed to take responsibility for my own security and I knew that a gun was going to be the best tool.

Yes, guns are a self-defense tool. Most men are bigger and stronger than most women but guns are the great equalizer. Talk about empowered women!

If you’re afraid of guns the best thing you can do is learn about guns and actually shoot a gun. Search the NRA’s website for an NRA training course near you. Most gun ranges will offer beginner group classes and individual training. You might be like me and discover you actually enjoy target shooting.

Real gun safety is extremely important to NRA members. You’ll find NRA members in every community and we will always be amongst the most law-abiding and patriotic Americans. We will be the ones to step up and risk our life to save yours. Yes, the best way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.

Ryan Moore is a writer, songwriter and social media strategist. He is @RyanMoore on Twitter and Instagram. He lives in Yakima.