Gun Safety Education: A MANDATE for Everytown or NRA?

In the ongoing debate about gun safety in the United States, the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Everytown for Gun Safety stand on opposite sides of the spectrum. One organization actively teaches and sponsors gun safety programs, while the other does not, raising questions about the effectiveness of each approach.

The Importance of Gun Safety Education

The problem with a lack of education is that it leaves individuals, especially children, unprepared in the face of a firearm encounter. One only needs to recall the tragic acts of gun violence to understand the dire consequences of an uninformed public. Given that curiosity often drives the actions of children, it is crucial to arm both children and adults with the knowledge to handle firearms responsibly. Gun safety programs help satisfy children's curiosity about guns and teach them not to touch them while guiding them towards responsible behavior when firearms are involved.

The Role of Education in Gun Safety

As a former Chief Range Safety Officer and current Range Safety Officer, I have taught in excess of 17,000 students, including military police and civilians. During my tenure as a USAF Combat Arms Instructor and NRA Instructor, I have witnessed a few accidental discharges. However, compared to the alternative of not teaching any kind of gun safety, the situation is far better.

Groups like the NRA emphasize education as a critical component of ensuring safety. Education is better than ignorance, as it promotes responsible behavior and reduces the risk of accidents. Conversely, organizations like Everytown for Gun Safety focus on banning guns, completely ignoring the potential for accidents when no safety measures are in place. This approach is not only negligent but also failing to address the root cause of gun-related incidents.

Everytown for Gun Safety: A Concerning Approach

Everytown for Gun Safety's approach to gun safety education is severely lacking. Instead of prioritizing education, they advocate for gun bans, which will not prevent incidents where guns are involved. Handing out a few gun locks does little more than delay the inevitable for the untrained. It is akin to handing out condoms without explaining contraception—a surface-level solution that will not address the underlying issues.

Conclusion

The lack of comprehensive gun safety education by Everytown for Gun Safety is a failure of common sense and a case of serious negligence. It is imperative that both children and adults are educated about firearms to prevent accidents and ensure public safety. Organizations like the NRA play a crucial role in promoting responsible ownership and use of firearms, which is essential for a safer society. By prioritizing education, we can reduce the risk of tragic accidents and promote a culture of responsible gun use.