Open letter to NRA members

Dear friends, 

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School shook me like it did most people. The following media storm disgusted me like it did most people. The politicizing of this tragic event to get rob law-abiding citizens of the constitutionally protected right to bear arms to protect themselves and their families reminds me that our constitutionally-protected rights will only continue to protect us as long as we protect the constitution. 

Now, as much as ever before, we need to be united and vigilant to repel any effort to rid us of our civil liberties. Now, as much as ever before, the four million members of the NRA need to reach out to the almost three hundred million men, women, and children of the United States to convince them of the importance of being self-reliant when it comes to protecting themselves, their families, and their property. Now, as much as ever before, we need more guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens. 

The leadership of the NRA has deviated from this maxim. They have publicly stated that they want armed security guards in schools. I believe this runs afoul of our morals and our principles even if we let the practical issues of such operation aside. 

We have our fair share of lunatics and people who have nothing but malicious intent. However, I truly believe that the vast majority of the people are level-headed, law-abiding citizens. If I had even the slightest doubt in the previous statement, I would never attempt to defend the right to bear arms. The answer is not in having one gun or an organized cartel or gang of people in charge of security in our schools. 

The logical answer to controlling gun violence is proper gun safety education. Teach people about safe usage of firearms. Teach them about the safe storage of firearms. Encourage more people to carry firearms in their person but at the same time help them understand that the goal most of the time is deescalation of violence. Of course, this is more difficult to do than to just have a single person or a gang with guns in every school. However, this is the right way. A single person with guns in a school building quickly becomes the target of anyone who wants to grab his gun and go on a shooting spree. Thirty-five teachers and school administrators properly educated and trained about proper gun usage are a more formidable defense. 

The leadership at the NRA is causing a firestorm. Read the following opening paragraph on The New York Times: 

After a weeklong silence, the National Rifle Association announced Friday that it wants to arm security officers at every school in the country. It pointed the finger at violent video games, the news media and lax law enforcement — not guns — as culprits in the recent rash of mass shootings.

 How can we convince the general population to take us seriously when all the NRA leadership does is finger-pointing at video games, news media, and law enforcement? We need to build trust, not general distrust. The answer is in voluntary armament of ordinary citizens. People who want access to guns should have access to guns as well as access to proper education regarding gun safety. Lets try to bring everyone together and not drive everyone apart. The road is rough and it will be an ever-unfulfilled mission to get proper equipment and training to all that seek to bear firearms but we have a better chance at getting more level-headed, non-partisan people on board with a plan that encourages civil empowerment and safety of the masses. Do you think that any gun control activist reading the New York Times will be swayed by the article above to come to his senses and support gun rights? 

The leadership at the NRA is doing a great disservice to its members who it claims to represent. It also makes every one of us incredulous. We are not unable or unwilling to believe that the law-abiding citizens of the United States are rightfully capable of bearing firearms. 

Thus, it is with a heavy heart but a clear mind that I urge you to withdraw all support from the National Rifle Association.

Thank you!