Change is difficult for us. We are often shocked by it. We recoil from it when it brings loss and see it as a time for remorse. And it can be, but often what we are witnessing is a step in a transformation. Change is always there, dropping the fall leaves before the frozen forests of winter give way to the birdsong of spring. We see change in the rising and setting of the sun, in the opening and closing of flower petals and even in the coming and going of publications great and small.
So, America’s 1st Freedom is going. It rose in 2000 as a response to politicians, such as Al Gore, who saw our freedom as an impediment to their desire for more power. This title was also created to dispel the false narratives of anti-gun propagandists in the media. But now this magazine is setting.
Instead of feeling remorse, we can reminisce a little about all this title has done.
We interviewed President Donald Trump (R) in the Oval Office; we sat down with many other legislators and officials; we sought out and spoke with actors, athletes, news leaders and so many more to bring you in-depth and interesting views on our right to keep and bear arms. We continually reported on all that lawfully armed citizens do for this great nation. We dove to the bottom of crime statistics, the impacts of legislation and court decisions. We published thoughtful articles from honest journalists and constitutional scholars.
Now this print publication is ending, but its mission will continue in new forms. This is the nature of good creative destruction. As you might gather from my tone, and even now as the former editor in chief of this fine publication, I would have made the same decision to cease publication of America’s 1st Freedom. The title had the heredity of being born from a speech given by the late-great Charlton Heston: “… it is the right we turn to when all else fails. That’s why the Second Amendment is America’s first freedom.” Yet it was an oddly constructed name that was difficult for people to remember; despite the great works in its pages, the title never really resonated as a brand—to achieve its goals, a political and cultural brand such as this must reach outside of this association.
This is why I am excited to tell you that the journalism and analysis members are used to seeing in these pages is not ending. A1F.com is continuing and you will soon see a rebirth as the editorial content and more that the NRA has invested in flourishes in new ways. This is critical, as the story of our freedom—both historically and in contemporary America—needs to be told truthfully if future generations are to realize and enjoy this right that defends all our other rights.
It used to be a mantra that journalists write the first rough draft of history, but today too many members of the press prefer to stuff our history and current events into a predetermined narrative written and produced to tear down our most basic freedoms—beginning with our right to defend our own lives with constitutionally protected tools.
So, push back with our First Amendment rights we must, but this is not 2000; there are now relatively new voices, publications and websites out there staffed with citizens who believe in this freedom. You will see the NRA working with them as we refashion our messaging with the changing media landscape that is propelling us ever onward in our pursuit to serve members and to be a steady rudder in the eddies and seams of the American cultural stream.
No, this is not an end. The roots of this association run deep into the bedrock of American liberty and, upon this strong and fertile ground, our veracity will spring anew.
