Fellow NRA members, I hope all of you had a safe and prosperous year. This month, I want to thank and salute you for your support. Without you, there is no National Rifle Association. And without your advocacy, the Second Amendment, the shooting sports and our hunting heritage would be non-existent.
As NRA members, we know that people from all walks of life fill our ranks. From the truckers crisscrossing the nation hauling the freight that keeps America humming to the farmers who grow the food that fill our plates, and law enforcement and service members safeguarding us at home and abroad, NRA members can be found everywhere. The common denominator is our love for freedom and the Second Amendment. Hardworking NRA members are the lifeblood that keeps our country moving, and when darkness strikes and first responders can’t make it in time, the Second Amendment is there to supply the innocent with a potent equalizer against criminals.
Perhaps past NRA Executive Vice President Harlon B. Carter summed this up best: “Our NRA members stand foremost in the struggle to protect and preserve all our God-given, constitutional and long-accepted rights. We stand foremost among those who see and recognize clearly the unfailing mix and combination of those rights with the right of the people to keep and bear arms.”
The NRA serves as a beacon for people who cherish the right to defend themselves, as well as recreational firearm use. Our members know they can connect with us through the many programs we offer for safe firearms instruction and training, hunting, competitive shooting, youth education and more. NRA Certified Instructors serve their communities by training hundreds of thousands of individuals annually. The NRA Coach Education Program helps develop skilled competitors at all levels, from juniors to the Olympics. The nationwide network of NRA Instructors, Coaches and Training Counselors train more than one million people each year. Whether you’re a new gun owner in search of training, or an experienced marksman looking to support others, the NRA has something for you. See all of our training programs at firearmtraining.nra.org.
Lastly, I want to thank the membership for standing by the Association during the pandemic and continuing to support the NRA, its programs and the Second Amendment. The National Rifle Association remains America’s foremost guardian of the right to keep and bear arms, and our staff works tirelessly to provide our five million members with the finest programs and services. The NRA is a great organization, and the future has never looked brighter. Have a wonderful holiday season, a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
