It can be hard to sit on the bench and watch your team struggle for victory. You feel useless and unable to help. Fighting against anti-Second Amendment legislation can be a similar experience. As an ordinary voter, you may feel sidelined and like you don’t have a voice. Mostly this is just a matter of not knowing where to turn. It is important to join in when an issue as significant as your right to keep and bear arms is on the table, but it can be difficult knowing where to start.
Here are a few ideas for finding your voice. They may seem simple, but often the simple stuff is just what we need to be reminded of. So here it is, our field guide to supporting the Second Amendment. First things first: Join the National Rifle Association. There is no better way to become part of something greater than yourself.
Speak
The hardest thing to do is to make yourself heard. That’s why it’s important to find others in your community who feel the same way as you. There are many groups in all fifty states that support the Second Amendment. Finding one where you belong and feel comfortable gives your voice strength. No one listens to the guy standing on the corner with a megaphone, but if there are fifty others behind him all shouting the same thing, people begin to take notice. Community is important. Letting your local government know that the Second Amendment has strong support is easier if that support can make itself seen and heard. Speak up and find others willing to speak up with you; the NRA is your best bet for joining the collective voice, and it can help direct you to other organizations on the state and local levels.
Write
We heard this advice all through school. If you want to let your representatives know how you feel, write them a letter. If you were like us, you may have initially rolled your eyes. But this is actually one of the most important things you can do as a citizen of the United States and a supporter of the Second Amendment. Bills such as the legislation supporting concealed carry currently sitting on the governor of West Virginia’s desk only make it to the finish line if citizens make their support known; and believe it or not, representatives take letters and emails seriously. Or there’s the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act currently making its way around Washington, D.C. A similar bill was struck down in 2013; but now there is a perfect chance to let the national government know that there are not only large groups, but also hardworking individuals, who believe this is the right course to take. Keep up with NRA-ILA for information about how and when to write. There’s quite a bit of power in a pen.
Lead
Honestly, a lot of what it means to be a supporter of the Second Amendment is to help build a culture of understanding about firearms within your own community. One of the best things you can do has nothing to do with politics at all, but is simply contributing to a safe firearms culture. Get certified as a safety instructor or become a qualified NRA instructor for Basic Firearms Training courses. Teaching others to love the Second Amendment is just as important as supporting it yourself. If you would like more information about becoming an instructor, click here.
