President’s Column | Safety And Training Are Our Hallmarks

by
at President, NRA posted on November 24, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
17-nrz-007_presidents-column_main_6-30.jpg (5)
Michael Ives

This feature appears in the December ‘17 issue of NRA America’s 1st Freedom, one of the official journals of the National Rifle Association.  

The NRA is America’s most prolific proponent and provider of firearm safety and education, period.

Despite the cries of the national news media, we are much more than political lobbyists. Gun safety and training is—and will always be—at our core.

Our training programs date all the way back to the founding of the NRA in 1871 … and will continue to carry the NRA well into the future.

Indeed, in addition to defending and preserving our Second Amendment-protected freedom, the primary missions of the NRA are to “promote public safety, law and order, and the national defense”; to train “people of good repute in marksmanship, and in the safe handling and efficient use of small arms”; and “to foster, promote and support the shooting sports.”

When it comes to firearm safety training and education, no one is bigger or better than your NRA … and despite all the misinformation in the media, Americans trust the NRA more than anyone else.

When it comes to firearm safety training and education, no one is bigger or better than your NRA … and despite all the misinformation in the media, Americans trust the NRA more than anyone else.The NRA has trained more than 30 million kids to be safe.

Our Eddie Eagle GunSafe program is an accident-prevention program that educates parents, teachers, community groups and law enforcement officers about gun safety and how to relay that message in a memorable way to children. Since its inception in 1988, more than 30 million children have been taught a simple message: “If you see a gun, stop. Don’t touch. Run away. Tell a grown-up.” There’s no telling how many young lives have been saved through this critical program.

The NRA has trained about 300,000 women, in just the past six years, through the Basic Pistol Course.

Women on Target instructional shooting clinics allow women to learn about firearms and build confidence with new, self-empowering skills.

Refuse to Be A Victim, established in 1993, presents crime-prevention and personal safety tips and techniques for women (and men) of all ages.

The NRA Women’s Wilderness Escape provides an eight-day getaway for novice and seasoned outdoorswomen to experience firearm education among outdoor-related activities.

The NRA has more than 115,000 certified instructors in place around the country, plus 8,000 coaches and 2,200 training counselors—all training millions of Americans each year in rifle, pistol, shotgun, home defense and personal protection.

Through political efforts and, to an even greater degree, our multi-faceted state-of-the-art training programs, the NRA keeps people safe … no matter where they live or what their background may be.Nationally, the NRA is recognized as the gold standard in firearm training, with courses designed by experts to ensure gun owners learn the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary for the responsible, safe and enjoyable use of firearms. Whether you’re a new gun owner or experienced shooter, the NRA has a program for you.

As a diverse organization, serving a nation of diverse citizens, NRA training programs are ever-evolving and adapting to meet the needs of Americans embracing their Second Amendment freedom like never before.

Right now, about 17.5 million Americans have a permit to carry a concealed firearm. That number is growing, largely driven by more and more urban Americans of all races, creeds and sexes seeking the personal protection found in firearm ownership … and seeking the very real and practical training needed to own and carry a gun responsibly.

To serve this growing citizenry of gun owners, we launched NRA Carry Guard. As I discussed in this space in October, NRA Carry Guard provides specialized training and protection to every citizen who chooses to carry a firearm. In addition to advanced concealed-carry training, the program also provides world-class insurance coverage for any law-abiding citizen who may one day need to use a firearm in self-defense    

Your NRA is clearly a large organization that, going all the way back to our beginning, delivers personalized safety training and education for every gun owner and for every prospective gun owner in America.

There is no doubt the NRA is a political organization. We are proud and staunch defenders of our Second Amendment-protected freedoms.

Through political efforts and, to an even greater degree, our multi-faceted state-of-the-art training programs, the NRA keeps people safe … no matter where they live or what their background may be. The Second Amendment is for everyone … and so is the NRA!

Latest

procarry.jpg
procarry.jpg

Open Carry in California?

On January 2, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit struck down California’s ban on open carry in most of the state. The panel decision was 2-1.

Gun Skills | Press Check

Back when I was a new gun owner, I drilled in a habit of checking to be sure my firearm was unloaded, which was also a terrific opportunity to work on gun-handling skills like racking the action and activating the controls.

The Incomparable, Inimitable Phil Schreier—1962-2025

The NRA took a serious hit on December 28th. We lost Phil Schreier, director of NRA Museums. He did everything the doctors asked of him and then some. But it wasn’t enough. Leukemia won, and we all lost.

No More Tax on Suppressors!

When President Donald Trump (R) signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) into law on July 4, 2025, he scheduled the end of the burdensome $200 excise tax imposed on suppressors, short-barreled firearms and “any other weapons” as defined by the National Firearms Act (NFA). That end came on January 1.

Armed Citizens are the “Rugged Individualists” Mamdani Despises

In his inauguration speech as the new mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani said, behind his characteristically easy smile, “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.”

Conscientious Carry

While going about armed, you need to fit into society responsibly and politely. Here’s how.



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.