Texas A&M student Matti Warren isn’t your typical teenage girl. She loves to hunt, and credits hunting with making her the responsible young lady she is today. She also loves to shoot, and enjoys safely introducing her friends and their families to the shooting sports.
At age 12 Matti first testified before the Texas legislature on behalf of pro-Second Amendment legislation. As a college student, Matti has continued her activism, with the goal of one day becoming a full-time lobbyist for NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action.
Growing up, I always wanted to play with the boys—dig holes, practice shooting and do anything else my big brother did, because I wanted to be just like him. Our parents instilled in us the rules of gun safety at a young age and taught us about the sport they love. My brother and I learned that hunting was not all about the trophy: The stories we heard in the blind about the good old days, the venison we shared with all of our friends, and the relationships we developed with our parents were far more important.
I can confidently say that hunting has developed me into the young woman that I am today. The connection I feel with nature while hunting is indescribable. Everything makes sense out there, and I am filled with gratitude for the life that I have been given. Needless to say, hunting and shooting have become my passion. I can confidently say that hunting has developed me into the young woman that I am today. The connection I feel with nature while hunting is indescribable.
I first testified before the Texas legislature at the age of 12, supporting a Second Amendment measure that would help get new hunters involved in the sport. After I delivered my speech, I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I set a goal that day to do everything in my power to protect the Second Amendment so that I can hand down my passion to the next generation, and so I can teach anyone who wants to learn about the Second Amendment why it is important and how to safely exercise the right to keep and bear arms.
I am now working to someday have a career defending our freedoms as a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association. I continually travel to the capitol to testify on legislation. I strongly believe that it is our duty to voice our opinions and to represent gun enthusiasts in an effective manner, and testifying at the legislature is an important way to do that.
With the help of my supportive parents and the Friends of NRA, I have introduced countless kids and their parents to shooting. We recently had about 50 people at our family ranch to learn all about basic gun safety. We also taught them how to use different types of firearms in case they are ever in a situation where they need to use one.
The best part of sharing my passion for the Second Amendment is watching my friends’ faces light up as they experience shooting a gun for the first time. The simple laughter that comes from shooting a jug of water with a shotgun for the first time, unloading their first shotgun shell and smelling that oh-so-familiar scent of burned gun powder for the first time makes me happy that they had the chance to experience what I so strongly cherish.
I encourage everyone I know to become an NRA member to support the only organization that continually protects our Second Amendment rights. The constant battle NRA fights for our freedom allows us the simple pleasures of going shooting at the range, hunting at the family lease and having the protection we need for our family.
I am extremely hopeful and excited for my future with the NRA as a lobbyist, and I urge all hunters and gun lovers to introduce someone to our sports. Teach the uninformed about the Second Amendment, because chances are they are eager to learn. Pass down these freedoms to your children because, as President Ronald Reagan once said: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
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