Why is Everyone Attacking the NRA?

In the wake of the latest school shooting, I admit to a certain degree of confusion. I recognize that it is human nature to want to cast blame in the face of needless tragedy, but why are so many attacking the NRA? Why have they been chosen to be the scapegoat? Must absolutely everything that happens in our country these days be turned into a political debate?

I was moved by the raw emotions on display after the most recent school shooting. All such shootings are tragedies. The controversy over the latest one has been compounded by the sheer amount of questionable actions taken by various authorities both before and during the incident. The FBI and local law enforcement failed to follow-up on numerous warnings provided by caring citizens. Armed security took some very passive action while the shooter was active. There are questions about the effectiveness of the school’s security systems and tape delays on video feeds. There are legitimate concerns about the ability of this obviously troubled young man to legally obtain weapons. There seems to be plenty of blame to spread around.

BUT, why are we blaming the NRA? If you believe half of what is reported these days, you probably think the NRA is selling assault rifles door to door and encouraging their members to shoot someone daily. Once again the Liberal Left and the Mainstream Media have decided to ignore specific facts (see above) and attack an organization whose primary purpose is to protect the constitutional rights of American citizens. NRA spokesperson, Dana Loesch was recently subjected to one of the most disrespectful public displays I think I have ever witnessed at a recent CNN town hall meeting. While the crowd screamed “Murderer” and “Burn her” and other violent threats, she attempted to explain the organization’s position and inform and educate those who were present.

I spent many years as a teacher, so indulge me. There is a huge difference in ignorance and stupidity. Someone who is ignorant can be educated or taught and have his ignorance corrected. On the other hand, in the words of comedian Ron White, “You can’t fix stupid.” (Honestly, he may not be the originator of that particular quote, but he definitely does a great job of illustrating the point.) So, as an educator, allow me to correct some ignorance. Let’s try and move beyond some of the politics and rediscover some common sense when it comes to the mass shootings and other acts of violence that plague our country today.

In my opinion, guns are not the problem. There, I said it. If you don’t believe me, do some research, read a newspaper or something. Without even stopping to do that, you should easily be able to recall the airplanes used as weapons on 9/11 or the bombs used at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. What about the vehicles driven into crowds in recent high profile attacks?  Do you really think a madman plotting a killing spree will be stopped by his inability to buy an AR-15?

If you believe in the second amendment (I do), then you believe that Americans have the legal right to gun ownership. There may be gun laws that need to be revised or strengthened or whatever, but let’s face facts. Liberal politicians will never be satisfied with anything less than the complete repeal of the Second Amendment. They do not believe that the average citizen should have the right to own a gun. Period. That makes the NRA a prime target to pursue after any shooting incident. Remember, Liberals believe in never letting a good crisis go to waste.

So, let’s talk about the NRA. Formed in 1871, the National Rifle Association is a non-profit organization with more than five million members. Their website, https://home.nra.org, proclaims the group to be “America’s foremost defender of Second Amendment rights” and the “premier firearm education organization in the world.” Although perhaps known more for the first, they are rarely given enough credit for the second. Working with law enforcement, hunters, competitive shooters, and others of all ages, the NRA trains more than a million gun owners a year with more than 125,000 certified instructors. So, apply a little common sense. If gun ownership is a constitutional right, then firearm education is a serious responsibility. And condemning the biggest provider of that education makes no sense.

Another reason the Liberals attack the NRA is the amount of money they spend in Washington. Those on the left tend to be very critical of the money devoted to lobbying.  They love to accuse the NRA of buying Congressmen and their support. According to https://www.opensecrets.org, the NRA spends a little over five million a year, which doesn’t even crack the list of the top 50 lobbyist groups. And of course, they never mention the millions contributed by the gun control groups who encourage their Congressmen to restrict and regulate gun owners and repeal the Second Amendment.

In recent days, many companies are coming forward to publicly sever ties to the NRA. I am not a fan of boycotts myself. If I were, I would probably be more inclined to boycott the companies who have turned on the NRA. I say, make your own decisions. Do business with whomever you like. Withhold your business from others if you choose. It’s still a free country, I think.

So, let’s face facts. Regardless of an individual’s opinion on guns. Regardless of the number and types of guns owned by Americans. Regardless of the amount of money the NRA devotes to lobbying efforts. Regardless of who’s boycotting whom. Blaming the NRA for a specific act of violence is beyond ignorant. It’s just plain stupid.