I am officially a ‘gun nut’

Well, this is not new news or anything, I own multiple guns and very much enjoy shooting them. So what has changed? Today the mail came in with my new ID card from the National Rifle Association (yea, those evil guys who control the Congress somehow).

Now, I’ve been considering this move for a few years and up until recently I’ve held back from becoming a member of the NRA. While I do appreciate that they protect my 2nd amendment rights as a law abiding gun-owner in this country, I have also felt that they may sometimes do so in an ‘extremist’ way… and that has held me back. I may not agree with every specific detail that comes out of the mouth of the NRA, but I do agree with the overall ideals of the organization, so here I am today… a NRA member.

As I have become more educated in my rights of gun ownership, I have also become more fearful of the emotional response that the politicians have to gun violence. After the Sandy Hook shooting, laws were hastily passed across the country, and even here in Colorado, that would literally have no effect on the Sandy Hook style shootings. The real facts are that mass-shootings have been on the decline for decades (peaked back in the 1920’s) and are so rare that you have a many-times-greater chance of being struck by lightening on any given day then being involved in a mass-shooting. Yet, the politicians are increasingly labeling ALL gun owners as criminals or time-bombs waiting to explode… and I’m tired of it.

I fully respect anyone’s choice NOT to carry a gun, why can’t I be respected for my choice? I passed multiple background checks to legally purchase my guns. I took my government mandated course to get a concealed carry permit. I practice regularly and responsibly. I even teach my son how to properly and safely handle a firearm to prevent accidental injury. I am not a criminal and should not be treated as such by my government officials because I choose not to rely on the under-funded Police to protect myself and my family.

So, to make sure my voice gets heard, I now have the NRA to speak for me and with more than 5 million members it is one helluva big voice!