You may know the NRA best from our work on Capitol Hill, where NRA's Institute of Legislative Action defends the Second Amendment every day. But that's far from the only way in which your NRA works to support your right to bear arms, and to defend yourself and your family. After all, the best way to defend the Second Amendment is to ensure that every American gun owner is well-versed in the safe handling of their firearms.
In fact, that's how the NRA got its start! Back in 1871, Union veterans Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate formed the National Rifle Association because, during the Civil War, they had been dismayed by the lack of marksmanship shown by the Union troops. The primary goal of the association would be to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis," according to a magazine editorial written by Church.
That tradition continues today, and your NRA remains the leader in gun safety and handling training. Our Executive Vice President and CEO Doug Hamlin is renewing our promise to keep our Members--and anyone else who would like to learn how to exercise their Second Amendment rights--at the forefront of firearms knowledge. Would you like to find an instructor near you, or even become an instructor yourself? Click here to learn more!
