Women Safeguarding The Second Amendment
The Second Amendment is constantly under attack by well-funded groups of anti-gun zealots like Moms Demand Action, politicians and those who revel in their purposeful ignorance and disdain for this Constitutional right. But eyes are opening across the U.S. as more people than ever embrace firearms as indispensable tools for keeping individuals and their families safe.
Why A Gun?
The reasons people arm themselves are as diverse as America’s population, but one thing is common. More women choose action over hiding. The days of waiting for someone else to show up and protect them from the “bad guy with a gun” are over — as proven by the staggering number of women purchasing firearms for the first time in the past couple of years.
Myth Busting
On our side of the fence, it’s no secret guns are the best equalizer. But for novices, the harsh realities of legal and responsible gun ownership often come as a surprise. All the rhetoric stuffed down their throats about how easy it is to buy a gun is negated as they follow the restrictive processes created by the supposed “gun safety experts.” Those are the same “authorities” who are planning to rid our society of guns.
For many, it’s eye-opening to muddle through the obstacles making legal gun ownership possible. When they share their experience with friends and family about the realities of purchasing guns, the deceptive messaging from the anti-gun crowd holds less power. Those who have “seen the light” are already on the path toward 2A advocacy, whether they know it or not.
Education
Where does it leave us? For the first time in their lives, new gun owners are learning responsible gun ownership. Our role is to mentor these newbies through the hurdles. We are the experts in firearm safety, and as we welcome more people into our gun culture, we must educate them on fundamental safety principles. It’s just as critical to teach them the importance of the Second Amendment. Without its protection, every American is at risk of losing our Constitutional liberties.
Women Gaining Momentum
A group of women called the DC Project prides itself on education. As a nationwide organization of women committed to safeguarding the Second Amendment, the DC Project started as a group of 50 women representing each state who traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings on Capitol Hill with members of the House and Senate. Their face-to-face meetings served to stifle the misconceptions of what American gun owners actually look like and why the Second Amendment is important to them as a group of racially and economically diverse women from all over the country.
It worked! Hundreds of meetings with policymakers on both sides of the political aisle resulted in opportunities for women from the DC Project to testify at hearings before Congress concerning Second Amendment issues. They serve as witnesses at hearings on the assault weapons ban, “ghost” guns, extreme risk protection orders (red flag laws), universal background checks and more.
When the pandemic shut down the U.S. Capitol, and the 50 state representatives of the DC Project couldn’t visit lawmakers in Washington, D.C., they pivoted and expanded the organization to state and local levels.
Late in 2021, the DC Project boasted more than 3,000 delegates actively fighting to preserve the Second Amendment. These women volunteer their time to travel and speak with officeholders. Many of them testified in their state capitols, and several anti-gun bills were successfully defeated due to their statements and efforts.
”No interaction is too small to begin a conversation that might inspire someone to pay closer attention to their rights.“
Voices In The Capitol
The Second Amendment Caucus invited a small contingent of DC Project delegates to visit them on the Hill spring 2021. Close to 40 members of Congress listened as the DC Project women shared their personal accounts for why the 2A is vital to them. Many are moms, some are professional shooters and a few are business owners. A surprising number are survivors of domestic abuse, and some endured horrific violence. Members of the caucus expressed hearing first-person descriptions of the consequences of restrictive gun laws is crucial in moving the needle toward freedom in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere in the U.S.
Tennessee Congressman Thomas Massie, the co-chair of the Second Amendment Caucus, stated, “There are some members here who are pro-Second Amendment, but they don’t really know how to articulate or how to motivate our argument for the Second Amendment. But these ladies actually gave us a voice today, and I know we’re going to be able to make better arguments in our hearings and on the floor in debates. We’re going to be able to hold the line because DC Project came tonight.”
A Different Model Of Advocacy
Stereotypes are powerful, and the media and cancel culture have people brainwashed into thinking all women are anti-gun. Most politicians who support gun control believe women are afraid of guns and want nothing to do with them. But when politely confronted with a different viewpoint from experienced gun owners knowledgeable about firearm safety, the typecast is blown away.
This is where the DC Project is different: Their approach promotes education for everyone.
Dianna Muller, founder of the DC Project, lends, “We’ve heard time and again how impactful it is when policymakers hear from us regarding the importance of education and firearm safety. We promote violence prevention and back it up with personal experiences and our competence as responsible gun owners. We speak for all Americans as we advocate for the right to keep and bear arms.”
Encourage Activism
This past summer, the DC Project couldn’t make their annual trip to Washington, D.C., because of pandemic-related closures. Instead, they invited their 50 State Directors to an educational summit mid-October. The immersive event prepared each to be stronger defenders of the Second Amendment and empowered them as messengers to promote the 2A at home and in their communities.
Stephanie Schafer, DC Project advisory board member, and owner of DefComp Firearms Training and Pro Shop FFL in Scottsbluff, Neb., recalled her impressions of the event.
“The women were like thoroughbred racehorses ready to burst out of the gate! They’re full of energy and armed with tools to teach, empower and recruit more Second Amendment activists. They know they’re their own first responders,” she stated.
Build An Army
Have you known anyone against the 2A who changed their stripes to support it after learning more? Many DC Project women share that history. People heading to gun counters for the first time experience a similar about-face. With them in our corner, now is the time to foster them as advocates.
Whether folks are new to gun ownership or have had firearms throughout their lives, they need to know how important the Second Amendment is to the American way of life. Simple conversations that encourage people to recognize the anti-gun agendas open the door to learning and open eyes to the truth. No interaction is too small to begin a conversation that might inspire someone to pay closer attention to their rights.
Think of people on the front lines of the industry as our staff sergeants. They’re responsible for developing, maintaining and using a gun owner’s full range of potential. Make a massive impact toward preserving the Second Amendment by encouraging leadership and teaching advocacy, whether it’s on the retail floor, at the range or in the boardroom.
Resources are everywhere. Check out the DC Project’s printable download called “How to Talk About Guns, Safety and Protecting the Civil Rights of All Americans” on their website at dcproject.info.
