Training Technology And InnovationGun Laws And 2a
Everytown Gun “Safety” Course: We Told Ya So
Everytown Gun “Safety” Course: We Told Ya So
📅
✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍United States
Recently, the anti-gun advocacy group Everytown has launched its own gun safety course, titled The Smart Guide to Buying a Gun. This development, while anticipated by some observers, raises significant concerns about the content and underlying motivations of the program. As many Second Amendment advocates have speculated, the training is being viewed as more of an anti-gun platform than an actual instructional course on firearm safety and handling. Lee Williams, known in Second Amendment circles as The Gun Writer, tried out the 1.5-hour online course for a fee of $20. His review was far from flattering, as he described it as definitely not firearms training. In fact, Williams found that the course lacked essential transparency, noting that the instructors only provided their first names without any indication of their qualifications or backgrounds in firearms training. This absence of accountability raises questions about the credibility of the course and its ability to adequately educate potential gun owners. In more reputable firearm training programs, instructors typically disclose their complete credentials. This includes not just their names but also their histories with firearms, which helps build trust with students. Williams compared this lack of transparency to trusting an unknown individual for critical life skillssuch as defensive driving techniqueswithout knowing their qualifications. Another glaring issue surfaced early in the coursestudents were met with a liability warning that suggested consulting a qualified professional for questions regarding firearm use, implying that Everytowns instructors might not be qualified. This statement further detracted from the legitimacy of the training, leaving students questioning the value of the course content. The course content itself drew criticism for relying on dubious statistics and narratives that some might consider exaggerations or outright false claims. For example, the course asserts that guns have been the leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 17, a claim that Williams cites as repeatedly debunked. He also highlighted a statement claiming that access to a firearm increases the likelihood of a domestic abuser killing a female victim by 1,000 percent, a figure that sources back to the anti-gun lobbying efforts at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Healthan institution that has been heavily funded by billionaire anti-gun advocate Michael Bloomberg. Additionally, the course took a peculiar approach to firearm ownership by encouraging students to keep their guns unloaded at all times and suggesting that relying on a dog may be a superior home security measure to owning a firearm. This perspective seems more aligned with discouraging gun ownership rather than promoting responsible firearm use and home safety. Interestingly, the program failed to mention many popular firearm platforms, notably the AR-15, when advising potential buyers, which raises further skepticism about its intent. The course's focus appears less on empowering individuals to make informed, responsible choices regarding firearms and more on painting gun ownership as a dangerous proposition. Critics are now left to question whether this course is genuinely aimed at teaching gun safety or if it merely serves as a vehicle for anti-gun rhetoric disguised as education. Williams' detailed account serves as a cautionary tale for those looking to gain knowledge about firearms through this program. In conclusion, potential gun owners must heed the disclaimer within Everytowns training materials: if specific advice or expertise regarding firearm ownership is needed, one should consult a qualified professional. For accurate training and education, individuals should prioritize established and reputable firearm training resources over questionable programs that may discourage, rather than empower them.