Heightened Safety Concerns

by
posted on November 19, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gsagi2015_fs-1.jpg (4)

The odds are good some of your friends or family have made the personal choice to never carry or own a gun, but after the tragedy in Paris, the odds are good when you see them this holiday season they’ll express safety concerns. That’s your opportunity to avoid the debate and simply recommend NRA’s "Refuse To Be A Victim" classes.

I know of no class on earth that could prevent someone from becoming the casualty of a well-orchestrated terrorist attack. Much like 9/11, they were in the wrong place, at the wrong time. It’s of little comfort, but our thoughts and prayers go out for the victims, families and friends of those killed or injured.

There are some simple steps, however, we can take to minimize the chances of common criminals terrorizing our lives. Most readers include a firearm in their self-defense plan, but some people are uncomfortable with that decision, and it’s not always workable—think about students heading off to a gun-free college dorm, seniors entering an assisted-care facility for the first time or those cities with restrictive ordinances.

NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim is, “…a personal safety program that teaches strategies you can use to avoid situations where self-defense is required.” How effective is the four-hour seminar? It’s now included in hundreds of  law enforcement agency public-outreach programs.

I attended and wrote about one years ago in Arizona, and the information and interaction with the instructor was impressive. Topics included home, vehicle, work and personal security, with the same kind of emphasis on situational awareness and avoidance that’s requisite in every firearm course. It’s open to men, women, youngsters, seniors and anyone concerned about personal safety.

The information won’t insulate someone from terrorist attack, but it does provide the kind of solid information that minimizes the chances of those much-more-common criminal encounters, which can also turn deadly.   

Latest

Allan Cors In Memoriam
Allan Cors In Memoriam

Past NRA President Allan Cors, 1936-2026: Liberty Takes A Loss

One of liberty’s champions, past NRA President Allan D. Cors died on August 10, 2026.

Moving to the Micro Red-Dot: An Old Dog Learns Some New Tricks

After shooting open-sighted handguns for more than 40 years, the author's aging eyes finally caught up to him, and his concealed-carry pistol now sports a red-dot optic.

Record-Setting Number of Women Receive Free Firearms Training in Michigan

Across two days of free training at Recoil Firearms in Taylor, Mich., a record-setting 2,454 women were given hands-on instruction in the safe and effective use of firearms.

7 New Pistol Suppressors for 2026

For handgunners, having a suppressor makes range trips much more comfortable, and many new suppressors have been designed for maximum compatibility across today's most popular handgun styles and chamberings.

A Victory That Ends A Gun Registry

On August 5, U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix of the Northern District of Texas held that key regulatory provisions of the NFA are unconstitutional as applied to certain categories of firearms.

Criminal Clues: Tips to Avoid Appearing Like a Soft Target

You don’t have to be the hardest target, but you don’t want to be the softest. Here are some tips on how to avoid becoming a target for a criminal looking for his or her next opportunity.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.