Firearms Training Empowers Citizens Amid Gun Safety Conversations

Across the country, discussions are heating up over how to handle gun safety, especially as more businesses, including bars, seek to enter the conversation. The recent installation of so-called “gun safety” signs in Texas bars — with slogans like “Consent is Sexy. Carrying Without One Isn’t.” — has reopened a divisive debate on the role of firearms in American society. But beyond the surface-level messaging of these signs, there lies a deeper concern: the persistent push for increased gun control and the growing misunderstanding of gun owners’ rights and responsibilities.

At Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, SC, we believe in a more constructive approach — one that prioritizes education over restriction. While flashy bar signs may grab media attention, they fall short of addressing the real solution: proper firearms training and responsible ownership, not more government interference or ill-conceived messaging campaigns.

The Problem With Performative Safety Messaging

The new signage in Texas drinking establishments is backed by city health departments and nonprofit organizations claiming to promote “public safety.” However, these signs often appear more like political tools than educational material. By equating lawful concealed carry with non-consensual behavior, they vilify responsible gun owners and muddy the waters about what the Second Amendment actually protects.

Let’s be clear — we at Fortress Firearms Training promote responsible gun ownership, which includes knowing your rights, understanding your responsibilities, and being trained in firearms safety. But what we don’t endorse is a culture that stigmatizes law-abiding gun owners or promotes fear-based messaging to advance anti-gun agendas. Yet again, we see a narrative that leans into emotional manipulation and veers away from fact-based discussion.

Training Is the Key to Responsible Gun Ownership

Rather than relying on bars to be the new battleground for Second Amendment discourse, we propose an alternative that is both meaningful and effective: comprehensive firearm training. It’s not flashy, but it’s essential. Here are a few reasons why proper training makes a difference:

• Knowledge of local and federal gun laws: Gun owners who undergo training understand where and how they can legally carry.
• Safe handling practices: Accidental discharges and mishandling are minimized when owners are trained in firearm usage.
• Preparedness for high-pressure situations: Self-defense is often a split-second decision — and trained individuals are less likely to panic or overreact.
• Community safety: Educated gun owners help create a safer environment by modeling correct behavior and discouraging misuse.

At Fortress Firearms Training, we offer both beginner and advanced level instruction that covers all of these areas. Our mission is to provide citizens in South Carolina with the tools they need to exercise their rights safely and confidently.

Gun Control Measures Don’t Address the Root Issue

It’s no secret that legislatures and local governments are quick to consider new gun control measures anytime emotions run high following a shooting incident. However, the real solution lies not in more laws but in more education. The incident highlighted by the bar signs campaign reveals a disturbing trend — using vague language and misleading implications to sway public opinion through shame and fear rather than facts.

Here’s what isn’t being talked about:

• Most legal gun owners are trained and law-abiding citizens.
• “Consent” in firearm carry is already regulated through extensive permits, background checks, and training in many states.
• Bar signs do nothing to deter criminals who don’t follow laws in the first place.

Those pushing these public awareness campaigns often ignore that violent crime is already illegal. Instead of supporting law enforcement and training programs, they divert their attention toward limiting your rights — all under the guise of public safety. At the end of the day, these campaigns are not just about safety; they’re about control.

The Proactive, Patriotic Response

Rather than falling prey to misdirected fear tactics, we encourage Americans to take a stand in defense of their constitutional rights. This means:

• Supporting pro-Second Amendment policies and voting for representatives who respect your right to self-defense.
• Getting trained and encouraging others to do the same through credible programs like those we offer at Fortress Firearms Training.
• Speaking out against misleading narratives that demonize responsible gun owners.

Firearms are not the problem; ignorance is. And the answer is not to censor or shame lawful citizens, but to empower them. At Fortress Firearms Training, we cultivate responsible ownership and community awareness grounded in skill, education, and respect for liberty.

The Real Conversation We Should Be Having

Programs that actually make a difference address the real problem— improper training and lack of understanding. If every gun owner received proper instruction and regular updates on local laws, we wouldn’t need fear-based campaigns making headlines for the wrong reasons. Instead of controversial bar signs sparking a fresh battle in the culture war, we should be having conversations around:

• The crucial role armed citizens play in community safety.
• The need for more accessible firearms education, not tighter restrictions.
• Why the Founding Fathers were right to include the Second Amendment in our Constitution.

Educating and equipping citizens doesn’t just make them better gun owners — it makes them better neighbors, protectors, and patriots.

Take Action With Fortress Firearms Training

If you’re a South Carolinian who values freedom and safety, now is the time to take charge of your rights. Don’t let feel-good signage or political pressure dictate your access to self-protection. Whether you’re new to firearms or seeking to sharpen your skills, Fortress Firearms Training offers impactful courses tailored to every experience level.

Let the political class argue over bar signs. Responsible citizens know the real path to gun safety lies in training, education, and respect for the Constitution. Join us in defending our rights the American way — with knowledge, integrity, and the power of the Second Amendment in your corner.