Standing Firm: Why Training and the 2nd Amendment Matter More Than Ever

In a time when politicians and college students are joining forces to limit the rights of law-abiding citizens, it has never been more critical for responsible gun owners to stand their ground. A recent rally in Tallahassee, spearheaded by FSU students and activist groups, aimed to uphold strict gun control measures in Florida. While this event gained widespread media attention, it overlooked a powerful truth: gun rights are human rights, and safety begins with proper training, not legislation.

Gun Control Doesn’t Stop Crime—Training Does

The premise of the FSU rally was to resist new legislative efforts that might repeal or restrict existing Florida gun control laws. Protesters claimed that tighter regulations keep communities safer, especially in the wake of school shootings. But the reality is starkly different. Numerous studies have demonstrated that gun control laws, no matter how well-intentioned, often fail to reduce crime rates. What does make a difference is education, situational awareness, and responsible firearm ownership—values we instill every day at Fortress Firearms Training.

Self-Defense is a Right, Not a Privilege

Embedded in the Second Amendment is an individual’s right to protect themselves, their families, and their property. Movements like the one at FSU cast gun ownership as a public danger, when in fact, it’s often the first line of defense against crime.

• 87% of gun owners cite personal protection as their primary reason for gun ownership (Pew Research).
• 94% of active shooter events end in fewer casualties when a law-abiding citizen intervenes (FBI 2020 report).
• Legal gun ownership is inversely correlated with violent crime in several U.S. regions.

Pro-gun law initiatives give responsible citizens the tools and opportunity to respond effectively in life-threatening situations. Stripping away those rights through misleading gun control rhetoric not only disarms Americans, it emboldens criminals.

The Misguided Messaging of Student-Led Gun Control Efforts

The Tallahassee rally, organized with the help of activist groups like Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, relied on emotional appeal more than factual evidence. These well-funded organizations often use emotionally charged incidents to push for sweeping generalizations about gun laws. However, the truth is that:

• Most school shootings occur in “gun-free zones,” where legal carriers are prohibited from protecting themselves.
• Politicians like Rep. Anna Eskamani, who participated in the rally, openly call for restrictive policies that penalize law-abiding citizens, rather than addressing the root causes of violence.
• Students in support of the rally claim that firearms “don’t belong on campus,” ignoring the fact that responsible students with concealed carry permits could stop threats before they escalate.

What’s worse is the increasing tendency to silence or shame those who dare to speak out in support of Second Amendment rights. Instructors, veterans, and gun owners are often labeled as extreme for merely wanting to train and educate others on firearm safety.

The Critical Role of Firearms Training

At Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, SC, we believe that knowledge is the key to safety. Our courses are not about glorifying firearms—they’re about instilling respect, responsibility, and the confidence needed to protect oneself should the need arise.

We offer:

• Comprehensive concealed carry permit training
• Basic to advanced firearms handling techniques
• Scenario-based defensive shooting instruction
• Legal education on state and federal gun laws

When critics rally for gun control, they often fail to recognize that the safest, most prepared communities are the ones that have access to proper training—not more legislation.

A Slippery Slope of Legislation

Events like the FSU student rally show how easily misinformation can lead to misguided policy. Let’s be clear: more laws won’t deter criminals. Instead, what we end up with are:

• Confused and overly restrictive red-flag laws that violate due process
• Limitations on magazine capacity that put law-abiding citizens at a tactical disadvantage
• Permitting delays and gun purchase restrictions that leave would-be victims defenseless

And yet, training centers like ours continue to be the best line of defense in promoting skilled, responsible gun ownership. Each class we teach empowers another individual to be a part of the solution, not the problem.

Let’s Put the Focus Where It Belongs

While the media continues applauding rallies like the one in Tallahassee, we must ask ourselves: who benefits from sweeping gun control? It’s certainly not the single mother living in a dangerous neighborhood, or the elderly couple running their small farm. True safety starts with knowledge and ends with preparedness.

Instead of demonizing firearms, we should be encouraging more Americans to seek professional training. At Fortress Firearms Training, our mission is clear: to promote safe, practical, and constitutionally grounded gun education.

Join the Movement for Education Over Legislation

We support the right to keep and bear arms because we know what that right protects—the freedom to live without fear. The Second Amendment was never about sport or hunting; it was about liberty. It’s a founding principle that sets the United States apart, and today, more than ever, that principle needs defending.

If you’re ready to become a better-prepared and more responsible gun owner, there’s no better place to start than Fortress Firearms Training. Let’s make our communities safer the right way—through preparation and education, not politics.