In every NRA Basic firearms course, we teach students that there are many reasons why individuals own guns. Some of these reasons include hunting, competition, collecting and for the protection of self and family. Along with the various reasons why people own guns are the types of individuals who are gun owners themselves.
As an NRA Training Counselor, I come into contact with all types of gun owners. Thus, I have observed over time that there are four distinct types of gun owners that I regularly encounter on the gun range or in classes. Here’s a look at each.
The “How Do I Load This” Gun Owner
There seem to be more “How Do I Load This” gun owners today. These individuals may be uncomfortable around firearms but decide to get one because of pressure from social media or friends and family. On a positive note, this type of gun owner often seeks training, not only to become proficient and safe with the firearmir, but to remove some of their harbored anxiety about firearms.
This type of gun owner does not comprise all new gun owners. Many have been introduced to firearms by family or friends, and eventually make their first purchase. The “How Do I Load This” category is composed of new gun owners who have had no training or exposure to firearms.
It is easy to identify these gun owners, as their firearms are usually still in the factory box with factory installed breach flag, gun lock still in the wrapper, and all the paperwork including the unread owner’s manual neatly packed in the box. The firearm is in the same condition as when they bought it because they usually have no idea what to do with it.
Even after a training session, most of these gun owners will take the firearm home and store it in the same state as they purchased it. With this type of student, I make sure that I cover safe storage and how to properly install the gun lock that came with the firearm.
Depending on their training session and the level of confidence that was built, many of these types of gun owners will continue their training either with a certified instructor or on their own. It is with hope that the “How Do I Load This” gun owner will evolve into an “Average” gun owner.
The “Average” Gun Owner
By definition, most of the gun owners I encounter are the “Average” gun owners, who visit a gun range a couple of times a year. This type of gun owner knows his or her firearm and knows how to line up their sights well enough to hit their target. Some are great shots and some are good shots, but there is no doubt that most would benefit from formal lessons. One thing that that all the “Average” gun owners have in common is their belief in the Second Amendment, which is great, because this type of gun owner is the largest voting bloc.
The “Average” gun owners usually follow and demonstrate the NRA Gun Safety Rules:
- ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction,
- ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, and
- ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
This type of “Average” gun owner has the proper hearing and eye protection and usually follows all the range rules. This is the type of shooter you do not mind being next to at the range.
The “Tacti-Cool” Gun Owner
The “Tacti-Cool” gun owners are very easy to identify, as they are in attire like they are about to be shipped off to war. They usually have some type of recording equipment like a body-cam so they can upload their “skills” to their social media platform. Additionally, this type of gun owner spends his or her spare time watching and scrolling through videos of other “Tacti-Cool” shooters online. Often they, too, have their own website or YouTube channel.
Because they spend much more time at the range than the other types of gun owners, the typical “Tacti-Cool” shooter is usually a better shot than the “Average” gun owner. The interesting thing about the “Tacti-Cool” students I get in my classes is that they seem to spend more time “accessorizing” their outfits and checking how they look on camera and in their own videos than they spend working on the fundamentals of pistol shooting.
These types of gun owners are extremely loyal to their firearm of choice, equipment and style of shooting. In class most of them are fun to listen to and watch the skills they have built on the range. The “Tacti-Cool” shooter is usually very safe and rigidly adheres to the NRA Gun Safety Rules. In fact, they are usually “overly safe” with additional safety procedures, even though there is no such thing as being too safe on the gun range.
The “Knowledgeable” Gun Owner
When you ask shooters what their definition of a “Knowledgeable” gun owner is, surprisingly, you get different answers. Most gun owners consider themselves knowledgeable, believing they have the knowledge to safely and properly operate their firearm of choice. Although that is usually true, my personal definition of a “Knowledgeable” gun owner is versed in all types of firearms and guns from different periods and eras. In other words, they are, at some level, a firearms historian.
These types of gun owners have a deep respect and love of firearms—all firearms. Examples of “Knowledgeable” gun owners include NRA editors, writers, and those who can hold a conversation about firearms, no matter what table they are sitting at or who they are talking too. This type of gun owner is usually a more mature shooter. Unfortunately, this type of gun owner is becoming harder to find. It seems that the younger generation of gun owners think the history of firearms began around the early 1990s when the 9 mm became a preferred semi-automatic platform, and in the early 2000s when the 5.56 round rose to popularity.
I encourage all my students to become “Knowledgeable” gun owners because people come to NRA Firearms Instructors knowing they will get the “Gold Standard” in firearms training. This includes correct, educated and diverse information. When I hear students, especially some who say they are not interested in the “technical” aspects of firearms, I tell them EVERYTHING about guns is technical. This includes ballistic information, specifications, design, as well as the history of firearms. In other words, if you want a seat at the “Knowledgeable” gun owner’s table, research and education is the key.
Regardless of which gun owner category you fall in, the common denominator is the belief in the Second Amendment. This is why it is so important that all gun owners never stop training. Training is the key to being a safe and responsible gun owner and the best source of training is the NRA. Remember, responsible gun owners never stop training. The more you train, the more you reinforce the safe and proper use of firearms.
—Heidi Lyn Rao
