Walking around the SHOT Show and visiting the many great parties that went on during the week (maybe too many, old age snuck up on JDub) one of the great things that I got to see was the community involvement and charity from the firearms community. All in all, it doesn’t surprise me one bit. I’ve often found the People of the Gun to be more civic minded, and just more responsible people than disarmed America. And I’m not just talking about giving to political campaign or firearms focused lobbying organizations . . .
I hope everyone is supporting at least one gun rights organization with their money, time, or both. This year I saw the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Wild Sheep Foundation, and Ducks Unlimited. I’m sure I missed more. I hope by now we’ve proven the argument that hunters are the most powerful and effective conservationists in America.
But this year I also got to spend time with some other incredible organizations, such as Veteran Outdoors, which provides veterans with hunts and outdoor adventure, as well as the Team 5 Foundation, who provide direct medical care and instruction in some of the most remote parts of the world. These are just two examples of the many volunteer organizations I got to see (and yes, both of those are truly volunteer orgs) getting love from the firearms industry and from firearms users. H&K actually donated to the Team 5 Foundation while there at the SHOT Show.
What also impressed me was that not all of the volunteer organizations there were hunting- or firearms-related. In talking to them, it became pretty obvious that the firearms industry was a go-to target for fundraising for a lot of charities. Obviously, some spend the donations they receive better than others, but it warms my heart to know that the volunteers who do so much to help people in need around the world consider firearms companies and firearms enthusiasts as valuable donors and supporters of many different causes.
And why shouldn’t they? When I go to a gun show it seems like half the people there are volunteer fire fighters, EMT’s or reserve law enforcement. You lead by example. So, People of the Gun, I’m proud to be one of you yet again for doing your part, and probably the part of the person next to you as well.
TTAG, readers, what charities are you supporting? Are you a volunteer in your local area? What do you do to help your community and your world?