I am the NRA, and I will defend my rights
I am the NRA. It is not a nameless, faceless, lobbying organization that exists in a vacuum or in a black vortex. The National Rifle Association consists of millions of men, women and young people, who believe in the Constitution and all its 27 Amendments, with specific attention to the Second Amendment; the protection of all rights of all American citizens; and responsible firearm ownership through continuous safety and skills training.
My husband and I each have individual memberships to the NRA. We, as most NRA members, treat our responsibility as gun owners with the utmost care. Thankfully, our constitutional republic is not governed by the whims of the lynch mob that may be rallied with Jennifer Hoppe’s war cry: “Tech giants Apple, Google and Amazon should use their power to dump the NRA.”
Hoppe’s irresponsible attempt to force corporate sponsors and tech companies with a communication platform to restrict the freedom of speech and free association of the NRA, via communication with its members using those various communication platforms, should be recognized as unconstitutional.
Hoppe is advocating for companies to exploit and truncate freedom of speech in order to circumvent the Second Amendment. These tactics are unnecessary and un-American. As Americans, we protect freedom of speech and association to combat the objectives espoused in Hoppe’s column. We (all of us, regardless of political party or belief in gun rights or gun control) are better than Hoppe suggests.
I am the NRA because I will defend your right to advocate for gun control, through the legislative process. I am the NRA because I will defend my rights under the Second Amendment in courts and in the legislature. Regardless, I will always respect you and Hoppe, as fellow Americans — even if she does not respect me.
Terina Salerno
Henderson, Nev.
WANT TO COMMENT? Have Your Say at letters@usatoday.com, @usatodayopinion on Twitter and facbook.com/usatodayopinion. Comments are edited for length and clarity. Content submitted to USA TODAY may appear in print, digital or other forms. For letters, include name, address and phone number. Letters may be mailed to 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA, 22108.