The Write Stuff

By NRA Staff

Essayists shoot for the stars—and prizes—in defense of the Second Amendment.

Every year, the folks who administer the NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund gather around a giant stack of mail and settle in to do some serious reading. At stake? The future of Second Amendment scholarship, the hopes of budding writers...and thousands of dollars in prizes. Countless hours of sifting through nearly 1,500 essays later, and the winners of the NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund's 2009 essay contest have been announced!

The theme for the essay was "The Second Amendment to the Constitution: Why it is important to our nation." Essays are judged on originality, scholarship and presentation. Prizes are then awarded in two categories: senior (grades 10-12) and junior (grades nine and below). The first-place prize in each category was $1,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds, with $600 in savings bonds awarded for second place, $200 in savings bonds for third place and $100 in savings bonds for honorable mentions. What does it take to have the "write stuff"? Read on to find out...

	First Place, Senior Category: Alyssa Moore, age 17, Simi Valley, Calif. ...We have the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. It is important to keep in mind that the Second Amendment does not grant us this right. This right is inherent to man; it already existed. The Second Amendment merely puts it into words. Some may ask, if the right is inherent, why bother putting it into words? Is it not like writing down the obvious? Is it not like adding an amendment securing our right to breathe? The truth, however, is that the Second Amendment has been, and perhaps always will be, one of the most contested codified rights. Unlike the right to breathe, the Right to Bear Arms is constantly threatened...
	Second Place, Senior Category: Caleb Valentine, age 16, Aurora, Ill. ...The Founding Fathers of the United States of America believed that firearms were necessary to preserve freedom. In the view of the Founders and other important figures of the time, an armed citizenry served as a defense against a government that could become tyrannical. The Second Amendment was their way to protect, not provide, the people's Right to "Keep and Bear Arms." Of course, abundant evidence exists to support these statements...
	Third Place, Senior Category: Katharine Poe, age 17, Midlothian, Va. ...Throughout our country's history, there have been vast changes in ideas and opinions, but the one thing that has remained constant over 200 years is the desire for independence and security. There is nothing that defines America more, and there is nothing that represents and secures these ideas as much as the Second Amendment of the Constitution...
	Honorable Mention, Senior Category: Te Chen, age 16, Grand Rapids, Mich.
	First Place, Junior Category: Jessica Busker, age 14, Charlotte, N.C. ...It is naïve to presume that criminals will obey gun control laws. Thinking that criminals will ask permission to buy a gun is nothing short of ridiculous. That is why criminals are criminals; they do not obey the law. Thus, "...gun control is not about guns. It's about control," says J.D. Longstreet, Army Veteran and writer.
	Second Place, Junior Category: Rachel Grech, age 14, Fenton, Mich. ...Clearly the Second Amendment is not just about owning guns, as it is so much more. It is about the words we say, where we want to worship and what school we attend. It is about our freedoms and rights as citizens of the United States of America. The Second Amendment is the foundation of everything we have and cherish that people who live in dictatorships do not have the luxury of enjoying...
	Third Place, Junior Category: Grant Carson, age 9, Fairfield, Calif. ...Personally, I am a gun owner, Junior NRA Member and hunter. Having had the wonderful experience of touring the NRA Firearms Museum and seeing how much dedication, forethought and sacrifice went into the foundation of our country, I understand why the Second Amendment is so important to our nation. Our nation's firearm heritage and education of future generations must be preserved for the sake of liberty.
	Honorable Mention: Ira Ko, age 13, Staten Island, N.Y.
Would you like to tell the NRA what the Second Amendment means to you? We’re holding this contest again for 2010! All students enrolled in an elementary, junior high or high school during the 2009-2010 academic year, as well as homeschooled students, who have not previously placed in the contest, will be eligible to enter the 2010 contest. The deadline for students to enter the NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund’s 2010 essay contest is December 1, 2010. For more information about the contest and how to enter, please visit www.nradefensefund.org/writingcontest.aspx.