Everytown for Gun Safety, a leading organization focused on preventing gun violence, has expanded its mission to include direct firearm safety training and education. The organization launched "Train SMART," a new shooting education program that provides practical firearm training and safety instruction.
The initiative represents a notable expansion of Everytown's advocacy beyond legislative and policy work into direct community engagement and skills training. According to Chris Marvin, Everytown's veterans advisor, the program "looks more like what a grandfather teaches a grandson than what you get in the back room of a gun shop", emphasizing its practical, accessible approach.
The Train SMART program reflects recognition that comprehensive gun violence prevention encompasses multiple strategies, including education for current and prospective firearm owners. By offering training to individuals interested in safe firearm ownership and use, the program reaches a population that advocacy alone cannot effectively influence.
Everytown's expansion into shooting education demonstrates how organizations traditionally focused on policy advocacy have evolved their approaches to address gun violence prevention through multiple channels. The program targets various audiences, including veterans, hunters, and individuals interested in responsible firearm ownership.
Public health research indicates that firearm safety training—particularly programs emphasizing secure storage, safe handling, and responsible decision-making—can contribute to broader violence prevention goals. By reaching gun owners and prospective owners, such education can influence private storage practices and promote safety norms within gun-owning communities.
The Train SMART program joins other educational initiatives nationwide that are working to normalize firearm safety practices and integrate evidence-based prevention strategies into shooting sports, hunting, and responsible ownership contexts.