Venezuelan newspapers featured images and articles about me, a teenage girl holding a firearm. They celebrated my success in winning medals for my state at the national level and for my country during international competitions.

These articles about me were not tucked away in the forgotten corners of the newspaper’s last page. No! I made it to the front page—more than once!

Do you know why?

A picture of me holding a pistol made the front page because people back then accepted a logical truth: they understood that firearms were tools necessary for my sport, and I was achieving great things with them.

Nobody condemned me for using a tool that criminals also used to terrorize an already dangerous country. No one accused my character, discipline, and dedication to excel in my sport of being complicit in the actions of evil individuals using similar tools. At that time, Venezuelans recognized the difference between criminals and the intent behind my use of firearms.

Intent is everything. People use their intelligence to either help or harm society. For example, some individuals learn to wield knives to become the best chefs in town, while others use them to hurt children in a kindergarten.

The question is: what does the first individual have to do with the latter? Absolutely nothing.

Fast-forward twenty-three years, and we find ourselves in an era where a few influential individuals control the narrative. For instance, I face blatant censorship on social media for posting videos and pictures featuring firearms. Does it matter that I share these because shooting is my sport? Or that I work as a firearms instructor? Or simply because I believe we would be better off educating others on firearm safety?

Of course, none of this matters to gun control advocates and the censorship movement. They prefer that people adhere to their illogical thinking and irrational behavior.

For instance, it is unreasonable to condemn and censor all parents for having children simply because some individuals are bad parents. Similarly, restricting NASCAR from broadcasting their races out of fear that teenagers might take their parents’ easily accessible vehicles—potentially dangerous weapons—and cause chaos on the streets is absurd. Isn’t it?

Yet, this is exactly what those controlling mainstream media do: they suppress positive behavior associated with firearms. These individuals choose willful ignorance to feed an irrational fear, and they want the rest of us to follow their lead by silencing me and many others in the firearms community.

The bad news for them—and the great news for freedom—is that I intend to continue doing what I do!

The post The Ignorant and Fearful appeared first on Gabby Franco.

Every year, I hear more about you. Those who call you their brother-in-arms speak of your bravery. Although I sense their sadness at your absence, I know they feel blessed to have met someone like you. Some may wonder why it was you and not them who were chosen to be with God, as they were right beside you.

Many of your brothers are thinking of you today. Perhaps most of them won’t talk about it openly, but I have learned to listen to the silent cries of those who remember you. I can assure you that you are remembered more than ever imagined.

You are present in every deployment story. I recall the countless days you stayed awake for 72 hours or more and the Christmas tree you made from ammunition, explosives, a camo net, and whatever else you could find. I also heard about the time you thought everything was lost, only to be saved by an airstrike that came to the rescue of you and your soldiers.

I’ve heard about your sense of duty and the fears you faced during the invasion of Normandy, as well as the brutal living conditions you endured during the Vietnam War. Despite everything, you did your best and sacrificed everything for America and for us.

Although I never met you, I feel a connection because of the stories I’ve heard about you. The people who fought, laughed, and cried alongside you have ensured that your memory will never be forgotten.

God bless you.

The post Memorial Day appeared first on Gabby Franco.

Let us consider how gun control makes law-abiding citizens defenseless against the already dangerous recidivism trend in the US.

Gun control emboldens criminals and makes them more dangerous. It increases the number of victims as most citizens become defenseless. For instance, Chicago’s crime rate increased by 50% in 2020 despite leading the gun control movement since 1970 (Charles, 2020). As statistics suggest, many criminals leave jail or effectively help them become better citizens.  You don’t have to be brilliant to understand that regardless of the existence of the law, the vast majority of criminals keep committing crimes, terrorizing law-abiding citizens like you and me.

GCA focuses on eliminating as many firearms as possible, ignoring that owning firearms is a Constitutional right that explicitly says that it shall not be infringed.

The government cannot contain the intent of someone to commit a crime. That is why they have to blame something else. They blame the object instead of the criminal, conveniently ignoring that the purpose of a criminal will not change because they do not have a firearm. In the UK, criminals realized that knives serve their purpose and that gun control does not prevent them from committing their crimes. It makes their job easier by keeping citizens defenseless.

What does make sense is to 1) keep violent criminals off the streets, 2) help ex-convicts be part of society, and 3) ensure the law is enforced regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, to mention a few. These are long-lasting actions we can support to help reduce crime.

The idea of punishing millions of citizens in this country because of the actions of a few thousand is ridiculous. I grew up in Venezuela, and I know that gun control keeps law-abiding citizens defenseless and criminals armed.

References

Charles, S. (2020). After 3 years of progress, Chicago’s murder tally skyrocketed in 2020

The post Gun Control Is The Enemy of a Free Society appeared first on Gabby Franco.

We should all be grateful for the people and organizations that fight for our rights and freedoms. Whether or not you require these rights, many individuals are dedicated to protecting those rights for you, your children, and your grandchildren. But, they cannot do it alone.

When closely examining those who protect our rights, you’ll realize that ethnicity or skin color does not matter. It doesn’t matter if you’re “pink, blue, green, or purple.” To them, you are a citizen with unalienable rights, and those rights are worth fighting for.

Those who advocate for our rights seek practical solutions that tackle real issues, educate others, and enhance societal understanding. These organizations strive for approaches that maintain our integrity while protecting our rights.

Some may not understand what it is like to have your rights slowly slip away. I have, and I am not willing to lose them again!

Get involved and help protect our Second Amendment rights!

The post Protecting Freedom appeared first on Gabby Franco.

I understand the frustration of the men and women who feel distressed every time they hear that our constitutional rights are under attack. I don’t blame them; they have sacrificed so much for us abroad, and the least we can do is continue to protect our rights here at home.

H –  For Veterans and service members, it is an HONOR to serve the country and to say they stepped up to do what few have done. They don’t think about themselves; they are ready to take action to protect their nation.

E—Being EXCEPTIONAL is not an option but a way of life for many like you. Many lives depend on it.

R –  Service members RESPECT their duty and their job. Even fearing the unknown, they move forward to accomplish their mission to protect our country and freedom.

O –  And with their OATH to support and defend the “Constitution” of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, I tell each of them: YOU ARE MY HERO!!

The post You Are My Hero appeared first on Gabby Franco.

While we may have differing ideas and religious beliefs, one fundamental principle must remain intact: We must always defend our rights. Our fundamental and Constitutional rights are essential for pursuing our dreams, practicing our religions, and striving for success.

Unfortunately, some government leaders attempt to impose regulations limiting our constitutional rights. This is concerning and frightening, particularly when I hear discussions about gun regulations, which often lead to gun confiscation.

I would love to ask those politicians who don’t want me, as a law-abiding citizen, to own or conceal and carry a firearm for self-defense:

1) Will their laws prevent criminals from accessing firearms and committing crimes?

2) In the case I encounter a criminal armed with a firearm, will the law-makers assume total responsibility because their law disarmed me?

3) Will they follow their rules by telling their security personnel not to use firearms?

I don’t think we need to hear their answers. I am pretty sure you and I know what they will say. They know that criminals will find firearms regardless of any law. They will not assume any responsibility for citizens’ inability to protect themselves; obviously, their security personnel will always have firearms.

I sincerely believe that those who thread on our constitutional rights will fail. We must keep speaking and standing up with those on our side. We’ll never give up!

The post Leadership appeared first on Gabby Franco.

Fellow citizens,

With great honor, I stand with you to support our freedoms and our country. Almost twenty years ago, I left Venezuela. I left everything and everyone I love: family, Olympic career, friends, education. Back then, I was surrounded by ideologically divided adults. The vast majority of them were too busy to pay attention to politics or even to vote, while flashy socialist ideas blinded the rest of them. Not even the high probability of participating in the 2004 Olympic Games stopped me from moving to the US. Leaving everything behind was the high price I paid to find freedom again.

In April 1999, an important election took place after Hugo Chavez won the presidency. Unfortunately, only 37% of registered voters cast their votes for a referendum. That was the beginning of the change of the constitution and the solidification of the socialist government’s power. Venezuela was a wealthy country; now, it is a crumble of misery mixed with silenced despair. Fellow Americans, hear me well: There is no such thing as a “little bit of socialism” or “some gun control.” The ultimate goal of those politicians who promote these ideas is a total transformation of our country as we know it and massive gun confiscation. Invest in the future by voting for politicians who, with actions, show they protect our freedoms.

Virginia is the perfect example of how radical the left has become. According to USA Today, Ernest McGowen, a political science professor at the University of Richmond, said in an interview that Virginians should not worry about a radical shift in policy. He was talking about Democrats regaining power in Virginia after almost 30 years. The professor said, and I quote, “They’re probably more conservative than the average Democrat in the country.” Let that sink in, “Current Democratic legislators in Virginia are probably the most conservative ones?” Listen to me well. Please do not pay the price I paid to regain freedom. Let’s vote them OUT!

I DO know the pain and frustration of gun violence. Family members and friends have been kidnapped, robbed at gunpoint, and killed in Venezuela. Criminals followed a cousin after he withdrew money from the bank; they stole the money and shot him inside his car in a traffic jam. The law did not allow my cousin or the criminals to carry firearms. Two dear female members of my family saw the front end of a gun while being robbed; one of the criminals also beat one of the women. Once again, the law prohibited them from owning firearms to protect themselves. I can go on and on for hours, but the common denominator is that gun control defenseless, and criminals know it! Some of us are lucky enough to tell the tale, but many others are not. Defend freedom, protect the Second Amendment!

Gun control does not deter crime because it reduces a criminal’s risk and makes their job easier. It further increases the criminal’s motivation to continue their violent acts.

Disarming law-abiding citizens is not the solution. Instead, let’s work to better our society by bringing back values at home and schools. Raising strong and independent adults is a long-lasting solution to the problems we face in our communities. However, politicians must constantly be reminded that “The right to own and bear arms shall not be infringed!”

Fellow Americans, let’s stay united and alert to protect and preserve our country and freedom. I have gone through hardship in the US. I have faced debt, unemployment, and divorce all at once! Yet it is precisely this wonderful country’s strong and effective system that helped me get back on my feet. ENOUGH with downplaying the greatness of this country. I am a proud Venezuelan, but you bet I am PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! No country in the world can offer such incredible opportunities. You can build greatness from nothing and inspire others even if you don’t look like them. Feel free to speak up to protect your rights, even with broken English. Talk to your neighbors, friends, family, and everyone you can. Tell them to vote for freedom because the United States of America is worth it and because the price of freedom is too high to let it slip from our hands.

Now, my friends, please repeat after me: I Love the USA!

God Bless you, and God bless America!

Speech for the Arizona Second Amendment rally on February 15th, 2020
Location: Arizona State Capitol

The post The Price of Freedom appeared first on Gabby Franco.