The astonishing hypocrisy of the American left is on full display with regard to liberal activists now seeking to shame supporters of the National Rifle Association. For the Left, which worships at the altar of Planned Parenthood, to attack second amendment supporters as not being “pro-life” is pathetic. Anti-gun protests are popping-up around the country that are being billed as “stand for life” rallies. The message is clear: if you support the NRA and the second amendment, then you are the enemy of public safety and should be ashamed. This is a naked attempt by the Left to twist the meaning of being pro-life into being pro-gun control.

It is a contradiction in political philosophy to promote Planned Parenthood while accusing gun rights advocates of being against life. Planned Parenthood is America’s abortion giant, and is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths every single year. The NRA, by contrast, does not advocate gun violence or promote a culture of death. In fact, the NRA is the nation’s largest gun safety advocacy organization, and provides excellent gun safety training resources to all ages. The contrast to Planned Parenthood could not be clearer.

It is understandable that many young Americans have anxiety about this sustained rash of school violence and shootings. Such violence is unnerving and shatters a person’s sense of security, regardless of their age. What compounds such tragedy is when opportunistic politicians tell young Americans that gun control will protect them from these threats. The NRA and gun owners are paraded-out as the problem, and we’re told that ending the second amendment will save folks’ lives. Gun control measures do not save innocent lives; they shape a balance of power that favors those who intend to commit crimes by unilaterally disarming the innocent.

The best steps we can now take as a country are to expand, not curtail, right to carry protections – namely national right to carry reciprocity. Further, we should seek to place armed guards in schools and allow teachers, coaches, and administrators who have carry permits to carry their firearms at work. Ending the status of schools being “gun free zones” for resource officers and responsible adults will protect students, not endanger them.

Curtailing the constitutional rights of law abiding American citizens is not the answer to our current woes. America does not have a gun problem; we have a culture problem. Too many kids grow-up without their parents, we have driven God from the public square, and we have extolled violence and a culture of “if it feels good, do it.” We must seek to restore our faith and values, protect our second amendment rights, and resist the siren song of gun control that will not curtail violent crime in this country.