Everytown for Gun Safety has entered the firearm education arena with a new program called Train SMART, aiming to promote safe and responsible gun ownership. The initiative has sparked controversy from both gun rights groups and “gun violence” prevention advocates.
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NEW YORK, NY (3-minute read) — In a surprising turn, Everytown for Gun Safety, a group widely known for pushing tighter gun laws, has launched a firearm safety training program. The initiative, called Train SMART, offers online and Zoom-style courses ranging from 90 minutes to eight hours, with prices between $20 and $100. But the move has stirred sharp reactions from all sides.
Train SMART was created by military veterans, including Everytown adviser and former U.S. Army helicopter pilot Chris Marvin. He says the courses are designed to feel more like a grandparent teaching a child than a marketing pitch from a gun shop. According to Marvin, the training is modeled after trusted military instruction and aims to teach not just handling and storage but also when not to use a firearm.
This is something that we in the firearms industry have been doing for decades.
Internal Division and Public Pushback
While gun rights organizations like the NRA and NSSF scoffed at the idea, calling it hypocritical, some of the strongest opposition came from within Everytown itself. Longtime volunteers and survivors of gun violence expressed shock, saying the program contradicts the group’s core mission. Sandy Phillips, whose daughter died in the 2012 Aurora theater shooting, called the effort “hurtful and insulting” and said it felt like a betrayal.
Several local chapter leaders even resigned, saying the organization never consulted its grassroots members before launching the program.
Despite the backlash, Everytown President John Feinblatt insists the organization remains committed to reducing “gun violence.”
Reframing the Gun Safety Debate
The move may signal a broader shift in how “gun violence” prevention groups engage with American gun owners. Instead of promoting abstinence from firearms, Everytown is experimenting with education and risk mitigation strategies. Whether the gamble will pay off or backfire remains to be seen, but it has undeniably reopened deep wounds in their own community.
Some industry veterans, like Rob Pincus of the Personal Defense Network, were skeptical but cautiously optimistic. “Any increase in responsible firearm education is a net positive,” he said, even if the source is controversial.
Safety Tip: Before storing your firearm, assess who has access to it and consider using quick-access safes that balance security with emergency readiness. Always reevaluate storage methods during times of household stress or mental health changes.
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