Essay contest is open on Second Amendment

The NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund is sponsoring an essay contest for students with the theme "The Second Amendment to the Constitution: Why it is important to our nation."

The contest is open to elementary, junior high and high school students. Essays will be judged in two categories, grades 10-12 and grades nine and below. First prizes are $1,000 in U.S. savings bonds; second prizes, $600 in savings bonds; third prizes, $200 in savings bonds; and honorable mentions, $100 in savings bonds.

Entry deadline is Dec. 1. Essays should be about 1,000 words in length and include the student's name, age, address, telephone number, school, and grade, and a statement from a teacher or parent saying that the paper is an original work. For further information or a list of references to aid in research, contact Ryan Curley at 703-267-1269.

Mail entries to: The NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund, c/o NRA Office of General Counsel, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. For more information on the contest, call 703-267-1250.