The annual essay contest conducted by the NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund is now accepting submissions. The prizes for this year’s competitions will be awarded as scholarship grants. The theme on the other hand will revolve around a political perspective entitled “The Second Amendment to the Consitution: Why it is important to our nation.”

The contest is open for all students grade school from grade 1 to 12. Participants will be divided into two categories (senior and junior) with the first consisting of grade 9 and below students and another composed of grades 10 through 12. The first place winner will receive $1,000 whereas the second place winner will receive $600. The third place winner will be awarded $200 and $100 for honorable mentions. The contest aims to develop critical thinking among the youth and help them with their future college and high school expenses.

Furthermore, the NRA instructs that “The contest is open to all students enrolled, or who will be enrolled, in an elementary, junior high school during the 2012-2013 academic year, or home-schooled students in an equivalent grade level, who have not previously received a prize in the senior category. A previous winner in the junior category, who is now eligible for the senior category, may submit an entry.”

The application form can be downloaded from the NRA website and printed for submission after filling it out. Once the essay is finished (about 1,000 words), you may send it together with the application form to:

NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund
Attn: Office of the General Counsel
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, Virginia 22030-9400

In addition to the essay and the application form, a written consent signed by the parent or guardian should also be included in the mail. The deadline for submission is on December 1, 2012.

For more info regarding the said competition, read this link: NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund 2012 Essay Youth Contest