Geneva Solomon, a former community leader, advocated for responsible gun ownership amid the persistent threat of illegally-owned firearms. As a mother and protector, Geneva’s core priority was to protect her own family within the confines of law and safety. As a gun retailer, she was postured at the choke point between lawful and “straw purchases.” The NSSF’s Real Solutions initiative continues to help train, protect and educate those on the forefront of gun sales.
The right path is often the more restrictive course and being a community leader can be, at times, even more funneling. Prior to her unexpected passing in October of 2024, Geneva would have been hailed as a survivor and a leader. As an FFL and co-founder of Redstone Firearms, the high standard for proper sales, safety and education remains powerfully relevant today.
“We all want the same thing, which is to protect our children, our loved ones and our families,” Geneva said, dogearing our primary responsibility to our familial and communal ties. But, navigating the law and safe distribution in tandem with honorable intentions is in the best interest of the larger community. This showcases the implied responsibilities and challenges of the gun retailer.
Complete background checks and the deterrence of “straw purchases” shape the difficulties of proper firearms sales. The Real Solutions, Don’t Lie for the Other Guy program seeks to discourage lawful gun purchases with the intent to transfer those guns to people that can’t buy them themselves. Additionally, Real Solutions wants to educate handlers on the enduring consequences of such purchases.
The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is part of the lifeblood of gun sales and for years, the firearms industry has been working to improve the database to support additional documentation that would sensibly deter retailers from a sale. For example, additional documentation that could shed light on mental instability would improve sales discrimination, keeping firearms divorced from dangerous hands. The Real Solutions FixNICS is a prong of this effort and is working towards a nationwide transparency during the background check process to address, in particular, mental health concerns.
Geneva Soloman’s fight for gun safety is a testament to her memory. Hail to those individuals that live the life of the safe firearm handler, but a special salute to those community leaders, like Geneva, that rallied many around the good and common goal of guns in protective hands.
See the complete video here and check out the partners and initiatives of the NSSF Real Solutions page.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
