Move to where you're free or "stay and fight?"

[parsimonious_instead]

Thread about an unfortunate resident of NYC and the ridiculous hassles he goes through even for long arms got me thinking:
Here is a philosophical question:

There are basically two ways to deal with restrictive firearm laws. Move and enjoy greater freedom, or "stay and fight." - enjoy your guns, even with all of those lousy restrictions, and agitate for change.
Unfortunately, the sort of people who move to better their lives also tend to have the drive and initiative that would also make them good fighters for our cause.
Is it possible that people "give up too easily" and simply move and become part of the "RKBA exodus?"

 

[floorit76]

I'd like to see some data on that theory.

 

[buckeye8]

Exodus? I really don't think very many people move from one state to another with the RKBA as the primary motivating factor.

Life takes you where it does. Wherever that happens to be, fight the good fight.

 

[parsimonious_instead]

The use of the word "exodus" was probably an overstatement, but it does seem like firearm freedom is a primary or close secondary consideration for a lot of people as they pick a destination to move to.
If some of these people instead had stuck around and agitated for change in their rights-restricted states, maybe things would improve.

 

[Twmaster]

I can only speak for myself here....

I moved from the People's Republik of Maryland two years ago. The choice of place for me to land was in a large part driven by the freedom to exercise my 2A rights.

If I am in a minority I'm OK with that.

 

[Evil Monkey]

There nothing wrong with leaving a crappy state for whatever reason to live in a better one. This is why we have states in the first place, because different people want to handle their affairs differently.


It is a damn shame though, how big city politics can ruin a whole state. Illinois, New York, and the beautiful state of California.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Sometimes - as in my case - it's not so much "giving up" as making a choice to not live amongst so many folk which are so rabidly averse and passionately opposed to the line of thinking that I have on soooo many subjects.

I've found, having lived in California, Massachusetts and Minnesota that I'm simply outside the louder and more powerful of the mainstream thought and action Nazis and the silent "hope no one notices me" types aren't much better in that their silence is viewed as support for the loudest and media backed groups.

Fact is - firearms ownership and use is just one of the more obvious indicators regarding a populaces attitudes towards liberty and personal accountability and along with other "single issue voter" topics assists me in arriving at big picture grade assessments of a population bloc.

 

[floorit76]

I realize I am a throwback, and that society has changed around me. But as I have posted in 2 other threads, some of us have too great of "roots" in one area to just up and leave. Most people today move as soon as they graduate college, then continue to move for a variety of reasons, generally including better pay, and opportunity. Both sides of my family have been on the same dirt for over 100 years. I won't leave for a better paying job, I won;t leave because it snows here, and I won't leave because my states govornment has it's head up it's a$$. Last year we helped elect a new Senator, and I have been to his office to discuss how important the 2A is. He agrees. We have marched, and lobbied going on 5 years I believe. My wife and I are only 35, we have plenty of time to fight. We will win, 49 other states can't be wrong. IL is going to have concealed carry.

 

[Deanimator]

I moved out of Illinois in 1986. It was the smartest move I've ever made.

NOTHING is ever going to get better for gun owners there that doesn't come out of a Federal court decision.

The anti-gun attitudes in Illinois and especially Chicago are merely a symptom of the generalized moral and intellectual rot there. If you don't like the place or the people, you just need to get out. I did.

 

[Deanimator]

IL is going to have concealed carry.

ONLY if the U.S. Supreme Court says they HAVE to.

 

[oneounceload]

There is more to life than shooting and guns - jobs and paychecks for one. If you have a choice, and all things being equal, one state has less restrictions than another, that is one thing - but to up and move strictly because one state has a few less restrictions on guns is a bit naive, IMO

 

[floorit76]

There are several scenerios that I can see happening. That is one. You have to remember that 90% of the land mass is populated by people that want it. It is only the voters of Chicago (living and dead) that are holding us back.

 

[armoredman]

I personally know two people who changed COUNTRIES for our 2A rights, one runs czcustom.com and is one of the best pistol shooters in the world, Angus Hobdell. Yes, it does happen.
I have not done so - born and raised in Free AZ, and like our IL resident, here I will likely stay.

 

[Twmaster]

There is more to life than shooting and guns - jobs and paychecks for one. If you have a choice, and all things being equal, one state has less restrictions than another, that is one thing - but to up and move strictly because one state has a few less restrictions on guns is a bit naive, IMO

That's easy to say when you live in a state with some good freedoms...

Not a dig. Just an observation having lived in an oppressive state previously.

 

[Mr.Blue]

Are you kidding? The reason most people, myself included, stay around NYC is the money. In my business NYC is where the $$$ is. There are many industries where the same is true.

I spent my first 35 years there, but was lucky to get a job elsewhere. I love guns, but I love feeding my family more.

As for initiative, you are way off. The best and brightest in the USA and world flock to NYC for it's opportunities.

 

[oneounceload]

That's easy to say when you live in a state with some good freedoms...

Not a dig. Just an observation having lived in an oppressive state previously.

Born and raised in NYC myself, but I have also lived in many states over the years because of work. You go where the jobs and $$$ are - then you will have the means to do other things as you go through life

 

[Evil Monkey]

In my business NYC is where the $$$ is. There are many industries where the same is true.

I hear the cost of living in these places are also quite high so where exactly is the advantage?

Mississipi is the poorest state in the nation. But they also have the lowest cost of living.

 

[Mr.Blue]

I hear the cost of living in these places are also quite high so where exactly is the advantage?

Mississipi is the poorest state in the nation. But they also have the lowest cost of living.

If you make good money in NYC, you have more at your fingertips than anywhere else in the world. To many people, this is more important than firearm freedoms.

 

[Evil Monkey]

If you make good money in NYC, you have more at your fingertips than anywhere else in the world. To many people, this is more important than firearm freedoms.

You can say this about any state and city.

Hell, Mississipi is the second biggest gambling state in the union after las vegas, nevada. You can say if you're making money in the gambling industry in Mississipi, you're well off too.

If you can make enough money somewhere to live comfortably, and the politics of that state is agreeable, then why not move there?

I definitely think in America, you can have your cake AND eat it too.

 

[ShawnC]

I have never done it, although nothing could get my butt to move to DC, but moving out is a way to fight. It's a statement, however small. If enough people had a good enough excuse to move and moved to more gun friendly states, someone might take notice.
Or I could be dreaming...

 

[StrutStopper]

I moved from NYC in 1988 and never looked back.

 

[Tinpig]

I agree with floorit76...I'm a stay-and-fight-it.

I've got deep roots in Massachusetts and I like it here. I have all my family and my wife's family, my four grown kids and their families, my construction business with 40 years of repeat customers, and the rural house and land I live on which were once my great-grandfather's.
I may not like some of the attitude towards guns, but that has never kept me and many others from enjoying all the shooting we want, while doing our best to return the state to what it once was by our own personal example, and by voting, political activism, and support for Mass GOAL and the NRA. And by refusing to be driven out.

Tinpig

 

[paradox998]

I am counting the days until I can leave NY. Restriction on 2nd Amendment freedoms are a large part of the my decision to move. I plan to take a lifetime of earnings (and assets) and move to a state that does not infringe on my rights. Support for the Constitution does matter in my choice of where to live. I have already purchased property in another state will be happy to see my taxes support a state that is free.

 

[kimura]

You can say this about any state and city.

Hell, Mississipi is the second biggest gambling state in the union after las vegas, nevada. You can say if you're making money in the gambling industry in Mississipi, you're well off too.

If you can make enough money somewhere to live comfortably, and the politics of that state is agreeable, then why not move there?

I definitely think in America, you can have your cake AND eat it too.

Opportunity is not always available in every part of the country. Some jobs are indigenous to certain places. For instance, if you're in the entertainment industry, Los Angeles and New York is pretty much where you find employment and careers. The only exception being Nashville for country music. If you want to work for the UFC, you're probably going to live in Vegas. If you want to work for the WWE, most likely Connecticut. Certain things are indigenous to certain places. Can you find work elsewhere? Probably, but probably not a career job in your chosen field. Also, let's not forget that becoming successful takes time. It's not overnight. Give up a successful career and start over for better gun laws? No, I doubt most would. At this point, gun and gun laws become of secondary importance. Health care, jobs, career success and all that entails, most important of which is giving you and your family a better life, all become more important.

 

[Mr.Blue]

Quote:
If you make good money in NYC, you have more at your fingertips than anywhere else in the world. To many people, this is more important than firearm freedoms.
You can say this about any state and city.

Hell, Mississipi is the second biggest gambling state in the union after las vegas, nevada. You can say if you're making money in the gambling industry in Mississipi, you're well off too.

If you can make enough money somewhere to live comfortably, and the politics of that state is agreeable, then why not move there?

I definitely think in America, you can have your cake AND eat it too.

You're right. There is as much to do in MS as NYC. The last time I was in MS, I must have missed the world class restaurants, museums, schools, Broadway shows, opera, sporting events and etc..

Your definition of money and mine are most likely different. You clearly don't know much about NYC.

I had to check my calendar and make sure it wasn't April fools day. NYC = MS. Haha.