No NRA apparel if you want to vote

[stonecutter2]

...You can't claim to be politically neutral and have like 5 straight issues of American Rifleman talk about how Obama is basically the Antichrist...

...I wish they'd focus a little more on guns and a little less on conservative politics and trying to sell me gold coins.

That said, I donate my money and wear my NRA hoodie. They've done a lot of good for gun owners.

Agreed.

 

[MtnCreek]

I may just wear my (ugly) black and gold NRA hat next Tuesday. It will be the first time wearing it.

 

[Trent]

I'm in the process of moving so most of my stuff is packed, but I'll try to dig up some issues of Rifleman after work.

Even aside from off-topic issues, there is content in every single issue lately that is frantic to the point that my eyes roll - unnecessary bolding, capitalization, hyperbole - and it has been every issue for a good long while now. When an article starts off something like "Is OBAMA working with CONGRESS to steal YOUR guns?!" I just can't read it any further.

If there's a valid point to be made, it can be made without all the childish theatrics. Stuff like that makes it sound like a high school newspaper or gossip rag instead of the publication of a large interest group with a significant and storied history.

Well, there ARE other magazines to choose from.

So I get the hunting magazine, instead. I know very little about hunting and that is more informative/educational for me.

I already *know* where I stand politically. To me, I ignore any hyperbole and rhetoric, because, well, there's nothing I'm going to gain from reading it. It's a waste of my time. I'm already very active in that regards; guest speaking for for GunsSaveLife.com meetings, writing congress-critters, teaching concealed carry classes, running High Power events, on the executive board of our local sportsmans club, etc.

But consider the farmers and hunters and people who really HAVEN'T paid any attention to the issues. Granted, by this point, you'd think there aren't REALLY that many. But I've run across my share of people who are just *not involved* - a good 3/4ths of my concealed carry students aren't NRA members, and about half of the people that show up to our rimfire and centerfire rifle shoots aren't NRA members.

Many of them are politically agnostic. Don't care.

So a little "fire and brimstone" might be just what they need to realize "oh heck, if this isn't stopped I'll only be able to hunt with a bow!"

Anyway, different methods of reaching different people. The particular method used must match the target audience.

Clearly you and I are not the target audience. We're long past the basic education point, we know what we're up against, don't fear it, just understand it.

Normal folks need an emotion to get active about ANYTHING, though! And fear is one of the easiest emotions to instill in folks.

 

[Saddlebag Preacher]

I'm blessed to live where a lot of the citizenship have NRA/Hunting/camo/gun logos and stuff on themselves and their vehicles. So I don't have to worry about what I wear, anywhere. The only thing I'll have to do is leave my handgun in the jeep when I go in to vote. In fact, one might get strange looks if one wore an anti-gun/hunting logo in this and surrounding counties.

There is a law in KY about campaign signs and messages within so many feet of the poles, but a NRA logo ain't one of them.

I was in Wally world picking up some stuff a couple of days ago and a very pretty lady in full camo was picking up some supplies from the bow hunting section. Has nothing really to do with the OP's statement, just showing the differences in areas of the country.

 

[Warp]

So a little "fire and brimstone" might be just what they need to realize "oh heck, if this isn't stopped I'll only be able to hunt with a bow!"

But then they'll start limiting what kind of bow you can have. Wouldn't want it to be too powerful.

I know I've seen this language from the major mainstream media players, but this one was immediately at hand:

http://www.registercitizen.com/gene...ructor-hailed-as-hero-in-sons-deadly-attack-4

"and shot him in the head with a high-powered bow and arrow."



Gotta watch out for those high-powered bow and arrows

 

[Reloadron]

I can see now when I vote I will be wearing my best Marine T-shirt and my NRA cap.

Should be fun if nothing else.

Yeah, that's the ticket. Need to dig out some of my Marine Corps stuff. I don't generally wear ball caps but can make an exception.

Ron

 

[Trent]

The NRA is directly involved now;

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/oct/29/nra-demands-georgia-countys-elections-boar/

The National Rifle Association has written a letter demanding the board of elections in Douglas County, Georgia, reverse an informal ban on pro-gun clothing at the voting booth.

“We are writing to insist that you immediately reverse the unlawful and unconstitutional policy prohibiting citizens from wearing items bearing the NRA name while voting,” the NRA’s lobbying arm wrote in the letter addressed to Douglas County Elections Supervisor Laurie Fulton, which was obtained by The Washington Times.

The letter comes after Bundy Cobb, who is certified by the National Rifle Association in firearms training, said he was ordered to remove his “NRA Instructor” hat before being allowed to vote early on Friday. He said a poll worker explained that the pro-gun garb was perceived as being too closely associated with the GOP and the tea party.

Heck, now I've got to throw my "hat in to the ring" and wear my NRA instructor garb to the polls.

 

[MtnCreek]

I'll report back Wednesday on my NRA hat / GA Voting. I doubt it will be a problem here; in '02 about half the people here were wearing Confederate flags of some sort to the polls and no one said a thing.

 

[medalguy]

My wife and I went to vote this afternoon and I wore my OD green "Molon Labe" tee shirt and NRA hat. Didn't raise an eyebrow fortunately.

 

[enine]

Well in the be careful what you wish for category,

I mentioned a couple paged back that I wished I had an NRA hat to wear Tuesday and one came in the mail today.

 

[SleazyRider]

An immigrant family with who I'm familiar was well-known in our town for dressing up when going to the polls. They were proud of their newfound citizenship and considered voting an almost sacred act, one that should be attended to with the utmost respect and dignity.

I kind of liked the tradition and adopted it for my family as well about 20 or so years ago; in fact, I picked up a suit for my 9-year old grandson at the mall just yesterday (at his request). He'll wear it to school tomorrow with an American flag lapel pin, and then to the polls.

Voting is sacrosanct.

 

[MtnCreek]

NRA hat is ready to go.

Does everybody else's NRA hat read "MADE IN CHINA"? Disappointing.

 

[bikerdoc]

wonder how they feel about my Viet Nam veteran hat.

 

[Warp]

wonder how they feel about my Viet Nam veteran hat.

The NRA affiliates itself with specific politicians. Not sure how that compares at all.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Is "Vietnam Veteran" a political action group or the parent organization of multiple political action groups, currently engaged in political activities, or currently engaged in a $2million campaign against Bloomberg as is the NRA?

No?

"Vietnam Veteran" should be fine. "Daytona 500" should be fine. "Pop Warner Football" should be fine.

NRA hat is ready to go.

Does everybody else's NRA hat read "MADE IN CHINA"? Disappointing.

LOL, that is awfully funny and pretty typical of some of the "free" junk they give out.

 

[Warp]

LOL, that is awfully funny and pretty typical of some of the "free" junk they give out.

Everybody does it. The RWVA (revolutionary war veteran's association, aka Appleseed) hats (you know, that instructors and volunteers wear) are made in China

I have like 20 hats from various gun and shooting stuff (Vickers, Red State Tactical, Glock, Aimpoint, BCM, Primary Arms, half dozen of some of those, and more)...I think all or virtually all are made in China.

 

[HoosierQ]

I wore my NRA hat. Nobody even noticed I don't think.

 

[shotgunjoel]

Unless those issues were currently on the ballet, how do you justify telling them they can't wear them?

I can justify asking people to remove their political apparel because that is the state law and as an election judge I am bound by oath to uphold it. A nation is nothing if it's elections are compromised.

What kind of uniform policy is that where you don't tell people who might cause you trouble? Basically what you're saying is you only prey on the weak!

As I said, it is unlikely that the message will be seen by others in the first place, much as many open carriers find that no one notices their gun. If I think that someone is going to create a disturbance, therefore drawing attention to the message and interrupt the flow of voters, then no, I don't find it worthwhile. It's called selective enforcement, I'm sure you would prefer a warning instead of a ticket should you be pulled over for speeding. Same idea, the enforcer (in this case the election judge) can use their discretion to determine if it would benefit the greater good.

 

[Sniper56]

I proudly went to vote this morning wearing my old green USMC shirt and my NRA ball cap. None of the little old ladies working the polling place said anything except Good Morning and smiled.

 

[MtnCreek]

Not a word was said about the hat.

 

[oneounceload]

Had a nice gent come to the poll today wearing his NRA T shirt. He's a registered Dem, so for those who seem to think there aren't any - you'd be wrong

And here in FL, a NRA fan who is a Dem is a fairly rare breed

 

[Warp]

I don't think I have an NRA hat. Lifetime member (couple years into quarterly payment method) but I guess they don't really give you anything for that.


I just wore a BCM hat instead.

 

[natman]

I wore my NRA hat. Nobody even noticed I don't think.

They're probably used to voters that don't think.

(Sorry, I couldn't pass it up. A comma is your friend.)

 

[morcey2]

I can justify asking people to remove their political apparel because that is the state law and as an election judge I am bound by oath to uphold it. A nation is nothing if it's elections are compromised.

The question is: Who defines "political apparel"? In some states, a wedding ring could be viewed as political apparel depending on what's on the ballot. From the law here in Utah:

20A-3-501. Polling place -- Prohibited activities.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "electioneering" includes any oral, printed, or written attempt to persuade persons to refrain from voting or to vote for or vote against any candidate or issue;

I don't see how an NRA hat could be interpreted as an "attempt to persuade persons to refrain from voting or to vote for or vote against any candidate or issue." Now, if someone had made a t-shirt showing the NRA-PVF endorsement of one of the candidates on the ballot and wore that, I can see that as being prohibited. An NRA hat is no different than wearing something that says "I'm a member of the PTA."

As I said, it is unlikely that the message will be seen by others in the first place, much as many open carriers find that no one notices their gun. If I think that someone is going to create a disturbance, therefore drawing attention to the message and interrupt the flow of voters, then no, I don't find it worthwhile. It's called selective enforcement, I'm sure you would prefer a warning instead of a ticket should you be pulled over for speeding. Same idea, the enforcer (in this case the election judge) can use their discretion to determine if it would benefit the greater good.

The phrase "greater good" always sends up red-flags for me. It usually means "we're going to violate/erase your rights because some are more equal than others." Even selective enforcement requires some sort of violation. Giving someone a warning for speeding when they were following the law is more what the analogy should be.

Matt

 

[KZinOKC]

When I voted last night I noticed the gentleman who looked me up in the book and asked me to sign in was proudly wearing his NRA hat.