Taking Activism to the Next Level

[PublicRelations]

Someone posted this already but it was closed due to moderation... I'm offering the story again because it is an excellent example of how we can be doing an even better job of promoting RKBA. (note to moderators: I believe I have fulfilled your requests in adding input)

To very briefly summarize: There was an Open Carry gathering at a San Fransisco beach that caught some media attention. This OC group was performing a "beach clean-up" (picking up trash on the beach as a volunteer community service). Here are quotes from misguided observers:

"They're not dressed to pick up trash," said Ashley Bahney, 27, of Oakland. "When they said, 'Hi,' I was pretty weirded out by that."

An argument that society is safer with guns is not convincing in a place where children are playing in the surf and picnicking, said Ludo Thomasson, 32, of San Francisco.

"I want them do the same thing in Oakland - and not Baker Beach, where people are walking their dogs," he said.

Open Carry and RKBA in general is gaining more and more exposure in the media. While some of it is positive, and some not, the exposure is confronting folks who were unaware or in denial. This is good.

The best thing about this article was the fact that the OC group was performing a community service by cleaning up the beach - what a GREAT way to promote RKBA and show non-RKBA persons* how community orientated, friendly, non-violent, happy, helpful and value-giving the gun community is.

I think this is the "next level" of OC demonstrations that should be continued and form a trend amongst the RKBA community. Not only were the OC in the article exposing themselves as law-abiding gun-carriers, but they were adding value to the community in a public venue by cleaning up beaches - it's like a double wammy.

While some people will always be opposed to RKBA, and others cannot be convinced to support RKBA, coupling an OC demonstration with a volunteer community service (like a beach clean-up) is an ULTRA-promotion when it comes to RKBA.

Does anyone share this perspective and see the value of the "ultra-demonstration" ? Or perhaps see a flaw...

I should mention this is a new notion to me and a fresh perspective... perhaps it has been discussed before and is only new to me... Regardless, I think this was a great example of active RKBA support.

Link to entire article:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/28/BAVJ1C8CE6.DTL

* Do we have a universal term for those that do not make an effort to support RKBA?

 

[jn1965]

I agree that combining an OC event with a community service activity is a great way to show people that we are not "RIGHT WING GUN NUTS" maybe running a food drive for the homeless or something like that (food drives are near and dear to a Libby's heart) would gather even better press...
I think the more people get to see responsible gun owners out in the world just doing their thing the more they will get used to the idea and eventually come to acceptance of people's right to bear arms.

Oh and the anti RKBA folks have a name 'SHEEPLE'

 

[hso]

* Do we have a universal term for those that do not make an effort to support RKBA?

a Libby's heart...Oh and the anti RKBA folks have a name 'SHEEPLE'

Name calling, even about antis, is not taking the high road. People that don't actively work in support of RKBA may not be pulling their weight in some people's opinion, but being a responsible gun owner that doesn't hide the fact is living the image we want the public to see. In their own way by living as responsible members of the community they reinforce our evangalism.

The point that coupling RKBA activities to raise the awareness/knowledge of the public with other community service work is an outstanding idea. It goes further to make the undecided and misinformed realize that responsible gun owners are the norm instead of the twisted image of guns only being used by thugs and gangs and lunatics. Excellent idea.

 

[Robert]

Do we have a universal term for those that do not make an effort to support RKBA?

Uninformed or uneducated, ignorant of the truth if you will, is a perfectly acceptable title for those who do not make an effort. Some folks just simply do not care one way or the other. They do no care if we have firearms or not. It is sad really.

I think the idea of community service coupled with an OC group is a outstanding idea. Especially in areas like SF or California in general, where most folks seem to think that guns are evil and all owners are nut jobs. This comes mainly from the public's lack of education and knowledge on the subject. Anything that we can do to show them that we are not all trigger happy "gun nuts" is a great thing. And helping clean up the community, well that is even better.

 

[bikerdoc]

Positive actions such as this are to be encouraged.

VCDL has had a few.
Rule #1 Act reasonsible, Talk logically and politely, and no name calling.

The food drive is a good idea, as is any childrens cause, especially if associated with a club or range organization.

Many M/C clubs use charity runs to improve thier image. Same rules apply.

So lets get positive plans in place and active, and leave the labels alone

 

[KarenTOC]

While some people will always be opposed to RKBA, and others cannot be convinced to support RKBA, coupling an OC demonstration with a volunteer community service (like a beach clean-up) is an ULTRA-promotion when it comes to RKBA.

Does anyone share this perspective and see the value of the "ultra-demonstration" ? Or perhaps see a flaw...

I think public displays of activism (PDA?) are an excellent idea.

My suggestion: the "Adopt-a-Highway" or "Adopt-a-Street" program. They post signs indicating a stretch of road is sponsored by a particular organization. When the members are out picking up the litter, they could open carry (where permitted).

The sign is there 24/7, so even when folks don't actually see the workers, they are being constantly, unconsciously made aware that gun owners support the community. (the name of the organization would need to be clear, not a bunch of acronyms.)

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

This is exactly the kind of presence we need in public, responsible gun owners carrying out civic improvement.

KR

 

[tack]

Blood drive.
Neighborhood or highway clean up.
Charity auction.
The group schedules a day to work in a soup kitchen for the poor.
The group invites local armed forces to a sporting event or to a holiday dinner.

The more the better. Extra points if you can perform the activity while open carrying.