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OK, everyone take a time out and have a seat ... and let's talk/think this through and HEAR ME OUT ... AS THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
First of all, Doc is a veteran and a fellow medic
who is a full supporter of 2A and smart/intelligent enough to not act irresponsibly.
Do you know why people desire to become medics and ACTUALLY complete the training and not drop out? First thing they did for my field medic training was to show us an actual combat footage of Vietnam where an entire squad was ambushed and gunned down with body parts shot off in a sea of bullets and explosions. We didn't notice but there were trashcans next to each desk and many of the students used them. It's a horrific sight that no one should ever see that made me sick to my stomach and my blood boil.
After we took a break and gathered our composure (with some still shaking from the horror), the instructor calmly said, "This job is not for everyone and it is perfectly OK if you are not able to do this. But when the injured yell out 'Medic!', you must respond and tend to the injury and/or retrieve the injured while fighting your way out ... Are you prepared and able to do this? ... There's the door."
Sitting there as a young 19 year old, I had to think hard and be honest with myself as to reasons why I wanted to become a medic asking, "Can I do this?" What made me continue with field medic training was the thought of many soldiers from colonial days to WWII to modern day wars who willingly sacrificed so others can enjoy the freedom and life afforded to all of us. My desire to become a medic was in their honor and reason why I volunteered to deploy to the first Gulf War. Believe me, it's a job not many can do willingly.
So let that sink in before making comments about Doc.
OK, moving on to why Doc dressed in battle dress/gear while sporting an AR15 (And a colorful shirt) - He made himself a walking billboard to popularize the use of AR15s by law abiding responsible citizens.
Over the decades, there has been a quiet movement to honor and fulfill the US Constitution, particularly the Second Amendment. Under increasing pressure of so called "Assault Weapons" and "military style" firearms ban (Funny and illogical as just about every type of firearm has been used in battle
), federal judges and Supreme Court justices (The enforcers and backstop for our freedom, liberty and rights) have not only argued but ruled that modern firearms in common use are protected by the Second Amendment.
- First Amendment protects modern types of communication such as internet, email, online forums, social media, etc. that did not exist at the time of writing of the US Constitution. In the same manner, Second Amendment protects modern types of "arms" that did not exist at the time of writing of the US Constitution - Justice Scalia in DC v Heller used firearms in "common use" and application of the Second Amendment to modern types of firearms and ammunition storage devices just as the First Amendment applies to modern types of communication - https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/07pdf/07-290.pdf
So law abiding responsible citizens seen by the public using AR15s and other "modern" firearms to include large capacity ammunition storage devices called "magazines" along with body armor (ballistic helmets and vests, etc.) popularize and fulfills the notion of "common use". Many people may not recall that body armors were available only to law enforcement in the past but they have increasingly become more popular and in "common use" and there is no longer restrictions to law abiding citizens.
And when I saw Doc's colorful shirt, my immediate response was "Smart move" as my "progressive Bernie supporter" son makes tie dye shirts yet he is a staunch supporter of gun rights and 2A. Doc could have just worn battle dress/gear and helmet along with body armor but he CHOSE to wear a colorful shirt to APPEAL to people from greater walks of life and to soften the public image of a 2A activist seen with an AR15.
Over the decades, I have engaged and converted many feminists, liberals, Democrats and LGBTQ members who were anti gun. But instead of thumping my chest, I appealed to them from the notion of gun rights as right to self defense and suggested that crime, especially rape and violent crime, exists in every city and town (How can you argue with that). And as increasing number of them became victimized or knew someone who were, one by one, they became gun owners and after I trained them to shoot, many became conceal carry permit holders and supporters of gun rights/2A.
So when "2A activists" want to open carry with or without BDU/body armor, it is to support the narrative on "popular and in common use" as many judges and justices have and are pushing for in support of gun rights and 2A.
For Heller 2 case, then judge Kavanaugh wrote an awesome 50 page dissent why semi-auto rifles and registration were unconstitutional -
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...t-civil-rights-movement.862179/#post-11361998
Now as Supreme Court justice Kavanaugh, I can bet you that he wants to remove the ban on "Assault Weapons" and "military style" firearms as popular and in common use "arms" expanding the Heller ruling -
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...t-civil-rights-movement.862179/#post-11362014
And as expressed by this Second Amendment scholar, various "Assault Weapons" and magazine ban "won't pass constitutional muster" and popular and "common use" firearms and magazines will prevail in the
Supreme Court that is turning "Originalist" -
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...t-civil-rights-movement.862179/#post-11362077
So, think things over and decide if you want to help support the "popular" and "in common use" narrative and push the courts have made for our eventual Supreme Court showdown with justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh.
BTW, Doc braved the freezing cold and helped coordinate many rally activities all the while doing "something" to support 2A - There was a stack of signatures collected that went to VA capitol with him along with many people he encouraged to attend the rally and fund raising for VCDL, etc. etc. What have you done for 2A lately?
