When 2014 comes around - Remember This Day

[joepmo]

To all my fellow board members,

I have long been part of the quiet majority that was content to sit back and watch the NRA fight the good fight, content that our freedoms were protected. NO MORE!

Here is what I have done in the past couple of months.

- I took the time to register at The High Road and couple of other forums.
- I have taken every one of my kids to the range to show them that properly handled, a firearm is not something to be feared.
- I convinced my wife who hates guns to sign up for a basic pistol/CCW class that we are taking together. I took her to the LGS and helped her to pick out a handgun she felt comfortable with.
- I began talking more openly about my passion for freedom and the right to keep and bear arms to co-workers.
- I have forwarded links to the Piers Morgan/Ben Shapiro YouTube as well as the site that debunks the "assault weapon" myth
- I took the time to explain to some panic buyers how the gas system worked on the AR15s they were in line to buy. I did not talk down to them or look down on them, I shared knowledge and welcomed them.
- I have researched logical, well thought answers to the common strawmen that anti 2A people throw out.
- I have emailed senators and congressmen
- Upgraded my NRA membership to Life
- Joined the GOA
- I made a contribution to the NRA-ILA.

Note that of all the things I have done, only the last 3 involved anything other than a commitment of some time. Make no mistake - it is important to put your money where your mouth is - more so than ever these days.

But nothing beats an engaged, educated advocate. Take the time to reach out beyond your normal circle of fellow gun enthusiasts. If each of us reaches one more person, our numbers double in the next 12 months. The time for silent support is past.

Remember 2014 is not far off.

 

[Roverrich]

I couldn't agree more. Great post!

 

[hso]

That's what Activism is about and what others here have been doing for years.

How do you propose to get others to follow what you've done?

 

[C5rider]

How do you propose to get others to follow what you've done?

Not to jump on the OP's thread, but I do believe that we are positioned perfectly for those with opened-eyes to observe the actions, voting trends and statements of those whose offices are up for renewal in 2014. Take notes of dates, statements, voting records, whatever you need to help us all get a secure understanding on where each official is positioned. Then, use that information in making an INFORMED decision when we get the opportunity.

That, and keeping active in the fight! Rest assured that many quill pens will have dried now that the "big scare of what O might do" is out of the bag. Pressure is not a tide. It is a constant force with which those who choose to work against it will find little rest.

 

[DammitBoy]

Make your voice heard on all social media

 

[sota]

wearing my NRA LIFE MEMBER pin and engaging anyone and everyone I can.

3+hours with a lawyer who was in the National Guard in the 70s (even served and was federalized during the 1970 USPS strike)... who is AGAINST 2A. I obviously didn't get him to support 2A, but at least I managed to correct some common misconceptions he has about civilian firearms....
he thought current rifles were exactly like his old M14 and M16 with full auto
he didn't know what his sidearm was back then (1911 Commander from his description)
he thought JHP was totally illegal in NJ (they're not.)
he thought anything can shoot armor piercing rounds (if anyone can point me to 9mm or .45 armor piercing rounds, I'd love to know!)
and finally he thought JHP was designed to fragment (I educated him on how a JHP really works, and why it works the way it does.)

He tried to convince me that we need more restrictions. I tried to convince him we need to focus more on education (we teach kids about fire safety, about car safety, we're teaching them to recycle and drumming it into them the likes of which is approaching brainwashing, we teach them about SEX, but nothing about firearms?!?!) and the Eddie Eagle project.

He tried to argue why do I need so many rounds. I pointed out how 1 shot doesn't equal 1 kill, that 3-5 rounds could easily be needed to stop an aggressor, and what if there's more than 1 bad guy?

The ignorance displayed really opened my eyes to what we're up against. It's going to take alot of work, and frankly it's going to need to be done one person at a time, face to face. I was exhausted after our conversation. I'll be up for another one tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that.

Oh, and finally, his secretary thought he was on crack. She's pro-2A And, I invited them both to the range any time they want.

edit:
remembering other things...
he had no idea about NYPD's draconian carry guns
the fact I've practice more with my pistol in 4 years than most police (especially NYPD) have over their entire careers.
(i'll add more as I go along)

 

[Seattleimport]

Good job, SOTA. One thing that's amazed me is the ignorance in this "debate." If the pro-gun-control side doesn't bother to learn the facts of the discussion, how can it be called a debate?

Case in point is this concept of "assault weapons." Most times, the folks throwing around that term think "machine gun, like I see in the movies."

It's sad. I do think the nation needs to engage this issue--I for one would welcome universal background checks*--but a reasonable discussion is just not possible in the midst of all this hysteria and ignorance.

What I admire most about SOTA (and the OP) is the willingness to actively engage, to listen, to consider--and to persuade. We all lose if we refuse the discussion/parrot talking points.

* http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/16/us/universal-background-checks/?hpt=hp_c1

 

[miamivicedade]

Hi All -

I updated my NRA Membership to Life, donated to the NRA ILA, donated to the Second Amendment Foundation, and am creating a site to sign people up for the NRA, and to contact their legislators.

 

[joepmo]

Yesterday I had another guy come up to me at work and we had a nice conversation about his recent purchase of a couple of semi-autos for his Dad. Today I will talk to him to see if he is a member of the NRA and remind him of how important it is to vote in every election.

Young guys like him tend to think that everything is decided in far-off Washington DC and state capitols. The reality is that it starts in our own backyard.

 

[ZeSpectre]

A reminder of my post on Activism and dealing with the inevitable "Activism Fatigue"

Hopefully it will be helpful.

 

[blarby]

But nothing beats an engaged, educated advocate. Take the time to reach out beyond your normal circle of fellow gun enthusiasts. If each of us reaches one more person, our numbers double in the next 12 months. The time for silent support is past.

Amen- May I redirect ...... you here : http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=696238

 

[Matthew Temkin]

I have contacting all of my state/federal representatives, joined the SAF and will be giving more money to the N.R.A.
I am afraid N.Y.S. is a lost cause but I will continue to follow up with my representatives and donations--as well as NEVER failing to vote in any election--no matter how trivial.