[boxcab]

Event: 1st Open Holster Day in Annapolis, to protest Maryland’s lack of “Shall Issue” for law abiding citizens.

When: August 1st, 2009 (Time 12 Noon until 6:00pm)

Purpose: To have a large, completely peaceful and unarmed gathering of supporters of “Shall Issue” laws in Maryland. We will be wearing empty holsters in protest of the current “Discretionary Issue” system that sees Handgun Carry Permits issued only to those politically connected or dealing in extraordinarily large amounts of physical cash or the occasional person who can meet the impossibly high burden of proof needed to receive one for self defense.

How to Participate: This is a completely grass-roots event. There will be no formal meeting place (See updates at link below). The intent is to have a nice day with the family and friends in Annapolis, shopping, eating and sight seeing while wearing, in plain sight, an empty holster. You will know others participating in the protest by their open holsters. Stop, introduce yourself and make a new friend. We will provide a flyer that you can hand out to anyone curious as to why you carry an empty holster.

Basic Safety Rules: All holsters must remain empty at all times. Do not put toy guns, training guns or the like in your holster. We want to emphasize the emptiness of the holsters and our lack of protection. We do not want any misunderstanding with local officials (See below). The holster will simply be a fashion accessory, symbolizing our vulnerability to criminals.

Getting the Word Out: Letters will be sent to local Law Enforcement Agencies notifying them of the event and to presence of our empty holsters. Additional notification will be sent to the Governor, the Attorney General and select Legislators.

Long Term: We intend to have additional Open Holster days, in Annapolis and other areas in Maryland. The plan is to build on each Open Holster day, gathering more protesters to join us next Spring, during the Legislative session, to take the protest to the next “Shall Issue" bill hearing. Join us, make friends and help the movement to get Shall Issue Conceal Carry in Maryland.

More Up-to-Date Information and Disussion: http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=19527

Come and Join Us!
Bring Your Family!

-Boxcab

[model of 1905]

Sounds like an "empty" protest to me. What you people really need to do is vote some like minded people into office. Personally I think your protests will be ignored and if not ignored, simply laughed at.

[Norton]

Wow...thanks for those encouraging words of wisdom. :rolleyes:

For anyone with something productive to add, we look forward to having you join us for this event. MD gun owners have spent the last 5 years turning the tide against the passage of anti-gun legislation and it is now time to press the offensive action of getting pro-gun legislation enacted.

[boxcab]

Sounds like an "empty" protest to me. What you people really need to do is vote some like minded people into office. Personally I think your protests will be ignored and if not ignored, simply laughed at.


This attitude has gotten us the following...

National Firearms Act (1934)
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (1968)
Gun Control Act (1968)
Firearms Owner's Protection Act (1986)
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (1993)
Federal Assault Weapons Ban (1994) (now defunct)

I wonder how George Washington , Thomas Jefferson and John Hancock would answer your retort?

I truly believe that by staving off future gun control in States like CA, NY, IL, MD, NJ and the like will help slow the expansion to what some call "the free states". Running away and only facing the easy fights is one way to go, but I prefer to stand and fight for what is mine. I hope you benefit from it.

Anyone who cares to join our rag tag band of brothers is welcomed. We will be the ambassadors of freedom. Bring your family, a positive attitude and an empty holster.

-Boxcab

[model of 1905]

My reply was meant to address the manner of your protest not the protest itself. I'm all for your cause just not at all impressed with the way you have decided to do it. You will need a massive turnout to even get any attention.

Hope that it works for you but maybe a little more thought needed to be put into it.:confused:

[mdguy90]

Wish I were there to protest peacefully, good luck, if there is anything a former MD resident can do, let me know

[boxcab]

My reply was meant to address the manner of your protest not the protest itself. I'm all for your cause just not at all impressed with the way you have decided to do it. You will need a massive turnout to even get any attention.

Hope that it works for you but maybe a little more thought needed to be put into it.


Please continue... we are open for productive ideas.

What you people really need to do is vote some like minded people into office.

Yep. You're right.

Now, how do we begin to rally the troops, get people educated and involved? How do we change people’s minds so they vote for the correct person?

If starting a small protest and working to grow our numbers leading up to the next election is a waste of efforts, what do you suggest? Honestly, I would love a “cook book recipe” I can follow to success. If you can provide examples of successes and failures, and the analysis of why things did or did not work, I would be much obliged. This is the kind of information many Pro Gun Activist would love to have.

Thanks in advanced for your help.

-Boxcab

[KBintheSLC]

Sounds like an "empty" protest to me. What you people really need to do is vote some like minded people into office. Personally I think your protests will be ignored and if not ignored, simply laughed at.

Wow... what a defeatist old grump. Frankly, not every place in America can just magically muster up enough votes to instantly change things. Some cities and states are filled with far too much ignorance about guns to pull that off. Sometimes, you have to take it to the streets and peacefully educate people of your cause.

I say go for it, and more power to you. My goal is to get rid of CCW licensing in all 50 States... to become free States like AK, or VT. However, I could temporarily settle for 50 States of "shall issue" in the mean time.

[boxcab]

We are still looking for Pro 2nd friends to join us. Maryland needs to change, come help us get the word out.

-Boxcab

[SCKimberFan]

but maybe a little more thought needed to be put into it.

Perhaps you should heed your own advice.

[Mags]

Sounds like a great idea good luck!

[Fosbery]

Great idea, good luck guys and well done for making the effort.

[Japle]

I wish you the best. It seems that MD is populated by too many people like my sister and her husband. They both worked as campaign volunteers for McGovern, Clinton and O'Bama and thought all three were too consertative.

[bpl]

I can see Model of 1905's point. If you have no meeting place, no T-shirts, no signs, etc. how are most people and especially the media going to know what exactly you are doing?? Why not have a rally somewhere to garner media attention, then wander around Annapolis wearing empty holsters along with a t-shirt or something to maybe reach some more people?

[INMY01TA]

I'll try and make it..

[boxcab]

If you have no meeting place, no T-shirts, no signs, etc. how are most people and especially the media going to know what exactly you are doing?? Why not have a rally somewhere to garner media attention, then wander around Annapolis wearing empty holsters along with a t-shirt or something to maybe reach some more people?

Such an organized protest involves permits and the possibility of paying for Police “crowd control”. We are a grass roots effort. We are producing a flyer for distribution… it is a start, as the OP states. We are testing the waters and are starting to desensitize the public and local law enforcement. We plan to expand right up to the next Legislative session. Other dates are in the works.

Any hopes that the Press will give us the time of day are misguided. At most we can only get negative press here in Maryland.

T-Shirts, press releases and protests on the steps of the Governors mansion are only a dream at this point. We need to get people involved here in Maryland and that is an up hill battle. If we have 50 people show, I will call the effort a blazing success. If protest #2 doubles that number, we will roll up a more organized and visible protest. Nothing shows failure like two protestors in front of the cameras. We hope to avoid that.

Come join us and watch the movement grow.

-Boxcab

[model of 1905]

Maybe we could start a massive letter writing campaign also. That would be something new and really effective, IMO.

[theQman23]

Dear Boxcab,
I think this is an AWESOME idea. My business is located in Pasadena and I live in Glen Burnie, MD, and I will do everything in my power to set a schedule around my shop, my employees, and my family, to have as many empty holsters out there as I can.

I am coming to support you and OUR cause for sure, but I would also like to agree with others that suggest we have a centralized location. Maybe we could very carefully and peacefully collect together on the lawn in front of the court on Rowe Blvd. Or maybe we could all meet for lunch down at the lunch section downtown and walk up the street to the courthouse on the circle. I don't know, anything, but something structured to "pull and pool us together" if you know what I mean.

[Rmeju]

Hi Boxcab,

If I may be so bold as to make a recommendation? I hate to say it, but as it stands, I can kind of see 1905's point.

I think that your model for protest is actually very good.... as a second step. I think your first step should be to protest somewhere that you can get some media attention, perhaps in front of a sheriff's office with the power to issue, a city hall, or a state capitol building. Let the media know you're going to be there. Can you get 100 people? Do you have a state NRA analogue that can help get you some bodies? If you can get a reporter to ask you any questions, try to work in that you're group will be out and about, doing normal things with empty holsters.

If you can manage to get your 20 seconds of news coverage somehow, then the weight of your "out and about" shopping day will be magnified in a meaningful way. Instead of just being oblivious, scared, or ignored, you will likely get a significant number of people to interact with you, since they saw it on the news or read about it in the paper. That's when your model will start to shine... educating people one person at a time. Of course, there will be lots of ignorance, but I'm assuming you knew that.

For what it's worth, I was trained in psychological operations by the Army, and had a chance to work on my skills in Baghdad. This is what I would do.

Good luck!

[cbrgator]

Good luck and I wish you guys the best!

[boxcab]

Thanks for the constructive criticism and suggestions, they are appreciated.

Maybe we could start a massive letter writing campaign also. That would be something new and really effective, IMO.

Yep, we have been doing just that. Take a look over at http://www.mdshooters.com we have been growing and working to get people involved. We provide tools and contact information for all relevant legislation. This years participation was better then last years, but the growth is slow.

I am coming to support you and OUR cause for sure, but I would also like to agree with others that suggest we have a centralized location.

Keep looking at the master thread [ http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=19527 ], I will be at the end of Main street down by the docks from 12 till 1 or so. Stop by and introduce yourself. I want to get a head count and maybe some pictures of empty holsters to send to our legislators. Watch that thread for more info as the date approaches.

I think that your model for protest is actually very good.... as a second step. I think your first step should be to protest somewhere that you can get some media attention, perhaps in front of a sheriff's office with the power to issue, a city hall, or a state capitol building. Let the media know you're going to be there. Can you get 100 people? Do you have a state NRA analogue that can help get you some bodies? If you can get a reporter to ask you any questions, try to work in that you're group will be out and about, doing normal things with empty holsters.

If you can manage to get your 20 seconds of news coverage somehow, then the weight of your "out and about" shopping day will be magnified in a meaningful way. Instead of just being oblivious, scared, or ignored, you will likely get a significant number of people to interact with you, since they saw it on the news or read about it in the paper. That's when your model will start to shine... educating people one person at a time. Of course, there will be lots of ignorance, but I'm assuming you knew that.


The press in Maryland is very anti-gun. We are notifying the press, providing contact information and offering to talk ahead of time. I do not expect to hear from any of them.

When we had over 140 people one of the hearings, the press only wanted to talk to the Brady representatives and their guests. Less then 10 people (many not even Maryland residents!) testified on the side of the Brady campaign and we had over 140... but the press did not care.

Getting arrested and having your 10 gun "arsenal" confiscated by the police is the only time a Pro-gun advocate can get press time in MD.

We are working on it. Having several hundred gun owners protesting would be one way... we just need a few hundred more protestors.

The NRA does very little in MD. They are looking for more support from the people, we are trying to get that for them.

Those that can come, please do.

-Boxcab

[Dutch1911]

This attitude has gotten us the following...

National Firearms Act (1934)
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (1968)
Gun Control Act (1968)
Firearms Owner's Protection Act (1986)
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (1993)
Federal Assault Weapons Ban (1994) (now defunct)

I wonder how George Washington , Thomas Jefferson and John Hancock would answer your retort?

I truly believe that by staving off future gun control in States like CA, NY, IL, MD, NJ and the like will help slow the expansion to what some call "the free states". Running away and only facing the easy fights is one way to go, but I prefer to stand and fight for what is mine. I hope you benefit from it.

Anyone who cares to join our rag tag band of brothers is welcomed. We will be the ambassadors of freedom. Bring your family, a positive attitude and an empty holster.

-Boxcab
Outstanding My Brothers...
Though I'm in Boise, Id. I believe in your fight and your cause. I see the ideals behind your mute protest and support you in your endeavors.
Good Luck!!!!
Fight for the Right!

Dutch1911
1/*

[boatme99]

BoxCab, Great idea! I'm a former Annapolitan. I feel for you there. There are a number of reasons I chose to to move from that area, Absurd taxes and 2nd A rights being big ones. Keep up the good work.

[boxcab]

Time getting short for our "Open Holster Day protest. I have heard back from the Govenors Office, the Attorney Generals Office and the Annapolis Police. Everything is a go!

Marylanders need to start standing up for your Rights.

Come join us August 1st, it will be the start something good.

-Boxcab

[Coltman 77]

Good luck to ya'll -- go send them a messge. :cuss:

[Spot77]

I'll be there of course. I love Annapolis in the summer.

[Yellowfin]

Some advertising in gun shops, ranges, Facebook, NRA publications, etc. is in order. It's a tough task but that's what it's going to take. Other forums like AR15.com are also good for it.

[2RCO]

I think this kind of action is Great... It's about time Gun Owner's got together and did something --The politicians will notice. A good Peaceful protest can go a very long way.

PM me if you guys need some Wristbands I'll hook you up.

[boxcab]

Got my Official, Approved, and Blessed Permit from the City of Annapolis today. Law enforcement has been talked to and their troops are aware of our protest, the Maryland AG wished us luck (even though he is Anti) as well as the Governor.

Letters went out to the Papers, radio and TV stations two weeks ago, no response as of yet.

All we need now is for a good turn out. The only way we can make an impression on the Representatives and the Press is to field a lot of bodies. This is an easy protest... no slogans, no speeches, no yelling. Just come enjoy the city with us, make a showing of your empty holster while you’re shopping and dinning, and experience what it would feel like to exercise your rights. We will get there some day.

-Boxcab

[XDMfan40]

I am deifinitely interested. Any type of peaceful demonstration for our right to carry is a good one. Let me know how to sign up for this.

[Spot77]

Boxcab, you're the model of an inspirational true grassroots activist. Thanks for all the hard work you've put into this and I'll see you on the dock August 1st.

[boxcab]

I am deifinitely interested. Any type of peaceful demonstration for our right to carry is a good one. Let me know how to sign up for this.


See the original post, there is a link over to Maryland Shooters that has the up-to-date info. Basicly, just show up. I'll be at the end of Main Street from 12 Noon to about 1 or so. Stop by, introduce yourself and then enjoy Annapolis. No sign up and none of that pesky officialism. We are the citizens of Maryland out and about our business and entertainment. The Open Holster is a sign to each other and the general population that we exist and are out in society.

The protest is only a week away! I'll see you all there! Bring a positive, friendly attitude, an empty holster, your family and enjoy your time in Annapolis! :)


-Boxcab

[NotSoFast]

Voting and repeated and frequent email/mail/phone calls to representatives is the best way to get things stopped or started.

[boxcab]

The local paper has picked up on our protest-

Maryland Gazette - Open Holster Protest (http://www.hometownglenburnie.com/news/Top_Stories/2009/07/25-22/Political+Notes%3A+%26%2339%3BOpen+holster%26%2339%3B+protest+set+in+Annapolis+to+support+gun+rights%0A.html)

Come on out and join us.... the number of participants matters! We need to keep the attention of the Press and that requires us to put on a good showing.

-Boxcab

[DHJenkins]

Please continue... we are open for productive ideas.

Ok, here goes:

If you want 'good' media coverage (TV), form an organization that doesn't have anything to do with shooting in the title. Something like "Maryland Citizens for Equality". (take a lesson from SARC)

Put up a professional looking website with said organization name.

Find someone amongst your numbers who can articulate your stances/opinions well on camera. Keep your opinions based on equality, safety, etc... Don't make it about guns.

A week before your scheduled events, issue press releases to all of your local media outlets.


The idea is to play the (TV) media the way they play us. If you play by their rules, you'll get far more accomplished than simply staging a protest and expecting them to show up; or, worse yet, having them show up and paint your group as a bunch of 'gun nuts'.

(TV) Media attention means exposure. More exposure will likely lead to more 'members', which means larger protests, which will draw more media, etc...

This strategy worked very well for a certain 1st amendment issue I worked on a couple of years ago. Our 'spokesperson' even made it on CNN, and was actually called upon to comment on other, unrelated freedom of speech issues for months after our particular issue was resolved.

[boxcab]

Thanks for your input, let me run through these sugestions, remember we do not live in Texas where guns are not seen as the tool of the Devil...

Ok, here goes:

If you want 'good' media coverage (TV), form an organization that doesn't have anything to do with shooting in the title. Something like "Maryland Citizens for Equality". (take a lesson from SARC)

Sounds like a Seinfeld episode, "create a group about nothing". (Sorry, cheap shot, just kidding) How do we get people to join this group? Why would they join this group? How do we get them to work for this group? A group without members is not much of a group. Getting people to work for the cause here in Maryland is the tough part. If we had motivated people we would not have a problem. If we do get TV time and we don't "have anything to do with guns" in our name, how does that help our plight?

Put up a professional looking website with said organization name.

Doable.

Find someone amongst your numbers who can articulate your stances/opinions well on camera. Keep your opinions based on equality, safety, etc... Don't make it about guns.

We have someone that can do this, but guns, or lack there of, is the topic.

A week before your scheduled events, issue press releases to all of your local media outlets.

Done that , only one paper showed any interest. The press in Maryland just want horror stories about guns.

The idea is to play the (TV) media the way they play us. If you play by their rules, you'll get far more accomplished than simply staging a protest and expecting them to show up; or, worse yet, having them show up and paint your group as a bunch of 'gun nuts'.

How do the media "play us"? You are not very clear here. How do I "play them"? I have notified them of the event, offered to provide more info and/or interviews... how do I make them cover us?

(TV) Media attention means exposure. More exposure will likely lead to more 'members', which means larger protests, which will draw more media, etc...

No argument here. How do we get them to cover our event? If the Press does not show up, what then?

This strategy worked very well for a certain 1st amendment issue I worked on a couple of years ago. Our 'spokesperson' even made it on CNN, and was actually called upon to comment on other, unrelated freedom of speech issues for months after our particular issue was resolved.

Thanks for the example, you have obviously been there, done that. Unfortunately, 1st Ammendment and 2nd Ammendment issues are not viewed the same by any media outlet. They tend to be bias towards their own Ammendment. So how do we get our spokesman face time on CNN? Do you know of a CNN reporter that might want to do a possitive story on Shall Issue and Open Carry gun laws?

I am not trying to be an ass, but the devil is always in the details. In order to get our message out (Shall Issue CCW and Open Carry) we need to talk about guns. Yes, it will be wrapped in a public safety message, but the Press is not interested in facts here in Maryland (or most of the rest of the country). The only story they run is on "automatic, pump shot guns" being used in a crime. It is not funny, we need to break the ice and I can use any constructive advice that can be used.

In the mean time, we are still ON for this Saturday in Annapolis, we hope to build on this protest, rally some troops and get enough people to get the Presses attention.

-Boxcab

[boxcab]

24 Hours to GO!

See ya in Annapolis!

[Spot77]

Excellent turnout today.

About 75 people showed up to show support for this initiative, and that's not a bad turnout for a hot, humid summer day.

Many participants engaged the curious and handed out fliers to those interested.

It was a peaceful, relaxing and fun day.

Excellent organization Boxcab.

[boxcab]

Thanks to everyone that could attend. Some pictures and after action reports can be found in the original thread over on MDShooters ( http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=19527 ).

We are all ready planning the 2ndOpen Holster Day. We are looking at the Baltimore Inner Harbor in early November if we can get the permiting done. Keep looking here and over at MDShooters for more info. We need to double our numbers at every event! Come make a difference.

-Boxcab

[hso]

What were the lessons learned that you can share with those that are interested in doing something similar?

[Spot77]

What were the lessons learned that you can share with those that are interested in doing something similar?

Great question. I'll give a little insight, but Boxcab can give the full sccop.

I wore a plastic 1911 holster on my right hip. It wasn't "obvious" enough. Next time I'm going to wear a red leather holster more to the small of my back. Black holsters just look like cell phone cases a lot of the time.

Having the permits and all local LE contacted probably helped make the event go so smoothly. As far as I know not a single participant was stopped or harrassed. Some officers waved at us which is no surprise; of course many if not most LE are sympathetic to our cause.

The media did a little reporting on the event beforehand; I haven't seen today's paper to look for any follow up. In the little reporting they did, they had quotes from the organizer and from the local police department. The police dept's quotes, while not supportive of the event were very fair. For the next event we'll need more media interaction....tons more...but we'll need to control it the best we can as well. The media loves to hone in on the crazy guy wearing all camo, burning effigys of the current President and speaking of revolution. :eek: Fortunately we had nobody like that there. :D

[Megistopoda]

I wore a plastic 1911 holster on my right hip. It wasn't "obvious" enough. Next time I'm going to wear a red leather holster more to the small of my back. Black holsters just look like cell phone cases a lot of the time.

Heck ... in the places where open carry is perfectly lawful, most people wouldn't have noticed the 1911 in the holster. That's my experience, anyway. It sucks to protest and then not have people even notice you!

[Norton]

This state's pro-gun efforts were abandoned for over 35 years which is why we're in the position that we're in which is playing catch up to every other state contiguous to Maryland.

It takes time to change that direction and we've been steadily doing that as evidenced by the lack of any significant anti-gun legislation in the last 5 years. Now that we've learned how to mount a good defense, it's time to teach gun owners to go on the offense and make changes in our favor.

[Norton]

Some relevant links on mdshooters:

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=20963&highlight=booth

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=20466&highlight=booth

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=20627&highlight=booth

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=19942&highlight=booth

[Novus Collectus]

There is one very important thing to know, WE showed up and participated. WE were able to have 70+ fellow gun owners show up and participate.

This is the first protest, it was a learning lesson for future events, a motivational excersise to get more involved (exponentially), and it was to show the GA members what we are about to do comming up. Sure, they may look at this as being small, but when they see more of these and bigger participation they will realize this is growing and needs their attention or else it will catch them off guard.

This event was a great success and should be supported by you and others so the next one is even bigger. There is ONE organization that is fighting for all the MD gun rights and that is MSI. There are other gun clubs that are doing an excellent job as well fighting for the MD gun owner, but they are restricted to the best interest of their gun club, but more importantly the active gun clubs are joining forces with MSI in the fight. Helping MSI also helps their efforts and to dissuade people from helping MSI is hurting the MD gun community.

If you have doubts about MSI, then check around at the more active gun clubs and such like the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore for instance. You will discover we are on your side and as we grow the more powerful your voice will be in MD. Typing on a gun board dissuading the very people we need to join to make us all stronger does not help.

By the way, I was the one who was the contact for the MSI booth in June. It was a great success on many levels, but the most success was about it getting our feet wet and learning from our successes and mistakes. Getting out and actually participating is the first step towards activism, not the being critical after the fact when you did nothing yourself.
Come join us next time instead of writing about how you think we wasted our efforts.

There was also another event this year during the General Assembly session which I was involved in. We targetted a particular politician (Frosh) in his own district. We only had about seven or eight (including me) came out and do the labor of handing out thousands of fliers over a few weeks period. Another dozen or so offered funds (all turned down except for one because we printed up our own fliers). AGC and MSI were not involved in this event, but both sent the call out for volunteers and people responded.
During the GA session during this time many of us showed up at the hearings with a number of new people.
This led to the booth at the comunity event far away from the area of the flier handout event above. Another group of people participated and I think the number was about ten people manned the booth in shifts (most were not at the flier handout).
This led to the idea of the open holster protest where 70+ people participated.....we are growing, we are growing fast and the only thing that will stop the momentum is if some people try to dissuade others and claim our great advances in recent months or years were pointless.

MDShooters has helped all this occur, but we probably have more MD gun owners reading ARFcom and THR combined. If we can get these people to hear the message and participate, then MD's gun laws will be better changed in short order. Please help us recruit other THR members who live in the area instead of saying things which might turn some away from joining the cause we all share.

[rbernie]

Looks like the only meaningful dialog left to have would be to plan the next event.