A CALL TO ARMS on March 1 - Please Read

[MDHunter]

I’ve read many posts stating why we can’t win the gun control war, and my frustration has built up enough to send out a call to all of our THR members. The first thing I want to do is apologize to those members who already are very active; this is a call to action to the many of us who are doing a little, but can do more to protect our 2A rights.

First a brief bio, to give you an idea where I’m coming from and why I feel such a sense of urgency. I live in Maryland, but was born in Alaska and lived there until I was 12. I hunted from ages 6 through 30, but sold/gave away my 11 guns (dumb, dumb, dumb) when I started racing road bicycles as an amateur (stopped eating meat, so stopped hunting). I stopped racing several years ago, and started hunting again in 2000…..but just came upon gun forums, back in November of last year.

I was amazed to learn how much our gun possession rights had eroded over the past 10-15 years, and after reading passively for several weeks, decided that the battle (especially in our beloved Maryland, home of the gun haters and sheep) needs EVERY PERSON WE CAN GET. So I’ve rejoined the NRA, will be joining the GOA, and have written letters to the Baltimore Sun and to my state and federal representatives.

My point is THIS: I didn’t know anything about this battle, or care about it, until a couple of months ago…..so if I can get going and increase my involvement, ANYONE can. So I’m throwing out a challenge, and a call to arms, to the large number of us who can do A LITTLE MORE!

What can we do? There are many things, and several of them are simple and quick:

1) Get over worrying about being viewed as a gun nut – other people’s opinion of you should not guide your life;

2) If you’re not an NRA member, join NOW – they’re the best friend we have at the moment. You may not agree with everything they do – but an organization of 4 million can’t please every member, with every action it takes;

3) Join the GOA as well, to make them a bigger force to be reckoned with;

4) If you’re already an NRA/GOA member, get a friend who is already a shooter to join;

5) Introduce a friend, woman, or child to shooting;

6) Talk to at least one person about gun control and the reasons you oppose it;

7) Work with others in your state to actively campaign against gun control; and finally,

8) Use this forum to share your success stories, or to ask for assistance or help in any areas of the above list that you might need help with.

The best news - none of these things are incredibly difficult to do! And if you have trouble with any of them, there are hundreds of able and willing helpers, right on this Forum!

Here’s where I throw down the gauntlet, and challenge each of you who are willing, to STEP UP AND JOIN THE FIGHT:

I’m going to set a personal goal of 1 new activity per month – that means that EVERY month, I commit to adding at least 1 new NRA/GOA member, or taking at least 1 non-shooter to the range, or talking to at least 1 uninformed person about gun control, or writing at least 1 letter to my state and federal delegates. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but that’s a MINIMUM of 12 actions per year, for every person who steps up – THAT will start to add up very quickly! At the beginning of each month I’ll start a thread to report on the past month’s activity, and others can chime in as well.

So come on, guys and gals…..the time for apathy has passed; we have a long fight ahead, and we need every hand we can get, to step up and stand beside your brethren – no one person more important than any other, and no time more important, than now.

Thanks for reading,

Michael Moore (yes, my real name)

 

[beerslurpy]

I let everyone know I'm a gun nut, not from the standpoint of being nutty, but from the standpoint of owning guns being the normal thing to do. Fortunately my workplace is relatively conservative, with me not being the only gun owner.

I think I have helped turn around at least a half dozen anti-gun people. One of the biggest turnaround facts is when people discover that the states with the most relaxed carry laws have the lowest crime rates. Many people that have lived only in anti-gun urban areas actually have never heard of the concept of widely praticed open carry and are amazed that it would lead anything but frequent gunfights.

One semi-defeat was from a guy who I decided not to talk to about the subject anymore. I never understood why, but this guy is anti-gun even though his daughter was strangled by the next door neighbor. He just doesnt get the concept of defending yourself with weapons being something non-military people are capable of.

 

[P95Carry]

Michael - to try and slightly ease your depression ... this one ol' curmudgeon does try. Life NRA member, GOA too. I have added to my small contribution by, last year - taking and getting my NRA certification in all disciplines, including RSO.

That means that now I can not only manage the occasional ''casual'' intro to shooting for folks locally, which I always try for. But - now - being involved in basic Pistol course tuition (last Nov 2004, next end of this month) am able to give back something and bring on more new blood. One of the other guys present at these courses gives out (and applies thumb screws ) ... to the students, NRA application forms .. and gets some new sign-ups.

After this next Basic Pistol course we plan a personal protection course for late April ... and we find that these folks are (some anyways) willing themselves to become new ambassadors. All in all - things go well and we gain a few more. Multiply this nation-wide and we are achieving.

I don't mention this to blow own trumpet - more to make it plain that even when you get to my age - it ain't too late to put something in.

Good post - folks need reminding.

 

[fjolnirsson]

Good Thread!

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Michael -- Excellent thread and a great challenge. I do most of the things on your list, but I'll step up and shoot for one per month.

There's GOT to be something interesting we can do with your name to get some attention paid to RKBA. "The OTHER Michael Moore Speaks Out"? A Blog? A Documentary? Hmmm.

 

[Norton]

MDHunter,

Good points all around, especially the one about even the most ardent of firearms people not knowing the danger that we face from anti-gun legislation.

Point in case: After the hearings in MD this week I stopped by a local shop to pick up a new FAL in honor of Senator Frosh and Gail Gunn

These guys are amazing gunnies, uber-tactical, class three cats who seemed to know little to nothing about the hearing that day. I, naturally brought them up to speed

But the point is, that these guys are busy running their business and don't surf the boards and since no one had let them know about the hearings they weren't aware of what was going on Wednesday.

Be sure to always include people in what's going on......

 

[Barbara]

Good for you, Mr. Moore! The more of us working towards this, the better off we'll all be.

 

[Spot77]

Awesome.

You've hit the nail on the head my friend. My situation was similar; I had a Glock years ago (But I wasn't really into it then), sold it, decided about two years ago that it would be wise to have something for protection.....and so it snowballed.

I was shocked at the horrible and unfair laws in Maryland. I think the ridiculous laws fed my buying frenzy - 9 guns in about 18 months.

Not a bad financial contribution to the cause....

Anyway, I accept your challenge to continue my efforts, and step up the recruiting of new gunowners.

In fact, Norton and I are taking my two kids (ages 5 and 8) to their very first gunshow today

 

[EasternShore]

Great to see someone joining the effort! You have made a great point on the apprehension and fear that can come with getting active in protecting the second amendment. It is a fear I live with every day. Yet I remain vocal and I participate in our great democracy to protect our naturual right to self defense. One thing that helps me:

Remember the risks those before us have taken. Our forefathers fought some of the greatest battles in the history of man to protect what they believe in. From the founding fathers to the greatest generation, they rose to occasions I could not fathom. They knew in advance their actions would put their lives in the balance. From casting off the rule of a home country to stopping evil in it's tracks in Europe, even fighting their own brother to ensure equality, those who came before us have lessened the risk we take each time, and we owe them to continue to protect what they have achived.

 

[Greg M]

That's a good challenge, MDHunter! I think here in Maryland we might have to work even harder because of the poor state of our gun rights .

I joined the NRA in January of 2003 after I became aware of the newly enacted law requiring "Integrated Mechanical Safety Devices" on handguns sold in Maryland. I started reading this forum about a year ago when people were fighting the AWB. When Maryland Shall Issue (MarylandShallIssue.org) started up late last year I got motivated to be more involved because I think the right to carry concealed is extremely important.

It's real easy to do an action or two while the legistature is in session and we're fighting for "Shall Issue" and against the anti-gun bills that are submitted every year here in Maryland. Hopefully I'll be able to keep it up for the rest of the year .

Greg

 

[CAPTAIN MIKE]

One NEWBIE a Month, That's ALL I Ask

For me, my efforts have included introducing one new person a month to shooting and to CCW and inviting them to seek further training. I also suggest to newbies that they subscribe to few magazines -- 'Concealed Carry' being one of them, and 'First Freedom' being the other. I'm sure there's more to add to that list.

Part of the erosion of our rights is the fact that many gun owners have been basically apathetic for years. They feel like it's somebody ELSE's job to be active. Thanks Mike for a good thread.

 

[MikeK]

Great thread! I too lost track of how bad things were until 1999 when I got back into guns. I do many of the things on your list, but the one a month idea is a good one. Strive for one a month or some similar motto.

I'll be working at the gun show tommorrow morning in Upper Marlboro at the MCSM table.

 

[krang]

Great thread. We need all the help and support we can get. It holds true for all states.

 

[Barbara]

I'm trying to do less but it's not working out so well for me.

 

[etex]

I agree, count me in!!

 

[mbs357]

I'm a very proud and audible gun nut. Everyone I hang out with online knows that I am one. I talk about how I oppose gun control all the time, not everyone exerts common sense (the guy who thinks more laws will make criminals break them less and the guy who thinks God'll protect him 100% from everything, the Canadian who is your average anti who also thinks hero bracelets are "typical American").
I haven't joined the NRA yet (there isn't a minimum age is there?) because I can't afford it. =(
I don't have a car, nor do I even have my liscense yet...and I can't afford to buy any rifles. Can't buy handguns as I'm underage. I also have no social life, so no friends to take to the range even if I could.
I've been trying to get people to at least look at this forum (those above) but no dice.
I'm going to start putting it in my signatures, etc.
When I hit 21, get a steadier job, transportation, and a social life I'll be into the game a lot more than I am now.
*edit*
I've put THR's link in my signature for the following forums:
www.macrossworld.com Fan site for an anime.
www.armyofsegfault.com My gaming community's site.
www.projectllama.com Another community.
www.megatokyo.com Webcomic site.
http://infiltration.sentrystudios.net/ The best FPS' ever site (in my sig here)
If anyone up here goes to these forums (doubtful) then say hey! I'm 'mbs357' everywhere I go. =)
Hopefully people will see "Take the High Road" in my signature and check it out. Doubtful, but why not?
If anyone else would like to do the same, paste this in your sig:
Take The High Road.[/URL} (But change the } to a ])
That should work for MOST forums.

 

[Sean Hofhine]

MDHunter'
I've been guilty of being one of the owners who yell alot but don't join, so I've joined the NRA on your behalf this morning, they had a booth at the entrance to the gun show and I told them Michael Moore told me it would be a good idea to join, rather than bowling for Columbine. They didn't get it either. But they signed me up, and let me in the show for free.

Well stated, and glad to be a member after a 4 year sabbatical

___________________________________________________________________

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largess from the public treasury. From that time on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the results that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.

The average age of the world's great civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence:
from bondage to spiritual faith;
from spiritual faith to great courage;
from courage to liberty;
from liberty to abundance;
from abundance to selfishness;
from selfishness to complacency;
from complacency to apathy;
from apathy to dependency;
from dependency back again to bondage."

 

[MDHunter]

Thanks ALL for the Support......

and it's great to know that many are already so active, it will keep the rest of us motivated!

Sean H - That was a great line, even though I'm sure they're STILL trying to figure it out! Welcome back to the members ranks.

mbs357 - Hang in there, and keep up the good work! The best friend we have are reasonable voices among our young people - you'll get a lot farther with gentle reason than you will with being overly vocal. And young people appreciate hearing things from people their own age, instead of from us oldsters....

Michael

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Good on you, especially in your state.

I do try and do my part:
Life member NRA, GOA, and CCRKBA. I've even donated money to JPFO(and I'm a mormon ). I chair a friends of the NRA dinner annually, and by early spring I will be an NRA certified instructor for rifles, pistols, shotguns and muzzle loaders.

Jump in whole hog, the waters fine. And you get to meet a lot of people that actually have a lot in common with you.

One thing: Make sure the staff at your politicians(at local, state and federal levels) hear from you regularly. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, right?

Welcome to the battle.

 

[VARifleman]

MDHunter, I'm a lifetime member of the NRA, and I am considering joining the JPFO (no, you don't have to be Jewish). I have convinced serveral people to be more gun friendly, one being an ex-girlfriend, but I don't talk to her anymore (pretty obvious why), and I'm afraid she has turned against us. Oh well...there will be more to turn to our side.

mbs357, there's no minimum age, I've been a member since I was 15.

 

[mbs357]

Thanks!
I also added the link to my IRC info lines, etc.
All I ever say in IRC is, "Let's talk about guns."