rock jock
Member
Well, I was waiting for either Jim March, drizzt, or Jeff OTMG to post their review of the CounterAttack Conference this past weekend in Dallas, Texas. But, since they are still recovering, I'll give it a shot.
For those of you who aren't familiar with CounterAttack, it was a first of its kind national symposium on political activism for gun rights. The focus was on tools and tactics to use at the local, state and national level for countering gun-owner stereotypes and anti-gun organizations, using the legal system to challenge gun control laws, and educating ourselves and others about the origins of gun control and why it is harmful.
Personally, I didn't know what to expect, but let me say that I was extremely pleased with what I found. The conference was very well organized and professional. The material was superb and consisted of several keynote speeches by well-known activists in the gun rights movement and twelve different workshops by nationally known speakers, including Ken Blanchard ("Black Man with a Gun"), Neal Knox, Clayton Cramer, Michael Bane, Rick Stanley, Jim Hinter (president of the Canadian National Firearms Association), Michael Badnarik, and our own Jim March. The workshop topics ranged from some very interesting historical research by Clayton Cramer on the roots of concealed-carry bans in the early 19th century to the very lively presentation by Michael Bane on the NSSF's successful PR campaign to introduce nationally-recognized members of the media to the shooting sports in a positive light. Total number of attendees was about 40-50, not including speakers and organizers. Saturday started with a breakfast and opening address, followed by eight separate workshops (attendees had their choice of attending one of two separate workshops during each slot - choosing only one of the two was no easy task), lunch, and a catered dinner with a talk by Ken Blanchard. After dinner, the whole group went to the DFW gun club where we had the place to ourselves. Drizzt and I shared a full-auto MP5 and Jim March set up shop to make some Kydex holsters (including one for my Kimber Compact). I rented a Sig 229 (didn't like it), and several of us also shot our own CCW weapons. Sunday started with a talk by Rick Stanley on his well-publicized civil disobedience efforts in Colorado, and two more workshops.
All in all, it was a great experience. The topics were timely and informative, the speakers were as good as any I have ever heard, and the fellowship with other shooters and gun-rights enthusiasts was invaluable.
There is much that I missed, so I am sure some of the other attendees will chime in (and I know that drizzt has several good pics he took). The plans by NorthBridge Training Institute are to do this again next year at several different locations. I would encourage everyone to attend that can make it.
For those of you who aren't familiar with CounterAttack, it was a first of its kind national symposium on political activism for gun rights. The focus was on tools and tactics to use at the local, state and national level for countering gun-owner stereotypes and anti-gun organizations, using the legal system to challenge gun control laws, and educating ourselves and others about the origins of gun control and why it is harmful.
Personally, I didn't know what to expect, but let me say that I was extremely pleased with what I found. The conference was very well organized and professional. The material was superb and consisted of several keynote speeches by well-known activists in the gun rights movement and twelve different workshops by nationally known speakers, including Ken Blanchard ("Black Man with a Gun"), Neal Knox, Clayton Cramer, Michael Bane, Rick Stanley, Jim Hinter (president of the Canadian National Firearms Association), Michael Badnarik, and our own Jim March. The workshop topics ranged from some very interesting historical research by Clayton Cramer on the roots of concealed-carry bans in the early 19th century to the very lively presentation by Michael Bane on the NSSF's successful PR campaign to introduce nationally-recognized members of the media to the shooting sports in a positive light. Total number of attendees was about 40-50, not including speakers and organizers. Saturday started with a breakfast and opening address, followed by eight separate workshops (attendees had their choice of attending one of two separate workshops during each slot - choosing only one of the two was no easy task), lunch, and a catered dinner with a talk by Ken Blanchard. After dinner, the whole group went to the DFW gun club where we had the place to ourselves. Drizzt and I shared a full-auto MP5 and Jim March set up shop to make some Kydex holsters (including one for my Kimber Compact). I rented a Sig 229 (didn't like it), and several of us also shot our own CCW weapons. Sunday started with a talk by Rick Stanley on his well-publicized civil disobedience efforts in Colorado, and two more workshops.
All in all, it was a great experience. The topics were timely and informative, the speakers were as good as any I have ever heard, and the fellowship with other shooters and gun-rights enthusiasts was invaluable.
There is much that I missed, so I am sure some of the other attendees will chime in (and I know that drizzt has several good pics he took). The plans by NorthBridge Training Institute are to do this again next year at several different locations. I would encourage everyone to attend that can make it.
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Sigh. Hey, it was ON SALE!