How to unify CHL holders

[kd7nqb]

As I have mentioned in a lot of posts I am a student at Portland State University. Today in my world politics class we got into a discussion about combatants vs Non-combatants in war and how international law treats them differently. The prof said the easiest distinction is being armed.

The class slid off on a tangent and a girl in the front row said "Well I have a CHL and do carry sometimes, does that make me a combatant?" Anyway over the course of the class at least 3 people in the class of about 45 openly admitted to having an Oregon CHL.

As someone who is working hard to get PSU to change there policy and simply defer to the state law that already says we can carry in schools, I would like to be able to point out that many students have CHL's and willingly disarm themselves because they respect the authority (even if they disagree). This should be a significant fact in showing that CHL holders are NOT the ones who need to be worried about on campus.

My problem is many people who have CHL's dont like to admit it because they fully embrace the "concealed means concealed" ideology. I also have very much against taking the route that some newspapers have and attempted to obtain a list of CHL holders and get them published.

So how do I create solidarity in a group that is hesitant at best to admit that they belong to that group.

 

[Guitargod1985]

You could post flyers on billboards around campus and advertise a meeting place (off campus) for potential activists to discuss your options. It would also be helpful to list a phone number so people can contact you about details.

Personally, I'd carry in defiance of the school's policy if my state law allowed it. However, that is not to minimize what you are doing. I do commend you for it. In my view, carrying concealed against school policy is only a short term egocentric solution, whereas working to get the school to accept concealed carry is a solution that everyone can benefit from.

 

[chris in va]

Personally, I'd carry in defiance of the school's policy if my state law allowed it

And risk getting expelled?

 

[Guitargod1985]

Personally, I'd carry in defiance of the school's policy if my state law allowed it

And risk getting expelled?

Yes. I've never been made by anyone, and I would rather be alive and expelled should the unthinkable occur than be dead with a posthumous degree. Others have different opinions and while I respect that, I would go armed. I used to do it at work with the full knowledge that I'd be fired if caught. We had a guy come in one time and wave a loaded gun around at his wife because she was sleeping around. It just so happened to be on my day off, but I heard about it and decided that if I'm ever lawfully able to carry I will.

 

[Big Daddy K]

Not to get too far off topic but why would a newspaper or anyone else want to print a list of CCL holders?

 

[xsquidgator]

Not to get too far off topic but why would a newspaper or anyone else want to print a list of CCL holders?

The same reason they like to print national security secrets and details of classified ongoing military operations- it fascinates people and drives up their ratings/sales. Done while hiding under the banner of "the public has a right to know".

This is of course giving the media the benefit of the doubt that they are driven by craven self-interest. You could make an argument that they see CWP permit holders as the bad guys and somehow want to expose them to trouble. I wouldn't say all newsies fall into this group but I am sure that at least some do.

 

[Pat-inCO]

So how do I create solidarity in a group that is hesitant at best to admit that they belong to that group.

I doubt you really need to promote solidarity in that group but rather inform those not in that group. One of the guys in another forum came up with a list of ten reasons why a CCW holder is safer to be around than other people. I put it in a web page so it would be easier to find/read.

I would suggest printing several copies and hand them to each of the people that admitted to having a permit. Ask them to do the same with others that they know who have a permit. I'll bet it will not take long to accomplish what you want.

 

[kd7nqb]

Hey thanks for all the help.

 

[dmazur]

I'm not a member (because I'm not a student, I guess), but I've read about this relatively new organization -

http://concealedcampus.org/

They may be able to answer some of your questions.

 

[greyhawk178]

While I am many,many, many years from college, I really feel that no one but my wife should know about my CCW permit. Nor should they know whether or not I am armed. Half the fun is in the surprise, if needed.
Seriously, some people see a gun ( especially one that should be concealed) and they go into immediate panic mode. I'd rather avoid that problem if possible. So, very few people know that I have a CCW. Just my $.02