For those of you who don't know, IL is the only state in our union that doesn't its law abiding citizens to bear arms.
I'm planning on making a site, geared toward the everyday folks (ie, not gun enthusiasts) in Illinois, to help educate and make them more comfortable with the idea of the Right To Carry (RTC), and ideally get them involved (calling politicians, educating others, etc).
I originally posted this on IllinoisCarry, but have received little (actually no) feedback yet. But either way, i thought it would be good to get viewpoints from a wider audience.
Background:
Somebody linked to a Sun Times article the other day in which the columnist wrote about Brady's (gubernatorial candidate) "extreme" views, including supporting RTC. The columnist likened these "extreme" views to a "Tarantino movie" and alluded this would result in shootouts on public transportation.
We in this forum understand the Right To Carry is not an extreme thing.
This got me thinking about the views of the masses here in northeast IL, and how they've been continually bombarded for 30 years with misinformation from the politicians and media, and consequently brainwashed into believing firearms are the root of all evil.
I strongly believe that Chicagoans are simply uneducated and/or misinformed, and that many would benefit greatly from hearing an additional viewpoint.
Goal:
Plan/proposal:
I am planning to create an educational/advocacy site about the RTC in IL, with information geared toward achieving the above goals.
In support of the above goals, I plan to focus on the following facts:
Most of these facts will be borrowed and cited from the Gun Facts book, or its sources.
The site will include sample letters (with strong encouragement to personalize it) and links to the page allowing the reader to find contact information for their representatives.
If possible, I would *really* like to include a feature allowing them to enter their address, and have the site automatically get the names and emails of their representatives, and allow them to send an email right on the page.
Now, I will be the first to admit that emails are less effective and convincing than real snail mail letters, but the sad reality is that most people don't care enough about this issue (or ANY ISSUE) to be bothered to print and sign a letter, post it, and drop it in the mailbox.
Caveats/Notes:
I am purposefully avoiding arguments and reasoning that focus on the big-picture, overly-abstract societal, and long term reasons for needing the right to bear arms (e.g. avoiding govt oppression). I have found time and time again (caution: cynic in me about to appear) that very few people think in terms of the greater good. Everything is about "me, me, me. now, now, now."
As such, the focus of the site would be on immediate and tangible benefits of carrying - most notably (if not exclusively) self preservation in a dangerous city.
The site will also be designed to immediately draw the reader in and give them an opportunity to confront their current beliefs. For example, the first page might give them big buttons allowing them to select whether they support or are against RTC (kind of like a poll) - people love interaction. And for the anti's, they're then given a list of common gun control arguments which when clicked take them to the site's information on that.
i.e. a strong focus on 1) giving the reader an immediate investment/participation in their visit to the site, and 2) designed for short attention spans with immediate and simple access to whichever arguments/issues they're most drawn to.
It's very important for it to be accessible and engaging to as WIDE a range of readers as possible.
Questions for you:
Now here's where you all come in....
First, does such a resource already exist, where my efforts can be more effectively directed?
I have only found ICarry and IllinoisCarry. The former seems to be somewhat of a mess, with no real direction or goal (but I have admittedly not explored it much - though that also speaks to its lack of effectiveness)
IllinoisCarry is a wonderful site, however it seems to have little/no advocacy and educational information, but instead acts primarily as a forum for like-minded individuals to discuss these issues and form plans of action. It is an important and valuable tool, and in no way do i wish to detract from it. Rather, I'd like to create a complimentary sister site (so to speak) geared toward the audience who would NEVER visit these forums - and hopefully get them to start participating here.
If it seems like a worthwhile pursuit to create a new site...
I would love to hear feedback and suggestions regarding the goals, and my current plan and methods.
Or feedback/suggestions regarding anything else. Or if anyone is so inclined and wants to do some writing to contribute.
Or if you have any other thoughts to share on this topic... I'd love to hear it.
Thanks.
I'm planning on making a site, geared toward the everyday folks (ie, not gun enthusiasts) in Illinois, to help educate and make them more comfortable with the idea of the Right To Carry (RTC), and ideally get them involved (calling politicians, educating others, etc).
I originally posted this on IllinoisCarry, but have received little (actually no) feedback yet. But either way, i thought it would be good to get viewpoints from a wider audience.
Background:
Somebody linked to a Sun Times article the other day in which the columnist wrote about Brady's (gubernatorial candidate) "extreme" views, including supporting RTC. The columnist likened these "extreme" views to a "Tarantino movie" and alluded this would result in shootouts on public transportation.
We in this forum understand the Right To Carry is not an extreme thing.
This got me thinking about the views of the masses here in northeast IL, and how they've been continually bombarded for 30 years with misinformation from the politicians and media, and consequently brainwashed into believing firearms are the root of all evil.
I strongly believe that Chicagoans are simply uneducated and/or misinformed, and that many would benefit greatly from hearing an additional viewpoint.
Goal:
- Educate people on the firearms misinformation they've been fed for 30+ years.
- Cause anti-firearms readers to pause and question their programmed gut response on the issue.
- Ideally, convince readers that it is important for themselves, their families, their neighborhood, and society at large that law-abiding citizens be armed to deter and prevent violent crime.
- Make the case that RTC is coming to Illinois, no matter what Chicago politicians wish - and that it is in everyone's best interest to pass legislation rather than waste tens/hundreds of millions of dollars tax payer dollars dragging it through courts.
- Advocate writing letters to their representatives in the General Assembly, requesting support for RTC legislation.
Plan/proposal:
I am planning to create an educational/advocacy site about the RTC in IL, with information geared toward achieving the above goals.
In support of the above goals, I plan to focus on the following facts:
- Law-abiding citizens have the Constitutional right to bear arms in defense of themselves and loved ones, which IL is depriving them of. IL's unconstitutional laws will eventually be overturned, unless new legislation is passed.
- Strict gun control in IL is not working, as evident by our insanely high crime rates.
- The disarming of law-abiding citizens in IL does nothing to reduce crime, and criminals (by definition) don't obey the law and illegally use firearms anyway.
- 48 other states allow CCW, and it has not resulted in the Apocalypse, as we have been led to believe it will.
Most of these facts will be borrowed and cited from the Gun Facts book, or its sources.
The site will include sample letters (with strong encouragement to personalize it) and links to the page allowing the reader to find contact information for their representatives.
If possible, I would *really* like to include a feature allowing them to enter their address, and have the site automatically get the names and emails of their representatives, and allow them to send an email right on the page.
Now, I will be the first to admit that emails are less effective and convincing than real snail mail letters, but the sad reality is that most people don't care enough about this issue (or ANY ISSUE) to be bothered to print and sign a letter, post it, and drop it in the mailbox.
Caveats/Notes:
I am purposefully avoiding arguments and reasoning that focus on the big-picture, overly-abstract societal, and long term reasons for needing the right to bear arms (e.g. avoiding govt oppression). I have found time and time again (caution: cynic in me about to appear) that very few people think in terms of the greater good. Everything is about "me, me, me. now, now, now."
As such, the focus of the site would be on immediate and tangible benefits of carrying - most notably (if not exclusively) self preservation in a dangerous city.
The site will also be designed to immediately draw the reader in and give them an opportunity to confront their current beliefs. For example, the first page might give them big buttons allowing them to select whether they support or are against RTC (kind of like a poll) - people love interaction. And for the anti's, they're then given a list of common gun control arguments which when clicked take them to the site's information on that.
i.e. a strong focus on 1) giving the reader an immediate investment/participation in their visit to the site, and 2) designed for short attention spans with immediate and simple access to whichever arguments/issues they're most drawn to.
It's very important for it to be accessible and engaging to as WIDE a range of readers as possible.
Questions for you:
Now here's where you all come in....
First, does such a resource already exist, where my efforts can be more effectively directed?
I have only found ICarry and IllinoisCarry. The former seems to be somewhat of a mess, with no real direction or goal (but I have admittedly not explored it much - though that also speaks to its lack of effectiveness)
IllinoisCarry is a wonderful site, however it seems to have little/no advocacy and educational information, but instead acts primarily as a forum for like-minded individuals to discuss these issues and form plans of action. It is an important and valuable tool, and in no way do i wish to detract from it. Rather, I'd like to create a complimentary sister site (so to speak) geared toward the audience who would NEVER visit these forums - and hopefully get them to start participating here.
If it seems like a worthwhile pursuit to create a new site...
I would love to hear feedback and suggestions regarding the goals, and my current plan and methods.
Or feedback/suggestions regarding anything else. Or if anyone is so inclined and wants to do some writing to contribute.
Or if you have any other thoughts to share on this topic... I'd love to hear it.
Thanks.
