I used to live in the PRNJ. I moved for reasons having nothing to do with guns, but I'd never go back because of guns. I now have a CHL, and can buy whatever I want to (well, at least what the federal overlords will allow us to buy). There are ranges everywhere, and a gun show every month. Compared to the PRNJ, TX is a paradise of freedom.
While in the PRNJ, I did what El Tejon did - peaceful resistance. I went to many gun shows in PA (and loved the sign on Route 78 as you entered the state which said, "America starts here") and purchased many things that were, oh, just a bit shy of being approved by the fascists back home. I distinctly and fondly remember crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge on the way to Texas and, upon crossing the border, turning to my wife and telling her, "now you won't have to bail me out of jail." I had about 200 years worth of prison time about 3 feet from me, in the form of stamped-metal boxes with internal springs (i.e. magazines). I don't even want to think about how much time I'd have gotten for all of the hollowpoints I had (several hundred), and I'm sure that the .30-06 AP in the car wouldn't have helped my case.
Yeah, maybe I was stupid, but I was really ticked off that because of a stroke of Flim Flam Florio's pen I was suddenly a menace to society, whereas a few months or years before I wasn't and, of course, no one else in the US was at the time. I felt oppressed - Hell, I was! - and this was my way of flipping Florio and his corrupt, fascist cronies the bird.
I disagree a bit with those that say that leaving an anti-gun state is some form of cowardice or not supportive of gun rights, though I can sympathize with their view. The way I look at it, most gun owners are law-abiding, responsible and productive citizens. When a state loses you, it drops a notch in the quality of life, it loses tax revenue, and a pro-gun state derives the benefit of your presence and tax revenue. Over time, it will become obvious that the pro-gun states are better and more prosperous places to live, in contrast to the bankrupt Hellholes that anti-gun states have become. Sooner or later this fact will sink in, as will the connection.
I continue the fight by calling, writing to and emailing my reps on the federal and state levels whenever gun legislation comes up. I regularly argue in favor of gun rights and against the destroyers of liberty with friends and family (mostly the latter - I have few anti-liberty and anti-gun friends, because I can't stomach the idiots), and love to shock the **** out of them by letting them know that I actually own a GUN.
More shocking, I even tell some that I've got "a couple" or "a few" and that I actually go SHOOTING on occasion.
I REALLY do enjoy it
and it has the benefit of showing these morons that gun owners are not the in-bred, drunken, irresponsible red-necks of the anti-gun stereotype. I also casually inform them that I will NOT, under any circumstances, allow my guns to be taken away. I have to believe that if enough people know that gun owners are both normal, law-abiding citizens and uncompromising on their rights, that we'll ultimately be left alone. I also boycott anti-gun businesses and celebrities whenever I get the chance (which is all too often, given their large numbers) - why feed the alligator. Of course, that's not enough - we need to change our legislatures (including the national one) and change the laws, but I try to do my part.
)
idiots!!!)