I believe I was asked to elaborate on my original post. I didn't expand on the point since IMO, it's not well received on gun forums. Not sure if asked, but here it is.
I posted because the common issue is denial of a human right. There are significant differences of course, especially in the cost of dignity.
The power to stand up to screaming crowds, fire hoses, death threats and death itself came from rage. Rage at a machine designed to strip a people of their humanity.
However, Dr. King said we have a right to be free and a duty to be free.
Duty. I believe that is what gun owners can take from the Civil Rights Movement.
Duty is a heavy responsibility. How can we rally for our cause without rage?
Being a gun owner in and of itself, so far, doesn't impact us enough to create rage. The commitment to insist on our rights, to contact representatives, to use media, to rally must come from somewhere else.
But, maybe that's not our way. Perhaps a more reserved approach is our way. Can't say for sure if that will work. Oppressed people in this country taught their children to be "good Negros" in hope that would lead to acceptance. Of course, that only gave power to the oppressor and little acceptance for several centuries.
Being a responsible gun owner is critical, but is likely, insufficient. Anti-gunners appear to have the same mindset as racists; refusing to acknowledge the human right, placing peer approval above reason and relishing the power that comes from it all. Acceptance is unlikely.
But, we have a clear, codified right on our side. We can celebrate it more, publicly. We can advertise the good that has come from exercising that right. We can write about our pride in being willing to take up arms against criminals and oppression.
We can educate. Why is the Second Amendment in place? That is not taught in schools. In fact, it's avoided in schools. The experience within the U.S.A. makes it easy to forget government tyranny. It's not something we need to worry about. I half joked with a friend that the NRA should advertise during showings of "The Sound of Music". Such a "nice" movie, however, its characters are fleeing tyranny.
Hopefully we will commit to our duty the best way we can before it takes rage to turn things around.