One point I haven't seen get enough air time across the forums I've been in lately is; please to talk everyone you know who is a gun owner.
Here's the reality, we can't win the media battle, the major outlets are squarely and unabashadly in the gun-ban corner. By the same token, politicians need to be seen as doing something, and the media has told people that's restricting guns. So they're all fighting for their slice of air time and sound bites. However, we don't lose our rights by politicians giving hot air speeches and press conferences. We lose them in legislative sessions.
So,
1) Act. Make a commitment to spend 10-15' every day doing some for your rights. Rants to other like minded gun owners is cathartic, but achieves nothing. Lobby everyone you know that feels pro-gun to join NRA and whatever local or state organizations you feel are effective. Don't leave one person you know without a personal plea from YOU to join us in the fight. Make sure they do the same; spread the fire. Educate them. The majority have a mixed view of the NRA, largely because of how the media slanders them. Don't wait, track everyone you know down through e-mail, FaceBook, call on the phone, whatever it takes. Don't let them buy the snake oil that its only certain guns or certain X that they're going after. That's a divide and conquer and they've been using it for years.
2) Write. The names and addresses of your legislators are easy to find. One person writing them carries the wait of thousands they think aren't engaged enough to write. In many cases they have web sites where you can contact them directly, no snail mail or even e-mail required. Be clear and keep it simple, there's very little they haven't heard except how YOU stand on the matter. There's only one language they understand - reelection. Simply tell them you expect no compromise on 2A rights, you vote, you will do everything in your power including $$ to see they're not reelected if they ignore your rights. Everything after that is fluff they won't read. Save the arguments for your anti friends.
3) Show up. There will be hearings and opportunities for public inputs, probaby rallies. The media will be all over every hysterical, outraged anti-gunner. We collectively need to show up and get face time, politely and as the law abiding, respectable citizens we know we are. We need to be there in numbes the cameras can't ignore.
4) Donate. The above is largely the grass-roots battle we each need to undertake. However, the big battlefield will still require the NRA and its lobbying might. That takes $.
If you're not engaged, the other side is already counting you as one of theirs. There are no sidelines in this battle.
Here's the reality, we can't win the media battle, the major outlets are squarely and unabashadly in the gun-ban corner. By the same token, politicians need to be seen as doing something, and the media has told people that's restricting guns. So they're all fighting for their slice of air time and sound bites. However, we don't lose our rights by politicians giving hot air speeches and press conferences. We lose them in legislative sessions.
So,
1) Act. Make a commitment to spend 10-15' every day doing some for your rights. Rants to other like minded gun owners is cathartic, but achieves nothing. Lobby everyone you know that feels pro-gun to join NRA and whatever local or state organizations you feel are effective. Don't leave one person you know without a personal plea from YOU to join us in the fight. Make sure they do the same; spread the fire. Educate them. The majority have a mixed view of the NRA, largely because of how the media slanders them. Don't wait, track everyone you know down through e-mail, FaceBook, call on the phone, whatever it takes. Don't let them buy the snake oil that its only certain guns or certain X that they're going after. That's a divide and conquer and they've been using it for years.
2) Write. The names and addresses of your legislators are easy to find. One person writing them carries the wait of thousands they think aren't engaged enough to write. In many cases they have web sites where you can contact them directly, no snail mail or even e-mail required. Be clear and keep it simple, there's very little they haven't heard except how YOU stand on the matter. There's only one language they understand - reelection. Simply tell them you expect no compromise on 2A rights, you vote, you will do everything in your power including $$ to see they're not reelected if they ignore your rights. Everything after that is fluff they won't read. Save the arguments for your anti friends.
3) Show up. There will be hearings and opportunities for public inputs, probaby rallies. The media will be all over every hysterical, outraged anti-gunner. We collectively need to show up and get face time, politely and as the law abiding, respectable citizens we know we are. We need to be there in numbes the cameras can't ignore.
4) Donate. The above is largely the grass-roots battle we each need to undertake. However, the big battlefield will still require the NRA and its lobbying might. That takes $.
If you're not engaged, the other side is already counting you as one of theirs. There are no sidelines in this battle.
![[rolleyes]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/042.gif "Roll Eyes [rolleyes]")
I tried to explain that this is by far one of the most critical times in recent history because we are being attacked so heavily by both the politicians as well as the media, and if WE give in even a little we will likely lose everything. She is convinced (based on the media) that Oblabla is trying his best to meet with all sides to come to a fair "compromise".
