That was a general, not at you.
:cheers:
And yes, that's my question as also.
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I like the idea. The event is one I would like to attend. However, I also feel that open carry is a bad idea. The concept is a whole lot like the segregation of blacks, women's rights, or gay marriage... The public is just not ready for the change yet. It must be made in small doses. The political climate of the sheep pack is simply not ready to witness several of their flock suddenly showing their wolf teeth. How about a "conceal carry" event? -even though I am sure most in attendance will be packing anyway.
Also, along with Preston Scott, that fellow from Freedom 93.3 (An AirForce Veteran) may be good to include. Forget his name... He is on in the afternoons
Any one else?
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I'm not sure I understand the concern about open carry. The intent isn't (as I understand it) to invite the great unwashed masses, but first responders. Now fireman and EMS folks may not be comfortable around guns, but I would expect most law enforcement folks to be comfortable, and if not, the point was (again, as I understood it) to start to establish that comfort for them.
If they arrived and left because they decided they didn't like citizens carrying guns, they probably aren't going to change their mind regardless of what we do.
The idea was to thank them, and at the same time subtly do a soft presentation of responsible citizens who are also gun owners.
What I am seeing is an opportunity for something that goes beyond a single event. I see something more like an organization that, as a main annual event puts on a “Recognition Picnic” for First R’s along with Military and their families. The goal, as I see it is to, on a local level, close the gap between the general public and the LEO’s, and to promote the Constitution. There is a trend, as I’m sure you are all aware, of a widening gap between the public and LEO’s. Just do a search on you tube for “cop vs” and remember that this is where the next generation is getting their information. The confrontational approach to achieving general acceptance of a 2A society will not work. As polebarn said, we are fighting generations of indoctrination.
With that said, I think we should start with the picnic. Not an open carry rally. We need to be very careful to avoid ALL politicizing of this event. As was said, we should NOT promote it on PS’s show, mention the NRA or initially show any pro gun stance. That will alienate much of the public that we need to reach. I know that it sounds like I am proposing the “using” of the First R’s as a tool to achieve a political goal and that is a fair assessment because it is the truth. However our point is to show appreciation, make their lives easier and safer and to effectively promote the same things that we, and most of them believe in.
Once this event becomes an accepted community tradition, we can then start to slowly and carefully ease in our agenda but from an established position of acceptance in the community.
Has anyone done anything like this before? I'm wondering if it has been, how it was handled. If not, we're going into uncharted territory. There are always arguments for taking things easy and slowly turning up the heat. I don't think we've got that kind of time. I think open-carry would be a great way to make us indistinguishable from those that attend. I think we would be covered if any advertisement or flyer or ANYTHING we put out to promote the event clearly stated that it is both alcohol free and open-carry friendly, that would prevent surprises and the combination of the two statements would put some minds at ease.
I met the new TPD Police Chief last night, and he seems like a pretty stand up guy. I think it would be wonderful if we approached him with the idea and got his feedback.