imported post
Folks, a couple thoughts on the next event. (This is a long one)
You know, attending the first meeting was one thing and youhad the element of surprise. Not having been there, all I can do is read these after action reports and I'd say that there wassome excellent intel. However, before anyonejumps into a mass OC at the next MMM meeting, here's a couple things to think about.
First,let me qualify my statements with a few points.I'm 100% for Open Carrying at all times and do so myself everywhere I legally can. Most people CC first until they feel comfortable with OC - NOT ME! I jumped right in and STILL haven't CC'ed anywhere. (I'm such a rebel) OC at the library is legal andOC at their meeting is legal. However you shouldto think about what would be best for the OC cause as a whole.
First, they now know that open carriers will be there, so the element of surprise is gone. And they know we will be taping and if they've done their homework (let's assume they have) they will know that we can, that they can't stop us and they'll know exactly what to say and do to support their cause and degrade our cause. In fact, theymay bedoing some filming themselves! That's what I would do!They could very well be making thisa production of their own for not only training, but for legal purposes.
They have vast resources at their disposal and you'd be foolish to think that they didn't notify "HQ" after the last meeting. Anyone attending would be wise to very deliberately prepare for a concerted attack.
They believe with all their hearts that they are right and they have years and years of disinformation at their disposal. You will NOT convert anyone. You may plant a seed of truth, but that's about it.
Let's face it guys, most men like guns and most women don't. It's a fact that the Brady Campaign, who founded the MMM, have known and ingeniously exploited to their benefit for years now. Believe me, it was quite deliberate. Generally speaking women are by natureemotional and men are by nature more logical. THe old Mars-Venus thing. Our female OC'ers are thankfully the exception to the rule.
A belief is an ideal that is held to be true even if evidence to the contrary exists. Beliefs are incredibly hard to change and in human beings it usually takes a "significant emotional event" to change a person's beliefs. Significant emotional events are things like births, deaths, marrianges, divorces, getting fired, being a victim of crime, inheriting large sums of money, etc.... Let's face it,that meeting will NOT be a significant emotional event for anyone, all it will potentially do is fuel one side or the other.
NOTHING you do or say that night will change their minds. But in an INSTANT, you can lose control, get angry or say the wrong thing giving them all the justification they need. Now, are you who are planning to attend that well versed in the law and disinformation of BOTH sides or that in control of your emotions to be able to confront such an assault? Seriously? Personal attacks aren't as easy to take as you might thing and they would LOVE to see someone carrying a gun get angry and lash out.
Guys, let's face it. We ALL like guns, so we're all automatically the enemy, (as some of you found out at the last meeting)so we're at a double loss there. I say that this is the time for any and all female Open Carriers to rally forth and contactTess and do everything possible to attend this meeting. Honestly, most women who carry have been through that significant emotional event that has changed their belief and perception forever and THEY ALONE are the best hope.
As for me? My wife is from Brasil where owning a gun is a government privilege and while not an "anti", she never liked guns at all. Yet a couple months ago she picked up my .45 from the coffee table and commented on how heavy it was. It was a HUGE step for her. Last night while cleaning my rifles, she picked up my .22 rifle and said the same thing. I showed her how to sight it and explained how it worked. I told her that it is the easiest rifle to shoot and she agreed to shoot with me.
What changed her? Seeing me open carrying responsibly day after day. Watching me take care of my guns, cleaning, piling and being responsible and teaching her above all that safety is paramount. She knows history and how we got here, so there's no need to go there. But more importantly she knows that Inever carried before I met her and it's as muchto protect her as anything. Why, because that's my job as her husband and as a man and dammit, there's nothing wrong with ibeing a man and protecting and defending what's mine. My wife, my family, myselfand our home.
One million moms can all tell me one million times that carrying a gun is wrong and it means absolutely nothing to me. But when just one woman, my beloved wife, tells me she understands why I carry and supports me and appreciates why I do what I do....well, folks that's all that matters in the world.
