imported post
Diesel-n-Lead wrote:
I think we all need to thank Mike and John for not only starting this site, but for being out there on the front lines instead of just behind the scenes. I know there have been a few threads regarding "Why open carry" or "Is it worth the hassle" and so forth, but John summed it up quite succinctly in this news story when he said:
"By open carrying, we're forcing people to confront the object of their prejudice," he said. "It's just like when gay and lesbian couple express affection in public -- it forces people to realize their friends, their neighbors, their relatives, their loves ones are in fact people who might live differently than they do but they're no less good people and they're no less good citizens."
I think this site and these two guys are effecting REAL change that will benefit us all.
Thanks - its a fine line though - normalizing gun carry thru open carry, but not scary carry. If we stick to properly holstered handguns in daily life, we win,
if we can communicate effectively.
Folks can help by
thinking thru anytime that they speak on the issue while open carrying, to press, public, city councils etc. - remember,
by carrying the handgun openly, everybody is already listening to you and your expressive conduct - all you got to do is calmly say something logical and you win -
no need to shout, get emotional, use weird gunnie smarta$$ phrases- focus on the audience, mom and pop and college student public who knows none of your insider buzz words - use short complete sentences - shorten what you say as the news has only a few seconds of time to give you - again, remember the audience, its not your range buddies - don;t tell jokes, just make plain jane statements that shows you can communicate clearly, are part of American mainstream community, could be trusted if somebody needed help at the side of the road, etc.- one liners of logic - e.g., "Yes, I sometimes carry a gun for self-defense." "In our country, Americans have the right to bear arms."
How does one be calm while speaking? it takes practice - you have to relax - get something in your carry hand like an iconic non-alcoholic beverage or if speaking to your audience a stack of 3 by 5 cards with your talking points - even if you don't have any, pretend -
envision yourself taking some prozac and how you might appear to people, calm, almost sleepy, unflappable, understanding of other points of view, but always bringing the discussion back to your very reasonable viewpoints.
Sometimes gun people can be our worst public relations enemy - be calm - and be brief, be bright, and be gone - nobody likes listening to repetition or being shouted at - instead of shouting "this council better listen or it will be sued!" just say, "I ask the council to do XYZ and avoid taxpayer liability for litigation that can avoided by acting today."
And dress like a normal middle classadult - no cammo, vests, weird outfits, etc. Have a proper modern holster - leave that wild west getup for range day with your buddies; smile; have some middle class props, like family members, friends, Starbucks coffee in your hand, etc. Talk to the reporter before hand - chat her up on what your talking points are and ask her how they sound to her? this builds a bond right away and often empathy - and as what you said is in her mind, you are playing a jedi mind trick on her and she will ask you questions lending themselves to your answers - you are showing her how to have a successful interview and make her and you look good!
this is communications 101 folks - its painful to see people in the field screw up great opportunities by acting like they are 1960s demonstrators - I think its because they never thought about it.
Stay on message - if asked about obama, say something positive!
"President Obama did the right thing by legalizingguns in National Park & on AMTRAK and I hope he keeps it up."
You see what this does? Completely blows away everyone's pre-conceptions of you and makes them listen to your utter reasonableness.
Everybody get it? Communications 101. Jedi mind tricks. Wax on, wax off. Think
before even arriving at any event where you might speak and your speaking will.
