I have noticed that there are a number of recent postings requesting a meet up to be organized. I was going to respond to one of these however, I decided that my response really needed a topic of its own.
Our Calguns counterparts would say that these meets are what got usthe legislation that Saldana has advanced. If we are speaking of events devoid of any community service that are attended en masse for the benefit of media or to attract the Brady counteractivists... They might be right.
While the meets at the coffee shops and the mass events were exciting, the fact is that open carry in free states is not an organized one-time spectacle.
I want to encourage those who want to put boots to the ground to avoid organizing meet ups for the sole purpose of carrying firearms in public... (Say what?!?!?!)
I am I asking anyone to stand down? No. I am asking everyone to examine the reason why they want to carry a firearm in public and be honest with themselves. If the purpose is for self-defense, we should be carrying in our day-to-day activities without the need to gather with large numbers of supporters for 'dress-up' events. If you want a group to meet to justify being openly armed, I would say that your motivation is wrong- and on that basis you shouldnt be carrying at all.
When I began open carrying in 2006, I did not have the advantage of attending a gathering of up to 100 gun owners. There werent dozens of forum participants with the resources and knowledge who wanted to keep me out of jail. I solo open carried, bearing all the risk on my own.
Forum lurkers became supporters and others imitated my lead. After a couple of police encounters, meeting in a groupwas percieved as'safer'-- even Calguns suggested that solo open carry was not advised, and that group meetings were preferable to indivdual risk. In retrospect, I believe this policy of "group events only" was completely wrong. In fact, I feel that this policy bears some responsibility for AB1934.
I think we need to get back to the roots of the open carry movement- individuals taking their right to self-defense seriously, carrying as a matter of their day-to-day ritual- (after the stand down- I will be returning to my previous activities, no more LUCC).
If you dont want to go alone, go with a friend, spouse, or wingman.
If you want an event, incorporate a community serviceor act of philanthropy into it.
Otherwise, I believe the meet up for the sake of making an event of carrying a firearm, is not advised or desireable.
If you want to be leaders serve others.
