Dreamer
Regular Member
Activism is not a part-time job, or a hobby. To be truly effective, activists needs to be ever-present, ever-engaged, and ever-ready to spread the message.
In states where OC is legal, opportunities for activism are easy. Our OC'd firearms are an ever-present reminder to us that we support the 2A, we support the human right of self defense, and we have taken up the awesome responsibility to be prepared and capable to ensure our own safety and security, and that of our loved ones, and even of our fellow man if need be. And this visible mode of carry piques the curiosity of like-minded people who don't know about OC, and often results in educational opportunities, and chances for us to hand out cards, fliers, or website addresses to the public.
OCing gives our beliefs and convictions a level of visibility that is undeniable--it lets the world know where we stand when it comes to our 2A rights, our love of family, our dedication to peace and security, and our Liberty-minded distaste for the politically-correct mindset of "voluntary victimhood". In OC-friendly areas, this mindset of self-reliance, liberty, and freedom is broadcast--oten before a single word is spoken--to all whom we may encounter in our daily lives.
But what about our like-minded brothers and sisters who live in states or cities that do not allow OC?
The glib answer to them is, if you believe in OC, and the Human Right Of Self Defense, you should relocate to a more freedom-loving, and liberty-affirmative area. But this is not always practical, and running away from a problem (although often a VERY effective way of preserving one's PERSONAL safety and liberty) does nothing to fix the problem in those "liberty intolerance zones" (LIZ's) like CA, MD, NY, or Chicago and DC.
I would suggest that rather than having large, occasional, organized "OC Rallies" just a few times a year--complete with press releases, news crews, and a stable of attendant lawyers, that we all consider these "LIZ's" to be in a perpetual state of "Open Holster Rally".
Every day in such a zone, should be "Empty Holster Day".
There are no laws against wearing an empty holster. I own several holsters for which I no longer have applicable firearms. So when an LEO inevitably asks me "where is your gun", I can honestly and lawfully answer "what gun?". This question is the classic "fishing expedition" question. They are looking for a reason to search your backback, briefcase, pat you down, search your vehicle, or even obtain a search warrant for your home. If you have no gun for that particular holster, then there is nothing to search for. Such a "perpetually empty holster" is TRULY a legitimate First Amendment expression--it has NO utility or purpose other than as an expression of your sentiments regarding the lack of 2A rights.
Trampling on 2A rights in locations that don't recognize them is easy (and lawful) for LEAs in such LIZ's. But trampling on someone's 1A rights is an entirely different matter. The 2A i still up for debate in the Federal Courts, and in many states. But the 1A and specifically Freedom of Expression is well-established as a Civil and Fundamental Human Right--especially in states and cities with overtly tyrannical policies and agendas.
They will be hard-pressed to stop--or even suppress--such individual expressions. They will be hard-pressed to avoid Federal Civil rights lawsuits for harrassing Empty Holster wearers. Perpetual, local, individual Empty Holster protests might just be one of the most potent tools in the Arsenal of Liberty in such LIZ's...
An Empty Holster also gives 2A activists (in such places where carry is limited or banned) a way to engage the public in a "non-threatening" and legal manner. An Empty Holster is an ice-breaker. It is an overt, undeniable statement on the helplessness of the average citizen. It gives us the opportunity to discuss the Civil Rights infringement of such areas with the public. It gives us protection under the 1A against LE harassment. It gives us the chance to hand out fliers, business cards, or just have a quiet, civil conversation with someone who is curious.
I think we will find that there are a LOT more people that we thought, living in LIZ's who are sympathetic to our cause if we openly, visually, and courteously provide the opportunity for engagement.
Let them come to us for answers. Let them come to us with questions. Le them identify themselves to us while we walk about our normal day-to-day routines. We may very well find that there are lot more of "us" hiding in the shadows than we believe.
And it will also give us a chance to let the radical "anti's" expose themselves (hopefully while we capture it on audio or video recordings) for the fear-mongering, deceitful, Liberty-Hating control freaks they are. It will give us the opportunity to let them demonstrate--publicly and without provocation--that what they REALLY fear isn't the gun, it's the FREEDOM that it represents that they really hate.
Because who--even among the most deceitful, leftist, anti-gun raving maniacs--would want to be exposed as hating the 1A?...
Every Day is Empty Holster Day in some places.
This is an HUGE opportunity that we are missing.
In states where OC is legal, opportunities for activism are easy. Our OC'd firearms are an ever-present reminder to us that we support the 2A, we support the human right of self defense, and we have taken up the awesome responsibility to be prepared and capable to ensure our own safety and security, and that of our loved ones, and even of our fellow man if need be. And this visible mode of carry piques the curiosity of like-minded people who don't know about OC, and often results in educational opportunities, and chances for us to hand out cards, fliers, or website addresses to the public.
OCing gives our beliefs and convictions a level of visibility that is undeniable--it lets the world know where we stand when it comes to our 2A rights, our love of family, our dedication to peace and security, and our Liberty-minded distaste for the politically-correct mindset of "voluntary victimhood". In OC-friendly areas, this mindset of self-reliance, liberty, and freedom is broadcast--oten before a single word is spoken--to all whom we may encounter in our daily lives.
But what about our like-minded brothers and sisters who live in states or cities that do not allow OC?
The glib answer to them is, if you believe in OC, and the Human Right Of Self Defense, you should relocate to a more freedom-loving, and liberty-affirmative area. But this is not always practical, and running away from a problem (although often a VERY effective way of preserving one's PERSONAL safety and liberty) does nothing to fix the problem in those "liberty intolerance zones" (LIZ's) like CA, MD, NY, or Chicago and DC.
I would suggest that rather than having large, occasional, organized "OC Rallies" just a few times a year--complete with press releases, news crews, and a stable of attendant lawyers, that we all consider these "LIZ's" to be in a perpetual state of "Open Holster Rally".
Every day in such a zone, should be "Empty Holster Day".
There are no laws against wearing an empty holster. I own several holsters for which I no longer have applicable firearms. So when an LEO inevitably asks me "where is your gun", I can honestly and lawfully answer "what gun?". This question is the classic "fishing expedition" question. They are looking for a reason to search your backback, briefcase, pat you down, search your vehicle, or even obtain a search warrant for your home. If you have no gun for that particular holster, then there is nothing to search for. Such a "perpetually empty holster" is TRULY a legitimate First Amendment expression--it has NO utility or purpose other than as an expression of your sentiments regarding the lack of 2A rights.
Trampling on 2A rights in locations that don't recognize them is easy (and lawful) for LEAs in such LIZ's. But trampling on someone's 1A rights is an entirely different matter. The 2A i still up for debate in the Federal Courts, and in many states. But the 1A and specifically Freedom of Expression is well-established as a Civil and Fundamental Human Right--especially in states and cities with overtly tyrannical policies and agendas.
They will be hard-pressed to stop--or even suppress--such individual expressions. They will be hard-pressed to avoid Federal Civil rights lawsuits for harrassing Empty Holster wearers. Perpetual, local, individual Empty Holster protests might just be one of the most potent tools in the Arsenal of Liberty in such LIZ's...
An Empty Holster also gives 2A activists (in such places where carry is limited or banned) a way to engage the public in a "non-threatening" and legal manner. An Empty Holster is an ice-breaker. It is an overt, undeniable statement on the helplessness of the average citizen. It gives us the opportunity to discuss the Civil Rights infringement of such areas with the public. It gives us protection under the 1A against LE harassment. It gives us the chance to hand out fliers, business cards, or just have a quiet, civil conversation with someone who is curious.
I think we will find that there are a LOT more people that we thought, living in LIZ's who are sympathetic to our cause if we openly, visually, and courteously provide the opportunity for engagement.
Let them come to us for answers. Let them come to us with questions. Le them identify themselves to us while we walk about our normal day-to-day routines. We may very well find that there are lot more of "us" hiding in the shadows than we believe.
And it will also give us a chance to let the radical "anti's" expose themselves (hopefully while we capture it on audio or video recordings) for the fear-mongering, deceitful, Liberty-Hating control freaks they are. It will give us the opportunity to let them demonstrate--publicly and without provocation--that what they REALLY fear isn't the gun, it's the FREEDOM that it represents that they really hate.
Because who--even among the most deceitful, leftist, anti-gun raving maniacs--would want to be exposed as hating the 1A?...
Every Day is Empty Holster Day in some places.
This is an HUGE opportunity that we are missing.
