Okay so... There's one person who has made public referance in the media...
"The fact is, if you are a devout Muslim, then you cannot be a true American," he told local news station KVUE, while fielding calls congratulating him for his stance. "Why should I arm these people to kill me? That's suicide."
And... there's nothing wrong with that? That's okay and fine and dandy? ... That's his opinion, right? He's entitled to it, and can deny services to whomever he wishes, right? /sarcasm
Something about his words and ad just doesn't really set well with me. He implies that, if you are a Muslim, then you are not an American. Okay... fine for him, fine for his opinion. But he is offering services, services relating to firearms. Now, bear with me a moment... Let's say he is a bigot only in words, and doesn't actually act on those words. What if he teaches a class, and get's a bit side-tracked, and start's talking about his opinions, and how a certain group of people are not American's, and should be denied a permit. His words may seem harmless, and such, but words carry power, and meaning. As an old Buddhist quote states; "Words have the power to both destroy, and heal".
It's my personal opinion that his man should have his license revoked, and barred from teaching any classes relating to firearms.
Not to go off topic, but this goes hand-in-hand with a personal experience of mine. When I went to High-school, there was a certain Teacher who taught Government & History. Now, normally that'd be fine, but this particular preacher/teacher, he may have been good at history and government, and good at that portion of his job. But he had a habit of talking down about people, especially those in his class, who wasn't White, Christrian, or straight. And often made subtle comments about it, encouraging other's to speak out against said groups.
Following that class, one of the students got with his friends, and assaulted my High school love, and his African-American friend. The teacher was over looked, and never reprimanded, or talked to. It was largely ignored.
Both the instructor and the teacher have one major thing in common. Their both teachers, and pass on knowledge (No matter how maligned). Their both White, and yes, they both have an opinion and a right to their beliefs. But... BUT! The people they teach may shrug it off, and stick to the meaningful education, but then again, a few of the people may walk away with a biased, bigoted outlook on a certain group of people, of whatever origin, belief, ethnicity, or orientation. And they now have a concealed permit, and ... That scares me. It seriously, honest-to-Gods scare's me.
(Edit, to add this phrase in) This is why the Open carry, and on a larger scale, the 2nd Amendment group get's so much bad press, and are stereotyped as being "gun toting right-wing extremists". Because of this one guy, his ad, his instruction, and the people who support him. To quote a medic friend of mine, who I sent the youtube video to; "This is why we can't have nice things."
I'm all for the right to firearms, and protection, and carrying them, openly or concealed. Also; granted, naturally people may have bigoted, or biased ideals, and beliefs. But that is NO excuse to carry on publicly, or privately with that mindset and to teach firearms safety! Am I the only one who see's the dangerous mix there? I may be going out on a limb by saying this, but it is exactly what the Nazi's did. They taught that Jews, and Hebrew's wasn't true Germans. They refused services to them. They boy-cotted them, and spread messages about doing so. Yes, they used violence as well to get the point across. But It was the German People who voted the Nazi's in, and gave them power to spread the bigoted hate. Look up Crystal Nacht. The night of broken glass. Ordinary people burned Synagogues, and beat Jewish-Germans, while the Police turned their heads. That is a major example as to NOT accept this Instructor's views and go on.
But then again what do I know? I'm a non-christian, Gay guy who isn't really a "true American" and cannot make "Sound judgements".
