That guilt by association tactic of starting with a shooting by some monster then on with the show is deliberate and calculated. It is designed to make people horrified while watching people like us. It is a despicable tactic of the media.
Agreed.
Far too many people have been conditioned (READ:BRAINWASHED) to believe that Guns are bad, to be feared, and cause many crimes. This is emotion-based reaction instead of intellect-based reasoning. Since emotions are easier to manipulate than intellect, this becomes a very effective "marketing technique" and causes many to "buy" the "product" - FEAR. Fear allows for people to go to great lengths in giving up Freedoms.
What we do everyday with Open Carry helps to change this, especially with a neat appearance and professional, friendly attitude. I reject any notion that we should engage in emotional manipulation in an effort to get our "product" sold.
Maybe we need another T-Shirt that would help get the point across:
This person is Open Carrying a Firearm. They are:
Cop
Criminal
Cowboy
Citizen
The 4 choices would have a check box of the left of them, with a big check mark in the one next to Citizen.