ViperGTS19801
Regular Member
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
My name is Mark Fiorino, and I am an open carry activist up here in Pennsylvania, where the OC of both long arms and handguns is not just legal, but in the last 5 years or so, has become significantly more normalized than it was previously.
As someone who strongly believes in and practices on a daily basis the right to openly bear arms, I've been watching the news and following much of the stories that have been coming out of Texas. Obviously, the most recent notable stories, involving Chili's, Sonic, and other restaurant chains, have been all over the headlines lately, and after careful thought, I'd like to open a discussion, with the utmost of respect, that I feel should be carefully considered.
I want to be perfectly clear - I entirely support your actions in openly carrying longarms as a part of exercising (what's left of) your rights to keep and bear arms. I understand what you are fighting for and I do not in any way believe that you should stop doing it. However, there is an effective way to go about things, and there is a counter-productive way.
I am not going to sit here at my keyboard in Pennsylvania and tell you that what you are doing is counter-productive, because I am not there - I have not carried by your side, I have not spoken to your legislators, and I have not fought the fight that you are currently embroiled in. But, I would like for you to take a step back and look at how you are going about your activities. Are they helping, or are they hurting? Is there a better way to go about this so that you effect a more positive change?
I will, however, tell you that from the outside looking in, anyone who does not fight this battle, or anyone who is unfamiliar/lacking an opinion on the topic of open carry is only seeing negativity as a result of your actions.
For example, if you Google "Pennsylvania Open Carry," you will find information, legal articles, and news spots that reflect the law and the exercising of the right. There is very, very little on the first page of the search results which could be construed as negative. On the other hand, Googling "Texas Open Carry" returns the most recent news stories and Op-Eds (along with OCDO and a few Texas Open Carry forums and informational articles) which hardly paint your efforts in a positive light. You have to a dig a little bit to find a feel-good open carry article, or something that helps dis-spell the growing public perception that open carry people are "gun nuts."
Again, I can't speak to what's happening in Texas, and I stand by you 100% in your efforts, but have you guys taken a moment to step back and look at a way to improve your public relations? How can you get the word out about what you're trying to accomplish, and to explain that it's a fight for rights and justice, instead of just showing up at places with your rifles unannounced?
It seems like the MDA/Bloomburg nuts are following you around and capitalizing on your lost opportunities when it comes to awareness.
Please, discuss.
My name is Mark Fiorino, and I am an open carry activist up here in Pennsylvania, where the OC of both long arms and handguns is not just legal, but in the last 5 years or so, has become significantly more normalized than it was previously.
As someone who strongly believes in and practices on a daily basis the right to openly bear arms, I've been watching the news and following much of the stories that have been coming out of Texas. Obviously, the most recent notable stories, involving Chili's, Sonic, and other restaurant chains, have been all over the headlines lately, and after careful thought, I'd like to open a discussion, with the utmost of respect, that I feel should be carefully considered.
I want to be perfectly clear - I entirely support your actions in openly carrying longarms as a part of exercising (what's left of) your rights to keep and bear arms. I understand what you are fighting for and I do not in any way believe that you should stop doing it. However, there is an effective way to go about things, and there is a counter-productive way.
I am not going to sit here at my keyboard in Pennsylvania and tell you that what you are doing is counter-productive, because I am not there - I have not carried by your side, I have not spoken to your legislators, and I have not fought the fight that you are currently embroiled in. But, I would like for you to take a step back and look at how you are going about your activities. Are they helping, or are they hurting? Is there a better way to go about this so that you effect a more positive change?
I will, however, tell you that from the outside looking in, anyone who does not fight this battle, or anyone who is unfamiliar/lacking an opinion on the topic of open carry is only seeing negativity as a result of your actions.
For example, if you Google "Pennsylvania Open Carry," you will find information, legal articles, and news spots that reflect the law and the exercising of the right. There is very, very little on the first page of the search results which could be construed as negative. On the other hand, Googling "Texas Open Carry" returns the most recent news stories and Op-Eds (along with OCDO and a few Texas Open Carry forums and informational articles) which hardly paint your efforts in a positive light. You have to a dig a little bit to find a feel-good open carry article, or something that helps dis-spell the growing public perception that open carry people are "gun nuts."
Again, I can't speak to what's happening in Texas, and I stand by you 100% in your efforts, but have you guys taken a moment to step back and look at a way to improve your public relations? How can you get the word out about what you're trying to accomplish, and to explain that it's a fight for rights and justice, instead of just showing up at places with your rifles unannounced?
It seems like the MDA/Bloomburg nuts are following you around and capitalizing on your lost opportunities when it comes to awareness.
Please, discuss.