Action is greater than reaction.

H

Hi-n-Wide

Inactive
Okay...I'm new here. At ease.

I just read through the thread titled "Why we are going to lose our guns."

All very empassioned points of view and I respect each of you for speaking up.

Some questions, though. Besides kjm (whose covert infiltration scheme unsettles me a bit) what is being done about the deteriation of a fundamental American tenet, that is our RKB?

It seems to me that everything I read about upholding the second ammendment is reactive, ie, "the gun-grabbers did this so we did this."

Aren't we responsisble for taking the lead on this? Where in my community (virtual or otherwise) will I find examples of gun owners reaching out to the community as a way to demonstrate our civil-mindedness?

Are there organized events, clearly hosted by firearm enthusiasts, that have a charitable (not political) motivation?

Do we host events to show those unfamilair with the sporting aspects of gunnery what a challenging and character-building endeavor it is?

Or do we simply show ourselves as angry, defensive, well-armed citizens whose very ownership of firearms smolders as a veiled threat to anyone who would exercise their right to question our right?

I don't think I made my point as well as I hoped, but I am anxious to hear your responses.

Bill
 
I have asked the same question, most of the replies have lead more to the grass roots type of activism that we are not known for; an example, every conversion of an anti is a plus for us. I have denounced on several occasions the NRA for their failure to advertise (or at least attempt to) mainstream media, Heston looks great on his 30 min spots, but at 5:30 am on OLN who is watching?

You do fail to recognize that besides all of the reaction letters, a good number here are politically active, upstanding citizens, letters to Congress can work. We still do rely too much on reactivism though.

One member was bullied by the cops for protesting a buy back- one member in a city of gun owners, sad.
 
Hi-n-Wide:


To answer some of your questions... yes there are a lot of clubs out here who are showing the community what we are made of...

I'm the treasurer of a hunting club in No. CA. Each year we contribute to local charities in excess of $20,000. All of the funds go to our local churches, fire stations, community centers, schools etc. We hold almost monthly hunter safety courses free to anyone under 18 who wants to take it. We have adopted and keep clean over 10 miles of freeway.

We have a Jr. Shooter's program where we supply the indoor range 25' .22, the rifles ammo, instructors etc for competition shooting for kids aged 9-18. All provided free of charge. Most of our teams consistantly place as one of the top teams in the nation. One of our Jr. Shooter's still holds the national record and was the national champion. Each year we have around 20 kids who join the team.

And up until a few years ago we used to have a Jr. Pheasant Hunt for a local orphanage (for over 40 years). This ended when they got a new director who was very anti-gun and told us they did not want us to turn their kids into murderers. Up until that time we used to take out around 50 kids hunting. First day was on gun safety, handling the gun, learning to shoot on the traps, etc. Second day one kid would be escorted by a hunter at their shoulder, while another hunter worked the dog. At the end of the second day, we would take them back to the club house, where they learned to clean and cook their own birds. Ended with a fine pheasant dinner.

Each year we put on at least two special shooting events, such as a cowboy shoot. Our sister club (who donates the use of their traps and skeet range) also puts on a lot of special classes and events.

What has all of this accomplished? Well were still able (for now) to keep our indoor 22 range in the city limits. It has been in existance since 1946. The town just grew up around us. We have had a few complaints about the noise, but they were told by the city council to move if they did not like it. They did... the other neighbors come to the club regularly to join in the fun and shoot off a few rounds.

So to answer your question, there are a lot of us out here who are doing things for charity. For the good of the community. It's just that you will not hear about us in the news. See as a gun club we are not PC. We don't care. We get our rewards from things like.... one of the anti-gunners had a heart attack and would have died if it had not been for the defibulator and other life saving gear that we donated to our local fire department. The equipment has now saved three people over the last two years.

Oh by the way, a lot of us do other things besides the gun club. Some members are volenteer firemen. Some are part of the search and rescue teams, etc.



------------------
Richard

The debate is not about guns,
but rather who has the ultimate power to rule,
the People or Government.
RKBA!
 
Hi-n-Wide, welcome to TFL! You're gonna like it here.

To be honest, I often skip 'the world's going to hell' threads' these days. I often agree, and I'm concerned, but reading that stuff doesn't help me or the cause, IMHO.

Your points are well taken. Find out what RKBA / shooting groups are in your area. Join them, become active, and see what you can do to help. Encourage them (if they're not doing it already) to take some of the actions you describe. And, do some things for yourself.

Get some friends together for dinner once a month or so, and discuss subjects re: liberty and freedom, especially the RKBA. Brainstorm what you can do. Our group will probably begin posting billboards, aiding an Eddie Eagle program, and getting politicians to answer a 'Liberty Poll'.

I'm spending a fair amount of time helping a new women's group - Mothers Arms (see www.mothersarms.org ). We could use some more help, if you have time.

Take a reporter to lunch or dinner, and discuss the RKBA. Listen to their perspective, and see if you can help them see yours / ours.

So, sure, find out what's going on, that is a positive force for change. But, if you don't find what you like, then ... just do it!

Good luck, and welcome again. Regards from AZ
 
I think supporting pro-gun political officials and candidates is appropriate as well. Each one of us cannot do everything but each one of us should be involved. It's trite but true, freedom is not free.

Different

GOA
 
If you look around you will find many examples of gun related clubs performing civic minded actions.

Last year my club had a toys for tots drive just among the members at our annual Christmas shoot. The pile of toys we produced was huge, and the look on the face of the local director of the campaign ( a minority woman) was worth it.

Did we get any publicity, was a newspaper rep on hand, did the local politicians show up.

NOPE

The fact that most of the members did not live in the area, and were only there for the shoot, and gave freely without coercion should have merited at least a mention in the local paper.

A local F & G club will be holding a Sporting Clays shoot to benefit Breast Cancer research locally here on Long Island. I bet they do not even get a mention in the local fishwrap (Newsday).

The bias in the media is so strong that we will never get the publicity. To them we are the demons of hell and must be wiped off the face of the earth.

Bookie, that story about the pheasant hunt just sickens me. Teaching responsibility to kids is the most noble thing you can do, and that liberal puke who put a stop to is should rot in hell!


Geoff Ross

------------------
One reason to vote in the next Presidential election.

It's the Supreme Court, Stupid!

[This message has been edited by K80Geoff (edited July 14, 2000).]
 
bookkie, Jeff Thomas, K80Geoff

I don't know how to type a HIGH 5 for what you guys are doing soooo.....

:D :D :D

Take care & God bless :)

------------------
"Lead, follow or get the HELL out of the way."
 
:) :) :)

What DorGunR said, you guys.

I'm making durn sure my own children know the history of freedom in this country. That's proactive rather than reactive, for sure.

Sounds like a little thing, but we simply can't rely on anyone else to teach our children the lessons of freedom. Fact is, with the NEA solidly anti-rights, we can rely on the schools to either gloss over or teach against the complete Bill of Rights.

Preparing the next generation to bear the responsibilities of freedom is probably the most far sighted and proactive thing each one of us can do.

Bookie's gun club had the right idea with the orphans and the pheasant hunt! (Baaaa-aaaaad new director. Baaaa-aaad.)

pax

"My doctor says that I have a malformed public-duty gland and a natural deficiency in moral fibre, and that I am therefore excused from saving Universes." -- Douglas Adams
 
OK guys. Somebody has to do it so it might as well be me.

Don't get this wrong as I'm sure some will because I've been involved in similar "good works" and projects for the cause for over 40 years and still do, just from habit I guess. But the time for being Mr. Niceguy in this fight is long gone.

I'm not saying that everyting said above is not great because it is and don't ever stop doing these type of things. But if anyone thinks these types of actions will really turn things around I think you're closing the barn door long after the horses are way down the road and the neighbors branding iron is in the fire. :(

Alright come on. Take your best shots.

RKBA!
 
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