For just a moment, let’s remember something about the NRA.
Within the NRA are strict Constitutionalists who believe ALL attempts at gun
control are unconstitutional. We also have those who believe compromises
are in order - for reasons of “common sense”, to achieve more important
goals, or whatever.
And it is similar with the Million Mom March people.
At the national level, we have such radicals as Rosie O’Donnell. Here in San
Antonio however, is a local group who appear much more willing to listen to
the gun owners’ side of the story.
As Steve points out, we were received graciously. They solicited our opinions
and asked for our help with their event.
Before I go further, let me explain their event. This will not be a militant
march of anti-gun zealots carrying placards blaming the death of every child
on the NRA and/or gun owners.
The march begins at a church, follows a pre-designated route, and ends in a
park. The “marchers” will not move in a group. They will move at their own
pace along the route which will have various “stations” (for a lack of a better
word). Each station will have a display of some kind intended to inform
people about violence involving children.
At the first display, a member of the organization will portray Julia Ward
Howe. The actor will explain that Julia Howe wrote “The Battle Hymn of the
Republic”. She was appalled by the carnage of the Franco-Prussian War and
proposed a mother’s day of peace. This eventually became Mother’s Day as
we know it.
Other stations along the route will include T-shirt sales, musicians, a band, a
poetry station, and various displays indicating that children are being killed
daily in America.
This is a much different atmosphere than is expected in the national MMM in
Washington, D.C. The San Antonio group is not vilifying gun ownership but
the inappropriate use of guns (gang shootings, accidental shootings, suicides,
etc.).
They even asked the NRA to put on an Eddie Eagle display and
demonstration. The NRA declined.
Today I spoke with a lady I believe is the Director of the Eddie Eagle Program
in Washington. She explained the NRA has been accused of using the Eddie
Eagle Program to entice youngsters to become involved with guns. You may
remember the “Joe Camel with feathers” insult by the anti-self defense
lobby. To avoid any such accusations, and because of the anti-gun rhetoric
at the national level of the MMM, the NRA simply will avoid involvement with
the MMM.
The San Antonio group however, has asked for a display showing how to
store firearms in a safe manner. I plan to do just that.
I told the NRA representative that I would have a display something along
the lines of: NRA members for child safety (or something similar). I would
indicate that this station was not sponsored by the NRA but the information
presented had been taken from various NRA sources (The American Rifleman,
American Guardian, Eddie Eagle Program, etc.).
The San Antonio group has promised to avoid anti-gun rhetoric. What they
want for a display is what TFLers have advocated repeatedly.
1. A display showing the fallacy of trigger locks. They seldom fit the firearm.
Even if they fit perfectly, trigger locks are easily installed in such a manner to
permit accidental use of the firearm by children, etc.
2. I plan to push the use of cable locks, locking tool boxes, or even bicycle
locks to secure firearms from children.
I will have NOTHING for sale, little or no money invested, and show no profit
from this venture. It will be a public service - nothing more.
Among the goals are the following:
- I want to tear down the stereotype of gun owners.
- I want to show gun owners are responsible users of firearms.
- I want to show there are different levels of security and guns can be
secured from children for the cost of a box or two of ammunition.
- I want to get into the anti-gun culture and correct their misperceptions and
factual errors.
There’s more, but you get the picture.
I have little to lose here but an afternoon in the San Antonio heat and maybe
some assaults on my ego.
We have a lot to gain by showing our better side and stressing ONE area
where all sides agree - firearms should be secured when not in use.
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By the way, there is another group involved, POMC - Parents of Murdered
Children. The two members we met at the meeting also were guests but
their group will be represented at one or two stations along the route.
One of their main goals is truth in sentencing.
One young man was shot and killed by mistake during a drive-by shooting.
The murderer was caught, convicted, and sentenced to thirty years in prison.
He came up for parole after a mere one and one-half years.
A young woman was killed and her murderer was sentenced to twenty years.
He came up for parole after one year in prison.
One of the main functions of this POMC group is to show survivors how to
influence parole boards and ensure convicted murderers serve their full
sentence. They back Project Exile.
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I have been contacted by the San Antonio Express News. There will be
publicity in the media - TV, radio, and newspaper. The reporter I spoke with
said he would provide balanced reporting of the event.
There is much more - too much to put into this thread. I fully realize my
participation in the MMM event is controversial; however, if I can convince a
few people that gun ownership is not the cause of violence, I will have
achieved something of value.
Within two weeks we will know whether this was a venture “into the house of
the enemy” or a beginning of a fruitful dialogue between two opposing groups
who know so very little about each other.
With a little luck, we can stop demonizing each other and address some of
the real causes of crime without infringing even more upon the Second
Amendment.
Time will tell.
Thanks, Steve!