Last month an anti gun group succeeded in convincing the K Mart management in the Bridgehampton NY store to remove it's firearms department. This month the same group decided to target a new K Mart in the nearby town of Riverhead. The group of about 30-40 antis were met by a group of 300+ sign carrying sportsmen chanting "No Firearms, No Freedom".
I was one of those sportsmen, and it was beautiful! Every time the local TV news team (Who arived with the anti's) tried to film the anti's protest they were drowned out by the chants of the Pro gun people. Every time the TV camera was turned on dozens of signs were placed into the camera's view by Pro gun people. Some of the signs were held by children sitting on their fathers shoulders. The chant got so loud that the Anti contingent was run off from in front of the K Mart entrance. When they regrouped and tried again they were met by even louder chanting and more signs. The anti's were surrounded by pleasant smiling pro gun people, every time one of them spoke up they were refuted by three of four Pro gun people.
The TV news people looked bewildered, they couldn't interview the Anti's because of the noise from the Pro gun contingent. They constantly tried to move the camera but every angle was met with more Pro gun signs.
There were no fights or violence, and I saw no heated arguments.
This type of protesting is what we in the gun community need to do more often. I personally gave up a monthly sporting clays shoot to go to the demonstration. And the interesting thing is that I knew absolutely none of the Pro gun people at the demonstration. 300+ pro gun people show up in my home area and I knew none of them, my shooting buddies are going to hear about this!
Get out and get in the anti's face next time you are asked, be polite and non threatening but firm about your views. It is good for the soul, believe me!
Geoff Ross
[This message has been edited by K80Geoff (edited March 19, 2000).]
I was one of those sportsmen, and it was beautiful! Every time the local TV news team (Who arived with the anti's) tried to film the anti's protest they were drowned out by the chants of the Pro gun people. Every time the TV camera was turned on dozens of signs were placed into the camera's view by Pro gun people. Some of the signs were held by children sitting on their fathers shoulders. The chant got so loud that the Anti contingent was run off from in front of the K Mart entrance. When they regrouped and tried again they were met by even louder chanting and more signs. The anti's were surrounded by pleasant smiling pro gun people, every time one of them spoke up they were refuted by three of four Pro gun people.
The TV news people looked bewildered, they couldn't interview the Anti's because of the noise from the Pro gun contingent. They constantly tried to move the camera but every angle was met with more Pro gun signs.
There were no fights or violence, and I saw no heated arguments.
This type of protesting is what we in the gun community need to do more often. I personally gave up a monthly sporting clays shoot to go to the demonstration. And the interesting thing is that I knew absolutely none of the Pro gun people at the demonstration. 300+ pro gun people show up in my home area and I knew none of them, my shooting buddies are going to hear about this!
Get out and get in the anti's face next time you are asked, be polite and non threatening but firm about your views. It is good for the soul, believe me!
Geoff Ross
[This message has been edited by K80Geoff (edited March 19, 2000).]