Posted on 08/23/2017 9:00:10 AM PDT by Mafe
They’ve represented gun owners in some of the highest-profile cases to hit the courts in recent years, but the Second Amendment Foundation won’t defend groups that hold public armed protests, saying that crosses a line.
“We are not a fan of armed protests and highly discourage that,” said Alan Gottlieb, the founder and executive vice president of the SAF. “Firearms serve a purpose, and the purpose is not a mouthpiece. It’s to defend yourself. If you are carrying it to make a political point, we are not going to support that.” In the wake of recent public protests by neo-Nazis, white supremacists and “alt-right” adherents, demonstrations featuring gun rights backers openly carrying their weapons have come under intense scrutiny.
And the protesters are finding themselves increasingly isolated as national gun rights groups consider the role they will play.
“There are many in the gun community who believe the open carriers pose a big threat to gun rights because they are so aggressive and so in the face of other people in controversial settings that it could lead to a backlash,” said Adam Winkler, a gun rights scholar and constitutional law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.
In fact, the backlash has already begun.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Seems to me that the Second Amendment Foundation is unclear on the meaning of the Second Amendment.
Thanks for letting us know not to support these idiots with our donations.
SorozNazi is arming his thugs now? Ok, bring it on!!
I have mixed emotions about this.
One the one hand, the right to keep AND BEAR arms is part of our Constitution and our heritage. Having and bearing arms DOES send a message to those who would even think of turning this nation into a tyranny.
OTOH, from a practical POV, every time someone out there carries openly WITH A LONG GUN, it makes every single advocate of guns - let alone open carry or even concealed carry - look like a drooling moron. It actively sets back our agenda of normalizing firearms in the public’s mind, and detoxifying the image of guns and gun owners that has been put forth by the statists over the last century or more. This is all the more so when someone who is clearly a knuckle-dragger (like a guy wearing a hood, waving around a swastika, etc.).
All things considered, I think it best to take this a bit slower until the populace can be educated...and I reluctantly conclude that SAF is correct - for now.
So, I bring a weapon to a rally in order to defend myself from one of these masks clowns, these people will have no interest in helping me when the legal push comes to shove.
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IMHO...the only reasons to open carry a long gun is while transporting to or engaging in a hunt. Or, if there is open combat in a situation of rebellion against an oppressive dictatorship.
Such protests by a group of citizens against a group of citizens who dare think differently than the former, is not an appropriate venue for open carry of a long gun. It's like smoking a cigarette at a gas station.
Best thing is not to go to a protest. The way things are going, you’ll be shot by someone behind you and you’ll never have the chance to defend yourself.
I have mixed feelings also, I remember the pictures of posing protesters in Starbucks demonstrating poor muzzle control and fingers on triggers. Made me queasy and didn’t help our case.
This group also has the right to choose their battles.
On the other hand, we appear to be entering an era where carrying a long arm on the streets may be required.
Some “activists” on our side do not understand difference between having the right to do something and whether you should do something. Let us be honest in our evaluation of this. Open carrying long arms at the Bundy Ranch standoff was both for protection (always ok) and to convey a message that we would not be intimidated by a well armed and threatening government presence that wnted to suppress our rights. Open carrying a long arm in Charlottesville was done to intimidate and demonstrating with a threat of violence is not OK in the American system. It is exactly why Antifa carries clubs and wears masks.
Open carry at a protest is a bad idea.
It is NOT about “rights”.
“Open carry at a protest is a bad idea.”
Good thing you weren’t around at Lexington and Concord in 1775.
If you’re afraid of a Riot, bring a Shotgun with the shortest Legal Barrel, 18.5 Inches.
Preferably with a Pistol Grip and a Collapsible Stock.
Also bring a Pistol as a backup weapon.
The story of the Four Boxes of Citizenship/Liberty covers this issue pretty well. Each of the boxes is designed to be used in sequence and in its appropriate setting. Conflating the uses of the boxes decreases the value of each and mixes the message so it becomes unclear as to the overall goal.
The order is Soap, Ballot, Jury, and Ammo Box. A demonstration or protest rally is about words and ideas in competition, i.e. the First Amendment at work. The Ballot Box moves words and ideas into a formal setting to have an official outcome. The Jury Box deals with words, ideas, and actions as measured by citizen peers against established law. Finally, the Ammo Box is there to secure your individual right to life and for protection against forces that have not been restrained by the first three boxes.
IMO, using your 1A rights does not preclude your 2A rights to lawful self-protection. It’s a fine line to walk as some have already pointed out that carrying to a place where there may be trouble goes against common sense gun rules. OTOH, having your voice stilled because of a concern of violence where you may not be able to protect yourself effectively removes you from the discussion and diminishes the effect of being able to measure how many adherents a particular position actually has.
Wait til the shooting starts. Think how upset they will be then. Its called civil war.
I have a problem with people rapping themselves in the confederate flag, KKK, white supremacist, and support groups, just like I would with BLM, and TAntifa and others showing up armed to intimidate. This is not the purpose of the Second Amendment, it is why I have been hostile as well to those supporting the armed insurrection this that joined the Bundys and the Hammonds. It is one thing to be armed for your personal defense, it was another for the state or government call out the militia, but organize games, which this essentially is, is a problem. And when you type that with criminal behavior, which they are often defending, that is a bad combination. It undermines our basic 2nd amendment rights.
“Open carry at a protest is a bad idea.”
Good thing you weren’t around at Lexington and Concord in 1775.
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Great Reply!!!!!
None of us can have it both ways.
OK, spell correction and Siri are a bad combination. My point is militias are called by the state, not by individuals. What we have here are gangs, or what could be construed as gangs. I don’t think we need any group arms that are defending illegal behavior or arms to intimidate people. I don’t care what their affiliation is, it is wrong. The starting point that we come from, which is the issue with Bundy and Hammond, do you respect, and defend the United States, or are you rejecting our country? So no, go individually protected, but don’t organize in groups, to intimidate others.
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