Posted on 01/07/2020 1:00:11 PM PST by Perseverando
Richmond: The Mother of All Buffalo Jumps
The more I ponder the mass demonstration being promoted by the Virginia Citizens Defense League for the annual Lobby Day at the Richmond Capitol, the more it looks like a disaster in the making. I wish it were otherwise, but I see many times more downside risk than possible upside benefit.
Even if Virginia Senate Bill 16 is passed, banning nearly all semi-automatic firearms, the new law will be challenged in court, and given the potential dire outcomes, the case will rapidly ascend to the SCOTUS. This process will take years, and Governor Ralph Northam and the Democrat majority in the legislature may be voted out in the meantime, and the law overturned. So why, before all that happens, go charging into Richmond in just a few weeks? Will rabidly anti-gun urban Democrats be convinced to change their minds because of a mass rally by their despised deplorable enemies? Not a chance. Instead, it will only harden their resolve. Now let’s look at the downside risks, which I have divided into overlapping scenarios, from best to worst case.
Scenario 1: Best Case
Even if nobody is seriously injured on January 20, some percentage of the Second Amendment crowd (or anti-gun trolls posing as such in order to discredit them) will show up wearing camouflage while waving long guns, Confederate battle flags, and, as in Charlottesville, even some Nazi swastika flags. No matter what the VCDL intends, this fringe element will become the national media image of the entire event. And trust me, these morons and bad actors will show up in Richmond. Believe it or not, there is actually a lunatic element that considers Charlottesville to have been a victory for the far right, “because now everybody knows we’re here to fight!”
(Excerpt) Read more at americanpartisan.org ...
That's a lot of supposition. In the mean time, otherwise good people end up dead, in jail, or falling into cowardly compliance...
When Matt speaks, we ALL should listen!
This essay is GREAT advice, and VA Second Amendment supporters should HEED IT, and NOT go to Richmond on Jan 20!
Nothing untoward has happened at any previous lobby day rally and I expect the capitol police will prevent trouble at this rally. Don’t be afraid to show up; I plan to be there.
Sage advice from a man who knows what he’s talking about.
L
you believe that? those police work for Northam and he wants an incident so he can declare an emergency and call in the National Guard.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
and assume that everyone on the other side of this issue has evil intentions
So just like that, hiding under the couch becomes the new “bravery”?
Was thinking the same thing.
Ping
Charlotteville × 1000. Dont forget this is a city with a Democrat stronghold and the typical slums it comes with Democrats in charge in the classic sense. The demographics and population are nothing compared to that town.
Matt Bracken's recommendations, from the article, for those still planning on attending Lobby Day on January 20th:
Some suggestions for those still planning to attend:
Do not wear camo, or bring long guns, not even in your vehicle. Expect to be pulled over by the VSP at highway off-ramps on the way into downtown Richmond for mandatory “safety checks,” where you will be asked about any firearms in your car or truck. The police will then ask to inspect them, and to see IDs from everybody with you. They will film you, and record all firearm serial numbers and identification information. You will be hassled and harassed if you refuse to cooperate. These “safety check” officers will not be in a good mood to hear lectures on the 4th Amendment. Depending on their orders, and your decisions, you may never even make it to the Capitol Square.
Expect to be directed by LE toward distant or inconvenient parking places. Downtown Richmond will be under heavy police control, and their directions will not be suggestions. Anticipate that the walking route from your parking place to Capitol Square will take you through hostile opponents from Antifa or anti-gun groups. If you encounter Antifas taunting you or making threats of violence, and you wind up pulling out a pistol to protect yourself, expect to be arrested and held with a very high bail. And remember what happened at Twin Peaks: once your pistol is out, LE snipers may have your head in their cross-hairs. Once ignited, this is an escalation dynamic that is very hard to control.
Final Thoughts
I’m sure that it feels fantastic to be a buffalo in the middle of a stampeding herd of your kin. A thousand tons of muscle, hooves and horns on the move, all thundering along together in a mighty gallop, shaking the very earth! Yes, that must feel very powerful. A thousand times more powerful than a few Indians waving blankets and setting small brush fires that you hardly notice from the middle of your galumphing herd.
Just make sure that you’re not being stampeded toward a cliff, by devious political operatives who are more clever and cold-hearted than you. Remember Charlottesville, and what happened at Twin Peaks. Please think long and hard about stampeding into Richmond for what might turn out to be the mother of all buffalo jumps.
Keep it smart, and keep it local. Be the Indian, not the buffalo.
At some point a man realizes that pleading his case is not working, so he has to shift to deterrence. A man seeking to deter a potential adversary does not care what the adversary thinks of his character. He only cares that his deterrent posture is respected.
Deterrence is overt. And can be implemented legally.
A mere 500 men with unloaded shotguns is but a minor form of legal deterrence.
And I think the Feds will stay out of this one. They’ll be observers.
If any Freepers are attending, we should meet somewhere.
Well done Matt, although I get the impression that egos have already intruded upon the common sense of many.
I just scrolled thru your posting history.
Thanks for identifying yourself as exactly the type
of hothead provocateur Matt is talking about.
I agree, but you have to pick your battles and the correct battlefield, and Richmond isn't it.
Richmond on January 20th is not the right place. You are not going to change the politicians minds if they don't see you and if they are not embarrassed.
Richmond is a PR disaster waiting to happen. First, if 100,000 people show up, it didn't happen if it's not covered by the media. As Matt discussed in the article: "Within the same day, the media would be connecting the massacre to President Trump, and in a week, many Americans would believe that he was indirectly responsible for the carnage."
This may be, in many peoples minds, be reason enough to vote Trump out of office and destroy the 2nd Amendment and those who support and defend the Constitution.
I agree completely with Matt, keep the battle local.
And when the democrats cheat the people to stay in office?? If the challenge gets to the SCOTUS it will take years because they will refuse to hear it, thus let the lower court ruling stand and we all know how they will rule. Sorry to be so cynical but I live in Kalifornia and am pro Second Amendment.
Virginia Beach, “enemy territory”, just voted to be a 2nd Amendment sanctuary... many of the attendees gave testimony while open carrying a side arm.
The VCDL urges people not to carry long guns. I would respect their wishes.
I wouldn’t be afraid to peacefully assemble.
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