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Posted on 10/05/2002 1:24:46 PM PDT by forest
Pres@SCFirearms.org
"Gun Group Wants People Packing Heat in Schools," read the typical newspaper headline. "Not in MY kids school, you won't!" read the typical letter to the editor. Both were reactions to one of the "reasonable" gun law reforms we had proposed to our state legislature. South Carolina Concealed Weapon Permit (CWP) holders wanted to be able to carry in school parking lots while dropping their kids off at school. GrassRoots GunRights, a South Carolina organization of CWP holders and active gun owners, had included that in a list of changes to our states gun laws.
We had gone over our list with the state gendarmes and cut a few items they objected to. We got a Republican in the House and a Democrat in the Senate to sponsor our changes. Then it hit the fan. We eventually got our changes through -- but without carry in school parking lots.
The problem wasn't "Guns in Schools." Cops carry there. The problem really is "People I don't know" carrying guns in schools. We need to convince John and Jane Gunless that "We're the Good Guys."
The coming Great GrassRoots Gathering (GGG) is one way of trying to minimize people's hysterical reactions to people carrying guns. At our GGG, the speakers will give our people ammunition to use to help them convince others that "We're the Good Guys." Suzanna Hupp will give us a bullet named "Emotion." Dr. David Mustard, who worked with John Lott, will give us a bullet named "Reason." Ken Blanchard, author of "Black Man With a Gun," will give us a bullet named "Attitude."
Details of our Great GrassRoots Gathering are posted on our web site. The program starts 10 AM Saturday, October 19, 2002, in Columbia, South Carolina. We have room for 600 comfortably and can expand to 750 if needed.
GrassRoots goal is "Citizens carrying arms, wherever and whenever they choose." Everything we do we measure to see how it helps us achieve that goal. We have other goals, but they all support our main goal. For example, we're working to double the number of CWP holders in South Carolina by 2006. Numbers are crucial to our success. We'll also work to make sure all those new CWP holders become active members of GrassRoots.
Our ultimate goal, however, is that Liberty again reign in this Home of the Brave and Land of the Free. Many people have guns. Some know they are necessary in defending Life and Property. But how many, deep down, are convinced they need firearms to protect their Liberty? I mean convinced to the point they'll use them if necessary? Not enough in my estimation.
An armed citizenry has major benefits to our society as a whole. Crime goes down, fewer good people are hurt, your family and property are safer, etc., etc. These are nice, but the real benefit is that people who are prepared to use the Cartridge box in defense of Liberty are the ones who are also best qualified to use the Ballot Box, the Soap Box and the Jury Box. How, then, do you instill in people such a love for Liberty? The only way I know is by having them associate with others of right mind. Hence, GrassRoots GunRights of South Carolina.
I'd like our goal to be everyone's goal in this great country. Not so much because it's a great goal; but because if we all are working to the same end, our work becomes more effective. I'm convinced that's the way this country will turn around. Not through day dreams like "Unintended Consequences," but through a national coalition of statewide grassroots groups like GrassRoots South Carolina that can take charge on a national level.
The NRA and other national organizations can't get the job done. When your person or organization gets to the point where they can do you some good, they are no longer your person or organization. The state groups must exist first. I think of it like Natural Point of Aim: If the state groups all have the right aim, then the national group will be on target also, and able to effectively, with minimal coercion, help focus the state groups. Gun people are very independent and can be as hard to herd as cats. That independence is our strength, however. If you give them a good goal, you won't have to herd them; just get out of their way. That's what we're trying to do with GrassRoots GunRights South Carolina and with our Great GrassRoots Gathering. We hope you all will join us.
** Ed Kelleher is President of GrassRoots South Carolina, Inc. <http://www.scfirearms.org>
GrassRoots South Carolina started in Columbia in 1997. It is now a state-wide organization of about 5,000 concealed weapon permit holders and others who actively support the right of citizens to keep and bear arms.
For more about the conference and shoot-a-thon scheduled by GrassRoots GunRights South Carolina Inc., see the front page of their quarterly newspaper, "The Defender," at <http://www.scfirearms.org/defender.html> or, call 803-796-8858.
The problem wasn't "Guns in Schools." Cops carry there. The problem really is "People I don't know" carrying guns in schools.
The coming Great GrassRoots Gathering (GGG) is one way of trying to minimize people's hysterical reactions to people carrying guns.
The ultimate goal is that Liberty again reign in this Home of the Brave and Land of the Free.
The real benefit is that people who are prepared to use the Cartridge box in defense of Liberty are the ones who are also best qualified to use the Ballot Box, the Soap Box and the Jury Box. How, then, do you instill in people such a love for Liberty? The only way I know is by having them associate with others of right mind. Hence, GrassRoots GunRights of South Carolina.
I belong to and support the GOA -- Gun Owners of America. They are reliably active informing me of gun issues in Congress. Good outfit, the GOA.
I still get calls and letters from the NRA, but I tell the callers off and why, and trash the letters.
Just got a call from a CNN reporter looking for comment on the Maryland shootings and asking about our GGG. . . . He said there was a "large pro-gun group at CNN". Ok, we'll see what happens. He said "for fairness" he was seeking comment from the Brady group. I told him, "Hey, put us head to head and lets see who makes better sense".
Which means, we hope, we may soon see Ed debating someone from Handgun Control on CNN. That could be very interesting! Eventful, too.
I will post whatever information I receive.
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