TexasCHLforum.com

It would be a book worth writing, and reading sometime when the time is right...

Now is not the time...And it may never be the right time, because this is a battle we all must be constantly ready to engage in whenever called...

Loose lips sink ships and lose ballgames...

The playbook needs to be protected at all times...

seamusTX wrote:This kind of group is fractious. Some are more idealistic and dogmatic. Some are more practical and willing to compromise. Some are more willing to talk than act. Some are more able to get things done. Politics is always like that. I disagree with some of the views expressed in this forum, more than most of you know.

I thought you agreed with me all the time??? I'm devastated!!!

Something like 15 million people in the U.S. either have a concealed-carry license or don't need one in their state. This is not a fringe group. It is comparable in size to any recognized racial or ethnic minority (other than people of European ancestry like the Italians or Germans). It is far more than the number of Jewish people or other minorities that are frequently mentioned as such.

At least 100 million people live in a household with a firearm, probably more like 150 million. That is half the population.

Good stuff...

The media (TV, actually) is very much to blame for the public's fear of firearms. I don't want to debate the numbers to the third decimal place, but their share is far more than 1%.

The blame is well placed...I agree that they are a part of the challenge we face...

I have my disagreements with the NRA on both philosophy and tactics. I have already said that I am willing to sit on them until the coming critical battles are won.

But in a way you not really sitting and waiting for them to win those battles...You are participating in a discussion, and are a part of a group that is extremely well versed and well connected to the battle in a tactical way, not just a strategic (armchair general) position...

But withholding our support is not going to achieve it.

Bingo...

"As individuals, we are in this together!"

I had to put this in there because it sounds so Yogi Berra-ish...Geesh, I crack myself up sometimes...

This is just another one of those threads that facinate me to no end...Everyone is so engaged, and making very good points...I just wish I knew what the heck I was talking about...

mr.72 wrote:I confess up front: I have not read even most of this thread.

Nobody would say that is a requirement, there is so much good reading here that even though you may dissagree with someones opinion, that is in my opinion not a negative, it is what we should do to keep ourselves as sharp as we can be.

However I disagree with Charles. I think the current crop of 2A supporters such as those we find on this forum are indeed a fringe group.

I disagree with your disagrement...I would say that we should not be classified or labeled (legitimately) by what we do with guns, and how we defend or promote our niche...But by how we are in lock-step in defending the political efforts to protect the Right to Keep and Bear Arms...

I also think the lack of unity in purpose of 2A supporters is hurting our cause and takes away from the potential effectiveness of the NRA.

I disagree...Our individualism is what is unique...We all have a root issue, but support it within these niches we are a part of within the community of gun owners...I would no more dismiss a duck hunter or deer hunter (or hunter in general) because they do not champion as much our right to keep and bear arms just because some of us do not hunt...That is where Jim Zumbo got into trouble a year or so ago...The NRA is going to keep plodding along and try to keep the overall issue alive and well regardless of our niches we occupy in the community of gun ownership...

The Annoyed Man wrote:You are never going to convert the committed anti-gunner. They are zealots for their cause. They will either prevail, or jump off a cliff to avoid surrender.

Good statement!

I wonder if there are folks out there NRA members or not, who are just as committed to the cause as they are opposing us???

Not that I condone a fatalistic attitude or commitment...This battle certainly pushes the envelope, in my opinion, because so many people before us have sacrificed to secure all of our rights and freedoms we enjoy today...Does that mean we should not step up and be that committed to all of that, and not just our right to keep and bear arms in the defense of those sacrifices???

Being an American is not just about bearing arms...It is the ideal that encompasses a committment to promote freedom and liberty around the world, because that brings about stability and peace...

Liberal minded people do not trust enough to let that happen, and must be in control to "force" it in some ways...Forgetting that it is the individual that promotes freedom and liberty by our existance in a country that lives the idea...At the same time liberalism stiffles freedom and liberty because of their mistrust...

Sorry for the political rant, but I felt inspired...

Eagle72 wrote:On reducing the junk mail, this is from the NRA Member FAQ:

Q: How can I reduce the amount of mail I receive from the NRA?
A: Simply email us at membership@nrahq.org or dial 800-NRA-3888 and request to be placed on the "Do Not Promote" list. This will significantly reduce the amount of mail you receive without affecting important mailings, magazine service, or your membership renewal.

If you e-mail be sure to include your member #. I did & it works!

Best post of the thread...This solves a lot of the problem, if it really is a problem...

Just my opinion...

nitrogen wrote:You're right about one thing, but I think its for the wrong reason. From personal experience, when I was an "anti" I really don't think it was due to intellectual laziness. I had never dealt with a gun, and to the ignorant, the Brady's arguments make sense. If you've never held or shot a gun, their arguments ring true; because of the way they are made. (Full of appeals to emotion, and other logical fallacies.)

Absolutely...Emotion trumps a lot of things some people need to be challenged with...By intellectually lazy, I meant that as a common thread to a liberal mode of thinking, they do not wish to be engaged to think beyond the next happy meal doled out by the government (their saviors)...So when the government wishes to "ban" something which will level the field of some people being "empowered" or enlightened in this case, you might see where I tend to lean when I am pushed...I think there are a few out there like "us" anyway...

Sure, we're never going to get everyone, but you get far more people by at least trying than not trying at all. I feel pretty strongly about this, because I myself saw the light. I cannot be the ONLY PERSON EVER who saw the light.

"I'd like to teach the world to sing...In perfect harmony...I'd like to buy the world a Coke and keep it company..."

I don't even have to tell you welcome aboard...You were already there, you said that you just needed that little push years ago...I would never insult anyone's conversion...

Personally I was never an "anti"...I never told, or even thought that someone shouldn't have a gun for any reason...So I cannot say I ever saw the light, so I do not know how that feels...

I'm still catching up on these pages...I haven't seen the call for armed revolution yet (again)...

nitrogen wrote:My big problem with the NRA is that it seems to be nothing but a huge echo chamber to me.

nitro...nitro...nitroooooooooooo...oooooooooooo

I don't see the NRA doing a lot to promote guns for self defense to people that currently don't believe in it. I mostly see the NRA making fun of them and ignoring their concerns.

Every magazine I get has an entire section (page) devoted to recent self-defense shootings around the country...Albiet we probaly have heard of all of them before it gets to print in this and other forums...There are so many of them, that I imagine they have to pick thru the stack of them and post the best ones...If there coulld be a "best" from any self-defense shooting...

The NRA, and gun owners need to get something clear: Groups like the brady campaign, etc have concerns about people's safety. They honestly believe that what they are proposing will help make people safer.

They (Brady Campaign) are not about safety at all...They ARE ALL about literally ripping the gun out of your hand you maniac!!! (again, )

We all know they are wrong; but we have to let others see that, and see why.

What others are there out there??? You either know the inalienable right you have, and exercise it, or you do not...AS it is readily apparent from our last election, the majority of Americans are too intellectually and morally lazy to seek out this little bit of truth for themselves...We may convert a few, but I see education of those who do not want to learn this stuff to be......Well......hmmmmm, I'm not sure I should say now...But I know what a lot of us will think though...

Calling someone that follows the Brady's belief system "Lieberal GUN GRABBERS" isn't going to win many converts; it's bullying. It makes us feel better, but that's about it.

Like what I was trying to say above...And I certainly do not believe anyone will convert a liberal to take up a pro-Second Amendment stance...It's against their nature...

I want to see the NRA taking F-rated lawmakers out to the range.

And do what???

I want to see the NRA talking to F-rated lawmakers about self defense; maybe taking them to gunsite or frontsite, and proving to them that YES, individuals who are NOT police officers can be trusted to defend themselves.

"F" rated lawmakers already know what this is all about...You will never change their mind about the issue...

I want to see the NRA talking to F-rated lawmakers.

I think that is a waste of time...And who says they would want to talk to one or more of us???

For all I know, teh NRA already does this, and I'm just ignorant about it. Or I need to know where they go to talk about it :)

Charles???

BTW, nitro...You know I'm just funning with you, I know you are a serious person and respect your position...There is just no way these days that a pro gun-control legislator, or supporter is going to want to "deal" with any of us...So, to me, it would be more therapeudic to send a box of 50 downrange a week if you are so inclined and have LT put in a good word for us to the Almighty to give us patience in the near future...

Besides, I find extreme comfort knowing there are quite a few of us (here) who have each others back...It almost goes unsaid...The NRA is full of members who have your back...I believe they do a good job working for us...