Pro-Gun Demonstrations: A Couple Questions
300-plus gathered at Michigan’s capital yesterday in order to demonstrate their Second Amendment rights. As anyone who reads this blog knows, I would, under normal circumstances, walk right alongside them and support them every step of the way. I’m an NRA member, and everyone here at SimplyOutdoors supports the right for “We the People” to own firearms……and even carry them if they so choose.
As I read an article about this gathering in the Lansing State Journal, however, I became somewhat concerned. And as I came to part of the article where it stated “Wearing camouflage, Savino once again was packing his loaded handgun this afternoon while attending a Second Amendment March rally at the state Capitol.” I became even more concerned. And, of course, closing out the paragraph with “Slung across his shoulder was the semi-automatic he uses to train with his militia group, Michigan Militia Corps Wolverines.” didn’t help to ease that concern whatsoever.
Now, this is America, and everyone is entitled to their opinion and way of life. And, if you choose to do so, Michigan is an open-carry state, so, obviously, no laws are being broken. I can deal with that. What I’m more concerned with, however, is twofold.
First, I’m concerned that this particular article, by only covering one particular type of person at the rally – and a noted controversial one at that – is being spun to make it look as though extreme right-wingers, with guns on their sides and “semi-automatic” rifles and shotguns slung over their shoulders, are the only ones who support Second Amendment rights. I’m concerned that they are only using an extreme example of who the pro-Second Amendment individuals are, thus painting a possibly flawed picture of who the typical pro-gun person is.
Second, even if we can, by law, openly carry in Michigan. And even if we can openly sling a gun over our shoulder to demonstrate our right to the Second Amendment, is that the way to do so? Is that the type of visual we want people to associate with our cause? One day I hope to obtain my CPL, and will proudly conceal-and-carry, but I’m not sure that openly displaying a weapon or slinging a gun over one’s shoulder and walking up the capital is the visual I would like attached to all the pro-gun individuals out there.
More of this story is supposed to be covered at a later time, so hopefully that will answer the first part of my inquiry – the is-it-being-spun-a-certain-way part – but what are everyone’s thoughts on the second part? Is that the image we want portrayed and associated with those of us who believe we have the right to bear arms, and that we have the right to protect ourselves?
Your comments are appreciated.
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Arthur, there is always going to be someone somewhere who will always say that isn’t right. Obviously you know I am all for the right to keep and bear arms and I too hope to get my concealed weapons permit someday.
The problem is how people pertray themselves that have these weapons. If you look like your ready for a fight than that is what people are going to think but if you look like someone who is only going to defend themselves and/or the family if need be than the harm is not there.
By the sounds of what you are saying it is half the journalist fault for writing the article the way he or she did. Being one sided does not make a good journalist.
I have to agree that the journalism was shoddy and painted a negative picture. There’s a lot of that going around, and it’s not all innocent… in fact very little of it is without agenda. Creating tension is what story-telling is all about, and journalism is nothing short of story-telling. That doesn’t make it OK, of course, but it’s what it is.
As far as the open carry activists, I’ve got an issue with the in-your-face tactics they’re embracing. Alienating potential allies is completely counter to educating them. It’s a big thing here in CA lately, and I can tell you right now that it’s not serving the gun rights crowd a bit of good. All these people are doing is building up the stereotypes we’ve worked so hard to tear down through reasonable dialogue and behavior.
Oh, and the guy in your pic might wanna be careful before he sits down… that pistol is at full cock.
Phillip,
My sentiments exactly.
Just a note of update here in CA. I hope those guys who wanted to put this issue in the faces of the general public are happy, because there is now a bill floating through Sacramento to ban the open carry of handguns. With the current air of political upheaval, and the backlash against the conservatives and “tea party” activists, I wouldn’t doubt for a minute that the bill will get legs. Maybe it won’t pass this time, but once something like this comes up, it never goes away.
Very interesting, Phillip.
Like you, I just really don’t like the in-your-face attitude that these groups are taking. I hate to stereotype, but it kind of makes them look like whackos, not level-headed individuals who choose to carry a gun for protection.