Politics and policies are a chess game that the other side is playing way better than we are. This experience applies to any topic you care about, not just the Second Amendment.
I went to a meeting of a pro-gun group, and the topic “Who Is to Blame for Anti-Gun Laws Getting Passed” came up.
My day yesterday started with training on The Fatal 10 Factors of Law Enforcement Suicide. It ended with the monthly meeting of a Second Amendment organization last night.
The topic of who should be “blamed” for some of the illogical legislation that has been passed came up, along with why there wasn’t more opposition.
A board member said the politicians aren’t the ones we should blame because they got into office and did what they said they would. Pass anti-gun laws. OK, I agree we have some common ground there.
They said that for every person in the organization, 99 other gun owners in the state are not members. They should blame those 99 people because they are not members.
Whoa, wait a minute. I’m one of those 99, and you just tossed me under the bus. My mouth wanted to engage, but my brain said, wait, it isn’t your group, and I knew ONE PERSON in the room—the person who invited me.
That’s it, about 80 of them and me. Among the 80, at least three individuals are in a position to do something within the organization. I.e., board members, etc.
They said some other counterintuitive things, and I, being the shy person I am, couldn’t keep my mouth shut. I looked over at the guy who invited me and raised my hand.
This is what I had to say in a nutshell.
“First off, I apologize, this isn’t how I had hoped to meet everyone here, but I’ve sent multiple emails requesting comments for past articles and introduced myself at various events. Not once has anyone gotten back to me. Don’t you think it would be helpful if you had a media contact?”
What I didn’t say in front of the entire group was, Do you realize I’m one of the 99 people you just blamed for anti-gun laws getting passed? And to make matters worse, I’m part of the media.
I mentioned the fact that I was one of the 99 to one of them on the side afterward and handed some of them my card once again.
This is a sizeable group in their state, not some organization with a few thousand members. They have the resources and could look for members to volunteer to help if needed.
I know if I reached out to the NRA or NSSF, I’d probably have an answer before the weekend was up. Malk Olivia over at the NSSF is amazing, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he responded this evening.
Fighting For a Cause Is a Group Effort
My point is fighting for a cause is a group effort, and we are stronger together than we are divided. Yet, time and time again, I see people who should all be on the same side fighting with each other or working against each other.
I’m still not a fan of the organization, but my door is open because everyone needs to get along. If you want to fight, do it behind closed doors and not in front of the opposition. We are our own worst enemies when we fight among ourselves.
Folks, suck it up and get your act together. I’m not just referring to a Second Amendment issue or pro-law enforcement cause. The statement applies to anyone who cares about something and believes in seeing change happen.
