Blue Tile Spook
Master
More importantly, what will happen when the news media - or more likely the police - show up?
Don't make them angry. You wouldn't like them if they get angry.
More importantly, what will happen when the news media - or more likely the police - show up?
But HE did it without disparaging his fellow INGOers...
Agreed, but we also need to pick our battles, and be very cognizant of the image we are presenting when we DO stand up for our 2A rights. In other words, we need to make a concerted effort to frame and control the debate, just as the anti-gunners do every time there is a mass shooting. Otherwise we're just giving the other side more ammo (pun intended) for their argument AGAINST our rights.
How is walking around downtown with slung weapons - no signs, no talking points, no nothing - "speaking out"? More importantly, what will happen when the news media - or more likely the police - show up?
My remarks were NOT meant to be disparaging or harmful to a delicate psyche. Different generation, I'm used to conversations with men that sometimes may not be PC in todays careful to choose our words pretend society
The way I understand it there are going to be signs? Have you read the entire thread on the topic?
One thing we discussed is that this needs to be refered to as a Walk. Not a March.
There will be no SIGNS, no FLAGS, no CHANTING.
Obviously, there is no need to carry a longgun in downtown Indianapolis. I mean, you can't hunt there, a longgun is not a practical self defense weapon, etc.
I've seen and read the thread about a walk (not a march, not a parade, not a protest) with longguns downtown. So far as I can tell, the only message that will be expressed (though with no signs, with no specific talking points outlined that I could see) is that we have a right to carry longguns in Indiana.
I believe that this is a counter productive effort. I believe that the people don't want longguns downtown. I believe that opening the eyes of the people to the fact that you can carry longguns downtown will result in a new effort to limit what guns can be carried. Then, when I need to take my longgun in for service, I'll have a new set of laws to concern myself with.
I'm all for open carry. Open carry your self defense weapon all day long whereever you want... this has a point. There is purpose. But why a longgun downtown. Why would the people NOT limit that right?
Note: This is not a rant. I am not a troll. I was just talking with some friends this weekend about the march (oh, excuse me, walk), and I couldn't come up with what the purpose of the whole thing is, but could definitely see all of the possible negatives. I hope this thread sparks a conversation on what the merits are of such a (non-protest) walk, rather than continued debate over muzzle direction and sling configuration.
Not all 30-something pages (a lot of it is off-topic stuff), but I have read the OP and the most recent pages to get a sense of the event as it currently stands.
I look forward to hearing the results of the meeting with IMPD if/when it takes place, and would be interested in seeing what the talking points are for the group.
The reason I'm choosing to participate in the walk is to let my local politicians know that one way or another , they will listen and remember they work for me .
Do I think it will change anything , no but I have to try .
I have to know that I've done every peaceful thing I can to try to make a positive change
Gun Owners are many times their own worst enemies.
A noble goal, but how are your local politicians going to get the message from this "walk"? Are you going to invite them, or send them a letter before or after the fact? If they don't know it is happening, they're not going to care one way or the other.
That's a great idea...thanks, we'll be sure to let them know.
Ask yourself then, are there other/better ways to spend your time and energy that may have a more direct or significant effect?
Do you have any thoughts?
In your mind, how will participating in this "walk" be a means to that end? An honest question. IMO, the potential for FAIL looms large for this event, so the potential rewards had better be worth that risk. That's all I'm saying.
Carry on.
Or have a shirt on that reads "It's legal to carry guns in Indiana. Protect this right!"
Downtown, with an OC'd handgun.and pass out flyers?
.A noble goal, but how are your local politicians going to get the message from this "walk"? Are you going to invite them, or send them a letter before or after the fact? If they don't know it is happening, they're not going to care one way or the other.
Both local and national media will be alerted when the final details get worked out .
Ask yourself then, are there other/better ways to spend your time and energy that may have a more direct or significant effect?
Are Tea Party's , letters and town hall meetings working so far , I don't believe so . Hopefully the sight of firearms will drive the point home that we're tired of their political BS games .
In your mind, how will participating in this "walk" be a means to that end? An honest question. IMO, the potential for FAIL looms large for this event, so the potential rewards had better be worth that risk. That's all I'm saying. We've discussed the safeguards that we can put in place , such as making sure everyone that carries has a LTCH or can directly vouch for someone else .
Also not stopping to get into a P*****g match with anyone who doesn't agree , simply smile and continue to walk or direct them to one of the designated spoke persons .
Carry on.
This is quoted from your website...
But we are not defenseless! Although no politician will admit it, our Right to Keep and Bear Arms is the most basic - and perhaps the most effective - means of establishing TRUE "homeland security"!
Perhaps run it by the prosecutor's office as well?
What is a(nother) good way to demonstrate that carrying guns is a right (aka LEEEEEGAL) in Indiana? In Indianapolis?
Print up flyers? Or, have a long gun ON you, not get arrested, and pass out flyers? Or have a shirt on that reads "It's legal to carry guns in Indiana. Protect this right!" Bullhorn? Advertising? Feature-length movie? Celebrity endorsement? Car Wash with bikinis and guns? Op-Ed column? Rent a billboard truck to drive around? Stage a protest/handcuff thing?
Those are some of my thoughts.
Are you nitpicking this ONE idea? Or offering creative solutions yourself?
Of course I agree with that; I wrote it. Question is, if that's your message, how will this event communicate that to those who most need to hear it - our politicians in the Statehouse and in Washington DC?
It is an effort we are trying...why question it?
If this is not being organized as a political protest/rally/demonstration/parade, you will probably be limited in the ways you can express yourselves. Would wearing matching T-shirts with slogans and/or handing out flyers cross the line? My gut says "probably," but it's a question worth asking at the IMPD meeting.
Hypothetical situation - the walk goes off without a hitch... nobody even notices. Would that be a success, or a failure?
. A bunch of gun toting right wing nut cases (name calling inserted for humor here ) walking around seemingly aimlessly downtown is not going to, in and of itself, promote a positive discussion and/or the promotion of gun rights in America (IMHO).
A bunch of gun toting right wing nut cases (name calling inserted for humor here ) walking around seemingly aimlessly downtown is not going to, in and of itself, promote a positive discussion and/or the promotion of gun rights in America (IMHO).