In the coming gun debate, we are still in the preemptive mode. The troops are gathering and lines are being formed. Once the new legislative year starts in earnest, we will form the battle lines aand join the discussion as bills are proposed and the detailed debate begins.
The coming battle will be at every level of government; local, state, and federal. In PA the local battles are more a side issue as they can not preempt state law. But those laws still need opposed and challenged in the courts - usually.
Stay tuned, get informed, and be engaged as an individual. This is not the time to allow others to do the heavy lifting. Each of us needs to do the things we can to support the overall effort.
Just as important, understand the issues. Just looking someone in the eye and saying the 2d A allows it or the law allows it won't cut it this time. Besides, we need to win over those not hard anti gun. There are a ton of people out there that run on headlines and are at the mercy of a lack of real information and the buzz lines and words usually backed up with inaccurate information.
As each of us encounter family, friends, co-workers, or others in our daily life and the issue comes up, look at those encounters as a means to educate rather than defend. Calmly taking each claim they present and adding or correcting to the information they offer with real and correct information is very important Offering to find and provide, or telling them where to look for the real information is very important. Also with all the phones out there that access the net - having the information handy is easy and supports our side.
Use it.
In this coming battle, we will need to win over the middle. That means that the in your face confrontational tactics we usually need to use with the everyday left has the strong possibility to turn off a potential supporter once shown factual information.
So:
Stand up for our rights.
Know the current laws we operate under and how they work.
Know where to direct others to see and read the current laws and be able to tell them where it can be found. State and federal sources trump 2nd A sites - we are trying to prove a point. Using our sites will be seen as providing "canned" information.
Be calm and respectful in discussions. Even if the person you are talking to raises the tone - stay calm and respectful - others are watching. Being loud and forceful doesn't sell a point. Real information does.
Know when to walk away. Some people can not and will not change their positions.
ALWAYS assume someone else is listening. At work, while out and about while shopping, at the gas station, or most other places in daily life, someone else is usually in ear shot. They could be as interested in the information or more so than the person you are talking to.
Thus the importance of referring anyone to state or federal government sites to verify the information.
Internet gun sales are being touted as unchecked and unlawful in the news.
Know the law. Interstate gun sales require shipment to a FFL licensee. Then a full normal background check before the person gets the gun they bought on the net. That applies to not only hand guns, but long guns as well - except muzzleloaders.
Gun show law is again another topic being tossed into the fray by the media.
Hand guns require a background check for everyone - private or dealer. Long guns can be sold to state residents without a background check. If you buy or sell to a dealer - paperwork is involved. If you buy from a dealer - the background check is completed. Doesn't matter if the sale happens in a brick and mortar shop or over a folding table at a gun show - state and federal law applies.
In the coming battle look for ammo sales and possession to become an issue.
Look for the use of lead to come into play.
New - look for reloading to become an issue.
Basically, anything that makes ownership easy, economical, or adds to the enjoyment will be under assault this time.
Our side will win or at the least minimize the damage by educating people to the actual functioning laws on the books. Most people do not have a clue what the laws are, they only know what they see on the news as filtered by those opposed to our rights.
Lets use this thread to list the places where everyone can link up the sources that are easy to read and use that make our case.
Again, 2nd A sites should be avoided. Independent regulatory sites and fact sheets should be used. Those sites take the talking points away from both sides. Official governmental sites are non-biased and factual.
The goal is education. Provide the natural sources. They support our side - not the anti side.
The coming battle will be at every level of government; local, state, and federal. In PA the local battles are more a side issue as they can not preempt state law. But those laws still need opposed and challenged in the courts - usually.
Stay tuned, get informed, and be engaged as an individual. This is not the time to allow others to do the heavy lifting. Each of us needs to do the things we can to support the overall effort.
Just as important, understand the issues. Just looking someone in the eye and saying the 2d A allows it or the law allows it won't cut it this time. Besides, we need to win over those not hard anti gun. There are a ton of people out there that run on headlines and are at the mercy of a lack of real information and the buzz lines and words usually backed up with inaccurate information.
As each of us encounter family, friends, co-workers, or others in our daily life and the issue comes up, look at those encounters as a means to educate rather than defend. Calmly taking each claim they present and adding or correcting to the information they offer with real and correct information is very important Offering to find and provide, or telling them where to look for the real information is very important. Also with all the phones out there that access the net - having the information handy is easy and supports our side.
Use it.
In this coming battle, we will need to win over the middle. That means that the in your face confrontational tactics we usually need to use with the everyday left has the strong possibility to turn off a potential supporter once shown factual information.
So:
Stand up for our rights.
Know the current laws we operate under and how they work.
Know where to direct others to see and read the current laws and be able to tell them where it can be found. State and federal sources trump 2nd A sites - we are trying to prove a point. Using our sites will be seen as providing "canned" information.
Be calm and respectful in discussions. Even if the person you are talking to raises the tone - stay calm and respectful - others are watching. Being loud and forceful doesn't sell a point. Real information does.
Know when to walk away. Some people can not and will not change their positions.
ALWAYS assume someone else is listening. At work, while out and about while shopping, at the gas station, or most other places in daily life, someone else is usually in ear shot. They could be as interested in the information or more so than the person you are talking to.
Thus the importance of referring anyone to state or federal government sites to verify the information.
Internet gun sales are being touted as unchecked and unlawful in the news.
Know the law. Interstate gun sales require shipment to a FFL licensee. Then a full normal background check before the person gets the gun they bought on the net. That applies to not only hand guns, but long guns as well - except muzzleloaders.
Gun show law is again another topic being tossed into the fray by the media.
Hand guns require a background check for everyone - private or dealer. Long guns can be sold to state residents without a background check. If you buy or sell to a dealer - paperwork is involved. If you buy from a dealer - the background check is completed. Doesn't matter if the sale happens in a brick and mortar shop or over a folding table at a gun show - state and federal law applies.
In the coming battle look for ammo sales and possession to become an issue.
Look for the use of lead to come into play.
New - look for reloading to become an issue.
Basically, anything that makes ownership easy, economical, or adds to the enjoyment will be under assault this time.
Our side will win or at the least minimize the damage by educating people to the actual functioning laws on the books. Most people do not have a clue what the laws are, they only know what they see on the news as filtered by those opposed to our rights.
Lets use this thread to list the places where everyone can link up the sources that are easy to read and use that make our case.
Again, 2nd A sites should be avoided. Independent regulatory sites and fact sheets should be used. Those sites take the talking points away from both sides. Official governmental sites are non-biased and factual.
The goal is education. Provide the natural sources. They support our side - not the anti side.
