Leave your signs at home
Rack & Roll: I appreciate your impatience. I very much share it. We can chew and walk at the same time. We can conduct operations (like the HQL suit) and still build the base. I don't care if we elect democracts or republicans (MSI is, by virtue of 501(c)(4), a non-partisan organization) if they vote our way. To do that, we need to speak to and include others and not stay in an echo chamber.
Here's a suggestion to all the gunners here on MDS: If you don't want to participate in grass-roots organizing (pick your term), that's fine -- that is not everyone's cup of tea. BTW: What you do, R&R, is fabulous and my hat is off to you and your guys.I celebrate your determination to exercise your First Amendment rights. But that's not everyone's cup of tea either. The point is that everyone needs do *something* to broaden the electoral appeal of the sport. Make it a point to take a non-shooter to the range (it can be done, I have done it). Spring for the costs and just introduce the sport to someone new. Volunteer at your local scout troop for shooting events and meet the parents. Open the minds of people who don't now agree with you. That scout is a future voter.
Rather than rely on the text of the 2A, go the heart and focus on everyone's inherent right to defend themselves and *their families.* Everyone understands that. Explain to the hunters why they are next (they need look no further than the "Australian solution" advocated by the Antis to see where this could ultimately go -- say goodbye to your pump action shotgun). A lot of hunters see this as CCW fight. It's not. That should have been clear last legislative session when the bills (that we all help defeat) would have put a person in prison for years simply by having a gun in the car while driving across college property on the way to the range or to hunt. That bill will be re-introduced this next session. Frustrating work, but we need voters, not just lawsuits. And don't forget to speak to your representatives, in person, in Annapolis (and Congress). Be sure your friends are registered to vote and then encourage them to vote. In Primary elections too. The very first thing a delegate or senator does is check to see if the sender of the email is a registered voter. If not, the email goes into the electronic circular file. The same is true for candidates for governor or Congress. We need only a few more Delegates and Senators in the General Assembly to guard against override votes. For those who are disappointed in Hogan (I understand the frustration), imagine another O'Malley in office. It was O'Malley after all who pushed SB 281 through the GA in 2013. It was O'Malley's bill and it was his prep work for his campaign for his party's nomination. We had it stopped until he pushed hard.
By the Way: Operations are expensive. The HQL suit alone will cost a lot of money. MSI has already put up $50,000 just to retain counsel. The costs alone will likely be higher. If you don't want to organize or otherwise be active, and you can afford it, please send a few $$ our way. Membership would be great. When MSI sues, we sue on *behalf* of our members. (The legal jargon for that is "representational standing"). That means that members are effectively parties to the suit and the membership is entitled, by law, to the benefits of any favorable judgment. That's will be true in the HQL suit and it is true in the Kolbe suit, where MSI is a named plaintiff.
To everyone else: Do something! Big or small. Whatever you can. But do something.
I texted her (and her husband) and will follow-up this eve to see if she's willing. Her oldest takes a marksmanship course with my oldest and one of CharlieFoxtrot's boys. Good people.
