AAGVTF Opportunity: Advice Needed

gprimr1 said:

Def include JFPO and Pink Pistols. Maybe even highlight those organizations. They are a great way to show that firearm ownership isn't just for straight white males. Maybe also include Maj Toure and his work with Black Guns Matter.

Also, I always advise caution when talking about the police thing, especially if there are police in the audience. Most police officers are good and decent people and will do everything they can to protect you. Coming at it from the direction of "The police will generally do everything they can do help you, but if somethin happens and their are no units avaliable, or response time is delayed, and the person breaks in or harms you, the court have ruled you cannot sue the police."

Click to expand...

Most of the cops that will be in attendance are up in ranks in a department who's chief is all in on Red Flag laws in a county that leads the state. These people are not supporters and it wouldn't bother me at all if they got their little feelings hurt.

how about "a firearm is exactly as safe as the person using it" as a talking point?

Before deciding on a course of action, know who your intended audience is. Are you trying to bring some of the less dogmatically anti-gun people on the board toward more moderate positions and gain some empathy for the Pro-2A point of view? Or do you view this as an opportunity to preach to the MDS choir using AAGTF as a lecturn?

I'd strongly recommend the former; we MDSers already do a pretty good job preaching to each other what we all already agree on.

If you're trying to talk to the more rational parts of the other side, emphasize how firearms ownership and shooting as a hobby isn't limited to OFWMs, and give rational reasons why a normal person would want to be able to defend themselves with a firearm selection tailored to their particular circumstances and preferences.

The whole "criminals already disobey the law, why add more laws?" line doesn't work with that crowd. Mostly because the issue is strongly emotional, and restrictive laws are the only tools they believe they have. Take away the ability to enact legislation, you leave them feeling defenseless. Remember their rally cry: "We have to do something!". They've been convinced by extremists that bans are the only tool in the toolbox, so that's what they're going to push. Offer constructive alternatives.

Where do I get my knowledge of Antis? I'm married to a former moderate and now strident Anti, giving me the dubious privilege of hearing their the arguments almost every day. We've arrived at a detente in our household, where she doesn't ask to see in the safe, and I don't engage in arguments with her. I have been allowed to teach our kids firearms handling safety and marksmanship, so at least they're hearing both sides so they can make informed decisions on their own when they're adults.

Short summary is there are some folks on the "other side" who are simply looking for solutions to the problem of high-profile violence and aren't rabid ban supporters. Present them effective, non-ban tools to do that with and do a soft, empathetic sell on how non-criminals should be allowed their own choices for how to defend themselves against violence.

There are some fascinating suggestions being posted here. At this stage the wider range of input the better. Keep your ideas coming! Who knows? Your input may be the crown jewel of the presentation.

Where can I get up-to-date information on the number of persons killed--and the number of persons shot in Baltimore City?

This has the murders count.

https://homicides.news.baltimoresun.com/?range=2019

The last number I found for non-fatal shootings is 601 on September 30, 2019

https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2019/09/30/baltimore-homicide-rate-climbs-latest/

In reality, Grandpa is talking to a handful of people in the room. Liz Banach, Andrea Chamblee, and others just know that guns, any guns are evil. Several of the County employees seem a little more open. Most of the organizational reps are just there because their boss told them to be.

It to the middle, that I believe he will be addressing such points as:
* Guns are not inherently dangerous.
* Proper training in the use of a potentially dangerous tool is good. (Just like my circular saw.)
* We have a right to protect ourselves. And we have a right to choose the means of that protection.

We have asked to be part of the process, so kudos to Grandpa for taking this opportunity.

Are there any stats on:

The number of repeat offenders committing the violence
and
The number of good guys or self defense that saved the day.

Just a thought.

sundazes said:

Are there any stats on:

The number of repeat offenders committing the violence
.
.
.

Click to expand...

Haven't looked recently but a couple of years back the Sun had a year-end review which said that over 3/4 of the perpretators AND the victims had multiple-felony rap sheets.

Bob A said:

Hunters have been stewards of the environment long before there was a word for "ecology" or "environment".

Click to expand...

I disagree with bringing up "hunters". It gives non gun people an escape to "support the Second Amendment", and we all know hunting has nothing to do with it.

I would also suggest using an appreciation for being invited to openly expose the intolerance and closed mindedness of anti gun mentality when all of us are on the same side against violence.

And its "violence" with no prelude.

My read:

There are two dominant subjects of discussion at the Gun Take Force meetings right now:
a) What will be the final deliverable report? (draft due in December; final in May.)
b) Will the Task Force recommend continuation of the Task Force beyond May 2020?

On Item A, I believe that the general concsensus is that participants want their contribution to have value. They will listen if you provide them a path to success. The Task Force has has their fill of situations and statistics, and now they are in "produce output" mode. Whatever information you provide has to be tailored toward their "success." Half of the subcommittees are still fumbling with statistics, and would welcome direction toward a production report.

On Item B, there is a substantial rift. Easily half of the participants are there at the direction of their supervisors (and ultimately County Exec Pittman.) They would just as soon be done with this administrative activity. The remainder are the true-believers, and will want his Task Force to continue ad infinitum. CE Pittman attended the last meeting, fluffed the participants with a "this is the most important work happening in AACo" speech, and gently reinforced the gun-violence narrative.

Saul Alinsky offers some recommendations:
- Own the subject being discussed
- Be a subject-matter expert - know every intricacy and facet of your presentation
- Personalize the discussion; don't just read stats off cue cards
- Make the Task Force live up to their own rules/objectives
- Enjoy and be passionate about what you are discussing

hillbilly grandpa said:

I have been asked to make a presention on Firearm Safety at the November meeting of the Anne Arundel County Gun Violence Task Force. I intend to focus on 1) Safety With Firearms, 2) Safety When Dealing with Firearm Encounters/Confrontations, and 3) teaching safe practices for those not regularly encountering firearms. I will, of course, review the origins of the 2nd Amendment, and court cases that make it clear that the police have no duty to protect the private citizen. By the way, by the end of the year, approximately 1 out of every 777 Baltimore residents will have been shot during the year.

Here is the list of resources I have compiled so far. What have I missed?

NRA Training Programs
Refuse to Be A Victim
NRA School Shield Program
NRA Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program
CMP
Project Appleseed
Boy Scouts
4-H
Local Gun Clubs
NSSF
FASTER
Local Gun Store Trainings
Sandy Spring Promise
USCCA
National African American Gun Association

Also, any suggestions for other points I should consider? Thanks for your input.

Click to expand...

You have the Boy Scouts and 4-H you may want to add some other youth shooting programs:

Daisy in partnership with the U.S. Junior Chambers (the Jaycees).
https://www.daisy.com/education/

The American Legion
https://www.legion.org/shooting

Junior Olympics
http://thecmp.org/air/national-thre...three-position-air-rifle-state-championships/

Junior ROTC
http://thecmp.org/air/jrotc-air-rifle-national-championship/
Air Force Cadet Command (AF JROTC)
Army Cadet Command (Army JROTC)
Marine Corps Training and Education Command (USMC JROTC)
Naval Education and Training Command (Navy JROTC)

MigraineMan said:

- Enjoy and be passionate about what you are discussing

Click to expand...

Just be careful to not confuse being passionate with being shrill or self-righteous. In other words, don't be the pro-2A equivalent of David Hogg.

MigraineMan said:

My read:

<Snip>


Saul Alinsky offers some recommendations:
- Own the subject being discussed
- Be a subject-matter expert - know every intricacy and facet of your presentation
- Personalize the discussion; don't just read stats off cue cards
- Make the Task Force live up to their own rules/objectives
- Enjoy and be passionate about what you are discussing

Click to expand...

HG is an Alinsky original, having worked with him and for him.

Two thoughts:

1) Gun ownership among liberals and minorities is on the rise, and that's a good thing!

2) Is there any research you could cite to show that gun safety classes in schools would help prevent accidental injuries/deaths?

Just saw a segment on Tucker, the Detroit PD Chief supports the right to carry. In Wayne County (predominantly black) 1 in 10 residents has a carry permit.

Good luck tonight Hillbilly Grandpa in speaking truth to power at the November AACO GVP TF meeting!

Bumping this thread today to thank you for being an MDS activist and Super Patriot and for hanging in there ever since you attended the very first Task Farce meeting back in May.

Your persistence has paid off: you gained a reserved place on tonight’s TF MEETING AGENDA to speak FOR YOURSELF (and on OUR behalf) to share the informed and reasoned perspective of responsible, law-abiding firearm owners.

Folks, this is a guy takes his pro-2A support and patriotism on the road:

Deep Lurker said:

Good luck tonight Hillbilly Grandpa in speaking truth to power at the November AACO GVP TF meeting!

Bumping this thread today to thank you for being an MDS activist and Super Patriot and for hanging in there ever since you attended the very first Task Farce meeting back in May.

Your persistence has paid off: you gained a reserved place on tonight’s TF MEETING AGENDA to speak FOR YOURSELF (and on OUR behalf) to share the informed and reasoned perspective of responsible, law-abiding firearm owners.

Folks, this is a guy takes his pro-2A support and patriotism on the road:

Click to expand...

I would agree , he has the temperament to get a informed message out and speak to all folks .

My own regret is my inability to help and follow through in helping his effort to give the knowledge and share in his message .But it seemed my own life and some issues with my son interfered with that happening .

Kudos to the patriots that are showing a positive outlook on all of us here that stand tall .I am grateful as a part-time patriot

Welder, both you and your son Welder Jr. have so honorably served our community as pro-2A activists, including on the street, on multiple occasions, most often in the winter cold and dark of night.

You have nothing to regret or apologize for.

Thank you both; you are MDS Super Patriots!