The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Politics & RKBA => Topic started by: MikeBjerum on February 02, 2009, 08:10:42 AM
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I find the constant negative and reactionary defense of our Rights very taxing on me mentally, emotionally and physically. I propose a new way that could actually be fun:
I propose that we declare a National Shooting Sports Month. This month would be used to highlight safety, Constitutional Rights, all types of shooting sports available and their benefits, historical background of the shooting sports, benefits for the youth in the shooting sports, etc.
Michael, Marshal and M'ette, I know you are all busy, but I feel you have the ability, access and power to get this ball rolling. I am sure there are many on here that would be available with what you asked. However, I believe that the three of you would be able to bring people of all areas together to add the support that this would take. You have access to media personalities and writers from all areas, officials from different shooting diciplines and organizations, spokesmen from all areas of shooting sports, manufacturers and participants.
Let's educate the public and turn the heat up under the "antis" that shine the light of hate and death on firearms. Let's show them that there is a real reason for their availability and use, and a real reason behind their Constitutional protection. Let's use this official annual period as a time to foster a renewed interest in past shooters, expand current participants participation and bring new participants into the sport, as well as to just move some people in from outside the realm of support.
One of the really cool things about this is that you don't need Governmental approval to designate a month of recognition. Just like ice cream, pork, beef, dairy or the pickle, all you need to do is declare it and do it. The next step would be to get Cities, States and eventually Federal Governments to sign on.
Thoughts?
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I think it's a great idea! Good Job.
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Sort of a 30 day Appleseed.
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I think it's a great idea, especially highlighting the American tradition of bearing arms and the right and responsibility of citizens to arm themselves.
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Sounds like a great idea.
FEBRUARY - RKBA - MONTH
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Lets not diminish the concept by making it the shortest month of the year. Besides, for some of us it's to darn cold out to be celebrated appropriately.
If it were February, old Punxy Phil might want to stay in his stump or as some might say "duck and cover".
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I was thinking something in July or August. This time frame would coincide with the National Matches at Camp Perry, a Government introduced activity to foster and support civilian marksmanship. The summer time frame would also allow for the best possibility for activities in every State in the Union without being affected by weather concerns (I know it gets damn hot in the south, but that is better than knee deep snow, zero visibility and jammed guns due to cold lubes).
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Ah. Why not have the NSSF morph their National Hunting & Fishing Day (9/26 this year btb) into National Shooting and Fishing day?
All September could be Shooting and Fishing Month.
HEY MB! What do you think? Can you talk to the folks at NSSF? How about have everyone join in on it. Make a multi-organization celebration. NRA, SAF, NSSF, JPFO, SASS, IPSC, USPSA, DU, TCI, etc., all of the organizations could combine forces to promote this month.
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alf,
I agree with the second part of your thoughts - Include all organizations. However, I had thought of keeping it separate from hunting and fishing. Partially to avoid the politics of hunting (PETA crap), but also to make it a celebration of the Second Amendment and as we all know the Second Amendment is not about hunting. I believe that there are many ways that hunters could be included in and enjoy these shooting sports (trap, skeet, sporting clays, shooting courses just like archers would use in 3-D, etc.), and I was thinking that archery would also be included in this.
Not trying to squelch anyone's thoughts, but I have been thinking about all winter. Trust me, I enjoy the positive comments (and negatives wouldn't be all bad either), and thoughts like alf's make me think about my ideas and give me a chance to adjust.
More ideas?
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Weather is right in September as well, not to cold in the North, not to hot in the south. We usually get some rain and the first frost toward the end of the month, but here, all months have rain and the frost is at night.
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In as much as we should tie in hunting and fishing to shooting, it's also important to spend time on sport shooting, self-defense, and politically incorrect firearms, including Class III. The other trouble is, we don't want to tie gun ownership to hunting and fishing, because that's not what the Second Amendment is about. It's about the law-abiding people having the most efficient means to, when absolutely necessary, immediately prosecute criminals and terrorists (including government sponsered). If we tie it hunting and fishing too closely, the opposition will consider that a consession that gun ownership is about deer hunting or duck hunting.
July is the best month for us. It's all about America. The weather works well enough everywhere in the US and we can focus on just shooting targets, owning and carrying arms, and the importance of gun rights legislation. Plus, after the 4th, the month is dead anyway. Don't get me wrong, September isn't a bad month. My mother was born in September, but that's all that matters about that month. It doesn't really have the patriotic punch of July.
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Any more thoughts?
Any thoughts one way or another from Michael, Marshal or M'ette, or the guys over at Best Deffense?
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I've read all of this...
Marshal and I have discussed this a bit this morning.. and we would be glad to have Down Range be one of the many outlets it would take to achieve something on this scale.
We do not reach everyone... so it realistically would take a huge amount of support and resources to get something like this up and running.
Time is a huge factor too for us...not enough hours in the day to get stuff done as it is ( as I am sure lots of you have the same challenges )
But we will discuss it some more and keep updated on this site to stay on top of it and see what can be done.
:)
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In as much as we should tie in hunting and fishing to shooting, it's also important to spend time on sport shooting, self-defense, and politically incorrect firearms, including Class III. The other trouble is, we don't want to tie gun ownership to hunting and fishing, because that's not what the Second Amendment is about. It's about the law-abiding people having the most efficient means to, when absolutely necessary, immediately prosecute criminals and terrorists (including government sponsered). If we tie it hunting and fishing too closely, the opposition will consider that a consession that gun ownership is about deer hunting or duck hunting.
July is the best month for us. It's all about America. The weather works well enough everywhere in the US and we can focus on just shooting targets, owning and carrying arms, and the importance of gun rights legislation. Plus, after the 4th, the month is dead anyway. Don't get me wrong, September isn't a bad month. My mother was born in September, but that's all that matters about that month. It doesn't really have the patriotic punch of July.
I also think July would be best.
You put the positive spin at the beginning with the patriotic theme of the 4th and using guns to win our freedom and follow it up by spending the rest of the month promoting the enjoyment of the shooting sports.
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I also think July would be best.
You put the positive spin at the beginning with the patriotic theme of the 4th and using guns to win our freedom and follow it up by spending the rest of the month promoting the enjoyment of the shooting sports.
And continue to push the idea of how armed Americans have defended their nation and community with arms through the last 3 centuries, Indian wars, Texas war for Independence , Hunters and Shooters who flocked to the colors for the Spanish war, the Northfeild and Coffeyville bank robberies, etc.
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And continue to push the idea of how armed Americans have defended their nation and community with arms through the last 3 centuries, Indian wars, Texas war for Independence , Hunters and Shooters who flocked to the colors for the Spanish war, the Northfeild and Coffeyville bank robberies, etc.
That's right....teach (or re-teach) all the real American History that the school systems have been slowly but surely leaving out of the classroom curriculum over the last 50+ years.