NRA Not in Support of OC Movement

[Hazcat]

NRA backs down, admits it ‘was a mistake’ to shame open carry activists

Chris Cox, the executive director of the group’s lobbying arm, said Tuesday on an NRA-hosted radio show that the group “unequivocally” supports open carry laws, and that the controversial statement saying otherwise was written by a staffer who was expressing his personal opinion.

“The truth is, an alert went out that referred to this type of behavior as ‘weird’ or somehow not normal, and that was a mistake. It shouldn’t have happened,” he said, the Associated Press reported.

A statement that appeared on the website for the NRA’s lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action, shunned Open Carry Texas and similar groups after they walked into Texas-area outlets of Sonic and Chili’s restaurants carrying military-style assault rifles, causing the restaurants to stiffen their gun policies.

The statement charged that the demonstrators crossed the line “from enthusiasm to downright foolishness.”

“Using guns merely to draw attention to yourself in public not only defies common sense, it shows a lack of consideration and manners. That’s not the Texas way. And that’s certainly not the NRA way,” the statement said, which remained on the NRA’s website Wednesday morning.

As a result, many open carry groups, including Open Carry Texas, threatened to leave the NRA if it didn’t change its stance.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jun/4/nra-backs-down-admits-it-was-a-mistake-to-shame-op/#ixzz33mIEiDNc
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

[JC5123]

I still cannot support the OCT tactics. While I support the cause, their approach hurts our position. Open carrying a pistol in a holster on your hip is one thing. Carrying an AR in a ready position with multiple mags in a chest rig, is another. They are in Texas, not Detroit.

I am in complete agreement with MB on this one. If you come to my house, I assume you are armed, because I am. However if you come out of a vehicle with a rifle slung ready, my first reaction is to assume you are a threat.

Not only that, but you have lost all tactical advantage if something were to go down. I have to defer to Rob Pincus's analysis on this. Keep it concealed. I carry a mini 1911 on my hip, and I keep my AR in a 5.11 covert bag in my truck. ( I tell people it's snowshoes) I do this for 2 reasons, first no one needs to know I am armed, and second, guns get stolen from vehicles. snowshoes don't. How many times have we talked about blending in, and not making yourself a target? I know that we have discussed it in the context of a SHTF situation, but why does it not apply here?

Unfortunately I have to lump these guys in with the radical gays in San Fran that run around naked in the streets. They hurt the cause by making us all look like we are all a bunch of basement dwellers that play too much Call of Duty.

[PegLeg45]

I still cannot support the OCT tactics. While I support the cause, their approach hurts our position. Open carrying a pistol in a holster on your hip is one thing. Carrying an AR in a ready position with multiple mags in a chest rig, is another. They are in Texas, not Detroit.

I am in complete agreement with MB on this one. If you come to my house, I assume you are armed, because I am. However if you come out of a vehicle with a rifle slung ready, my first reaction is to assume you are a threat.

Not only that, but you have lost all tactical advantage if something were to go down. I have to defer to Rob Pincus's analysis on this. Keep it concealed. I carry a mini 1911 on my hip, and I keep my AR in a 5.11 covert bag in my truck. ( I tell people it's snowshoes) I do this for 2 reasons, first no one needs to know I am armed, and second, guns get stolen from vehicles. snowshoes don't. How many times have we talked about blending in, and not making yourself a target? I know that we have discussed it in the context of a SHTF situation, but why does it not apply here?

Unfortunately I have to lump these guys in with the radical gays in San Fran that run around naked in the streets. They hurt the cause by making us all look like we are all a bunch of basement dwellers that play too much Call of Duty.

Yep.



Thanks for the update, Haz (and good to see you posting  ).



*A note sent to the NRA-ILA:
Hey NRA-ILA, don't you guys have some way of reviewing or approving content BEFORE it is released?
Like say an editorial staff??... and if the guy who wrote the original piece IS on the editorial staff, shouldn't everyone on staff be in agreement on general releases before the release?
Regardless of whether I agree with one point of view or the other in the argument over blatant in-your-face OC'ing, this looks bad......even if we disagree on topics, we don't need to show it off to those in the middle, or the Liberal enemy with these "release and reversal" stunts.
Keep an eye on this type thing in the future guys.....you know.....so you guys don't look like complete buffoons to the general public, while representing gun owners.







 

[JC5123]

*A note sent to the NRA-ILA:
Hey NRA-ILA, don't you guys have some way of reviewing or approving content BEFORE it is released?
Like say an editorial staff??... and if the guy who wrote the original piece IS on the editorial staff, shouldn't everyone on staff be in agreement on general releases before the release?
Regardless of whether I agree with one point of view or the other in the argument over blatant in-your-face OC'ing, this looks bad......even if we disagree on topics, we don't need to show it off to those in the middle, or the Liberal enemy with these "release and reversal" stunts.
Keep an eye on this type thing in the future guys.....you know.....so you guys don't look like complete buffoons to the general public, while representing gun owners.







 

I remember early last year MB urging all of us to join the NRA, give money to the ILA, and saying that we had to put aside our petty grievances between the different gun rights groups. However I must point out that this is the exact kind of stunt that sours people to the NRA. This and their support of people like Reid. There are much more productive ways to support OCT and still be critical of their tactics. It's not like we all have to agree with the methods. (I tried to type MEATHEADS which may also be appropriate) But we do have to stand together, and not be publicly flip flopping. That also hurts the overall cause. Pull them aside behind the scenes and tell them to knock it off, but good grief don't do your infighting over the loud speaker!!!!

[PegLeg45]

Yep..... I agree.




I am a Life Member, and have been for years and there have been some management mis-steps over the last few years that make me shake my head at the way they have done some things.

But all things considered, they are still the biggest voice for our lobby....so I won't 'renounce' my membership just yet.   

[Sponsor]

[Timothy]

Yep..... I agree.

I am a Life Member, and have been for years and there have been some management mis-steps over the last few years that make me shake my head at the way they have done some things.

But all things considered, they are still the biggest voice for our lobby....so I won't 'renounce' my membership just yet.   

As am I but only for a year or so.  I joined years ago but committed as a Life Member to extend my support.  I cannot renounce a Life Membership...the money's already in their bank...

I'll voice my opinion to them if I see an issue that violates my ideology but until that happens, I'll support the only lobby that is looking out for our best interests!

I'm convinced that this show has done nothing to support my position but I'm not one to unzip my fly to show what I've got packed anyway! 

 

[jaybet]

I've been a life member for awhile and just became an endowment member last fall, and I'm ok with the NRA generally, but I'm often disappointed in their public responses. Fact is, they really ARE our only big, barking dog. The other groups get things done, but NRA applies the heat and takes the heat, and it's an important part of the puzzle.

I believe they certainly have an image problem with EVERYONE, especially members or non-member pro-gunners. Anti-s really don't know anything, so their view of the NRA is what it is. For pro-gun folks, though, the constant harangue for money is tiresome and the amount of money they spend soliciting donations is embarrassing.

Politicians seem to be respectful only because they might be hurt, not because NRA represents basic citizen civil rights. I'm not sure about all the trendy new spokespersons, although I think they are somewhat effective. And I guess my biggest concern is Wayne LaPierre.

As a spokesman, I think he's weak. He's often got this "Golly, gee" handwringing kind of persona that does not convey wisdom, confidence, or righteousness. He is often stiff, and lately his hairdo has had an unnerving "Hitler combover" look to it.  Comeon man, ... let's be confident. It's the Constitution we're talking about here.

I think they could do a lot more on the PR, safety, and training fronts, programs for Vets, and other outreach things that would strengthen the positive side of the argument. But without the NRA we would have either lost our rights by now or the whole country would be like this shithole NJ I live in now. We're not all ever going to agree on everything, but if we all keep our eye on the ball, we're a lot stronger.

[tombogan03884]

The NRA is NOT our only "big barking dog in the fight" as Jaybet put it.
For example, the NRA wanted no part in either the Heller, or McDonald SCOTUS cases.
But they are the most visible working the halls of Congress and drawing all the liberal hate allowing groups like SAF (Who DID win the afore mentioned cases) to work the courts largely unnoticed by the haters in the liberal media.

[jaybet]

The NRA is NOT our only "big barking dog in the fight" as Jaybet put it.
For example, the NRA wanted no part in either the Heller, or McDonald SCOTUS cases.
But they are the most visible working the halls of Congress and drawing all the liberal hate allowing groups like SAF (Who DID win the afore mentioned cases) to work the courts largely unnoticed by the haters in the liberal media.

Absolutely right, Tom. SAF is more like our ninja - no one knows where they are at the moment. NRA is a lightning rod, the "shiny thing" that distracts the uninformed...it doesn't take much

[tombogan03884]

Here's some thoughts on "Open carry"
You only see it as an issue in restrictive states.
Here in NH there are no restrictions on open carry, you can open carry with out any sort of "permission" any place you can concealed carry.
But no one bothers because the CCW is only $10 and a one page form, (With large print on the one page).
As for long guns, the only reasons for open carrying them is to and from the gun store , range or hunting area, which I have done on occasion.
In that case (Unless you are standing outside an Obama rally in Portsmouth) if you are questioned , it is far more likely to be by a game warden than by a cop.
The only places these type of  open carry events with long guns take place are in restrictive environments where every effort is needed to raise awareness that this is just as much of a "Civil Right" as voting.