SFCRetired
Regular Member
This is not an attempt to bash or criticize any group. It is an observation from an old man who has been around the block oncet or twicet.
1. Gun owners in general: Most of the folk I've met, either here, other forums, or IRL, are great folks. There are a few who need a brain-to-mouth filter, but there aren't too many of them.
2. OCDO: This is a great group of freedom-minded folk who are, for the most part, highly intelligent and highly opinionated. This, of course, leads to some disagreements. Most of those disagreements are handled civilly. I am seeing far too many that descend to a level that we do not need to be at on a public forum. I may have been guilty of some of that myself. If so, I most humbly apologize and will do my best to not do it again.
3. Other Gun Rights groups: There are good ones out there in every state. Find one you can support and do so. Beware of those who wrap themselves in that blanket, but act in an opposing manner. Yes, there are those out there, too.
4. CC vs OC: This is one division that needs badly to be healed. The public airing of this controversy does nothing but feed more ammunition to those who would deny us the RKBA.
5. Open carry of AK or AR "pistols": This is not something that I would choose to do at the present time. Perhaps later on, when the presence of a firearm becomes much more accepted nationwide and there is less hand-wringing and panty-wetting from those who would restrict/abolish our right. Right now, I very much fear it is counter-productive. Sure, you can do it, but please ask yourself what the short-term effect will be.
6. One piece of advice: I was a "Doggie". I've worked with Marines, Navy, and Air Force. We always picked at each other and made jokes at the expense of each other's service. But, woe be unto the civilian who thought that gave him license to pick on one of our number. I'm sure the other veterans and active duty members on here will agree that, although we may wear different uniforms, we are brothers- and sisters-in-arms. That is the mindset that each one of us who own firearms need to adopt; you, each and every one of you, are my brothers and sisters. Don't betray that trust.
1. Gun owners in general: Most of the folk I've met, either here, other forums, or IRL, are great folks. There are a few who need a brain-to-mouth filter, but there aren't too many of them.
2. OCDO: This is a great group of freedom-minded folk who are, for the most part, highly intelligent and highly opinionated. This, of course, leads to some disagreements. Most of those disagreements are handled civilly. I am seeing far too many that descend to a level that we do not need to be at on a public forum. I may have been guilty of some of that myself. If so, I most humbly apologize and will do my best to not do it again.
3. Other Gun Rights groups: There are good ones out there in every state. Find one you can support and do so. Beware of those who wrap themselves in that blanket, but act in an opposing manner. Yes, there are those out there, too.
4. CC vs OC: This is one division that needs badly to be healed. The public airing of this controversy does nothing but feed more ammunition to those who would deny us the RKBA.
5. Open carry of AK or AR "pistols": This is not something that I would choose to do at the present time. Perhaps later on, when the presence of a firearm becomes much more accepted nationwide and there is less hand-wringing and panty-wetting from those who would restrict/abolish our right. Right now, I very much fear it is counter-productive. Sure, you can do it, but please ask yourself what the short-term effect will be.
6. One piece of advice: I was a "Doggie". I've worked with Marines, Navy, and Air Force. We always picked at each other and made jokes at the expense of each other's service. But, woe be unto the civilian who thought that gave him license to pick on one of our number. I'm sure the other veterans and active duty members on here will agree that, although we may wear different uniforms, we are brothers- and sisters-in-arms. That is the mindset that each one of us who own firearms need to adopt; you, each and every one of you, are my brothers and sisters. Don't betray that trust.