St. Louis - Open Carry/Firearm Education Walk - Oct 25, 2014

[OC for ME]

KMOX Interview

BB62 was interviewed by Mark Reardon yesterday. There is not link to the audio of the interview on KMOX's website. Mr. Reardon believes that the OC Walk is a bad idea because of all the stuff going on in STL and Ferguson. Mr. Reardon is a huge supporter of the 2A...he hunts. I'll not call him a FUDD cuz I don't know for sure, but his comments sure do smell FUDDly.

 

[Oramac]

Mr. Reardon believes that the OC Walk is a bad idea because of all the stuff going on in STL and Ferguson.

I admit that I had the same thoughts. But if we're honest, there's never going to be a "perfect" time to have the walk. And doing it sooner rather than later is better, I think.

 

[OC for ME]

I admit that I had the same thoughts. But if we're honest, there's never going to be a "perfect" time to have the walk. And doing it sooner rather than later is better, I think.

That's just about the exact thing that BB62 said to Mr. Reardon. BB62 also addressed the question asked regarding the media's portrayal of the OC Walk...again, BB62 nailed it, "It don't matter what we do, or how we portray ourselves, the media will distort the truth and take out of context anything to support a anti-gun position (paraphrased).

 

[Redbaron007]

That's just about the exact thing that BB62 said to Mr. Reardon. BB62 also addressed the question asked regarding the media's portrayal of the OC Walk...again, BB62 nailed it, "It don't matter what we do, or how we portray ourselves, the media will distort the truth and take out of context anything to support a anti-gun position (paraphrased).

That is the God's honest truth. The OCing participants could be handing out gold bars to all who came by them....those in the media will accept the gold bars...but then in the next breath condemn them for OCing.

I'm curious to see if there are any counter protesting/walks occurring at the same time. Something that may have been quietly organized at the same time. I hope the Grand Jury doesn't come out with a No Bill this afternoon....if so, downtown may be a little sensitive.

 

[deepdiver]

I have been rather busy and have missed the last week's developments on this. It seems things are generally going in a positive direction. I was generally pleased with the RFT story. And I'm not surprised about Reardon. I typically listen to him with some regularity (haven't in a bit as I have generally tuned out all STL MSM since Brown) and his support of 2A and CC while skeptical of OC has long been apparent.

While I would have preferred a more flattering picture depicting OC and that the carrying of long guns for this particular event had been discouraged, I otherwise give two hearty thumbs up to the event and all involved in the planning and execution.

Best of luck to all of you who are able and willing to participate tomorrow.

 

[Celebril]

BB62 was interviewed by Mark Reardon yesterday. There is not link to the audio of the interview on KMOX's website. Mr. Reardon believes that the OC Walk is a bad idea because of all the stuff going on in STL and Ferguson. Mr. Reardon is a huge supporter of the 2A...he hunts. I'll not call him a FUDD cuz I don't know for sure, but his comments sure do smell FUDDly.

Hi all. Being a longtime listener of his, I don't think Reardon is a FUDD. However, he never backs away from the hard questions and he's quite capable of taking a contrarian approach simply to fully address the issue. His reputation is tough but fair. I heard the interview and he hasn't raised any concerns or thoughts that weren't raised here. I think BB handled the interview well.

Good luck all! I was considering trying to come, but schedule precludes.

 

[Renegadez]

Any good news on the walk??? Hope all is well!

 

[LMTD]

Went well for first leg, having late lunch now

 

[deepdiver]

Went well for first leg, having late lunch now

Great to hear. Looking forward to the reports!!

 

[deepdiver]

Good news report on BB62's walk in St Louis.

	http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2014/10/ open_carry_walk_through_gateway_arch_and_citygarden.php

Hhhmm looks like link is down. Did search on RFT site and only story was the prelim from several days ago

 

[deepdiver]

Looking at several news postings on the event it is as I was concerned.... Every media pic I have thus far seen shows long gun OC and numerous comments about long guns.

 

[deepdiver]

Try to copy and paste the URL into your browser.

That's what I did first...404

 

[deepdiver]

That works to the pre-walk write up

 

[BB62]

Looking at several news postings on the event it is as I was concerned.... Every media pic I have thus far seen shows long gun OC and numerous comments about long guns.

As I said to someone before - that's life.

 

[OC for ME]

Hard to see the holstered pistols. If they, the pistols, are hard to pick out in a photo what do you think most people "see" when you are going about doing normal things. Imagine if no rifles and only pistols, where is the value in taking photos of folks who do not, at first glance, appear to be armed.

 

[BB62]

Hard to see the holstered pistols. If they, the pistols, are hard to pick out in a photo what do you think most people "see" when you are going about doing normal things. Imagine if no rifles and only pistols, where is the value in taking photos of folks who do not, at first glance, appear to be armed.

Uh huh.

EXACTLY why I said that 1) longarms were okay (with proper muzzle control), and 2) pointed out the desirability of NOT wearing, for instance, a dark colored shirt with a black gun = low visibility.

 

[BB62]

Another report: http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/firearm-activists-walk-armed-through-downtown-st-louis

 

[Redbaron007]

^^^
For public radio, their coverage wasn't too bad. Although they felt the need to give a lot of space to the Mayor and MDA Woman.

 

[deepdiver]

Hard to see the holstered pistols. If they, the pistols, are hard to pick out in a photo what do you think most people "see" when you are going about doing normal things. Imagine if no rifles and only pistols, where is the value in taking photos of folks who do not, at first glance, appear to be armed.

And IMO that is a feature not a bug. "Hey look at all these regular citizens OC. It's such not a big deal you barely even notice the furearm and if we hadn't pointed it out you probably wouldn't have noticed. See, not threatening or an issue at all." It serves to normalize OC without raising hackles. At this time, in that place, I think OC in MO would have been better served in the short term at least, by handgun OC only.

Like I wrote, just my opinion. Obviously many disagree with me. However, that being said, I have also previously contended that rigts movements require all kinds to succeed, from the firebrand to the quiet, unassuming practitioner and supporter. I'm just talking about it here as I think it is an important matter for future events and media engagement. I certainly give kudos to the organizers and particpants for their excellent planning and execution and willingness to face the risk in asserting A5 for all of us.

 

[BB62]

And IMO that is a feature not a bug. "Hey look at all these regular citizens OC. It's such not a big deal you barely even notice the furearm and if we hadn't pointed it out you probably wouldn't have noticed. See, not threatening or an issue at all." It serves to normalize OC without raising hackles. At this time, in that place, I think OC in MO would have been better served in the short term at least, by handgun OC only...

(my bold)

Absolutely NOT.

When you have officials such as you do in STL, who lie, don't respond, fail to inform law enforcement (neither the AG or the SLMPD informed officers about SB656 or Amendment 5 according to my records request AND conversation with the Chief 3 days before the walk), etc. etc. about guns and gun owners you WANT to raise hackles, you want media attention, you want to put officials on the spot - all in a big way. Handguns only just wouldn't have cut it.

The walk did just what I wanted it to do, among haters and lovers, and, after seeing the reaction of various parties, I just may have to return to Missouri for a sequel.

(and thanks again to LMTD for his invaluable efforts and assistance!)