The Importance of Arming Minority Groups

I received an email from Richard Douglas a few weeks ago. We exchanged a few more emails* and then on Monday he sent me the following guest post. All links in this post are to posts of his on other sites.


The 2nd Amendment is constantly under fire in the United States, especially with firearms and their control being one of the many political platforms that politicians use to capture votes. Politics being ‘war by other means’ means that nothing is off the table when it comes to a political campaign.

So, through means of propaganda, there has come to be a particular type of image of what a 2nd amendment activist looks like, often a bigot, belligerent, uneducated, and in some locales flavored with a criminal undertone.

These are tactics used to inspire fear because fear sells and buys votes. This is a difficult position that 2nd Amendment activists find themselves in, because of the rhetoric involved and the fact we are talking about guns, which are inherently dangerous tools for a reason.

This is why it is important for 2nd amendment activists to find new ways to support their cause and doctor their public image. Politics is an ever-changing battlefield. You can lose old allies, and new ones fluctuate like the weather.

Image Therapy

Politicians often point towards criminal behavior as a reason to place restrictions on firearms. Recently mass shootings have captured the public eye and make for an easy target. These incidents and behaviors make it easy to label that guns themselves are the problem while ignoring the social and mental health of the individuals who perpetrate those crimes and atrocities.

This creates a very negative stereotype against firearm activists, and with the NRA recently being caught in a scandal, it doesn’t necessarily make it easy to rehabilitate the image of firearm activists.

So perhaps it’s time to adopt a new approach through proactive inclusivity.

Minority Groups are Common Targets of Hate

Groups like the LGBT community have long been the target of aggression and hate crimes. Historically speaking, on November 27th, 1978, an openly gay politician of San Francisco named Harvey Milk was assassinated by a political rival.

Earlier that same year on July 5th, a group of teenagers armed with baseball attacks, who admitted they were intentionally targeting homosexuals, randomly attacked people who were gathered in Central Park of New York City. A place where people of the LGBT community gathered often.

The list goes on…

Clearly, if there was a need to arm and protect a segment of the population, groups that represent the socially disadvantaged such as the LGBT, would make a strong case. By actively recruiting and offering discounts on training and firearms to this group would very much make the statement:

“Enough is enough, and we will not be idle while members of our community are being attacked and forced to live in fear.”

As far as moral and ethical statements would go, this would be a good one.

This type of action actually has historical precedent, such as the Black Panthers forming an armed patrol to protect their own communities at a time when police violence against African Americans was at an all-time high.

By exercising their 2nd Amendment rights, they made a statement that garnered national attention and brought about social action.

As is Your Right

If this message calls to you and you are a rights activist for the 2nd Amendment, then you can start your own group in your community. In the small southern towns I grew up in the gay community is highly sequestered, and growing up my gay friends lived in fear of being the target of ‘gay-bashing.’

You better believe I’d step up to bat if any of them were attacked. Educating this population on firearms safety and carry and practicing with them may give them the courage they previously wouldn’t have.

Becoming a firearms instructor is an option for the average citizen. Though licensure requires intimate knowledge of each action class and previous experience with firearms.

So knowing your equipment, the history of your selected weapons class, and showing proficiency will go a long way to obtaining a license to teach.

Here are the pistol optics I trust with my life, they are dependable and proficient.

The Importance of Action

“Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” – John Stuart Mill (1867) **

This statement Mill made at his inaugural address at St. Andrews still holds just as true today as it did when he made the statement. This is why we have the second amendment, to resist oppression with force if necessary.

You have the right to bear arms, and as a 2nd Amendment activist, nothing could show your support of minority groups like educating and arming them. It would go a long way to establishing your reputation in your community and beyond as a Good Samaritan.

Author Bio
Richard Douglas writes on firearms, defense and security issues. He is the founder and editor of Scopes Field, and a columnist at The National Interest, 1945, Daily Caller and other publications.


* This is the email thread:

From: Richard Douglas
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 9:20 AM
To: Joe Huffman
Subject: The National Interest contribution

Hey Joe,

Can I contribute an article to your site?

Thanks,
Richard
Columnist for The National Interest, 1945 and Cheaper Than Dirt

PS: I don’t charge a penny. I’m just trying to get my name out there 🙂

From: Joe Huffman
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 4:00 PM
To: Richard Douglas
Subject: RE: The National Interest contribution

Perhaps. What do you have in mind?

Joe Huffman
Cell: 208-301-4254

From: Richard Douglas
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 8:53 AM
To: Joe Huffman
Subject: Re: The National Interest contribution

Awesome! Here are a couple of topic ideas I could write about:

  1. Why 2nd Amendment Advocates Need to Unite with the LGBT and Minorities
  2. Protect Your Political Enemy’s Freedom of Speech

I’m also down for ANY other topic ideas 🙂
Thanks,
Richard

From: Joe Huffman

Sent:
Monday, May 24, 2021 3:00 PM

To:
Richard Douglas

Subject:
RE: The National Interest contribution

Let’s see what you can do with #1.

-joe-

From: Richard Douglas
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 11:14 AM
To: Joe Huffman
Subject: Re: The National Interest contribution

You got it!

I’ll start working on it right away and will send it over within the next couple of days.

** There is some question who should be given credit for this.

Quote of the day—Bear Bussjaeger

Rather than engage in this drug-induced rights infringement, I proposed that, in the spirit of “shall not be INFRINGED,” The National Firearms Act of 1934, Gun Control Act of 1968, and all firearm regulations be repealed, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives be permanently disbanded. All former ATF employees should be investigated for civil rights violations under 18 U.S. Code § 242 – Deprivation of rights under color of law.

Bear Bussjaeger
May 8, 2021
Commenting on the ATF’s NPRM Redefining “Firearm”
[This is part of what he intends to submit as an official comment on the proposed rule change by the ATF.

I would like to think the criminals at the ATF will have an opportunity to enjoy their trial.—Joe]

Into the suburbs

Things are getting interesting. This is within 15 minutes of where Barb and I live.

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Notice the “… it’s time to wake them up” at the bottom of that “Community Action” card?

Barb and I talked about this last night. We have a lot more confidence in the Bellevue Police than in the neutered Seattle Police. This came out day before yesterday:

Bellevue police detectives have now referred 70 looting suspects to the King County Prosecutor’s office for charges in connection with the May 31st riots.  Detectives continue to sift through video and follow up on leads. “We want to send a very clear message to anyone thinking about committing crimes in Bellevue,” Police Chief Steve Mylett warns.  “If you commit violence or destruction in Bellevue, we will follow the evidence, find you, and arrest you.”

I have to wonder. Who will be more “woke” by tomorrow morning, the rich people in Bellevue or the thugs?

I’m going to the range today. I have a couple rifles I need to confirm the zero on. The police will handle tonight and the next week or so just fine. I’m not so certain about the first week of November.

Quote of the day—Happy Boomershooter

Is there such a thing as a Boomershoot hangover? I had such a good time yesterday but now I hurt all over. Should I take an Advil?

Happy Boomershooter
April 23, 2018
[Barb and I saw this woman and her husband from Twin Falls Idaho at breakfast in our motel the day after Boomershoot. They plan to return next year.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Glenn Reynolds

There’s nothing that would provoke more “gun violence” than an attempt to seize guns. But gun control isn’t about preventing violence, it’s about forcing those rubes in Flyover Country to knuckle under.

Glenn Reynolds
October 13, 2017
ACTUALLY, GUN CONTROL DOESN’T MAKE ME FEEL GOOD
[While for all practical purposes this is true I can think of a few, really “out there” things that would provoke more “gun violence”, but I’m not going to give anyone ideas.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Jonathan L. Walton

We have to have the courage to call the NRA exactly what it has become—a domestic terrorist organization that places profit above the lives of the American people.

Jonathan L. Walton
October 3, 2017
Prof. Jonathan L. Walton calls NRA a “domestic terrorist organization” in wake of Las Vegas shooting
[Ignoring the gross errors of fact regarding NRA “profit” you should give a little bit of thought to what the official response to terrorist organizations is. That’s all you really need to know about Walton.

Yeah, he wants you in prison or dead. Maybe even both.—Joe]

Public Safety Reporters: A Natural Disaster

One day Henny-penny was picking up corn in the rickyard when—whack!—an acorn hit her upon the head. “Goodness gracious me!” said Henny-penny, “the sky’s a-going to fall; I must go and tell the King.” Henny-Penny: The Sky is Falling!, English Fairy Tale

Public Safety Reporters are the Henny-pennys of fairy tale “news”.

They “report” on things like natural disasters (something so natural is hardly news), weather (isn’t that the weatherman’s work?), traffic (OpenStreetMap can take care of that), among other terrifying tidbits. Public Panic Reporters are busybodies: they scratch the surface, then go nuts, spewing so-called “news”. They’re ever-so-ready to chirp n’ chatter on Twitter about their personal fears.

Today’s example of the sky is falling comes from Jason Pohl. This guy is falling.

Jason is a Public Safety Reporter at the Coloradoan (aka USA TODAY, aka Gannett Company, Inc.). Below, he’s made a tweet, packed with devastatingly wrong info:

Screen cap of Coloradoan Reporter Jason Pohl's lies

Devastating lies from Reporter Jason Pohl of the Coloradoan (soon to be working for Arizona Republic).

Lies, lies, lies. Jason, how much time did you spend researching your bosses’ childish numbers on kids and guns? Please, before you go writing about the topic of firearms, I beg of you: utilize gun truths at GunFacts.info. All it takes is a quick click. The truth is out there.

Jason Pohl's haunting Twitter post

A haunting tweet by Jason Pohl, filled with lies. He needs to read GunFacts.info.

The lesson of this story? It lies upon the conscience of readers. To you, I ask, “Do you believe everything you read?”

“I do not,” say readers of this blog, including Foxy-woxy, Ducky-daddles, Turkey-lurkey.

Yes, that was a loaded question, with a charged answer. I already know the vast majority of this blog’s viewers are critical thinkers who question everything, gobbling up accurate facts n’ stats. Y’all exited The Matrix long ago.

Jason: I’m not picking on you. There are so many Henny Pennys out there, it’s hard to choose who to expose. Your “work” happened to roll across my news desk. I’m sure you’re not all that bad. I’m focused on setting the story straight for firearms facts. I’ll leave it to the rest of the universe to comb through your other stories/topics.

Jason Poh's Twitter post needs to be corrected

Wow. Interesting lies. Reporter Jason Pohl needs to find gun truths at GunFacts.info.

Yet I’m solidly skeptical of your remaining “news” stories, wondering what’s fairy tale vs. fact. Things look bleak. Are you a Brothers Grimm? Or an Adam Ruins Everything? I rally for the latter.

Perhaps there’s hope for the past articles you’ve composed. I dunno. Maybe nope. Yes?

Please seize the moment. Think twice, before pouncing to post lies, regurgitated by USA Today, who eats up numbers from skewed anti-gun groups like Everytown for Gun Control and The Brady Bunch & Co.

Above all, Jason Pohl, stay classy.

Twitter post of Jason Pohl's book and beer (drug).

Jason Pohl enjoys drinking beer, a drug.

Jason Pohl's Tweet "Drug Death in America Are Rising Faster Than Ever"

Jason Pohl finds this data to be staggering, even if the graph’s sourced by New York Times.

Chart: Alcohol is the drug of choice for 64.5% of American with a Substance Use Disorder

Alcohol is the drug of choice for 64.5% of Americans with a Substance Use Disorder, according to this graph that Jason Pohl didn’t tweet about.

#JasonPohl
@pohl_jason
@Coloradoan
#Coloradoan
#ArizonaRepublic
#FakeNews
#Everytown

Here’s What Happened When I Tried To #WearOrange

I wandered over to Everytown for Gun Control’s site. There, I became aware that a person can: “stand together” to make “real change” for more gun control, and “demand to be heard” — all by simply doing this:

Create your own #WearOrange image, and share it on Facebook or Twitter to show everyone why you’re committed to ending gun violence in America.

I gave it a shot. Here’s what happened:

Truth about #WearOrange is at GunFacts.info

Please share this copyright-free image.

You, too, may play with colors at Everytown’s website, here.

There, you can join the so-called “thousands of Americans” who allegedly wore orange on June 2nd & 3rd to send a powerful message.

Together, we can change the world by cluttering the internet with orange-tinted images.

#WearOrange
#OrangeYouGlad

Juliannne Moore Hates Guns But Has Armed Bodyguards

Actress Julianne Moore has armed guards but wants to disarm the regular guy

Please share this image wide and far.

Julianne Moore needs to check her privilege. She’s yet another anti-gun celeb who enjoys the luxury of armed bodyguards, but thinks her underling citizens shouldn’t be afforded their 2nd Amendment rights.

Moore, along with her predictable posse of high-class gun controllers, have recently “taken action” via their silly #WearOrange campaign.

The Clockwork Orange gang’s campaign continues through the next 26 days; they’ve declared June to be National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Like clockwork, Moore & Co. are quick to push for more gun control and manipulate statistics, without providing any tangible specifics on how to prevent or control gun crime.

Breitbart points out:

The actors, actresses, and other celebrities do not espouse any particular way to prevent or control gun crime, but many of them do share the exaggerated claim that “93 Americans are killed” by “gun violence” each day.

Further:

Breitbart News has repeatedly pointed out that this figure actually swells the number of people killed via “gun violence” by 66 percent. In reality, the number of people killed via actual “gun violence” ranges from about 10,500 to 12,000 a year. Clinton swelled that number by adding in firearm-related suicides, which number roughly 20,000 to 22,000 per year. Everytown, Moore, and Schumer have done the same thing to swell their figures.

h/t to Joe for nominating to meme Julianne Moore.

#WearOrange
#OrangeYouGlad

Negative press covfefe

We all make typos. Butt-dials happen. Interruptions occu….

I found the world’s reaction to the partial information broadcast far and wide fascinating at many levels. At 12:06 AM Wednesday morning, the 31st of June, The Real Donald Trump (the God Emperor and President of the united States) sent a tweet. As with so many things said or typed at odd hours of the night, and from our president, it wasn’t phrased with quite the perfect polish and eloquence some might have hoped. Continue reading

#OrangeYouGlad Anti-Gun Celebrities, Politicians Have Armed Guards?

Aren’t you glad anti-gun celebrities and politicians have armed guards?

I’m glad. Self-defense is a no-brainer.

What I’m not glad about is the do as I say, not as I do hypocrisy of anti-gun celebrities and politicians. They push for nonsensical gun laws, whilst padded by their posse of private armed guards.

Today is #WearOrange Day, a jubilee for anti-gun, anti-self-defense elites who dress-up in orange garments, while barking, whining, whimpering to pass more gun laws. They spew sour lies. We tell tasty truths.

Here’s a lineup of prime-time offenders: Kim Kardashian, Amy Schumer, Chuck Schumer, Susan Sarandon, Marty Walsh.

Help these hypocrites check their privilege. Not everyone has the luxury of armed guards. Spread the word, share these images:


If there’s a celebrity/politician I’ve missed, please post their name and a link to their #WearOrange photo in the comments below. I’ll do my best to make a meme to honor their hypocrisy. Thanks!

#OrangeYouGlad
#WearOrange
#Everytown

Wear Orange on June 2 to Demonstrate Gun Owners’ Longtime Understanding of Voluntary, Logical, Gun Safety Protocol

On June 2nd, Everytown for Gun Safety, a heavily-funded anti-gun group, is urging misinformed people to show their support of totalitarian gun laws by wearing orange. They say:

Orange is what hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others from harm. Orange is a bright, bold color that demands to be seen.

Yet on June 2nd, another group known as We Already Practice Gun Safety, Thank You Very Much will be wearing orange, to indicate their longtime understanding of voluntary, logical gun safety protocol, being that proper gun use prevents tragedy, and deters attackers. After all, you call 911 because the cop has a gun. (Here are the accurate facts.)

You see, this whole thing’s a mix-up. Tell the media the truth. Tell your gun-fearing friends, too.

Here’s what to do on June 2:

Wear orange. (Even if you’re not a Broncos fan.) And, conceal carry an orange.

Seek out public spaces where Everytown & Gang are hosting events (search here). Bypass the protesters. They’re a colossal waste of time. Go directly to the media.

You see, The Everytown Gang spends zillions on their marketing campaigns. When you speak to their media, on their turf, on their day, you’re wasting their resources while maximizing yours. Great way to spread your word far and wide, on their dime.

Kindly ask a reporter to listen for a moment. Tell them you’d like to bring honesty to the gun debate by offering a different viewpoint. Politely share the truth. Give them this link to gun facts.info. Keep it short and sweet; more guns = less crime.

Thank the person, then offer them an orange. Maybe even peel it for them. Also offer to take your new gunfriend to a gun range, so they may learn hands-on about safe handling of firearms.

Repeat. Do the same for friends, family, etc. Keep calm, cool, collected, just as you do at the gun range.

Warning: Be prepared for anti-gun people to respond violently. Videotape the incident. You never know when they’ll mix it up n’ flip it the opposite way, claiming you assaulted them. File a police report on the assailant(s).

Orange Pro Tips — My experience is: if you approach media peacefully, they’re typically grateful you’ve offered an opposing view. When you do the legwork, you save them time, and it’s usually appreciated. Worst case scenario: you have one less orange.

#WearOrange
#Everytown
#MomsDemand
#GunSharingCaring
#ShootBack