No. I’m not writing about Dan Rather. Actually it’s Kim du Toit this time. Publicola has an interest in the document as well. It’s a document that purports to be:
(NOTES AND MINUTES OF MEETING OF FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993) ROUGH DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR INTERNAL MEMO AND FIVE YEAR PLAN (OF HANDGUN CONTROL INC.)
I remember reading it years ago and the general consensus was that it was fake. It doesn’t matter. If it is real that was over 11 years ago and not many of the same people still work there and the ones that are have a completely different plan from then anyway. And what’s the point in getting upset about it even if it was completely true and up-to-date? There isn’t anything in there that should surprise anyone. There are lots of people “out there“ that want to remove all firearms from private ownership. That they would form an organization and talk about a means to that end surely isn’t a surprise. If you want to counter their plans then reading questionable intelligence data (I really need to finish my intelligence essay) isn’t the way to go about it. Read their current plans and propaganda from their own websites as a first defensive step:
- Assault Weapons Ban
- Carrying Concealed Weapons
- Gun Shows & Private Sales
- Licensing and Registration
- Press Releases
- An Agenda For Genuine Gun Control
- A Core Comprehensive Strategy
- The Next Steps
- About The Violence Policy Center
- Press Releases
There are lots more, particularly at the state and local level, and most have websites. But as Publicola points out our side needs a plan and to act on it.
It turns out we do have plans. Most people just aren’t that in touch with the leaders in the gun rights movement. How many people attended the Gun Rights Policy Conference last September? I haven’t been to it for several years (I was a speaker in 1999 and 2000) but I am giving it serious consideration for this fall. IIRC the 2000 event had about 700 people attend. Want to do something more than just preach to the choir? Want to have some influence in the direction we take our fight? Attend GRPC 2005. You will be amazed and impressed with the quality of the people involved in our fight. Make contacts with other activists and team up to make a difference.
Although Greg Hamilton had a different context in mind I think it applies here just as well.