Open Carry Rally in DC

[tmleadr03]

Holy fuck what a stupid idea. It is against the law to open carry in DC. Active duty military get hammered in the DC area all the time for having a firearm in a backpack or case and just driving through. This is beyond a bad a idea.

Just imagine the false flag operation that could be done for this rally. Some anti fires a couple of rounds and pandemonium ensues.


Fucking stupid stupid stupid.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Big time stupid idea. You don't get kids used to the idea of getting shots by bringing out the syringe used on elephants. We're not going to win back over the frightened sheep on the East Coast by jumping right into open carry in an area that didn't even recognize the right to legal ownership a few years ago (and still doesn't want to recognize it).

[Ronin13]

Hmm makes you wonder, what kind of a prize will they get for this stupid game? Of course the whole gun rally thing was on thin ice in Denver when everyone thought that would result in an incident incited by an anti- oh look, nothing happened. But that rally wasn't blatantly violating the open carry law.

[Irving]

Being a pussy never got anyone anywhere. I'm not directly involved and have nothing on the line, so I'm all for it.

[islandermyk]

it'd be interesting... hope it works out for them.

[cstone]

There are very few privately owned, legal firearms anywhere in the District of Columbia. Just to possess a firearm in your home is lengthy and costly exercise in government bureaucracy.

The only people in DC, out in public space, legally possessing firearms are LE.

Possession of unregistered ammunition, even one round, is a misdemeanor.

IMO, a nude walk down the National Mall would receive less attention.

Be safe.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Being a pussy never got anyone anywhere. I'm not directly involved and have nothing on the line, so I'm all for it.

Being stupid really doesn't get you anywhere either. Understanding that you're more likely to catch flies with honey than vinegar is NOT "being a pussy".

[StagLefty]

IMO, a nude walk down the National Mall would receive less attention.

Be safe.

That's "open hang" as opposed to "open carry" [ROFL1]

[Aloha_Shooter]

That's "open hang" as opposed to "open carry" [ROFL1]

Depends on who's being open ... I suspect Barney Frank would have been okay with this kind of "open carry" ...

[sniper7]

I'm all for it. Fuck DC fuck their laws.

[HoneyBadger]

I like the point they are trying to make, but it's obvious that this could end very very very badly. I don't think it will help our cause. 99.9% of legal gun owners are law-abiding citizens and we need to help the sheeple understand that. I think this will only show gun owners in a bad light. I'm all for opposing unconstitutional laws on principle, but is it worth getting arrested with felony charges, or possible injured or killed at this stage of the game?

[brokenscout]

Agreed, can you imagine if 100,000 showed up armed in DC(besides the gang banger that live there)
Being a pussy never got anyone anywhere. I'm not directly involved and have nothing on the line, so I'm all for it.

[tmleadr03]

Agreed, can you imagine if 100,000 showed up armed in DC(besides the gang banger that live there)

I would want to be on the inside of the crowd with an easy way to conceal my pistol if shit went down.

[HoneyBadger]

Even 10,000 would be enough to literally take over and occupy DC. (Not at all advocating this or anything violent, of course.) Last year, there were over 600,000 hunters in the state of PA. Can you image in every hunter and shooter in the country all marched on DC? I don't think we could fit.

[islandermyk]

Here's an article on it.

http://www.mrconservative.com/2013/05/14679-armed-march-on-d-c-announced-for-july-4th-police-to-arrest-gun-carriers/ (http://www.mrconservative.com/2013/05/14679-armed-march-on-d-c-announced-for-july-4th-police-to-arrest-gun-carriers/)

[clublights]

I wonder if MLK or Rosa Parks had had the internet if their friends woulda talked them out of doing it too ..................

[Sawin]

Here's an article on it.

http://www.mrconservative.com/2013/05/14679-armed-march-on-d-c-announced-for-july-4th-police-to-arrest-gun-carriers/ (http://www.mrconservative.com/2013/05/14679-armed-march-on-d-c-announced-for-july-4th-police-to-arrest-gun-carriers/)


My opinion on this as well as open carry in general, is clear and summarized with this one quote from the above article.


"the Second Amendment is intended for defensive action, not offensive demagoguery."

[Stvros]

Couple of interesting points raised in the article that shows the complete idiocy of a stunt like this, I mean really, whats the fucking point ?

1. "Kokesh’s planned march is a bad idea from start to finish. The Founders did not intend for citizens to use their Second Amendment rights to engage in theater – and, moreover, theater that carries the very real risk that someone will shout “Fire!” This is not civil disobedience, this is deliberate provocation, and things will go badly if someone is provoked."
2. "Of course, speaking of theater, Kokesh’s July 4th invitation may be nothing more than a commercial intended to raise his profile now that he’s thrown his hat in the ring as a Republican candidate for Congress in New Mexico. One hopes that conservatives who are excited by his demagoguery remember that Kokesh used to parade around with an upside-down American flag and traveled to Germany to try to convince soldiers to abandon their posts."

[ChunkyMonkey]

Last thing we need is for few over zealous gun right folks to make an over the top statement. The left media will be all over this.

[brokenscout]

Ok I think it will be better if we do nothing and let them come take our Rights 1 by 1

[Ronin13]

Okay, I have to voice this, to everyone saying "Being a pussy never helped," or "yeah, let's just let them take our rights away," or "If you don't use them you lose them." Blah blah blah. Look folks, there are two ways you can go about accomplishing your goals- the right way and the wrong way. Example, Emily Miller, she's trying to educate and inform so people can do it the right way and get the laws changed. Breaking the law and participating in mass civil disobedience is more often than not the wrong way. We've tried for years to promote the image that gun owners are honest, good, law-abiding, and for the most part we've proven this time and time again (look at almost every single pro-2A rally we've had in America). Well, wad that idea up and toss in the trash if 10,000 supposedly "law abiding" folks come out in force, defiant of the law (however silly and unconstitutional it is) [KEY PHRASE]: IN THE PUBLIC EYE (totally different case with going to WY to buy some new PMAGs after July 1 [Coffee]) in such a widely covered area by the media. So this is a terrible idea, and these folks should be working on getting the laws changed, rather than going out in large numbers with the potential for wide scale media coverage, portraying us in a negative light.

[mtnhack]

^^^ This.
Not to mention that any arrested may further cripple their own future rights to bear arms.

[Squeeze]

I agree 100% with Ronin. There's a right way to do right and a wrong way to do right. These people in D.C. are going about it the wrong way...plain & simple. Then again, I think open-carry is just a big fat, "Hey look at me! I need attention!" thing but that's just my 2 cents. As Ronin stated, we are only going to win the hearts & minds of the general public if we contiune to show them we are a peaceful community of law-abiding gun owners who only wish to preserve our Constitutional rights and remain free from tyranny. This damn state has been inundated with pot-heads and Liberal hippies who think the ".gov" should just run everyone's damn lives because Obama is the "Great Messiah" who has the answers to all our problems. This stunt in D.C. is only going to draw negative media and diminish any/all positive progress we've made thus far. [Bang]

[Kraven251]

then again in everything there is a tippling point, when that tipping point results in conflict where there are casualties, it is always important to not be one.

I think this is a bad idea, bad bad idea, but if they go ahead and do it, should prove interesting.

[Sawin]

then again in everything there is a tippling point, when that tipping point results in conflict where there are casualties, it is always important to not be one.

I think this is a bad idea, bad bad idea, but if they go ahead and do it, should prove interesting.

Yep. If something does prove interesting, rest assured, every last one of us will be considered a domestic threat and possible terrorist and I have a striking suspicion they will indeed come for our guns.

[Ronin13]

Yep. If something does prove interesting, rest assured, every last one of us will be considered a domestic threat and possible terrorist and I have a striking suspicion they will indeed come for our guns.
Wanna lose sleep- check out "Enemies, Foreign and Domestic." It reads less and less like a work of fiction and more and more like a historical tale we'll soon witness.

[Clint45]

I predict less than 100 people actually show up for this, and every single one of them will be arrested on felony charges.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Ok I think it will be better if we do nothing and let them come take our Rights 1 by 1

... and I think it would better if you stop giving them excuses to come take our rights away by acting like provocative idiots.

[Dingo]

Now if they were smoking reefer, or"occupying", they'd be applauded as courageous and nobody would have a darn thing to say.

And I agree - OC is a "look at me, look at me" in a lot of situations.

[JoeT]

Okay, I Look folks, there are two ways you can go about accomplishing your goals- the right way and the wrong way.


because doing it "the right way" has worked out so well for "our side" so far....there comes a time when "we" have to decide when "we" have had enough. I've hit that point, you may not have. I just moved to a state that proudly passed the toughest gun laws in the country days after my arrival (they also passed them in the middle of the night, with most people who voted NEVER even bothered to read the complete laws).
I have decided not to comply....I have decided that it's time to stop following the unconstitutional laws that are passed at night, under darkness, and behind closed doors. I am not out looking for a fight, but I will no longer comply either.

Your threshold may be higher....maybe you want to write a strongly worded letter to your representatives....they seem to listen to what their subjects want

[brokenscout]

True, but at the rate we are going in 10 years we will be talking about the Rights we used to have. I think the march on DC is the wrong way to go, and would be an act of war. Something needs to be done, not sure what. It may be to late.And they do not need excuses, they won't stop till GC is in place
... and I think it would better if you stop giving them excuses to come take our rights away by acting like provocative idiots.

[brokenscout]

At least these people are actually talking about something instead of BSing on a forum, everyone has a choice.

[Aloha_Shooter]

because doing it "the right way" has worked out so well for "our side" so far....there comes a time when "we" have to decide when "we" have had enough. I've hit that point, you may not have. I just moved to a state that proudly passed the toughest gun laws in the country days after my arrival (they also passed them in the middle of the night, with most people who voted NEVER even bothered to read the complete laws).
I have decided not to comply....I have decided that it's time to stop following the unconstitutional laws that are passed at night, under darkness, and behind closed doors. I am not out looking for a fight, but I will no longer comply either.

Your threshold may be higher....maybe you want to write a strongly worded letter to your representatives....they seem to listen to what their subjects want

Actually, it HAS worked for us very well until very recently. Americans today have a much more open mind on firearms and concealed carry than they did 40 years ago, in part because the community demonstrated we weren't the scary psychotics that Diane Feinstein and Chucky Schumer like to paint us. Every recent poll shows Americans much more open to guns and the right of self-defense than they were 40 years ago. The fact that a determined set of extremists has seized control of the legislative and executive branches and proceeded to act from positions of power has nothing to do with the fact that we have been winning the hearts and minds of the general public for the last 18+ years or the possibility that actions which seem to confirm Feinstein's and Schumer's caricatures may lose us those hearts and minds of the general public.

[JoeT]

Actually, it HAS worked for us very well until very recently. Americans today have a much more open mind on firearms and concealed carry than they did 40 years ago, in part because the community demonstrated we weren't the scary psychotics that Diane Feinstein and Chucky Schumer like to paint us. Every recent poll shows Americans much more open to guns and the right of self-defense than they were 40 years ago. The fact that a determined set of extremists has seized control of the legislative and executive branches and proceeded to act from positions of power has nothing to do with the fact that we have been winning the hearts and minds of the general public for the last 18+ years or the possibility that actions which seem to confirm Feinstein's and Schumer's caricatures may lose us those hearts and minds of the general public.

I contend that the general population has always been progun . I believe (and it may be the red hook speaking) that the reason our rights have eroded over the past 40 years, and more so in the last 5 is because there is a vocal minority. A minority that does something besides sit on forums and talk about doing something...they are united, and even if some think that someone's ideas may go too far, they ultimately stick together!

it's something that this thread, and hundreds like it on this forum and thousands like it on other forums, is actually proof of. It's a divide and conquer approach. First it was the hunters, then those that oppose open carry, then just the pistol shooters, then those that only shoot revolvers, then those with .22 , then anything that's not single shot, and finally nobody



Holy fuck what a stupid idea.

Fucking stupid stupid stupid.


Big time stupid idea. .


Hmm makes you wonder, what kind of a prize will they get for this stupid game? .


I think this will only show gun owners in a bad light. I'm all for opposing unconstitutional laws on principle, but is it worth getting arrested with felony charges, or possible injured or killed at this stage of the game?

Do I think this is the "brightest idea? not at all... but it's something. It beats the hell out of doing nothing, and is 100% better than complaining about the problem and complaining about the people trying to shine a light on the problem.

I've lived in a country without firearm ownership, where even to hunt you had to use an airgun. Many of those people would literally kill to get their rights back

[10mm-man]

Holy fuck what a stupid idea. It is against the law to open carry in DC. Active duty military get hammered in the DC area all the time for having a firearm in a backpack or case and just driving through. This is beyond a bad a idea.

Just imagine the false flag operation that could be done for this rally. Some anti fires a couple of rounds and pandemonium ensues.


Fucking stupid stupid stupid.


Were is the link to it?

[10mm-man]

At least these people are actually talking about something instead of BSing on a forum, everyone has a choice.
^^+1- Like it.

[Irving]

Even if things go south, it will produce the attention needed.

[HoneyBadger]

Even if things go south, it will produce the attention needed.
But I don't think it would necessarily be "good" attention. I think it would lead to a media feeding frenzy that would ultimately result in more gun control, registration, restriction, and/or confiscation.

[blacklabel]

It's pretty interesting to see the differing points of view some people have in this thread versus the come and take them/revolution threads that were shut down.

I'm torn personally. On one hand, I love the idea of 10k individuals with slung ARs having a peaceful march on Washington and then I can see it turning into an absolute shit storm.

[Irving]

It depends. When The US government shot and killed protesting students at the college campus, one could make the argument that those kids were stupid to be protesting and the price they paid was not worth whatever they were protesting. However, which group, the students or the government, did history end up favoring? Also, how, if at all did that change the way that large student protests were handled? I really don't know, so if the comparison is a stupid one, someone say so.

[Scanker19]

I'm against protesting, I just don't know how to show it.

[Dingo]

It depends. When The US government shot and killed protesting students at the college campus, one could make the argument that those kids were stupid to be protesting and the price they paid was not worth whatever they were protesting. However, which group, the students or the government, did history end up favoring? Also, how, if at all did that change the way that large student protests were handled? I really don't know, so if the comparison is a stupid one, someone say so.

Well, the government's still around and operating business like usual - and while history may favor the students, they're just as dead. So I guess that shows which side of the fence I fall on.

I'm one of those "come n get them/revolution" types, but not much interested in sacrificing myself to the legal system just to prove a point. My red line for personal individual action is actual door-to-door confiscation. And/or a movement with enough momentum to actually accomplish something - ala 1776.

[sniper7]

With a large enough number the message can be sent. I am all for the protest but wouldn't risk my career or current lifestyle over a protest to be honest. If it came down to life and death or Something close to that then we can talk. But right now the federal gun ban got shot down along with most other overreaching legislation so I wouldn't go out of my way for potential arrest and scrutiny. I did enough of that tonight.

[Jamesonehr]

Have to figure if you get enough people to do it they can't arrest everyone. I assume that is what they are hoping for. I doubt they will go through with it if only 10-100 show.

[Byte Stryke]

while I agree that this is not an action I would take, I concur that they should, for any reason, be allowed to carry their firearms openly and in a civil manner, anywhere in the Free United States.
I would rather fight the cause in a courtroom and go home at night that try and fight it from a jail cell. I will stand in front of committees and legislatures and talk to the legislature until I am blue in the face. I write letters and join legal political activities.
One thing I won't do is berate or belittle anyone else's choices.

I am sure that there were those at Concord that said "Just give them your musket, what do you need a .58 round for anyway?"


I would like to know, does hitting the keys harder when you sit behind your keyboard, doing nothing while mocking the actions of others, make you tougher?
Those offended. are rightly so.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Byte Stryke, it's not about mocking their actions from behind the safety of an anonymous keyboard, it's about how ill-considered actions endanger ALL of our rights by giving ammunition to those who seek to portray us all as crazy, irresponsible, emotional blowhards. That's why I had no problem with the idea of a mag-carrying protest in Denver but I DO have a problem with open carrying in DC. I'm all for people voting or demonstrating their consciences but don't I have a right to object and point out when said demonstration or vote is a Pyrrhic victory that is more likely to end up endangering ALL of our rights?

[pumpgun]

This is the take that USA Carry had on the idea.

http://www.usacarry.com/forums/firearm-politics-2nd-amendment-issues/36793-50-000-armed-insurgents-gunned-down-u-s-capitol.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

[HoneyBadger]

This is the take that one member on USA Carry had on the idea.

http://www.usacarry.com/forums/firearm-politics-2nd-amendment-issues/36793-50-000-armed-insurgents-gunned-down-u-s-capitol.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

FIFY. Just because someone writes on the internet, they are not automatically a trusted or credible authority on any subject matter.

[Irving]

If our right to something is in danger based on if we behave or not, it was never a right in the first place. Let's not forget that; as that seems to be the whole point of the message. That's the point for me anyway.

[Ronin13]

At least these people are actually talking about something instead of BSing on a forum, everyone has a choice.


A minority that does something besides sit on forums and talk about doing something...

Do I think this is the "brightest idea? not at all... but it's something. It beats the hell out of doing nothing, and is 100% better than complaining about the problem and complaining about the people trying to shine a light on the problem.
Awful presumptuous of both of you to say that... I remember this:
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2013/0119/20130119__pro-gun-rally-denver-2~p1.jpg (http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_22410095/almost-1-000-gather-denver-pro-gun-rally)(click pic for story)
And I remember meeting a few forum members there. Granted we made our voices heard, but the left wasn't really listening. Still, action, doing something rather than just, how did you guys put it? BS or "talk" on a forum. So before you start saying we don't do anything, did either of you help organize, put on, or even attend some of these rallies?

[Irving]

I was there. Standing around.

[JoeT]

did either of you help organize, put on, or even attend some of these rallies?

I don't know if I was at that one....but I was at one in Colorado before I moved, I've been to 2 here in Connecticut since I moved and I spoke at 2 of the hearings before the state legislature

before moving to Colorado, I was a board member at Massachusetts' version of RMGO (only without the tinfoil) where I presented "ourside" dozens of times.

In addition to donating my time, I also donate from my wallet....in FY 2012 I donated thousands to gun rights organizations

[ChunkyMonkey]

Yep, another thread becomes a pissing contest. [banned2]

[blacklabel]

Yep, another thread becomes a pissing contest. [banned2]

Would you expect anything less?

[Dingo]

Would you expect anything less?

Doesn't take long. Lotta vaginas, with a lot of sand in 'em these days. I keep waiting for the old favorite to pop up: "Because of your views, you're part of the problem". Always a good standby when somebody has a different opinion.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Sheriff Terry Maketa (https://www.facebook.com/maketaforsheriff?ref=stream&hc_location=stream)I've been asked to share my feelings and position concerning the proposed open carry march of civil disobedience on Washington DC. While I applaud the intent and the passion of the organizers, I cannot support deliberate acts of civil disobedience. As a peace officer, I believe we have many avenues at our disposal to send whatever message we wish to convey.

I do believe our freedoms and rights are under attack. I feel as passionate as anyone about the preservation of our rights, freedoms and ensuring those rights and freedoms are protected for future generations. Furthermore, I believe our freedoms are one generation away from extinction. It is our turn to speak out and protect our rights and freedoms for not only today, but well into the future.

These are challenging times and we need to be very calculating, systematic and factual in order to convey our message to those who buy into the misinformation and misrepresentations of what is taking place. I believe now, more than ever, we need to be cautious and find ways to educate people and develop a credibility across all political lines, cultural lines and generational lines in order to succeed. This is far too important to approach in a reckless manner that provides those attacking our rights, and the members of the media who support their efforts, the ammunition they need to discredit and suppress our voice.

Now is the time to ensure we follow existing rules, regulations and laws to reach the majority we need to form that critical mass. The public needs to be educated on the misrepresentations of the legislature and hold them accountable for their agenda. Our voice needs to be heard, and we will have a greater impact, if we assemble in a lawful manner and find common grounds in order to attract those who may be unsure or misinformed. I would encourage the organizers to plan a lawful march that represents the views of law abiding citizens, and then I would be honored to walk with them. Government needs to stop blaming society for the ill-actions of criminals and start holding those criminals accountable for their own actions, and not at the expense of law abiding citizens. So if we are going to send a powerful message, let's not do it in a criminal manner.

[Irving]

I really think that people have given up on what is a right and what isn't. When people commit crimes, they are read their rights pertaining to the Fifth Amendment. This is while they are being accused of a crime. How come no one is ever afraid of losing their right to remain silent, or their right to an attorney, or their right to a trial? It is a sad state of affairs that we are actually afraid to lose one right, yet couldn't even imagine losing another. That is not a commentary on those here with the warnings, more of those who actively work to take those rights away, or convince us as a population that they actually can be.

[ChunkyMonkey]

I really think that people have given up on what is a right and what isn't. When people commit crimes, they are read their rights pertaining to the Fifth Amendment. This is while they are being accused of a crime. How come no one is ever afraid of losing their right to remain silent, or their right to an attorney, or their right to a trial? It is a sad state of affairs that we are actually afraid to lose one right, yet couldn't even imagine losing another. That is not a commentary on those here with the warnings, more of those who actively work to take those rights away, or convince us as a population that they actually can be.

Everyone has his/her own tolerance level of being 'infringed' I suppose.

[HoneyBadger]

I just saw that Sheriff Maketa posted this on facebook and I was going to post it here. He is a solid guy.

[Sawin]

I was there. Standing around.

Me too. Red jacket under the tree to the left. Can barely make myself out. IMO there wasn't nearly enough people there though.