ronin069 wrote:Coming off of the near-favorable Strib article this week, our Anti friends would give almost anything to knock us down a bit...
Bender wrote:Audible Chocolate wrote:Nice to have an account on this forum finally. Just haven't gotten to it sooner.
Well, actually you already have an account on this forum as well as other local forums.
User banned for violating forum rules re: multiple accounts.
Squib Joe wrote:I just went from skeptical of his intent to complete distrust of him and his event. Steering wide of this one and hope the rest of you do too.
Since you've ignored all the good advice given and doubled down on the stubborn confrontational approach, I agree with Squib Joe.
Because I'm sure you're going to do this anyway, I'll try to pass on some guidelines from successful events and activists:
1) Only ONE type of activism at a time. Decide WHICH TYPE of activism for WHICH cause and ruthlessly eliminate any linkage to ANY other cause or group.
This keeps your supporters, opposition, those on the sideline, and most importantly YOU from getting confused about your motives and goals. You can't help your connection to Cop Block and shouldn't be ashamed of it. It's something you feel strongly about. Posting / hosting the video, audio, and pictures of a non-Cop Block event on the Cop-Block page / site / etc confuses people.
2) Communicate clearly and effectivelyIn essence what you're trying to do here is to normalize OC behavior.
What is your message? - It's no big deal folks, we're regular people doing something lawful.
Try to remove anything that would distract from the message or allow the opposition or audience to get sidetracked.
It's not enough to be RIGHT, you have to be able to communicate it in a manner that people will leave better informed or with a better opinion of your cause. Simple, concise, well documented, calmly presented, Normalized, safe, rational, non-threatening. The more common sense you can present it the better.
What is your target audience?You have several different layers and levels of people who will be taking this in:
The general public: Don't think about guns, generally believe the news and movies, are uncomfortable with people with guns. They often project their fears and motives onto you. Most of their experience with guns is incorrect or through examples of illegal behavior, not law abiding gun owners as good people.
Gun Owners: often mistake "shall not be infringed" as long as they can still hunt and don't get the bear arms part.
Permit holders: OC is a minority in the permit holder world. Most are discrete and choose to conceal. The Permit system is new enough to remember how we got here. It took a long time and careful planning to gain what we have without a lot of restrictions and bad legal language. You're making waves. Sometimes that leads to change and sometimes that change is good. That's not always the way to bet without careful consideration
3) Be the BEST example of the cause you canThis is mostly common sense and not giving the opposition any ammunition. You're probably the first OC group most people you meet have seen. Leave a good impression.
CleanestWhen doing activism: Dress more conservatively, put on clean crisp clothes. Pay attention to grooming: Do I need a haircut? Shower and shave right before heading out. etc... I'm not saying you're a slob. I'm saying that in any group, there's that one guy the rest would prefer had stayed home. Don't be the stereotype showing up in ratty and tattered camo clothes and the stars and bars.
Best informedNo matter who you interact with, you have to KNOW the facts, the law, and your message. Then you have to be able to CONSISTENTLY and CLEARLY communicate it. IT'S MY RIGHT is NOT effective communication. Tactical Timmy is NOT effective communication.
Most PoliteThose nice guys with an odd habit leaves a much different impression than those jerks who were right and "technically" legal.
SafestDon't touch the guns. Murphy loves a practical joke and he has a sick sense of humor. Wear a comfortable stable holster on a good belt.
Retention holsters would be a good idea.
Be aware of your muzzle. Think how you bend and where the muzzle is pointing.Even gunnies who KNOW it's safe when holstered don't like to look down the muzzle. Shoulder holsters would be a BAD idea.
While it's essential for EVERYONE at the event to follow the guidelines above and to KNOW THEIR STUFF, The most successful events I've been to had "event Marshals" or "Point people" - those who are most on message and the best public face. These are the people who should wander over to monitor any public contact and especially any official interaction. You cannot afford to be confrontational but should know your stuff...
