Peaceful march at the State Capital for 2nd Amendment

[FarmerRick]

Perhaps empty holsters could make a statement of some sort?  IDK.

[Poseidon77]

 Im in.

[CitizenClark]

Perhaps empty holsters could make a statement of some sort?  IDK.

I'm game for whatever people want to do, but it seems to me that the empty holster events are designed for contexts where people would be carrying but for the fact that they are legally prohibited from doing so. There is nothing legally prohibiting folks from open carrying at the Capitol, so I'm not sure what message the empty holsters would be meant to send.

I don't think carrying firearms is an essential component of a good rally, but I am offended at the idea that a peaceful, respectable-looking person would be ostracized by a gun rights group for exercising his right to bear arms in public.

I just had a half-hour conversation with the Capitol administrator, and he confirmed that people have a right to peaceably assemble on the Capitol grounds with or without a permit (though not necessarily inside the building itself), and that there is no prohibition on the open carry of firearms on the Capitol premises. Also, don't block entrances, don't try to attach stuff to the structure itself, etc.

[AAllen]

CitizenClark, what we are saying is look at the cause and effect.  We constantly talk about the disarming of the populace and historically how that has led to civilian victimazation, also how bans lead to confiscation and citing history.  Well look at the history of open carry protests, they lead to bad things happening not good. 

We want to avoid the bad and encourage the good.

[gigabelly]

I like the empty holster idea but I am still considering its merits.

[CitizenClark]

CitizenClark, what we are saying is look at the cause and effect.  We constantly talk about the disarming of the populace and historically how that has led to civilian victimazation, also how bans lead to confiscation and citing history.  Well look at the history of open carry protests, they lead to bad things happening not good. 

We want to avoid the bad and encourage the good.

I hear you, and I understand that we are talking about strategy here. I'm not planning to open carry at this event, but I don't have a problem with someone else open-carrying, especially if we are talking about a pistol in a hip holster and not an evil black rifle hanging on a sling in front of someone's tactical vest. I have open-carried a fair amount in Lincoln and elsewhere in Nebraska, and I just don't buy into the idea that cops are going to descend on responsible, well-dressed people who happen to have sidearms on. This runs contrary to my experience.

I do have a big problem with anyone who thinks it is a good idea to tell the media "oh, that guy with the gun is crazy and he isn't with us!" It is one thing if the guy _is_ crazy, and quite another if he is simply someone who decided when he got up that morning that he was going to bear arms out in the world that day. I don't think we should act as though carrying guns is weird or unusual or scary--it isn't. Carrying guns is a normal, everyday experience for a lot of folks who go to church, have kids, and work hard at their jobs. We shouldn't help the anti-gunners marginalize people who carry guns. There is nothing "weird" about carrying guns, openly or concealed.

[AAllen]

I do have a big problem with anyone who thinks it is a good idea to tell the media "oh, that guy with the gun is crazy and he isn't with us!" It is one thing if the guy _is_ crazy, and quite another if he is simply someone who decided when he got up that morning that he was going to bear arms out in the world that day. I don't think we should act as though carrying guns is weird or unusual or scary--it isn't. Carrying guns is a normal, everyday experience for a lot of folks who go to church, have kids, and work hard at their jobs. We shouldn't help the anti-gunners marginalize people who carry guns. There is nothing "weird" about carrying guns, openly or concealed.

Here we agree, but as a strategist I will continue to politely recommend that people do not carry at events like this because of the issues.  I also occasionally open carry, and I do it in the heart of evil for Nebraska "Omaha."  Never had a comment or been questioned about it.  Might that someday change, most likely, but it will not stop me from doing so when appropriate.

[UPCrawfish]

A-M Surplus
710 Fort Crook Road Bellevue Ne.
Phone: 402-731-3355
E-Mail: staff@amsurplus.com

Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pm
Saturday: 10am-3pm

Also has a large selection of Flags..  various "Don't Tread On Me", Gadsen, Goliad....

[unfy]

Guys, please don't carry at the event.

If everyone is carrying, especially open carrying, it simply will not LOOK good.  A bunch of armed men showing up in protest just aint kosher.

Think of it from the other side of the fence... we now have all of these weapons around the place and if you wanna talk about being uncomfy and knee jerk reaction, that'll cause it. 

Don't look like a mob or a flash mob or anything else that might cause panic in anyone.

It's also important to note that it's in essence a political rally.

BEING PRESENT

Is the important thing, not having a weapon on you.

[NENick]

Has anyone from Omaha started talking aboot carpooling yet? I plan on attending.

[gigabelly]

I think I will make a sign that says "Liberal Democrat, Obama supporting, Gay Atheists Against Gun Control".  Painted in Rainbow colors.  Yes every one of those things are an untruth, and if you happen to be a Liberal Democrat, Obama supporting Gay Atheist, I will let you carry the sign, but my thinking is that whoever is carrying that sign will be what causes the Gun grabbers to lose what little brains they have. 

[Ross Berck]

Criminals may see all those armed cars as a target rich environment.  I despise leaving my gun in the car.

[bkoenig]

Criminals may see all those armed cars as a target rich environment.  I despise leaving my gun in the car.

I agree, I would prefer to leave mine at home.  Of course I live 5 minutes away...

[gsd]

I'll be there, unarmed, unfortunately. Anybody up for some coffee prior to the get together?

[sattv4u]

I will be attending unarmed and leaving firearms locked in a safe at home...I think we will be safe for the day, remember this is Nebraska and in Lincoln there is leo's not far away...I don't want to carry and play into the fears of the LEFT MEDIA !!!

[dougusafsp]

Love the coffee before hand idea. Where at?

[gsd]

Panera bread at 68th and O street ok?  I'm open to suggestions, just throwing that out there.

[f1fanatic]

    I am definitely going. I posted this in the Events Discussion thread. I would not recommend any practice of open carry. This event is more than about just our ability to show we have guns. People will want to inflame this event and twist it around in any ugly way they can portray it. The press is going to look for every excuse to exploit this rally and show that we are a bunch of gun nutty whackos preppin for WWIII. This is happening on a national level with the media already. Emotions are high, on both sides. Gun owners are being made out as the persecuted witches of Salem, MA.
    This rally is about telling our representatives that they are not representing. This is about saying we are law abiding patriotic Americans, guaranteed  by the Constitution to certain inalienable rights. The specific one of which is the pull pin of a free and liberated society. We are not a special interest group. Gun owners make up almost half the nations population but they represent the whole nation as a free society. Government is not sovereign. People as individuals are sovereign. Our republic only retains sovereignty because it represents We the People. When government wants to nullify the 2nd or even infringe than they have effectively fired themselves as representatives of the People.
   Our forefathers knew this. It was brilliant, back then it was obvious. Now its all too clear.
  No, this is not about showing our strength this weekend. This is about showing our sovereignty, as free men and women, our solidarity as fellow Americans, demanding from our representatives Constitutional Protection against a rogue Federal Government. Because if not, than the republic is no longer legitimate.
stepping off soapbox now....

This was a great article by former Superior Court Judge Napolitano. The title is a little inflammatory to say the least but it is the very point.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jan/10/the-right-to-shoot-tyrants-not-deer/

[wallace11bravo]

I'll be out of state this weekend for a prior commitment, but I am encouraging everyone I know to go. Just FYI.

[FarmerRick]

I have previous plans that I can't get out of and can't attend.

Please, everyone be on the lookout and be very aware that there is supposed to be an ANTI-GUN demonstration at the  Capitol at the same time as the pro-gun demonstration.

Beware of "infiltrators" and those that would sneak into our group only to start trouble that would ultimately be blamed on the NFOA/NRA and other gun rights groups.

I will be with you all in spirit.