I was at the recent GSSF match in Grand Island, as was Gunscribe. He gave me a brief rundown on how the NFOA came to be. I won't try to recreate the timeline, as I will undoubtedly get something wrong. However, one thing that I can repeat without error is Gunscribe's appreciation for all the people who were instrumental early in the process that helped to make the concept of the NFOA a reality. In addition, he expressed gratitude towards all the members who support the NFOA's cause. Just being a member, even if you can not contribute monetarily or through volunteerism, makes the NFOA an organization that our state legislators can not disregard.
He especially expressed heartfelt appreciation for Chris Zeeb's work with the NFOA. After Gunscribe's description of what Chris Z. did early in the NFOA history, I have an even greater respect for Chris. He also gave well deserved credit to our very own forum dad, Dan Walz, for being active since the beginning, as well as several others who's names I can not remember. I apologize for my poor memory and not giving specific credit where it is due.
I wold like to personally present my thanks and pay homage to those who brought the NFOA into existence, from concept to reality, and to all those who continue to advance the NFOA cause. Please join me in thanking past, present and future individuals that keep the NFOA a viable and thriving organization.
Another specific point I remember from my conversation with Gunscribe was the three fundamental principles that were the bedrock for founding the NFOA. #1 Free membership. #2 Internet based. #3 An organization for ALL gun owners. Years later, the NFOA continues to stand by these principles.
We also spoke about open carry. While I don't OC, I was somewhat indifferent towards this aspect of gun ownership. Gunscribe made some very interesting arguments for OC, and the positive aspects of doing so. My personal thoughts on the subject have been that somewhere in gun owner's history of compromise, we have allowed the sight of a gun in public to be a reason for panic, or at the very least, apprehension. The ignorant viewpoint of the general public (which describes me in recent history) that accepts concealed carry yet gasps at openly carried firearms, needs to be changed. Sometimes it takes pioneers to push the envelope. We have accepted too much compromise to appease ignorance, and maybe it is time for a Rosa Parks to precipitate a change.
If we don't have someone pushing for advancements in our 2A rights, they will slowly be chipped away with compromise. If you have ever been involved in a contract negotiation, you will know that each party goes in asking for more than what they will be willing to accept. In the end, you get what you want. If we don't push back, we will lose ground.
OF COURSE, this all needs to be done while respecting the rights of property owners. It is possible that some of the recent OC in Texas could have been better thought out. Personally I think that there should be less targeting of a specific chain/business so that there is no need for that business to make a national policy. Regardless, those uninformed need to be less afraid of the firearm and more afraid of the lack of firearms.
These are my opinions, and you can disagree (as I know some will
), but the main point of the thread is to be thankful for the NFOA. If we can't agree on OC, we can at least express our gratitude for having such an organization in Nebraska.
Finally (yes...I'm almost done), for those who really appreciate the NFOA, please see my old thread that I will not let die (
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is!), and do just a
little something to help protect your rights.
Fly
