Posted on 06/12/2010 7:38:18 AM PDT by marktwain
Josh Sugarmann is the execuitve director of the Violence Policy Center (VPC), which advocates banning all handguns, .50 caliber rifles (and other "heavy sniper rifles," as the VPC calls large caliber scoped rifles), "intermediate sniper rifles" (the VPC's term for not-so-large caliber scoped rifles), so-called "assault weapons" (semi-automatic rifles and shotguns)--and undoubtedly others.
The VPC's main function, as best I can determine, is to make the Brady Campaign look "moderate" (an appearance the Brady Campaign has sought, to the extent of changing their name, formerly Handgun Control, Inc., and radically softening their stated goals). While the Brady Campaign's success at appearing "moderate" is very much open to question, the difficulty in that endeavor cannot be blamed on any failure on the VPC's part in showing its own extremism.
A Sugarmann opinion piece in the Salt Lake Tribune yesterday, about political rallies at which attendees legally, peaceably, and even "politely," bear unconcealed firearms, provides an excellent example.
Are armed mobs becoming socially acceptable? Watching television coverage of gun owners eager to brandish their firearms in public spaces, that appears to be the desired goal of "open-carry" advocates.
Right away, his wording is a bit problematic. "Mobs" is a term generally applied to rowdy, disorderly crowds--something not seen at any of the events he goes on to describe. Furthermore, a firearm in a holster, or slung over one's back, isn't "brandished"--a term that implies menacingly pointing, or at least waving, a weapon.
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
Trained armed citizen groups are much more in the nation's interest.
He was relevant before? Geez, the things you don't know you don't know!
I try not to underestimate our misguided opponents.
His demeaning tone aside, this is exactly the purpose of the OC crowd that the anti-OCers, even here on FR, don't understand. By open carrying, we are aiming to increase the acceptance of firearms to everyday people who otherwise wouldn't notice CCWs. OC brings awareness to the firearms debate and lets people know that it isn't just rednecks and yokels who carry firearms.
The VPC and HCI have been losing members by the truckload and are in dire financial straits. When I think of those groups I imagine a couple people sitting around a ping pong table in some basement somewhere scheming to come up with their next absurdity.
Here’s something about the Brady Center you may find interesting:
The Brady Center (HCI) is poorly rated by the BBB as not meeting 6 standards for charity accountability:
Heard CNN’s Malveaux suggest tea party people were racist this morning.
Lesson One: ALWAYS bring as many video cameras to an event as possible. Leave nothing unrecorded.
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