Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

The next attack on our rights is coming - it's already started, in fact. Stay calm, keep facts at hand, and try to sway the undecided. You will never convince the frothing-at-the-mouth radical anti-civil rights folks, but you can sway those that may not have the facts, or just don't have any skin in the game.
Please remember you're an ambassador for all of us. Our foes paint us all with the same brush, so ensure you can do as much as you can to shake the negative stereotypes. Smile. Ask questions, then counter with politely and calmly delivered facts and rebuttals.
Appear open, even if you're not. You may not agree with someone on 100 different issues, but if you can sway them on our Nature-given right to bear arms in defense, the others may follow. Put aside your prejudice and keep your eye on the big picture.
I keep reading how we're "winning the gun rights war." We're not. It's a perpetual battle of culture, of individual rights versus statism. Make friends. Be smart.

Being gay I find myself in a unique situation, I am friends to both sides. I fight for rights while preserving freedom. All those I meet that are neigh sayers I tell I carry a gun because at the moment there are those who would hurt me for it. That it is important for those that stand at risk to carry, I feel most could understand and respect that.

But above all else explanations while carrying I am always almost absurdly courteous and polite, and all smiles and as friendly as anyone.

I know that I say this frequently, but this is why I like to advocate regular open carry.

You can be be an ambassador without having to say much of anything. The fence-sitters need to see normal people doing normal things while armed. Most fence-sitters hear about guns on the news; gang shootings, school shootings, some guy shot his wife in a drunken rage. Worse yet, they hear about the occasional negligent discharge, and the death or injury that was the result. Rarely, if ever, will they see a positive gun story.

We need to stop hiding our guns. Let the general public see gun owners taking care of normal, day to day business, while visibly carrying.

I've had a few people tell me that I caused them to rethink their position on guns, simply because they knew me as a friendly and polite guy, then they saw me carrying a gun on my belt. Prior to that, they'd had the impression that gun owners were paranoid nut jobs.

Open Carry, when done right, is good for our image.

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I couldn't agree more. It just that in places like Northern Virginia cities, while I am going about life, people have called the police on me and I have had a couple of ramndom stops by police while I was walking.
Granted, its a little easier in Woodbridge an Manassas compared to Fairfax, Alexandria or Arlington, but I have still had people give me a hard time once they find out I'm not a cop.

How can we combat the situation of being seen in a bad light if you do everything 100% right, yet you are still looked at as a criminal?

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At this point, it will probably be a slow process. And, the whole "swatting " thing doesn't help.

But, the most effective way to change things is to provide a positive example of responsible gun ownership. We can talk amongst ourselves until we are blue in the face, write and type about it until our fingers fall off, but all we'll accomplish is reaching like minded people. That's great for strengthening resolve, but it's not going to change anything.

Look, the extreme far left is willing to go to jail for what they believe in. They are willing to commit crimes. Some of them are willing to commit felonies. That's what we are up against. That's hard to fight.

All I am suggesting is that, maybe once a week,or even just twice a month, step out of your comfort zone. Most of us carry, anyway. Just wear your gun visibly, occasionally. Wear a nice collared shirt, smile, say "Sir, Ma'am, please, and thank you", and open carry during your weekend errands. Be a good, visible, positive example of responsible gun ownershipin Virginia.

I OC'ed in Williamsburg. I imagine that NOVA might be worse, but not by too much. The Maryland and DC overflow that ends up in NOVA seems to eventually retire in Williamsburg. Plus, William and Mary attracts liberal loonies from all corners of the universe. CW attracts those who rewrite history. Still, I never had any issues there. People occasionally asked me questions, but I responded politely, and kept a gentle smile on my face. I refrained from wearing "aggressive" attire . (For example, no shirts sporting skulls and cross bones, and phrases like "death to those who defy me". Not quite the image we wish to project )

That's the key. Average Joe needs to see other Average Joe's carrying firearms. That's how we will win back hearts and minds. If we are not willing to undergo an occasional inconvenience of an unplanned conversation with the local PD while doing something completely within the confines of the law, how the hell are we going to win when we are up against people who are willing to commit felonies and spend 10 years in prison? Further, the media is against us. We are demonized on the news and in television shows. If we all start OC'ing regularly, or even semi-regularly, that's the best rebuttal to those lies.

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Couldn't agree more. Well said by all!

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SHMIV, 1 like!