Whoa, that was pretty deep.
In our fight for advocacy, I usually think about what we can do to win others over instead of turning them off. To me it’s not I that count, it’s those who were on the fence, or whose hearts and minds might be open to our cause, for the GOA rep to say that we are at risk to have to use our firearms to shoot at a tyrannical government comes off to “them” as extreme (“this” day and age) –– to those who are not in “our” tent.
I did relate with you on one point, where you wrote “The 2A is exactly for taking the fight to a tyrannical government and has nothing to do with anything else”. I guess like you, I view it in context (of that time).
Still though, personally, I find it hard to believe that we would ever have to overthrow our government, and shoot at them with rifles like we did circa 1776. I guess I believe that falls under conspiracy theorists, that it would ever happen to us again. Someone else in one of these posts pointed out that a government would have sophisticated weapons, whereas we’d have “only rifles”. I’d add, very little ammo. I’m not saying I’m right, it’s just my opinion.
In the interview on video, the interviewer pushed the GOA rep, and manipulated him to give a brief few seconds answer.
I think of the purpose of the GOA organization. If it’s to advocate for firearm rights, then to answer that interviewer, I might demand more time. IDK, I might as you pointed out – explain how in that era of the late 1700’s, how important it was to have The 2A, but I would have followed up with “And today, in our time, we need advocacy for self-defense which includes the right to defend ourselves with firearms when our lives are threatened and at stake”, and expanded laws which reflect the public .
I’m in support of firearms rights and freedoms, but in my personal opinion, like the old saying goes, “perception is reality”. In respect to the GOA organization, I’m also a member.
For what it’s worth, I worry less about that GOA rep, but more about that ATF director candidate, and wrote my U.S. Congressperson and Senator to share my opposition of his appointment.
That’s where I think the battle is, to win more hearts and minds, not with me please. The fight is out “there”.
More from our colleagues at: Is the Constitution a right or a privilege - #22 by DonJMac 