Yes, this happened in Louisiana, but it's a good example of how we win anywhere. This week we had a good day in the Legislature because we got serious about the threat and we did what was necessary.
The gun-ban lobby handed a bunch of prepared gun control bills to selected legislators (all Democrats), and we faced a ban on many semi-auto rifles/handguns/shotguns, a 10-day waiting period, a ban and confiscation of bump stocks
(and probably all after-market triggers), and a bill killing the state preemption law.
Two weeks ago, at committee hearings on gun control bills we were badly outnumbered by the "Mom’s" groups. This week, we showed up in big numbers and dominated the room. We also had already made calls and sent emails to the legislators with the subject line "Vote NO On Gun Control." We testified (though you shouldn't do it if you really are not part of the plan of what needs to be said). One by one, the bills were voted down. The preemption killer was deferred (pulled from consideration) when the sponsor saw that he didn't have the votes.
How did it happen? We have a great NRA rep -- Erin Luper. We have an active state organization (Louisiana Shooting Association), we have a home defense coalition of several groups, we have Facebook pages for gun owners, and we used them all to rally the troops. It takes everyone. It takes you.
I do understand that in some states, the deck is stacked to the point where this won't work, but we still must do this.
Note: I heard a lot of gun owners say we should give the banners something. Who cares about bump stocks, anyway? BULL! We gave them nothing! If we had, the banners would have paraded that in other states, saying, "See! Even a red state like Louisiana is okay with a ban on bump stocks." Never mind that the bill was so overbroad that it would have included competition triggers, muzzle brakes, and anything else that could "substantially" increase the rate of fire.
NOT ONE INCH. Ever!
Well done, guys and gals.
Pat yourselves on the back for five minutes, and then get ready for the next round, because there will always be a next round. ~ Tom
Tom Gresham
Author, outdoorsman, gun rights activist, and firearms enthusiast for more than five decades, Tom Gresham hosts Tom Gresham's Gun Talk, the first nationally-syndicated radio show about guns and the shooting sports, and is also the producer and co-host of the Guns & Gear, GunVenture and First Person Defender television series.
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