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There are perhaps lessons here that might apply in the intractable anti-gun California fight, even if victories will be rare in spite of it. The difference is that in Texas, the culture was for gun rights while here it is against them. Open carriers were cheered for open carry protests in Texas while in California, SWAT would be called in.
The key lesson in the end is that the state culture and local culture have to support the right for it to be taken back. Just take each example and ask if it would have had the result it achieved in Texas if done here in California. Almost to a one, I found it wouldn't have. For instance can you imagine both the Democrat and Republican candidates both endorsing open cary as part of their platform in California.
In the end, I have come to believe that the only way a right will be preserved is because the people around you want it to be preserved, not by the judiciary, the legislature, the executive branches, or by a government agency. We The People in the state have to want it and then it will be so. otherwise, it's gone sooner or later.
how-open-carry-activists-won-in-texas/
The key lesson in the end is that the state culture and local culture have to support the right for it to be taken back. Just take each example and ask if it would have had the result it achieved in Texas if done here in California. Almost to a one, I found it wouldn't have. For instance can you imagine both the Democrat and Republican candidates both endorsing open cary as part of their platform in California.
In the end, I have come to believe that the only way a right will be preserved is because the people around you want it to be preserved, not by the judiciary, the legislature, the executive branches, or by a government agency. We The People in the state have to want it and then it will be so. otherwise, it's gone sooner or later.
Open carry activists didn’t win in Texas because of public opinion, at least not on the superficial and transitory image of public opinion that’s usually measured. It was won because the activists developed means and methods to communicate around the elite establishment, grew their own organizations and vision, and exerted raw political power to bend the government to their will. Of course, they had several advantages . . .
The facts were on their side. The Constitution is on their side. And the culture is on their side. Arrayed against them were big government elites, big media, and big educrats from the university system. They weren’t asking for much, just to right an injustice perpetrated a 160 years ago. To reclaim something that was their birthright. It cost no money and it was at no risk to the population.
It wasn’t done by politely asking politicians if they would “pretty please” restore their rights. I am not saying that proper manners aren’t effective. Used properly, they’re an effective tool. Activists in the political arena quickly learn to threaten political defeat very politely. That’s what has happened with the open carry activists.
The facts were on their side. The Constitution is on their side. And the culture is on their side. Arrayed against them were big government elites, big media, and big educrats from the university system. They weren’t asking for much, just to right an injustice perpetrated a 160 years ago. To reclaim something that was their birthright. It cost no money and it was at no risk to the population.
It wasn’t done by politely asking politicians if they would “pretty please” restore their rights. I am not saying that proper manners aren’t effective. Used properly, they’re an effective tool. Activists in the political arena quickly learn to threaten political defeat very politely. That’s what has happened with the open carry activists.
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