Hi everybody. I was disappointed to learn that I missed out on your open carry seminar in GR on 1/18, so I decided it was time I join the forum, keep up on your upcoming events, and maybe even practice open carry from time to time.
I’m don’t contribute much to any of the forums I frequent, so you won’t see much activity from me, but I wanted to at least introduce myself and thank those of you who have made a positive impact on Second Amendment related causes.
As you are no doubt aware, not all gun rights supporters are in favor of open carry, and I myself cringe at the behavior of some activists. I’m sure other members here have watched more than one YouTube video where they’ve seen an activist behaving just as badly as or worse than some of the law enforcement personnel portrayed in those same videos. That being said, I want to reinforce my gratitude to those of you who have, and/or continue to, put energy into this cause in a positive way that benefits others.
I started my gun rights journey decades ago, long before the Internet was around in the way we know it today. So, I did most of my research at our County’s law library and all my correspondence had to be done through the US Mail. I remember sitting in the County building reading the various statutes and thinking to myself, how did those generations before us let this happen.
It took me a long time to get my first concealed pistol license back in the early 90’s and it was a restricted license which was called a “Home, Bank, And Business” license. This was after my second appearance at the County Gun Board. The extremely restricted license they offered me at my first appearance was just a “Fishing and Hunting” license or whatever it was called back then and I turned it down on principle.
I have been a member of the NRA since before I owned a firearm and here closer to home I was a member with MCRGO. I’m still a proud member of the NRA, Benefactor member actually, but dropped my MCRGO membership long ago. I don’t even remember some of the decisions MCRGO made which I disagreed with enough to leave that organization, but regardless, I’m grateful to them for all of the positive that they did to get shall issue here in Michigan and I’m hopeful they are currently making a positive impact.
The NRA has never pissed me off to the point I’ve ever considered leaving that organization. I know there are many firearm owners out there, probably some right here on this board, who bash the NRA every chance they get, but I am not aware of any other organization who has done more to push the momentum in the right direction. I know there were others who were responsible for the major victories achieved in the Supreme Court recently who were not directly affiliated with the NRA and I’m grateful to them and all who support them, but I still see the NRA as the big dog in this fight. There is no doubt that the NRA is responsible for the majority of the victories across this great Country which have resulted in the culture change I’ve witnessed since I started this journey decades ago.
Well enough about the past, the main reason that I’m here is that I’m tired of our State mandated prohibited places. I think it’s absurd that we have any prohibited places at all and even though I am only personally regularly affected by a few, I want as many of them removed as possible. I think the open carry movement can help, so I’m here to learn more. Although I’ve known for quite some time that it appears one can open carry in some of these prohibited places if they have a valid CPL, I’ve never done so myself. If after I learn more on the subject of open carry I feel comfortable, I plan practicing it from time to time. My hopes are that in the short term this may give me the ability to protect myself in some of the places I feel most vulnerable. Further, I hope that in the long term it may help change public perception or have even the smallest impact on helping to get the list of prohibited places reduced or eliminated.
You’ll see me hanging around the forums here to learn more, and I hope to attend the seminar in GR on February 20th. Thanks again to those of you who are acting in a responsible way to further this cause and I hope to meet some of you at an upcoming event. Most Importantly, I hope that our actions, or lack thereof, do not cause future generations to ponder how we let ... happen.
