Greetings and Procrastinations

[HairyEyeball]

New to this site, but not to the subject. Got my first CCW in Onondaga County, Peoples Democratic Republic of New York in the 1970s, was active in fighting the Sullivan Law in the Peoples Socialist Enclave of New York City in the 90s, and currently serve on the Executive Board of the Arizona Citizens Defense League. I've done some indirect lobbying, met many of the better-known people in the pro-rights 'movement' and am on a first-name basis with some; I've also been harassed - er, 'pulled over' - by members of the constabulary for "Felony Bumper Sticker" (sometimes it doesn't pay to advertise).

Learned the care and feeding of the 1911 in the Marine Corps during the Great Southeast Asia War Games, and it's still as comfortable on my hip or in my hand as if I were born with one.

I've spoken on the Bill of Rights (or the 'list of permissions', as it's become), with heavy emphasis on the Second Article for the last few years, from New Orleans to Orlando to Birmingham, generally to audiences across the political spectrum. The 'reception' I've received has generally been favorable, because I try to deal in facts. In researching those facts, I've come to learn quite a bit - and I hope to both share and supplement that knowledge and experience here.

[junglebob]

Hairyeyeball, Welcome to the forum. Were you actually able to get a CCW permit for New York City. If so were you rich, famous or well connected?

I'm from the right denied state of Illinois. Any suggestiions on getting concealed carry legislation thru in Illinois? I imagine the New York legislature has similarities with Illinois. Your biggest representation is from New York City and ours from Chicago, both anti-gun bastions. Of course in Chicago its just the police, private detectives and alderman and anti-gun (for others) mayor Daley legally carrying.

[VegasGeorge]

Hey there! Welcome HairyEyeball.

Isn't Arizona a great place? I really love desert living. I assume your in AZ now from your service on the ACDL. Whereabouts are you?

I look forward to reading your posts!

[HairyEyeball]

Thanks for the warm welcome, folks.

Currently in Pima County, AZ, and while I had a CCW 'upstate', it wasn't recognized in Moscow-on-the-Hudson, and I couldn't get one there. Doesn't mean I wasn't necessarily in possession of an anti-assault tool, but I think it would be fair to say I learned some reasonable lessons about concealed carry.

The 'story' on getting unconstitutional local laws purged is an old one, but nonetheless true: All politics is local. You have to start at the neighborhood level, join the local political party of your choice, become precinct committeemen, get your like-minded friends to do the same, and become district chairmen, county chairmen, and so on. You have to speak to people you know - and not preach to the choir or argue with the brainwashed, but talk to those open-minded enough to listen. You have to listen to their concerns and the misinformation and disinformation they've had pounded into them, and have the facts to counter it. Education is the key, but it can't be 'force fed'.

You have to find decent candidates for whatever positions you can, raise money for their campaigns, work your butts off for them on those campaigns, and raise more money to get their - your - message to the voters. You have to get those voters to the polls. You have to learn how 'politics' is played, and play it better than the other side. You have to make sure your candidates stay in office long enough to have power, while electing more of 'us' and defeating more of 'them'. You have to be in it for the long haul - especially in the socialist paradises like New York, Chicago and Mexifornia: There are going to be more defeats than victories, but 'the sky isn't falling' unless you let it - once you decide you can never change 'the system', you're right.

Get to know your legislators - and not just the 'sympathetic' ones. Invite them to your meetings, talk to them, and work with them when you can - they'll view 'good citizens', especially when they know you and 'owe you', in a much better light than a bunch of stereotypes they've only heard the worst about. And stay in contact: Twenty voters mailing regularly and politely with their views on bills on all topics they're interested in have more influence than a thousand he never hears from.

Here in AZ we've accomplished a lot by some standards, but haven't made a dent by our measure. The legislation we've passed is posted on our website: AZCDL.org - with an organization that numbered under 100 bodies two years ago. That success has pushed us to almost 600 members here in our third year. New York has an organization that could do the same - The Shooters Committee On Political Education (SCOPE-NY) - but it needs more 'doers' and less talkers, and other states have - or should have - similar groups. Virginia CDL, for instance, is one of the main reasons for the differences in firearms rights between VA and MD.

Keep in touch with as many of these groups as you can, even if you don't join them: If something worked in Pennsylvania, it might also work in Indiana - and it's easier to adapt a successful strategy than to keep reinventing the wheel.