turbodog
Regular Member
imported post
Starting an organization from scratch is no easy thing, especially when the group espouses an idea or activity that is not considered mainstream.
In the public eye, LOCAL is based upon an unusual and sometimes frightening concept and display. No one disagrees that to promote Open Carry is every bit an uphill battle. We face everything from indifference to panic from the general public, the possibility of outright hostility from law enforcement and government, and doubt and suspicion within the firearms community. We even face nay-sayers on this forum devoted to the promotion of Open Carry!
Other states have what appear to be strong groups devoted to the advocacy of Open Carry. MichiganOpenCarry.org is a good example of such. Does anyone think they started out that way? No. They started with a few guys with a common interest, who realized if they stood together, they could be a greater force in promoting their cause than they ever could as individuals.
How smooth was their road to where they are today, I don't know. No doubt they faced many of the same issues and challenges that LOCAL faces now. I have to hope though, that they didn't have to face the petty and spiteful bickering which seems to be the hallmark of the Louisiana forum on OCDO.
We have met the enemy and they are us. This is ridiculous.
The Louisiana Open Carry Awareness League was formed from discussions at informal OC meet-n-greets here in south Louisiana. In meeting and talking, we did come to that epiphany that, together, we could maybe be a stronger voice for promoting Open Carry and educating the public on it's legality in our state.
No sooner than the formation of LOCAL was announced, the attacks started here. Frankly, I was dumbfounded by that. Here we are, on a national forum dedicated to promoting the cause we all subscribe to, Open Carry of a sidearm, and we get negativity from some in the very community LOCAL can have the greatest benefit to.
I just don't get it.
If some don't want to support the organization, then don't. There's certainly no requirement toward anyone to participate in the group or even agree with it's policies or activities but why try and beat it down before it's started? You afraid of something?
We're new, we're small and we have a long row to hoe, but we will move forward in spite of those who would rather pooh pooh the efforts of others yet will ride the coattails of their accomplishments all the while.
The fledgling advocacy group that is LOCAL now meets on a monthly basis, have elected officers, established by-laws and are setting goals to work toward.
LOCAL members wish to present a positive type of advocacy rather than an antagonistic one.
The steps of LOCAL may be small and perhaps unsteady just now, but they are moving forward and will continue to do so in spite of the negativity and antagonism exhibited by some individuals on the Louisiana forum. They do not speak for the majority.
Starting an organization from scratch is no easy thing, especially when the group espouses an idea or activity that is not considered mainstream.
In the public eye, LOCAL is based upon an unusual and sometimes frightening concept and display. No one disagrees that to promote Open Carry is every bit an uphill battle. We face everything from indifference to panic from the general public, the possibility of outright hostility from law enforcement and government, and doubt and suspicion within the firearms community. We even face nay-sayers on this forum devoted to the promotion of Open Carry!
Other states have what appear to be strong groups devoted to the advocacy of Open Carry. MichiganOpenCarry.org is a good example of such. Does anyone think they started out that way? No. They started with a few guys with a common interest, who realized if they stood together, they could be a greater force in promoting their cause than they ever could as individuals.
How smooth was their road to where they are today, I don't know. No doubt they faced many of the same issues and challenges that LOCAL faces now. I have to hope though, that they didn't have to face the petty and spiteful bickering which seems to be the hallmark of the Louisiana forum on OCDO.
We have met the enemy and they are us. This is ridiculous.
The Louisiana Open Carry Awareness League was formed from discussions at informal OC meet-n-greets here in south Louisiana. In meeting and talking, we did come to that epiphany that, together, we could maybe be a stronger voice for promoting Open Carry and educating the public on it's legality in our state.
No sooner than the formation of LOCAL was announced, the attacks started here. Frankly, I was dumbfounded by that. Here we are, on a national forum dedicated to promoting the cause we all subscribe to, Open Carry of a sidearm, and we get negativity from some in the very community LOCAL can have the greatest benefit to.
I just don't get it.
If some don't want to support the organization, then don't. There's certainly no requirement toward anyone to participate in the group or even agree with it's policies or activities but why try and beat it down before it's started? You afraid of something?
We're new, we're small and we have a long row to hoe, but we will move forward in spite of those who would rather pooh pooh the efforts of others yet will ride the coattails of their accomplishments all the while.
The fledgling advocacy group that is LOCAL now meets on a monthly basis, have elected officers, established by-laws and are setting goals to work toward.
LOCAL members wish to present a positive type of advocacy rather than an antagonistic one.
The steps of LOCAL may be small and perhaps unsteady just now, but they are moving forward and will continue to do so in spite of the negativity and antagonism exhibited by some individuals on the Louisiana forum. They do not speak for the majority.