So I went to the Silverado Gun Show this weekend and manned the literature booth for the Montgomery Citizens for a Safer Maryland. It was interesting how many people just strolled by the booth and couldn’t be bothered to take a look at documents about protecting the RKBA. There were lots of very busy looking people who couldn’t wait to get to the showroom floor and strike a deal on an old shotgun or some reloading supplies. I’ve always thought it a bit hyperbolic, but it’s true–the biggest enemy of gun rights isn’t Democrats or liberals or wishy washy Republicans or the law-enforcement community. It’s the apathetic gun owner who can’t be bothered. There are 60 million gun owners in this country. By way of contrast, we’ve had national elections where barely that many people vote, period. If gun owners would organize, quit the infighting, and actually start giving a damn, we’d get where we’re trying to get a lot more expeditiously. But that wasn’t happening this weekend; MCSM had laid out a booth with tons of great literature on the Second Amendment and the myths behind gun control, and 90% of the gun show patrons rolled past it like it was Oprah’s latest bookclub garbage. Shameful, really.
Ok, enough ranting about the perils of you gun owners sitting on your duffs. I had nice conversations with the Maryland Rifle and Pistol club folks, and got a chance to look at lots of M4/AR-15s that tempted me to spend money I don’t have on a weapon I’d need to drive 45 minutes to shoot. Every time I drop a too expensive hobby, I find another one that tempts me to break the bank. Heh. Oh well, as I get older I don’t let go of the toys, they just get more pricey.
But the most interesting conversation was with a member of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms who refused to go on record or let me use his or her name. I struck up a conversation about what they thought about AWBs, gun control, the apparent abuse of power by the Richmond area BATF Agents (who apparently stalked gun owners home after a gun show and interviewed neighbors, family, etc. which subsequently lead to Congress calling for hearings into misconduct), and other relevant topics. This agent remarked that the Federal government really wasn’t what the law abiding gun owner had to fear, but rather overzealous and under-educated state legislators (you reading this, Mr. Quinter?). I had to agree. They also remarked that, in their experience, you can pass whatever laws you want, the bad guys will still get guns if they want them.
Yup. You read that correctly. You can see why he/she didn’t want to go on record. I should have been wearing a wire. Oh well.
That’s right, dear reader! PGP got the BATF to admit–off the record–what we already know, and wish the Ceasefire types and anti-gunners would grasp, that gun control is a fool’s errand that only prevents law abiding citizens from arming themselves, and does nothing to keep the bad guys from plying their trade. If you’re reading this, that premise is hardly news to you most likely; but it is something remarkable that a BATF agent would admit as much, even off the record. Their efforts are at best a stopgap, reactionary enforcement effort, and even they’ll admit–off the record–that a world where the bad guys can’t arm themselves is something they just cannot provide.
When my wife and I passed the MCSM booth, Bob Culver was out from behind the booth and deep in conversation with an attendee. Not recognizing the fellow behind the booth I simply walked on. Damn! I would have liked to meet you.
Failing to pick up pro-gun literature isn’t always a mark of gun-owner apathy. Many of us pretty well know the facts.
An unwillingness to get up off their duff is a different story.
This morning I alerted many in District 21 of the need to call and support Senator Gianetti. How many will pick up the banner is anyone’s guess. Many view Maryland as a hopeless cause, disappointed once too often in the failed attempts to change the landscape.
Had I seen an MSI or Pro-gun Progressive sign I would have zeroed in like a fly on manure. My club, Berwyn Rod & Gun, was there and I spent some time explaining concealed carry to those who visited their booth.
I couldn’t bring myself to stop at the BATFE display. They have pretty well diminished any interest I might have had in them.
Comment by rambling_one — February 20, 2006 @ 2:03 pm
Hey man,
.
Yeah that was me in the red shirt behind the desk, probably taking a break while Don took a turn doing the yapping. You’re right that many people already “get it”, but like you said knowing the truth and acting on the truth aren’t always the same thing
Oh well, there’s an MSI meeting next Sunday afternoon, if you can make it up for that, I’ll be there. Thanks!
Comment by Administrator — February 20, 2006 @ 2:10 pm
[…] Pro-Gun Progressive had a chat with an ATF agent. Interesting what they say. […]
Pingback by SayUncle » Stuff they say off record — February 21, 2006 @ 9:17 am
Carnival of Cordite #49
Hello and welcome once again to the Carnival of Cordite! Just a few quick announcements before we begin: Next week, the Carnival of Cordite will be hosted by AnarchAngel. The following week, check out the Carnival of Cordite at The
Trackback by Resistance is futile! — February 24, 2006 @ 8:40 pm
Well, it would figure the the BATFE would acknowledge the futility of attacking law-abiding gun owners. Even the most arrogant among them understand the difference between a low-life criminal and Mr. Public Citizen - the ones who didn’t probably got ran out early in this decade. They were undoubtably welcomed by the anti-gun messiah-complex-types in the Clintax Administration.
Comment by Libercontrarian — February 24, 2006 @ 11:09 pm
The most noteworthy thing that came to mind was that, ostensibly, the BATF is charged with making sure such illicit sales don’t happen (they spend a lot more time worrying about that than the alcohol and tobacco I bet). Even so, their agent recognized the futility of trying to keep criminals from buying guns. I think as soon as this person said it, they realized what they’d done…and clammed up.
No matter, it was proof positive of the mindset and recognition of the futility of what they do.
Comment by Administrator — February 25, 2006 @ 9:56 am