AP Photo/Michael Conroy
Earlier today, I wrote about a high school principal who was suspended over a non-threatening pro-gun tweet. In that post, I note that this is just the latest example of an attempt to silence supporters of the Second Amendment and the ongoing effort to stigmatize gun ownership.
Ive outlined numerous examples already. Undoubtedly, you can supply still more, Im sure.
Also, without a doubt, this is rapidly becoming the new normal.
The idea is to push gun owners into silence. They want us unknown and unheard. If people realize that folks they know and respect are gun owners, that gun owners arent violent psychopaths who are itching for an excuse to kill someone, theyll realize that many of the anti-gun arguments dont hold water. Theyll recognize that many of the claims are nothing more than propaganda pretending to be reasoned thought.
We need to let people know were here, were armed, and to get used to it.
June is Gay Pride Month. It used to be a single week, but its expanded. Its a time where the LGBT community reaches out and celebrates their existence. It was used initially to remind people that gay folks existed and that they werent going to hide in the closet anymore.
Ironically, many of those celebrating are trying to push us into that same closet.
Well, Im not going. I dont care if you rebrand the metaphorical closet as a gun safe, Im not going and not because I make my living talking about the Second Amendment. Even if I didnt, Id still refuse to be rendered invisible.
So, Im proposing we make damn sure people know were here and we wont be silent. Next month is July, the month we celebrate our nations independence. How did we get independence? We shot people who thought we shouldnt have it, thats how.
As such, Im making a humble proposal to the pro-gun people throughout the land. I propose we make July Gun Pride Month.
We should have a month to celebrate our support of the Second Amendment. We should have a month where we remind people that we exist, that were their neighbors and co-workers, their doctors and lawyers, their bankers and checkout clerks; were everywhere. More importantly, we should remind people that were not going anywhere.
Gun control activists are lashing out, trying to create a world where gun ownership is socially taboo. They want us silent because if people know we exist, they might be interested in our thoughts on gun control. They might seek us out and get facts about guns and how theyre used for self-defense 2.5 million times per year, a number supported by CDC research. They might learn that, contrary to what some claim, many gun owners arent racist, xenophobic, sexist, homophobic haters who despise everyone not like them. Theyll learn that gun ownership transcends demographic boundaries. They might learn that everything gun control activists try to claim is wrong.
Not only that, but we get to spend the month of Independence Day celebrating the ultimate proof that we are truly independent. Lets start showing our support for gun rights by using the hashtag #GunPrideMonth on pictures of us using our firearms responsibly posted to social media. Lets start printing t-shirts and posters. Lets come up with new ideas to remind people that were gun owners and were Americans, for crying out loud!
Were here.
Weve got gun gear.
Get used to it.
