At the Gun Show

This last Sunday afternoon, I manned the Grass Roots North Carolina (GRNC) table at the Dixie Gun Show at the Fairgrounds in Raleigh, NC. Each show is different. Since the elections of 2008, and with the Great Ammunition Shortage scare, the emphasis has been on buying a gun, or on securing a few cases of ammunition. While all that was still at the heart of the show, this time there were a number of political candidates with booths at the show, or they were circulating the show and asking folks to vote for them. Senator Richard Burr had a booth at the show, as did the Republican Women. B. J. Lawson came around, reportedly, on Saturday, so I did not see him. When candidates would ask for our support, we usually handed them a candidate survey and asked them to fill it out if they had not done so already. GRNC has a very active "Remember in November" program to identify candidates friendly to gun rights at the State level.

The "Restore the Constitution" folks had a booth at the gun show. I carried some fliers for their upcoming event at Guilford CH Battlefield National Park to our table to hand out. Their website, in case you want to go this Saturday is here. I am planning to be there. Hope you can make it too.

The Gun Owners of American had a booth at the show, as did the NRA. I mentioned to the man manning the GOA booth that I had seen Larry Pratt on Freedom Watch with Judge Napolitano the day before. He seemed pleased. I feel it is important to let people know that they are not lone voices talking to a brick wall; that the message is getting through. Over at our table, there was some discussion to the effect that while many of our members are Life members of NRA, that NRA is going down the wrong track. Many are worried that NRA may come out endorsing Harry Reid because of his support of the shooting range in Las Vegas, never mind that his votes for Sotomayor and Kagan should permanently brand him as 'F' on gun rights. Were Mr. LaPierre listening, and he is not, I would ask him what part of "shall not be infringed" does he think allows the constant compromising of our rights with those who want to take away my rights? I would advise him to stand on principle, no matter the consequences. But that is just me.

All in all, a good show. I bought a few things, mostly maintenance items for firearms already owned. It was good to see the guys, and to talk to the public. We signed up a goodly number of new members, and quite a few more went home to think about it. To them, I say "Even if you don't join, thanks stopping by for a chat and for letting us tell you about GRNC."