Poor 2A Advocacy is Worse than Sitting it Out

Second Amendment Activist Protest Activism Take Action
Second Amendment Activist Protest Activism Take Action

United States – -(AmmoLand.com)- Perhaps the most frustrating thing is when someone says they are trying to help, and then proceeds to make things worse. This is particularly true when it comes to advocacy in the effort to protect and/or restore our Second Amendment rights.

Let’s be blunt here: While Second Amendment supporters have a lot going for us, specifically the facts, especially involving modern multi-purpose semiautomatic rifles, not to mention the legal arguments (combine Heller with the Supreme Court’s 2016 Caetano decision, and semi-auto bans should be toast in any honest court), as well as the fact that much of the agenda is punishing millions of Americans for crimes and acts of madness they did not commit, they don’t maximize this 1-2-3 punch. In some cases, they render it ineffective.

Now, the facts are even better for Second Amendment supporters according to the latest estimate from the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The NSSF reported that there are at least 17.7 million modern multi-purpose semi-automatic rifles in the United States. That means that based on the 2018 crime data from the FBI, which noted 297 murders committed with rifles of any type, there is a 1 in 59,596 chance of being murdered by a modern multi-purpose semi-automatic rifle. By comparison, you have a 1 in 2232 chance of dying as the result of slipping in the shower.

This should be an easy slam-dunk. But here is one case where it can easily be screwed up. One of the biggest is in not thinking through about how the defense of the Second Amendment comes across. In the immediate aftermath of a mass shooting, emotions run high – people are horrified at what happened, and then as the initial horror fades, the fear mounts.

There is a time and place for “from my cold, dead hands.” It is NOT after a mass shooting. The NRA’s “thoughts and prayers” while waiting for the particular facts in a case works well – which is why anti-Second Amendment extremists have taken to attacking the phrase. We need to show compassion for those who have suffered an unimaginable loss through a horrific misuse of Second Amendment rights in a crime or act of madness.

What comes after the initial horror and fear, though, is a demand for action. This is the phase of the fight to defend our rights where self-appointed Second Amendment commissars do the most damage. When people demand solutions, we need to have options that are either pro-Second Amendment, or at least Second Amendment compliant, ready to go. In the wake of Columbine, the NRA had Project Exile and a less-damaging bill that they used to blunt the anti-Second Amendment push. It’s not being “Vichy NRA” or “Negotiating Rights Away,” it’s smart tactics and strategy.

In all cases, though, we need to remember that the approach used will, in some cases, be the most important aspect of defending our rights. The wrong approach can set us back, as was the case a while ago, with the “Ask Amy” fiasco. Keeping in mind how the defense of our rights is perceived is not about being a “Fudd,” it is about demonstrating to our fellow Americans that we are one of the millions that the likes of Eric Swalwell, Beto O’Rourke, and Michael Bloomberg want to wrongfully punish for crimes and acts of madness we didn’t commit.

Yes, it’s infuriating to hear what anti-Second Amendment extremists call us, and yes, they are in the wrong by trying to deprive us of our rights, but we cannot let anger take over and cloud our judgement. If we want to wage a successful campaign of civil disobedience against the unjust agenda of anti-Second Amendment extremists – or better yet, head off the need for civil disobedience in the first place – we need to make sure that it is clear in the minds of our fellow Americans that we are not the villains. That means thinking before we speak, and making sure that the techniques we use do not play into Bloomberg’s fear-mongering campaign. Otherwise, at best, we will face a harder fight than needed, or at worst, we lose our rights.


Harold Hu, chison

About Harold Hutchison

Writer Harold Hutchison has more than a dozen years of experience covering military affairs, international events, U.S. politics and Second Amendment issues. Harold was consulting senior editor at Soldier of Fortune magazine and is the author of the novel Strike Group Reagan. He has also written for the Daily Caller, National Review, Patriot Post, Strategypage.com, and other national websites.

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UncleT

. In the wake of Columbine, the NRA had Project Exile and a less-damaging bill that they used to blunt the anti-Second Amendment push. It’s not being “Vichy NRA” or “Negotiating Rights Away,” it’s smart tactics and strategy. Wow! Harold, you are the prime example why we have lost the rights we have. Just chip away a little of out Rights to appease the people who want ALL of our rights taken away! This why the NRA is a failure. The NRA WROTE THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND FAILED NICS to appease the anti-2A zealots, now they have the base, they want… Read more »

Baldwin

Were you around in the 60’s??? Ever read about it? Civil disobedience of unconstitutional laws works! You do you Harold. Meanwhile, I’ve got work to do.

We will not comply!

Deplorable Bill

Just a few facts sir. Law enforcement is NOT REQUIRED BY LAW TO COME TO THE AID OF ANYONE. Thus the mantel of self defense falls on the individual and those good Samaritans who will protect and defend the innocent. The 2A is not just a right, it’s a mandate, a requirement that says everyone who is not in jail or the loony farm and of proper age IS THE MALITIA. Laws that run counter to the constitution, the bill of rights and the amendments are actually treasonous. Thus any who would delay, deprive anyone of their 2A right and… Read more »

Mack

“Perhaps the most frustrating thing is when someone says they are trying to help, and then proceeds to make things worse.”

You think?

Heed the Call-up

Like Harold helping us to understand we need to pay obeisance to these Socialists that only want to turn us into their servants and slap us when they decide to be nice to us, instead of using the whip?

Vern

According to history, socialists/communists don’t slap, they shoot unarmed people, for the purpose of forcing their laws against humanity, that don’t comply to their standards of how slaves should act.

TexDad

“Perhaps the most frustrating thing is when someone says they are trying to help, and then proceeds to make things worse.”

Harold, THAT’S YOU. Clearly.

Please go away.

JPM

Good old P.C., LaPierre butt kissing, compromise your rights, Harold strikes again.

Heed the Call-up

Harold, the Socialist, showing his true self, again. He creates straw men to argue against our RKBA. I guess he is the rube Ammoland puts up for us to cut our teeth on. However, his ridiculous diatribes have gotten quite stale and old. He argues the same lame points as to why we should cower in the corner and accept any moldy crumbs the Socialists decide to feed us. No, Harold, we will not comply. The firearm owners in New York State after the “SAFE” Act passed in 2013 did not and are not complying, as did those in Connecticut… Read more »

Dubi Loo

Firstly I did not read this article, and will not read any others written by this author. I read enough in the past to make-up my mind. I staunchly defend Harold’s Right of a free press. Having said that it is my reasoned opinion, due to his poor advice, it is better for Harold to sit this one out. He is a piss poor 2A advocate! I seriously question why Ammoland keeps publishing his articles? Does management read them? Do they read the barrage of reader’s (audience) negative reviews? Can’t other authors be found who are more in-tune with the… Read more »

TheRevelator

For First Amendment reasons only, maintaining an open forum. Please remember, this is what we criticized Facebook, Twitter, and all the rest for doing when they decided who was worthy of having a voice.

The good news is that our arguments defeat Harold’s every single time. We know him for what he is, and resoundingly reject his stupidity. As an after effect, he’s a butt hurt little progressive who is mad that his opinion wasn’t accepted. Thus he returns.

TheRevelator

HAROLD HUTCHISON IS A LYING, TRAITOROUS, SLEAZEBAG, and I shall explain why. Then we can wait and see if his follower shows up. “Perhaps the most frustrating thing is when someone says they are trying to help, and then proceeds to make things worse.” Harold….. It’s time for you to shut up and look in the mirror, then apply your own words to yourself. You are not here trying to help restore pre-existing rights that the second amendment was put into place to forbid all levels of government from messing with, and you have most definitely done your fair share… Read more »

Knute

So Mr Hutchison’s point is: “It’s better to sit silently and appear a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt” (-Mark Twain)??
Well, its hard to argue with that. Harold Hutchison is the absolute master at saying the wrong thing, so I’ll have to agree. He hurts us with every word he writes. If only he could become a BIT less foolish, but that would mean keeping his foolish mouth shut, which just doesn’t seem to be in his character.

PsychoUSMC

Will someone please shut him up.

TheRevelator

And Yep, Harold’s follower just showed up a few minutes ago.

Seems he only appears when Harold writes. Well, last time he challenged and I responded, at which point he went silent and ran off. Almost been a week now. Lets see if he follows his usual pattern, going around telling everyone how he agrees with Harold and then trying to dismiss any and all evidence presented. Time will tell.

TheRevelator

Oooh… He went silent. Wonder if he is waiting for some of us to go offline so he can post a few more undisturbed. 🙂

cav2108

I don’t even bother to read this moron’s crap anymore. I just come straight to the comments and take a quick look at what the first five commenters have to say. So, not having read this article, I would say that this is just another diatribe by the commie apologist demanding that we compromise half of our rights away (this week) and that we shouldn’t call attention to ourselves because. . . . . the leftists won’t like it and hate to hear people that they already hate disagreeing with them. . . . . because . . . .… Read more »

Truth

As soon as I saw the title, I KNEW who wrote it…..

TheRevelator

For First Amendment reasons, even though there is no doctor alive who could perform surgery to fix his sphincter vision.

Will Flatt

HAROLD, TAKE YOUR OWN ADVICE AND STFU. THEN GTFO!! NOBODY HERE WANTS OR NEEDS YOUR STINKIN’ THINKIN!!!

loveaduck

It’s called the Bill of Rights, all of them.

Boomer

One can always pick out a “Harold article” from the mere title alone.
I mean, if nothing else, at least he’s consistent about being an authoritarian asshat… so he’s got that goin for him, I guess?

loveaduck

You don’t get to choose which of the Bill of Rights to support, even for someone you disagree with.

TheRevelator

I’m going to go ahead and point out the irony behind the above response.

That is exactly the type of reply that causes Harold’s eggs to vibrate. It’s “insensitive”, and comes across badly when trying to protect and defend our rights to people who don’t like that their opinions or emotions have no determining effect on the validity of the bill of rights. 🙂

loveaduck

None the less, he has the right to believe what he spouts.

TheRevelator

@loveaduck So let me ask you this, since this was already stated to you multiple times already, why are you still trying to present it as if we are not allowing him to make his own choice? He can believe it himself, that has been recognized. He does not however have a right to have it be uncontested by others publicly, or to not be called out for making false assertations against those who have actually decided to defend the Second Amendment instead of rationalizing the infringements on it. That is what myself and others have done, we have gone… Read more »

TheRevelator

@loveaduck Yeah, didn’t think you would have an answer for that one either. You have now tucked tail and run on multiple occasions. You continue to try and foment the same lies even after clear evidence has been given to you with explanation. Such is the conclusion then that you are not here to defend the Second amendment or the bill of rights, as you only wish to engage them when they are on your terms or fit your desires. You have sought to aid and defend the actions of a known collaborator and apologist to the Anti-Second movement, even… Read more »

loveaduck

My integrity is fine. You do have the right to disagree with anyone. I have that same right. I have not tucked tail and run anywhere. Here I am. I’m a gun owner and a 2A devotee. I defend it daily on other platforms as well. I don’t think I have falsely defending Harry-old, just stating my apparently wrong opinion.

TheRevelator

@loveaduck Wow, posting a reply on what should be a dead article, and waiting over two weeks to do it. Too bad it is already a habit for you, since yes, you have tucked tail and run from responding on other Hutchison articles as well. Since you are having trouble understanding I shall once again repeat this for you. Your opinion does not replace the Truth as established by factual evidence. You may think you were not wrong, but that doesn’t change the fact that you WERE wrong. What YOU think means nothing when what you think happens to be… Read more »