United States – -(AmmoLand.com)- When defending our right to keep and bear arms, Second Amendment supporters are dealing with a lot. We are constantly smeared as domestic terrorists and child killers for refusing to go along with the anti-Second Amendment agenda of certain politicians and media figures. It’s easy to just give in and respond in kind.
Don’t get me wrong, sometimes, there are circumstances when speaking harshly about anti-Second Amendment extremists is warranted.
These should be rare and used either when those seeking to infringe our rights have engaged in significant provocation or when addressing a blatant violation of our rights, as is the case with the Lavrentiy Beria-inspired witch hunts led by the likes of Letitia James.
However, in the spirit of the lyrics of a very classic pop music hit from decades ago inspired by the Bible, there is a time for the harsh rhetoric and a time to refrain from the harsh rhetoric. Far more often, we need to avoid the harsh rhetoric that risks Second Amendment supporters replicating Biden’s blunders in recent months.
Unlike Biden, we don’t have the benefit of support from the bulk of the media.
That says nothing, of course, about the power of Big Tech to censor us or the threat of financial deplatforming that is an existential threat to Second Amendment activism and the firearms industry. It’s a harsh reality we face in 2022.
That harsh reality sometimes requires us to swallow our pride in the face of having our arguments distorted, being smeared in one form or another, and to even be insulted personally over our activism in defense of the Second Amendment. It is not easy to hold our tongue (or refrain from posting an angry comment) in the face of lies – I can attest to that on a personal level. But defending the Second Amendment is important enough to do that, no matter the cost to our pride.
Instead of lashing out, even when our anger is justified, Second Amendment supporters should dedicate themselves to carrying out the outreach and persuasion that can help make the gains we’ve seen in the 2021 election and from other data become permanent enough to sink anti-Second Amendment extremism. We need to not only welcome those who have joined the ranks of gun owners, but we need to help them on the path to becoming not just responsible gun owners, but also to be effective advocates for the Second Amendment should they choose to do so.
Ultimately, how we manage the dueling impulses and instincts in our hearts and minds will determine how effective we are in defending our Second Amendment rights. The ultimate question we need to ask ourselves is, “Will what I am doing help us defeat anti-Second Amendment extremists at the federal, state, and local levels via the ballot box?”
Once we have the answer to that question, we should act accordingly.
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.
What the…….? When I read the headline in my mail browser, I just knew it was Harold out here vomiting out this garbage.
Ammoland, WHY is this guy still on your staff with this nonsense?
It’s called the First Amendment, and it’s good to see more than one opinion.
More finger wagging.
All I can do at this point is express my extreme displeasure with you, Harold.
Please go away.
I find myself disagreeing with Mr. Hutchison often enough to be noticeable, but how’s he wrong here?
Because no mre compromise, in thought, in deed, or in speech.
Do me a favor and reread my comment, please. I don’t think I said what your question presumes I said.
Harold has a long history of wagging the proverbial finger at real RKBA supporters, and I would like to express my disapproval.
Anyone else sick and tired of being told what we “must” do in each of these articles?
There is no voting or talking our way out of this mess… the corruption has become the system.
This is, by and large, our own damn fault.
Harold! You are familiar with Beria? I am impressed. Other than that, go pound sand.
I do not trust any politician on either side of the aisle to stand up for my rights . They have proven they cannot be trusted . Republicans and Democrats have both sold gun owners out in America . Bans and registration, background checks the list goes on . They took a oath to uphold the constitution and they have almost all failed to honor that oath ! They no longer serve the people as they are all in bed with satan and worship money . Politicians are all bought and paid for by the banking institutions.
big pharma has more than a few in their pocket
True. Today, however, we’ve got more Constitutional Conservatives who are members of the GOP. I was a “Republican” for decades up until around 2009, when I saw how spineless and feckless they were with barack hussain and his klan. I severed ties with the Republican party at that point, but still vote R (as I always have). Look at Montana. We have a Constitutional Conservative Governor, Lt Gov, AG, Superintendent, and a lot of other leadership positions here in our State that are now occupied by Constitutional Conservatives working under the R umbrella.
M454 – and if you add in the fact that those who actually do try to take a stand get stomped on by the lame stream media, it really puts them (and us) in a bind. Don’t know if our sorta local ‘news’ makes it up there but a long time incumbent US rep in a district near here has been getting lambasted by the lsm since his office got raided by the famous bumbling individuals even though there has been no info leaked as to why they did the raid, what they were looking for or what potential charges… Read more »
It’s no longer just the second amendment in jeopardy, the radical left controlled Dems want to repeal the entire constitution. We must all do everything within our power to ensure a major Republican win across the board on Nov. 8 with a free and fair election.
I would love to know what good that is going to do. Republicans have had complete control of DC numerous times and all we’ve gotten are continued erosion of our rights. Democrats and Republicans are heading to the same destination just at different speeds.
Stag, I can’t express how sad it is for me to have to admit that you are 100% correct. I particularly think your comment, “Democrats and Republicans are heading to the same destination just at different speeds” is insightful. I won’t quit voting, I won’t quit hoping but only because I don’t see anything else realistic to do —– yet.
That does not have to be true if we focus bouncing RINOs in PRIMARIES and then bouncing McConnell & McCarthy from leadership.
I’ll work for a Constitutional Conservative” win. Not a “Republican” win. With the two party system we’re under, it’ll be called “Republican” but with Constitutional Conservatives taking positions, it won’t be your daddy’s “GOP”.
Elisa, I hope you are correct. People are waking up, I fear it is too late.
That is a WASTE of time unless you defeat RINOs in the primaries first, and bounce RINOs from leadership. Else we will be wondering why RINOs McConnell & McCarthy do NOTHING when they’re back in power, as usual.
I learned many years ago that the most effective and infuriating response to Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals is not more Rules for Radicals but the opposite. Quiet, polite and persistent questioning of your adversary will win the day every time. Why do you think the Moms and the Brady’s and the Mark Kelly’s of the world avoid formal debate on issues? They cannot debate because their premises and their ‘truths’ are bogus. Peel away the veneer of their arguments by questioning and making them defend their ‘truths’ and watch them collapse. Joining in the mob only gets you spashed… Read more »
it is fun when they can not defend the lies they break down into rage and attack screaming insults sometimes even psychical assault.
That’s my goal. It’s my favorite part. Whenever I’m sitting home bored and looking for entertainment, I get all dolled up and I go to where the feminazis hold their coven meetings.
Not in my world. I studied their alinsky back in ’07 and I studied it “in the field” as well as in the library. Using their own alinsky against them is a spectacular, SPECTACULAR joy and it’s a fight you will win every time if you know their alinsky. You see, they can dish the alinsky out, but their alinsky never taught them how to react when their alinsky is shoved clear down their throats with a jackhammer. No, being polite and allowing them to abuse you is not a good stategy. Knowing the enemy and using their tools against… Read more »
Excellent, can you give me a couple of examples to get me started, please?
Looks like you’re already “started” on the sock puppet lap dances.
What the hell is that about?
Start by reading (and studying) their “bible” called “Rules for Radicals”, written by one of their many messiah’s and “Dedicated to Lucifer.” Here are the 12 Rules Saul Alinsky dictates. My own personal favorites are 4, 5, 6, and ESPECIALLY number 12. : RULE 1: “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and blood. (These are two things of which there is a plentiful supply. Government and corporations always have a difficult time appealing to people,… Read more »
Wow, not like any of the traditional rules of debate or of court or of logic. One really evil mind, came up with this stuff. I am not sure that I can substitute this. You should hold classes for conservatives.
Thank you and I sure am glad that you are on our side.
nr – well said. Calm, clear and well stated commentary – with data and facts to back ya up – is why they don’t really want a ‘reasonable discussion’ since they know they cannot win in that arena.
These Liberal, Snowflakes constantly disparage and demean us! Screw Them! I tell them how it is and where they can put their opinions! Like the man said…”You All Can Kiss My Assets!”
There is a HUGE difference in ‘lashing out’ and properly and legitimately responding. That is particularly true when we are being falsely characterized or lied about. While we certainly should not just reply harshly, not positively stating our case can be just as bad. No matter how ‘classy’ we stay, not advocating our position merely cedes ground to the antis. We have seen far too often that ‘they’ will not go away no matter how often we ignore them or try to rise above the fray. Sometimes we do have to get down and dirty.
The only thing I MUST Do is never back down for my support of the 2A
I can’t stand polititions, they only talk garbage and rarely to never stand up for anything written in the constitution much less the 2A and meekly protesting only gets us ignored and them in office more time to screw us over.
The time for playing nicy nicy is OVER! Look where it got us. It just emboldens the evil sheep.
“Shall NOT Be Infringed!!!” End of story.