United States – -(AmmoLand.com)- It can be very easy to get caught in groupthink, particularly in the polarized state of American politics today. But taking the easy option, whether one intends to or not, always has its own price, and groupthink can exact its own toll on our ability to defend our freedoms.
So how do Second Amendment supporters remain realistic about a given situation? When discussing creating a Second Amendment “precinct strategy,” one of the most important parts of that strategy was the need to have some outsiders. One of the major benefits is that it prevents Second Amendment supporters from forming their own “bubble” of groupthink.
Why does this matter, loyal Ammoland readers? Because one of the most important things to understand is that sometimes events out of our control – like Uvalde – will reshape the political landscape in ways that are unfavorable. Such times require serious thinking about the strategies and tactics necessary to preserve our freedoms.
The right strategy and tactics can lead to success, both in the short term and down the road. Take the post-Columbine tactics of the NRA as one such example: The initial legislative assault was blunted with an alternative legislation that gave enough elected officials cover to vote against the bad one. Then anti-Second Amendment extremists killed the alternative bill themselves.
We’re already seeing anti-Second Amendment extremists push legislation intended to punish millions of law-abiding gun owners for the horrific crimes and/or acts of madness (depending on adjudication) they did not commit in Buffalo, Uvalde, and Tulsa. As the facts emerge about the calls that on-scene law enforcement blew in Texas, it will pull attention away from gun ownership.
Here’s the bard truth: Strategy and tactics will need to vary not just on location (what works in West Virginia might not be the best approach in the Philly suburbs), but also based on events. There is a time to push for repealing onerous laws and addressing threats like financial deplatforming, and then there are times when the best option is to keep a low profile. Timing may not be everything, but it can be very important.
The fact of the matter is that Second Amendment supporters need to maintain an awareness of the situation they are in if they are to defeat anti-Second Amendment extremists at the federal, state, and local levels via the ballot box. Avoiding the formation of a “bubble” is a crucial requirement for protecting our freedoms.
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.
Short game. Losing game. Here is the long game, Harold. Our Second Amendment rights are a part of a comprehensive whole of Natural Rights granted to us by our Creator and not our government. The American People have been duped in to thinking the Founding Fathers and our Founding Principles and Documents are somehow created out of the ethers by a gang of 56 men who just dreamed this stuff up on a hot summer’s day in Philadelphia a couple of centuries ago. Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth shall set you free. So here is the… Read more »
THIS is what sacrafice, fortitude and values to say the very least looks like.
The strategy is to remain alive Harold by all means possible.
The supreme court ruled the police are under no obligation to protect you.
Events like Uvalde are planned by those looking to do very bad things and if you are armed and have some training. You just might be able to make a difference a then take control of that evil.
What will work best is if the rest of the country understands that constitutional carry is the law written in the constitution. Now available in 25 states and that is the only Truth.
“Here’s the bard truth:”
So Harold wants us to have the bard truth, does he? Well, he might just as well try his hand at music. As bad as his writing is, a change of career does seem called for. Perhaps for a change he can get something correct. Fa la la la la shoudn’t be too hard.
Yes, the bard truth is he has a poor view on how to protect our rights. Like Shakespeare, he writes fiction, but unlike Shakespeare, his plays are very bad; not only will they not stand the test of time, but fail miserably now.
The old saying… IN THE KINGDOM OF THE BLIND T HE ONE EYED MAN I S KING.
If every firearm was melted down killers would just use a pocket knife to murder teachers and defenseless students.
Any effective solution must include secure building design, and team of armed SRO and armed staff including teachers.
Just passing a law may feel good but criminals don’t obey laws.
MAYBE a law against stealing a gun would feel even better.
I agree Harold. You should keep a low profile.
Please go away.
We already have a bubble, Harold. It’s called the 2nd Amendment and those that understand it are armed, ready and standing under that bubble. On the oitside it says, “Break Glass In Case Of Tyranny, and a slew of other purposes.”