Thank you! I've been trying to promote the rallies and public hearings, and it takes a lot of effort. I am part of a small group that has driven around the region distributing flyers for public hearings. I can confidently state that we did more to promote the hearings, turned out more people, and presented more testimony than any other group or organization. (I'm looking at you, NRA)

You're welcome, not that you need to thank me though.

Does anybody have contact with the Washington State NRA rep? If we have one.............

I have both of them on speed dial. Would you like an introduction? We are on track for a meeting Friday.

We also have a number of volunteer FAL's (field activity leaders) who you could contact.

Ben Carpenter is our regional grass roots coordinator. He covers 5 states, even though the web site still shows 4: https://www.nraila.org/grassroots/frontlines-grassroots-coordinators/

The FAL's are volunteers: https://www.nraila.org/grassroots/find-your-frontlines-activist-leader/

Keely Hopkins is our state liason.

NRA is spread very thin in this region, much to my dismay. We are on the front lines with targeted Bloomberg attacks, yet NRA does very little to mobilize our members.

NRA is hiring full-time Campaign field Representatives. So far no position has been advertised for WA: http://careers.nra.org/job-openings.aspx#1835

Fair enough, I will concede that my choice to use the term tactical ted was inflammatory and hypocritical. I will admit to be extremely critical of people who roll up to protests in tac gear OCing ARs AKs and the like. I have heard many times that if people were less militant looking they would be taken more seriously, image sometimes means more than the message. I know this holds no water to most here, but to me it makes sense, the more we look like regular people who are passionate about not only a great hobby but also a right and in my mind and many others as well a duty, the more we will be listened to. This idea is definitely colored by some of my closest friends and also I will admit by the fact that I have never been the tactical type of guy.
As far as tee time, sorry your on your own... But Im always up for getting a beer, even and sometime especially with people who have differing ideas to my own.

https://youtu.be/NIwf3d7hP9g

Anyone going today?

Yeah, I'm going. The one on the 21st as well.

Thhere's a whol bunch of March for Science people.  Wtf

So much for turnout...

March for Science started at 11:00. The 2A rally starts at 5:30.

ETA: https://www.facebook.com/events/162140641170312/?active_tab=about

We really got our shit together in the gun community.
Attached File

I'll be heading down

If anyone's going, please feel free to PM ME, I'll send text back (or call) so that we can meet up.

If you try to organize simultaneous rallies in most or all of the state capitals it's inevitable that there are going to be some scheduling conflicts.

There has been some concern about vehicles parked at the capital getting vandalized. If you'd like to park further away but aren't able to walk some distance I'd be glad to give you a ride as close as possible to the capital steps. Just send me an IM.

ETA: Also if someone wants a ride from the Puyallup area or south of there let me know. Same for the rally on the 21st.

I totally get it.  Just awkward walking over to a rally you expected and find a totally different one in play.

For sure. I'll give those March for Science guys credit, though. They even have an online store: https://www.marchforscience.com/shop

That reveals a good point of insight.  One rally/protest bleeds right into the next one these days.

We're here!  I'm wearing a Glacier Gun Club hoodie, blue jeans

This photo from the organizers' Facebook page pretty much captures the feel of the event

Whole family went to the one at the capital hearing a few months ago but I had to be in Seattle today.

Presence for a hearing > rally outside of legislative session

Hey you got a pic when it wasn't a torrential downpour. I was soaked clean through by the end.

We left shortly after that pic.  Then the torrential downpour came and we were damn happy we had.

Anyone else make it down today? Was a pretty good turnout and event, we were blessed with great weather to.

Yep. Lots of photos here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1661802327190025/?active_tab=discussion

I was one of a several to approach the lone protester ('No More Guns') in orange across the way. We had a very pleasant 15 minute conversation and I think I made some inroads in possibly changing her outlook. She was very nice albeit naive. Her main concerns were school shootings and suicide and believes 'too many guns in circulation' to be the problem.

I explained that the Promise program as well as local police and FBI enabled Nicolas Cruz by ignoring his crimes and behavior as he should have been placed on the prohibited list. she was surprised to learn that far less than 1% of gun deaths are from 'assault rifles' and that the vast majority of gun crime is committed by felons with long criminal records who should be behind bars. I asked her why if those on her side were truly concerned about gun violence do they not advocate much longer sentences for gun crimes and the elimination of plea-bargaining for the same ? She was in no way combative and offered no rebuttal.

The conversation then turned to suicides with firearms. I brought Japan into the equation: Informed her that there are virtually no guns in Japan and virtually no gun deaths or violent crime. Is this because there are no guns ? Well no, it isn't. There is also no knife or baseball bat crime in Japan nor is there hardly any violent crime whatsoever. Suicides however are 2 or 3 times higher in Japan despite the lack of readily available firearms. I could tell she was a bit uncomfortable with what I was imparting as it made too much sense, but she remained cordial as did I. Who knows, maybe I was able to educate her a little.

Wife and I were there.