We Will Keep Or Lose Our Gun Rights at The State Level
Yesterday was the primary for many states, including my home state of North Carolina. The results were kind of what I expected on one hand, and nothing like what I expected on the other.
We, and I mean both myself in North Carolina, you wherever you are, my step dad in PA, my pops in Tennessee, and every American throughout this great country will either lose or keep their gun rights at the state level long before anything happens at the national level.
If you don't think it could happen in your state, think again. The people of Virginia didn't think they'd be where they're at, and yet here they are.
I don't want to get into politics here, it's really the last thing I want to have happen, but every so often we need to do things we don't want to in order to help move things in the right direction.
I'm not really going to talk about the presidential race in this article. Trump will likely win and I'm okay with that. I'm not going to talk about Trump's record on guns in this article. This article is not about the presidential race so I'll try to not mention it again.
What matters to me is that if we don't get out and vote in November we're going to lose our gun rights at the STATE level. It doesn't matter which state you call home, it can happen anywhere, yes, even Texas. Let's not forget that Beto almost beat Cruz during their race.
For the purposes of my thoughts here, we'll use the NC primary as an example of how this snowball may get rolling while still fresh in my head, and since I voted in it (results at the top).
I'm registered as a republican so I was handed a republican ballot and could only choose candidates who will run for office in November from the president and governor, all the way down to my district officials with that political affiliation.
Here's where it gets interesting: Dan Forest, who is the guy I voted for in the NC governor primary, only got 694K votes. He won the republican nomination, but less than 700,000 people voted for him. When that's contrasted to the big D (that “D” can mean democrat or … whatever), Roy Cooper, who got 1.12 million votes — it's a big difference.
This means that a ton of people stayed home and didn't vote for whatever reason.
A majority of folks will say that it's because Trump was going to win the primary so there was no reason to go vote.
I will tell you that this is the most bass ackwards way of thinking you can have. There is a lot bigger of a reason to go vote than for the presidential election because rights are lost at the state level.
Now I will say that more people showed up to vote in the 2016 election to vote for Dan Forest as the Lt Governor, but that's not really the point:
But the point, is that people stayed home when they could have voted for decent, pro-gun people to win in November. They didn't, and now several less-than-gun-friendly people stand a better chance at winning in November.
It's like we didn't learn ANYTHING from what's happening in Virginia.
Because now in NC, and I'm sure in plenty of other states as well, we ended up with decent pro-gun folks not getting enough votes to win congressional seats, and their opponents who support some form of gun control, even though they wear red shirts, won the primary.
The point is to go vote. Voting in the primary, even though it's over for a lot of states, is important. Plus, there are still primaries left. It doesn't matter if Trump will win the primary — you still need to go vote to make sure pro-gunners get in office at the local level.
If you don't, who knows … you may end up looking like Virginia.
Thank you Josh for breaking it down for everyone. Hopefully this will possibly stir some from their complacent comfort zone.
Definitely people need to get out and vote especially when you see what has happened in Virginia.It can happen anywhere.Your sats on the NC primary is a good example.Not only are the peoples rights effected but in states where the gun culture is large, think of the effect on the weapons industry and the gun stores etc.
Thank you Josh, your vigilance is alarming as much as this article should be to your readers or otherwise. Keep up the great work we are always watching in more ways than one.
Cheers
Conceal Carry Title-town Wisconsin
Jw
Goos article, Josh. If enough voters had VOTED in 2012 then Obummer may have been limited to one term. Not that Mittens was any great shakes but Obummer was worse. Also, AOC was elected to the House because only about 14% of the voters in her district bothered to vote.
I’m not from North Carolina but I’m concerned about all the stuff that’s going on with this democratic Stuff, we need to Vote them all out on the next voting. They all have some good ideas , but When it comes to guns in your liberty , And your freedom, and its all covered in your “Declaration of Independents” Anyone knows does not vote in this country this Next voting time Maybe voting in a socialist country. And if you think socialism Is a good idea ,then you’re going to know how it feels if live in China and Russia you Would
Lose all your rights, They would get rid of the “Declaration of Independence” Your nets what makes your living here better that you can come and go as you want by what you want say what you want but this country becomes like Russia or China then you can’t do what you want go where you want have what you want say what you want because you voted in voted it right down Drain down the drain!.
I propose a new State Law.
Or Fed Law.
If you are going to Post a NO GUNS ALLOWED sign at your business then
you Are Required to provide :
– Metal Detectors at all entrances
– Sufficient Certified “Armed” Security to stop a mass shooter/s.
– And other security measures.
Equal to the Codes/Measures for Federal Buildings.
OR – At a minimum – Allow Certified Concealed Carry.
See how they like that “Cost Benefit Ration”.
I’ve been saying for a while that the only way we can lose is to do what the ‘principled’ voters did in Virginia – they stayed at home. Even worse, the elephant party didn’t even have anyone run in several districts, IOW they simply conceded those seats. There are around 100 MILLION Law Abiding Citizen gun owners – that block should be able to pass or block any gun related legislation as well as elect gun friendly legislators BUT only if they get out and vote – our future as a Republic depends on it.
You are absolutely correct. I live in California…Dems have absolute control of nearly all elected political offices. The-Anti Gun folks have created laws have “infringed upon” our 2A rights, perhaps the most of all the states. Be very aware of what’s going on. Be informed, and VOTE…
You are 100% right, and that is what scares me about elections in 2020; that people will take them for granted. I am proud to say I have voted in every election since I was old enough to vote, even the local elections. We conservatives need to get out the vote. Yes, what happened in Virginia can happen anywhere. Bloomberg orchestrated the whole thing with his money in a very deliberate way. He has vowed to target other states, one by one, starting with the most vulnerable, until he has in place, Democrats who will legislate his anti-gun policies in every State of the Union. And, as you said, it is happening at the state level. It is very scary. We are now dealing with the fallout here in Virginia. What they are doing, as we speak, to push through State gun control is horrifying. It has become a war on our way of life, in the rural areas, not just on guns. We stand to lose a lot, and I hope that people wake up before it is too late. The Second Amendment is one I have supported all my life, and always will, because it is the very foundation upon which all the other rights and laws of our country are built. Too many people do not understand this.
Preachin to the choir, my friend! We were born and raised in Vermont, pre Bernie Vermont, when it used to be one of the best examples of a free state. “Real” Vermonters are a lot like Carolinians (without the accent), but we were invaded by Bernie bros’ and all the other gun grabbin New Yorkers. We went from having no gun laws to lots of restrictions in a few short years, when the they infest your state legislatures, and they will, you’re shit outta luck!
The 2A is the key to all our rights.The chance N.C.could be turned into Virginia is to great to stay home.Don’t just vote,talk to friends,elected officals,and check their voting record.We must keep a close watch or we will lose our freedom.
I vote and support the 2A. If you don’t then don’t complain. Your part of tye problem…
I agree 1,000,000%! We all need to get out and vote. More importantly ask your friends and family to go vote! I pray that NC won’t try and grab our guns. But it can and will happen if we say my one vote won’t matter!
God Bless our country and state. Also our President. I too hope he does something to protect our 2A rights for at least 4 more years!!! Everyone go have a great day…