New Jersey Coalition for Self Defense

The Violence Policy Center, displaying an enviable aptitude for temerity, carefully categorized and painstakingly described 95 incidents occurring over 3 years in 25 different states for a section of their website they have conscientously dubbed "Concealed Carry Killers". (Somewhere, Ed Wood is smiling.)

During that same period of time, close to 5 million people in all 50 states were able to celebrate a birthday, pick up their kids from school, barbecue some burgers, shop for shoes, watch a movie, finish a home improvement project, bring home a paycheck, and swap stories at the local watering hole. These citizens were able to prevent violence from destroying their lives because increasing numbers of legislatures across the United States are doing the right thing by recognizing an individual's right to protect self, family and property by the most effective means available - a firearm.

Thirty-nine states now have "shall-issue" laws when it comes to carrying firearms, and these states have seen violent crime rates drop or remain steady - they have not increased. According to the 2004 FBI Uniform Crime Reports, states with restrictive laws that reflect the Violence Policy Center's recommendations suffer violence at an 11% greater rate than the national average.

The Violence Policy Center's slogan reads "Research, Investigation, Analysis and Advocacy for a Safer America", but it's obvious that the only ones who stand to reap any safety from their efforts are the violent criminals that the Violence Policy Center inexplicably ignores.

For those of you who weren't able to make it to Washington DC this past Monday the 19th, you all missed a great time.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect - a beautiful sunny day, light breeze, cool temperatures and gun rights activists from all over the country.

At least two thousand showed up for this first Second Amendment March, short of the number we hoped for, but all in all, not too bad.  I had the great good fortune to be involved with the March from a marketing standpoint and had the unique priviledge of being there the night before when the various speakers arrived for a live interview with Mark Walters on the Armed American Radio Network.

At least a dozen packed into the studio, with more spilling in the hallways as Mark began his inerviews kicking off with ManCow who (figuratively) set the studio on fire with his customary blistering observations, followed on by Second Amendment luminaries like Dick Heller and his partner Dane vonBreichenruchardt of USBOR, Larry Pratt of GOA, Stewart Rhodes of Oath Keepers, Michael Bane of Downrange TV, Tim Schmidt of USCCA, and many others.

Download the podcasts here:
http://armedamericanradio.org/2010/04/aar-broadcast-4-18-2010-hour-1/
http://armedamericanradio.org/2010/04/aar-broadcast-4-18-2010-hour-2/
http://armedamericanradio.org/2010/04/aar-broadcast-4-18-2010-hour-3/

Shot taken of ManCow from my camera phone while jostling around the studio:

To be in the company of such eloquent, intelligent and stalwart Patriots was an experience I'll never forget.  This was a history-making event.  To the best of my knowledge, never before have so many known RKBA luminaries been in one place at one time for one cause.

The next day was, in a word, an experience.  To be on the grounds of the Washington Monument on such a beautiful day was a treat, but the speakers were awesome.

Many have commented on what was disappointing turnout.  While one always hopes for more, all things considered, the attendance was not bad at all.  Pause for a moment to consider this.  There was a party held for an absentee celebrity (the 2nd Amendment) with no beer, no food, no raffles and no giveaways where Americans came from across the country at their own expense (many spending hundreds for fuel, tolls, food and lodging) to be present.

Not everyone has the 'stones' to take a day off from work and travel a long distance.  Those couple thousand on the green remind me of the handful who were with Washington at Valley Forge.  From small beginnings grow a mighty oak.  I'm reminded of Thomas Paine's words from "The Crisis" when naysayers begin grousing in the background:

"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."

As a fitting end to this first ever Second Amendment March, the SAM has produced a LIMITED EDITION large format (16x20!) photographic print based on Oleg Volk's work to commemorate the event.  Autographed by the speakers at the march, there are only fourteen (14) of these available.  Each will be beautifully framed with two 'Challenge Coins' (which were only minted in a limited edition of 100) and will be sold for a price of $1500 to help offset the enormous costs of holding this event.

Keep in mind that never before that we know of have so many well-known 2nd Amendment patriots gathered in one place at one time.

Signatures and links:

Larry Pratt, GOA	Dick Heller, USBOR
Mark Walters, AAR	Stewart Rhodes, Oath Keepers
ManCow, Free Speech Network	Michael Bane, Downrange TV
Rep. Paul Broun, GA Congressman	David Codrea, Gun Rights Examiner
Tim Schmidt, USCCA	Nikki Stollard, Pink Pistols
Nikki Goeser, RKBA Activist	Rev. Kenn Blanchard, 'Black Man With A Gun'
Sheriff Richard Mack, Author/NRA Hall of Fame	Suzanna Hupp, TX Congresswoman (ret.)
	'Doc' Thompson, WRVA
	Skip Coryell, Founder and Author

Please help support the SAM any way you can, but most especially by purchasing one of these beautiful prints.  Contact us to learn more about how to arrange for payment and delivery by using the 'contact' link at the left and send us a message.

 

 

 

In a desperate attempt at preserving relevance, the Brady Campaign has resorted to the worst of bullying tactics, placing the innocent folks at Starbucks directly in their crosshairs by demanding that Starbucks not serve law-abiding customers who have chosen to exercise their right to self-defense and their right to bear arms.  

There was a time when, even if you disagreed with their views, the Brady Campaign seemed to have good intentions.  Brady’s original mission allegedly was to find effective ways to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals, and many feel that when used properly, the NICCS check is a positive tool in accomplishing this. The crusade against Starbucks, however, makes it obvious that the Brady Campaign has completely forgotten about criminals and has confirmed its intention to seek to disarm all Americans.  

In light of the Supreme Court Decision of Heller v. DC and McDonald v. Chicago’s likely incorporation of the Second Amendment, the Brady Campaign has resorted to the most despicable of tactics.  Rather than respecting everyone’s recognized and confirmed right to self-defense, the Brady Campaign prefers to strong-arm retailers into capitulating to their demands.  Where I’m from, that’s what is called being a bully - but some others might call it extortion.  

Unfortunately, this is no schoolyard pushing match or youthful intimidation.  At this level, being a bully means jeopardizing the livelihoods of all those employed by the popular and respected Starbucks Coffee Company.  It is ironic indeed that the Brady Campaign has gone from posturing itself as a champion of victims’ rights to being the aggressor and creating victims themselves.  Some people rob banks; some people rob gas stations; the Brady Campaign seeks to rob Starbucks of its income and its customers in order to achieve its ideological objective of disarming all law-abiding Americans and thus denying them of their right to self-defense.  

It doesn’t take any leap of logic to understand that being denied the capability of self-defense creates victims.  It puts lives at risk, it weakens communities, it diminishes safety and security, and it strengthens the resolve of those who would seek to do harm.  The Brady Campaign, along with the various Ceasefire organizations and the Violence Policy Center, are now the ones with blood on their hands, responsible for the continued victimization of innocent people who would otherwise have the ability to learn and prepare and arm themselves against violent criminals.  They have effectively become enablers of crime.

Bravo to the leadership at Starbucks, who have stood their ground and met force with force against the Brady Campaign.  That is what self-defense is all about.

Call your legislators and demand your right to self-defense - and let Starbucks know you appreciate their stance.

Starbucks Customer Relations
PO Box 3717
Seattle, WA 98124-3717

A word of warning to anyone who believes those official-looking non-LEO guys in the fancy uniforms will protect you...

They won't.