Something I've harped on for years has been gun owner apathy, the tendency to do nothing while others carry the burden of defending rights. I probably first became sensitive to that when I participated in a protest that drew a few hundred gun owners out of a region where the week before had seen 40,000 of them attend a gun show.
I've seen friends step forward to try to do something about protecting RKBA -- from running for office, to conducting campaigns at great personal cost, to trying to counter media bias -- and seen all those efforts wither and die on the vine from lack of support. Most recently, I've seen the vast majority of Mike Vanderboegh's regular readers look the other way when asked to make a gratitude offering for value received from his work.
I've termed the phenomenon "
Profiles in Apathy." And if there's a secret to turning that around and upping participation, it beats the hell out of me.
Not intending to sound like Eeyore, I nonetheless doubt what follows will make any difference. That said, a thought struck and I'm going to present it. It's a no-cost way for activists to establish credentials, at least as far as being able to demonstrate personal commitment and involvement: It's a way to prove contributions to "the cause" are more than just posting anonymous "Molon Labe" comments," a "Good Activism Seal of Approval" for lack of a better term -- and it probably should have a better term.
I'm thinking of a point system here -- but then, this is all in the rough sketch pad stage. Maybe give one point for each category.
Within the last year have you:
- Written/called a representative or government body to oppose an infringement or encourage an improvement (it doesn't have to be YOUR rep if you live in gun-grabber territory)?
- Attended a freedom-promoting event/rally/protest (gun shows don't count unless you participate in advocacy efforts)?
- Shared information/links and encouraged other activists to use it?
- Contacted the media to correct the record?
- Been a contributing member of a national/state gun/freedom group?
- Continued your own education and helped to educate others on RKBA?
- Supported a worthy political effort/campaign/representative or a lawsuit?
- Kept up on local government/attended council meetings, etc.?
- Voted? [last election/registered for next]
- Put your money where your mouth is?
Basically, the highest score you can earn is a "10," which you can claim and display as your "credential." And lower numbers are nothing to sneeze at either, but the point is to be honest -- anyone claiming a score should have each point documented to prove it.
Like I said,this is all in the draft stage. Candidly, I don't expect it will ever evolve beyond that, because my expectation is most either won't lift a finger and others will argue over the criteria or dismiss the whole thing as a stupid idea. If you're already in the deep end, my only counter-argument is people get there by first dipping their toes in the water and then wading out and splashing around. And the activists doing all this stuff are, at a minimum, buying you time.
So I put it out here on my own blog where it does't hurt anybody and people can do with it what they like -- or not. If any gun group wants to adopt / customize / modify it, be my guest.
