I'm rather new here and, if I may, I'd like to throw in my 2 cents as "an outsider".
I feel gun owners need a strong but moderate and credible voice to speak out for them -- well, for us. I'm not comfortable with the whole "it's my god-given right and if Libtards come for my guns they'll get the bullets" position. This is exactly what reinforces the assumptions of gun-illiterate people. It feeds the media bias. It empowers those who paint gun owners as extremists, misfit survivalists, and violent outcasts. In the end, while it certainly helps to vent out, this stubborn mentality may very well be what shuts down our hobby once and for all.
Hell, I'm not even comfortable with people not registering their unrestricted hunting rifles in Quebec as a "protest".
Now don't get me wrong. I understand the Liberals' plan is ludicrous and stupid. However, it sounds perfectly sane to the average Joe.
As others have mentioned (I have not read the entire thread, tbh), any challenge to the C-71 Bill and its application need to be formal and organized. Reasonable and well-spoken representatives should keep in touch with the media nationwide and help explain what's wrong with the proposed legislation -- not in a defiant manner, but in a genuine rapprochement effort.
Instead of collectively spending thousands on stripped lower receivers in the hope it will complicate things for the RCMP, these funds could go towards an articulate campaign to inform the public and explain why the new changes are a waste. They need to understand how this money could be put to better use that could truly make a difference and make our communities safer. For example, by investing in mental health and various support programs.
We need to thread lightly when discussing with the public, the media, and the politicians. They're right to be scared of the mass-murders going on down south, of the growing gun violence in our major cities, and of a gun in general. Their concerns shouldn't be brushed in disdain, but rather addressed with care.
We like shooting. And if we wish to preserve our privilege to shoot, we need to acknowledge it is a privilege. We need to support no-nonsense measures that aim at reducing gun violence. We should be the first to protest when someone brags about having received their RPAL in a week without any background check or having their references called -- the same way we protest when the bureaucracy makes it too long on purpose. We need to be protectors of the sport, upholding the law that makes us different from our open-carry, violence-ridden neighbours.
I know most of us are moderate and law-abiding gun owners. But some aren't. And sometimes, their outspoken resistance tends to harm us, especially in the delicate and unfortunate situation we find ourselves in right now.
We don't need more guns. We need more moderate voices.
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I hope I don't come out as insulting, because it is not my intention. It took me about a year to complete my courses and receive my RPAL by mail. I am presently waiting for the transfer of my first handgun to be approved, and I also ordered an AR-15 lower receiver because it's a fun platform. I find the whole process long, expensive, and complicated -- AND I THINK IT'S OK.
My wife, who isn't a gun fan at all, feels safer knowing it's very strict. The general public would feel safer too if they knew. But they often don't. And it should be our duty to help people understand it is safe. Not convince them that it's our right and that they should shut up or else.
Cheers!
