Since our March 12 alert, "The Parker Decision: Celebrate, but
with Grave Concerns" (www.jpfo.org/alert20070312.htm),
we've gotten several letters from supporters asking, "What can
we do?"
There's no easy answer.
Regarding the possibility of the Parker decision being overturned,
there is very little the average citizen can do to influence it one
way or another. One of the features of our court system is that it
is largely impervious to public reaction in the short term. Theoretically,
this is a good thing.
The legal system does, however, respond to society's views in the
long term. For instance, one could argue that the Left has had a huge
influence on the legal system by shifting opinions broadly in intellectual
circles initially, and gradually at the grassroots level. A handful
of decades ago, very few Americans liked the concept of communism
or socialism. But over the years universities impressed students with
the "advantages" and "fairness" of such systems,
and eventually the whole country came to think that socialism is no
big deal. End result? The US is steeped in socialist policies, with
no turning back in sight.
It is JPFO's opinion that our movement's long term goal -- ending
the farcical, suicidal policies of "gun control" -- can
only be achieved by shifting people's opinions at both the intellectual
and grass roots levels. We must wake up our countrymen to the dangerous
position in which they naively place themselves -- the position of
disarmed and helpless victims.
Scientists define the term "critical mass" as the scale
or volume at which processes become self-perpetuating. Before critical
mass is reached, a process must be continually fed in order to continue
growing; it cannot sustain itself. But after critical mass is reached,
the process takes on a life of its own and no longer requires assistance
to continue and grow.
Too many of us have been taught all of our lives to rely on others
-- particularly our government or "the authorities" -- to
protect us from danger. Reversing a lifetime of conditioning is not
easy task, but it MUST be accomplished if we wish to preserve our
right to self-defense. When a critical mass of Americans truly understands
that ultimately each of us is responsible for our own safety and welfare,
then and only then will our government be forced to halt their attempts
at disarming us.
What can you do? Educate.
JPFO's website contains hundreds of powerful, well-researched articles
outlining the importance of the Second Amendment and the dangers of
allowing yourself to be disarmed. These articles are free for the
asking and free to reproduce (just reprint in whole, including JPFO's
contact information). You can start here: www.jpfo.org/commentary.htm
Another free resource is our alerts list, which you can subscribe
to by sending a blank email to "jpfoalerts-subscribe@jpfo.org".
We keep you updated with the latest news on gun ownership, Second
Amendment issues, and threats to your rights. You can read all of
our past alerts at www.jpfo.org/alerts.htm
.
Yet another resource is our Freebies page, where you can print out
posters, cartoons, coloring books, and shooting targets. These make
great conversation starters. Just visit www.jpfo.org/freebies.htm
.
In addition, our online store has dozens of products at very reasonable
prices that are designed specifically to wake up the uninformed. Go
to www.jpfo.org/store.htm for
such items as:
- Our award winning documentary _Innocents Betrayed_,
which shows the link between "gun control" and genocide
(available in DVD or by download)
- Our Gran'pa Jack comic booklets, which are designed to explain complex
subjects like "gun control" and the dangers of the United
Nations, in easy-to-understand terms
- Our t-shirts, with clever, intriguing designs that act as great
icebreakers
- And of course, books like _The State vs the People_,
which carefully and logically breaks down the elements of a police
state ... and shows how far the US has slid down that slope.
- Don't forget our soon-to-be-released documentary _The
Gang_, which aims to ABOLISH the BATFE and the federal
control and regulation of our firearms altogether. You can read more
about it at www.thegangmovie.com
If armed self-defense seems so insane to so many people -- and it
does -- then we cannot expect a few letters or a demonstration to
change the mind of the D.C. Circuit en banc about the Second Amendment.
Only when enough Americans understand what is at stake do we have
real hope of taking our country back.
Knowledge is power.
- The Liberty Crew
FREE STUFF!
We've updated our site with two additional tools for you. Visit www.jpfo.org/ccmcolumn.htm
to read the latest JPFO column in Concealed Carry Magazine, as well
as a bonus JPFO letter to the editor.
Plus, thanks to the generosity of author Raymond Benwood, we are
distributing -- FREE! -- his downloadable book, "A Guide to Drilling,
Reaming, and Broaching a Bolt-Action Receiver at Home." Although
JPFO is distributing this guide as a service to our readers, it is
important to note that JPFO did not write this book and we cannot
give any advice on this project. We recommend you consult a knowledgeable
gunsmith for any questions you may have, and study federal and state
laws governing the making of do-it-yourself firearms. Go to www.jpfo.org/boltaction.htm
for more information.
