So in case you haven’t heard, Colorado is in the middle of a fight over our 2nd Amendment rights. Currently we are facing universal background checks, the end of campus carry, a fee for all background checks, and a limit on magazine size to 15 rounds.
Because of that last issue, popular magazine and AR parts manufacturer Magpul has threatened to leave the state if the bill passes. I applaud them for their commitment to the Constitution, and I support their decision to leave. Principles are important. Especially right now.
Over the last 72 hours since I have become aware of Magpul’s position, I have been working as hard as I can to raise awareness about what Colorado is facing. And I am using Magpul’s situation to highlight it, seeing as Magpul is probably the most well known manufacturer of AR magazines. It’s working, almost. People are aware now. Facebook is flooded with people commenting about it and directly to Magpul on their Facebook page.
I’m going to try to get through this without swearing in the hopes that those of you with narrow minds who can’t handle a swear word will be able to hear me.
Here’s the problem. Almost everyone who is voicing their support for Magpul’s position is missing the point. This fight in Colorado is not over, and we need support. Magpul does not want to leave. They like it here in Colorado. They picked this state because of it’s reputation for respecting freedom, including it’s firearm laws. Coloradan’s do not want them to leave. We love them here. We love their product, their jobs, their tax revenue and their support of local industry.
But everyone who hears about what is going on is saying, “We’d love to have you come to *fill in the blank state*.” Now I get it. Now I understand the frustration from gun owners in California and New York. They feel abandoned.
Friends, the answer is not to welcome a company like Magpul to your state when their convictions force them to leave their own. The answer is to fight the politicians tooth and nail so that companies like Magpul don’t need to leave in the first place.
Colorado is not a liberal state. We are a state that values freedom. We are a state that honors individual liberty. We are a gun loving state. We are an intelligent state. The people of Colorado are not demanding gun control. These bills are being railroaded through our state government despite the loud, vehement, constant and passionate resistance of it’s citizens. Colorado citizens are fighting this legislation and we are fighting hard. GFE has organized two rallies on the state capitol building. We are making phone calls, writing letters, attending hearings, speaking directly to the politicians, supporting companies like Magpul, getting on TV, getting into local newspapers, giving away free magazines, attending the House votes. We are doing everything we can.
But what are our pro gun friends outside of the state doing? Writing us off. I am shaking my head in anger in frustration when I read Facebook comments like these:
This is not how we win. This is not how we take the fight to the enemy. This is not how we preserve our rights. This, my friends, is how we lose.
If you would have told me 6 months ago that we would be facing this legislation in Colorado, I would not have believed you. I would have laughed in your face. People in states like Wyoming, Texas, Nebraska, Tennessee will laugh in your face now if you tell them that in the near future, they will be in the line of fire. This is how it happens, one state at a time.
The powers at work here are not native to this state. There is influence coming from outside our square borders. MAIG has hired a lobbying firm to push these laws through our legislature. Joe Biden personally called some Democrats in the Colorado House on Friday, and I’m sure they weren’t talking about hunting with shotguns.
I’m pleading with you, do not give up the fight here in Colorado just because it isn’t your state. We need your help and support. This is our hour of need. Make your words more than just empty rhetoric and actually do something to stand up for all of our rights. Just because a state faces these kinds of attacks doesn’t mean the people of that state are pussies who don’t care. Pick up the phone, get on Facebook, get on Twitter, contact representatives, spread the word, bring attention to these issues. If you’re not willing to fight now, I doubt your resolve to fight when the battle comes to your state.
United we stand.
