First if you have not I suggest reading a diary that I wrote a week or so ago about how the NRA was for perhaps 75% of it's existence one of the leading gun control organizations just as education into the issues is important.
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Otherwise, A comment in another diary compelled me to write today. Someone had mentioned how by I suppose pressuring Chipotle, Chipotle has banned "Open Carry".
I suppose it is in part that I hope to put forth an idea I actually am taking from the pro-gun crowd and suggesting to expand it. Because I see a lot of energy, but fraught with frustration.
"X congress-men" will not take the issue on. I do not see the sort of critical thinking I like on here for solutions. Such as "Flush" Rush which brilliantly exposed Rush Limbaugh as the liar he is in I would say a uniquely Rovian (but Factual so shouldn't be in the same sentence) way.
Bear with me as I am speaking out of frustration too.
I took a concealed carry class (but didn't get my license for awhile after, and now can't even find) because a friend of my father's needed people for the weekend.
It was basically an NRA taught class. I have to admit that it was actually quite good in some respects (leave a dog bowl outside so that a thief will move along), and actually as taught not really trying to sell guns. But I digress. It is not important.
We feel powerless.
We feel that we have no voice to politicians.
We need to be creative with our strengths.
I invite whomever to actively comment on Solutions. I have several "ideas" to put forward.
First, at the class I went to the teacher at the end handed out thousands of cards that were to give to store owners who had the "No guns" allowed sign. You can I believe order them for free in Ohio on some concealed carry website.
It's becoming clear that the freemarket is becoming a tool where democratic majorities may actually speak. I suppose it Ironic. Not Adam Smith. But for example planned parent-hood, Donald-Sterling, make a mistake the consumers (donors, fans) act. Similarly now, and interestingly one diary mentioned Chipotle.
1.) Similar Business Cards
I would think that people in states especially with open carry would be far more inclined to care to leave the card I describe saying "You can take the money from gun toters, but I will not patronize your store."
I doubt that effective enough. If someone has the means or gift of writing a simple business card that says to a store owner I would either buy them and happily hand out.
1a.) I do not though think that effective enough. I highly doubt people with CC that leave those cards leave enough of an effect. I wish that I knew enough about Flush Rush to take a similar model. Or at least simply include on the same card, your store will be added to the list at _.com. You should notify (_) if your policy is against.
And similarly alert others. As I think it insane we have to make a choice of safety in going out in public for other's "rights". I suppose then it is the market correcting itself if You are willing to go to a non-Chipotle sort of establishment so long as you do not risk being shot.
1b.) So the above is at least a simplified version of Flush/Rush and Ohio CC, and well the market, at least a blog, website whatever (I am not good at), you let the store know, and you let the rest of the community act.
It seemed though that there could be a lot greater specificity ultimately. Flush Rush seemed very successful from dedication. I would imagine that there much more than just lists but that is certainly a start especially if the idea is to ultimately have others contact as that would especially work for small stores. I suppose I would hope someone gets my thinking about using the market and that my non-safety at Walmart is now a built in Market Cost.
Similarly I have always had thoughts/ideas as to stocks/pensions/mutual funds. Including here the idea of not being willing to invest, so identifying those funds that profit from gun sales (perhaps ultimately sending massive messages to stores that sell whatever sort of guns are used in crimes, who knows you could make it Wal-Mart policy to have greater gun restrictions than needed due to Market Force/request perhaps that is a stage 2, requesting private policy change beyond simply carrying).
If anyone is good at Apps. A community App where members Identify stores that Allow? In your area? Then somehow log?
People's locations. I assume you could model after "trapster" that is a community app revolving around where Police are set up.
2.) I recall a class, I don't know which in Law School or College, it may even have been on NPR that discussed the FBI infiltrating and essentially taking the KKK when it began to grow by mockery. Something like they infiltrated, saw a lot of people just thought it "similarly cool" to be a part of this secret society.
And so they began to infiltrate learn the "codes" etc. then put them into Children's shows. So the cool pass-word you had used now was a game for your children, not so cool anymore.
I am trying to think how applicable that is as well. As it seems to me to be a similar phenomenon of deflating the American "coolness" and fake bravado of gun totting.
This I think could be great if someone thought harder than me, ie how do you make people who think that guy posing as a sniper look like a fool? I am sure I will think more greatly of.
I do not know how to satirizize other than a graphic novel, as this would be a truly disgusting story (LV shootings), and truer than fiction. But the efficacy (learned from the KKK was in making Children's actions make how things that are cool not as you see your kid play making fun of you). I'll edit and think about.
Now I can only think of directly mocking individuals by some app to post pictures a la "overheard in new york" like "shopping in the danger-zone" where you can anonymously post a pic perhaps add a satirical line about shopping for gatorade with an AK, I'd probably laugh.
I do not profess myself having the audacity to "solve" but let's finally turn outrage into the back-channels of efficacy. Satire, importantly $, technology, things we can control. Please add to my list.
I can say I would snap a pic of an idiot with a gun or add to a community a store allowing CCW.
Please don't flame with me for trying to be creative. I simply think we all know the SCOTUS, and perhaps our democracy is saying we need to use our own money to create "private solutions".