CeasefirePA - in their own words

[Rblakely]

Copied directly from the Issues tab on the CeasefirePA web site

CeaseFirePA is working in communities across Pennsylvania to build support from the ground up for reforms to reduce gun violence. The fact is, almost every gun crime is committed by somebody using an illegal gun. There are two issues to address: Why do people who are not allowed to have guns want them? And how do people who are not allowed to purchase guns get them so easily?
Reducing illegal access to firearms is a law enforcement issue. It has been more than ten years since our state legislature has seriously considered action to assist police in their mission to crack down on gun violence and the proliferation of illegal guns in our communities. In Washington it seems like Congress either ignores the issue entirely or makes things worse. In those ten years, more than 10,000 people have been killed with a gun in Pennsylvania. It is time for action.

Lets look at parts of this

Why do people who are not allowed to have guns want them? And how do people who are not allowed to purchase guns get them so easily?

Bad people want guns to do bad things, is this question really necessary? How do they get them - theft, straw purchases and other ways that are already illegal.

Reducing illegal access to firearms is a law enforcement issue.

Well what do you know, we agree on something. It is a LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUE, not an issue where more laws need to be created.

[Yellowfin]

Notice something they speak of: directly engaging the public. Not talking to us, not talking to politicians, but talking to the people who really matter. Are we doing the same?

[Rblakely]

Notice something they speak of: directly engaging the public. Not talking to us, not talking to politicians, but talking to the people who really matter. Are we doing the same?

An excellent point I never picked up on.

[Don]

The way we win this war is by dropping larger politics and embracing anyone from any walk of life of any race, creed, gender, orientation, social status, income bracket, economic philosophy, etc, who is for individual rights so long as they don't stop short of RKBA. I've found that you don't even need to like or understand a person's way of life to find common ground on issues relating to the individual freedom to be left alone by know-it-alls. It just takes a willingness to openly engage with them.

If you know anyone who isn't into guns or is afraid of them, take them to the range, teach them basic safety, show them how to shoot, let them shoot your ammo. Get them into something that is instantly fun like metallic silhouette or plate shooting with .22 lr. Help them pick out their first gun. Repeat.

[donstrom]

+1 to Don's comments above.

As far as ceasefirepa, I take that with a grain of salt. They are saying one thing, but I truly believe their ultimate goal is to disarm us. There is no middle ground with these liberal zealots.

[Rblakely]

+1 to Don's comments above.

As far as ceasefirepa, I take that with a grain of salt. They are saying one thing, but I truly believe their ultimate goal is to disarm us. There is no middle ground with these liberal zealots.

I'm inclined to agree - which would make the comments on their website even more hypocritical

[mikelets456]

The way we win this war is by dropping larger politics and embracing anyone from any walk of life of any race, creed, gender, orientation, social status, income bracket, economic philosophy, etc, who is for individual rights so long as they don't stop short of RKBA. I've found that you don't even need to like or understand a person's way of life to find common ground on issues relating to the individual freedom to be left alone by know-it-alls. It just takes a willingness to openly engage with them.

If you know anyone who isn't into guns or is afraid of them, take them to the range, teach them basic safety, show them how to shoot, let them shoot your ammo. Get them into something that is instantly fun like metallic silhouette or plate shooting with .22 lr. Help them pick out their first gun. Repeat.

Hmmm...I wonder if we could get gun ranges to sponsor "bring a friend" day. Possibly a warm, carnival like/type atmosphere. Welcome booths, meet and greet, food, safety courses and of course outdoor shooting of fun things...soda cans, plate shooting, etc.

The reason I say this, is most ranges have been packed out on weekends and this is about the only time my friends could go. I guess the ranges could block out 8AM-12PM or something along those lines? I don't know, I'm just thinking out loud and maybe someone else could add to this another way of getting people out.

[Yellowfin]

^ An excellent idea indeed, and I'm surprised this hasn't been underway here for a long time already. As mentioned above, the big advantage we have here that we need to take advantage of is that people who aren't gun oriented can try something then buy what they like freely here, unlike in NY, MA, and NJ (and soon to be MD) where they have to get a license first. We MUST make this a priority.

[theshadow]

Hmmm...I wonder if we could get gun ranges to sponsor "bring a friend" day. Possibly a warm, carnival like/type atmosphere. Welcome booths, meet and greet, food, safety courses and of course outdoor shooting of fun things...soda cans, plate shooting, etc.
.

Palmyra Sportsman's Club has 'Field Day' sometime in September October every year, doing just this. I recommend it to everyone in the local area.

[Don]

Hmmm...I wonder if we could get gun ranges to sponsor "bring a friend" day. Possibly a warm, carnival like/type atmosphere. Welcome booths, meet and greet, food, safety courses and of course outdoor shooting of fun things...soda cans, plate shooting, etc.

The reason I say this, is most ranges have been packed out on weekends and this is about the only time my friends could go. I guess the ranges could block out 8AM-12PM or something along those lines? I don't know, I'm just thinking out loud and maybe someone else could add to this another way of getting people out.

I go the range a few times per week. Between 3 and 5, usually short trips to test loads and shoot some groups, and practice defensive shooting. I try to bring someone out at least once every two weeks. I make the effort because I believe in the cause. It's more uplifting/fulfilling for me to fight back this way than it is to joust with antis or preach to the choir.

-D