Chuck wrote:Ole_grizzly wrote:And Chuck, what would I do? I’d start by connecting with non leadership members of BFA, develop relationships, and try to learn what information is put out to their members by their leaders in regards to upcoming legislative efforts. I’d also learn their position on ofcc, because I’m sure they feel just as strongly as you do about old problems (and current ones sadly). We may find they’re upset about something that’s not true or mis-understood. Once we have more information, we figure out any areas where we have mutual interest, spread that message to both groups, and then with some bfa membership support (or at least a familiarity) make a formal approach to their leaders proposing to join forces on a singular issue.
I do have relationships with non leadership members of Brand X. Aaron and Buckeye Dan run the shooting range where we had our machine gun shoot.
Several OFCC members went to Jon Husted's trap shoot at the same range.
That range is in my "group" of places I give my business to.
I myself have organized sidewalk rallies in Columbus with them, both leaders and nonleaders alike. If you look at their Facebook page, their cover picture is captioned:
"MAIG Rally - 5 People
BFA Anti-MAIG Rally - 100 people"
Want to guess who set that rally up?
(it wasn't a BFA rally at all,,,,)
When we reached out to the NRA about repealing notification, Hoenwarter (sp?) told us he wanted us to be the same as the state of Maine. (immediate notification)
When we reached out to BFA, they told us they agreed with the NRA.
They wouldn't come to the same meetings we did, and drove the results we got, even though they were invited.
What else do you think we should do?
Sorry for the delay in response, been traveling this week for work.
What would I have us do? I am glad to hear you made those types of attempts, glad to see we think alike.
This thread has been informative, and it seems like both sides have hardened positions in their trenches, and aren't willing to work things out. I am not thumbing anyone's eye with that last statement, my take is that this seems so one sided based on the info. Seems like you all have tried to reach out recently, and genuinely so. But there is clearly a deep rooted issue, and I find it hard to believe it's so one sided. Why would anyone be that hateful towards us to just delete our posts outright without any merit-based approach? Why would they intentionally act in ways to not include ofcc's position on upcoming legislation? Why is there an utter disgust for us amongst BFA membership? What is the full story? I find it implausible that they just don't like us for no good reason.
So what I would do is figure out what caused that, and find a way to resolve that. Maybe it's an apology. Maybe it's figuring out a way to drop the past disappointments and negativity and approach next time with a fresh breath of air. And I am not asking that you post this publicly, nor am I demanding an answer. But to not do an honest self examination, involving current and past leadership and identify all the areas that we crossed paths with BFA and understanding our contribution to the current situation, and doing everything we can to repair what we can, I think is a mistake.
Am I as enthusiastic about trying to repair the relationship as when I originally posted? No, but I don't think it's so far fetched as what some here make it out to be. The fact remains that we were locked out of the end stage discussion on a bill that was our top priority. I don't think anyone here is considering this as a one time outlier, but by staying isolated, not making all efforts, no matter how much they hurt our pride, how can we make sure it doesn't happen again?