2010 - My Year with the Open Carry guys of OFCC

[Chuck]

I've had a very interesting year in 2010 and thought I'd summerize it for reflection and future goal setting.

I'm an independent minded man who generally avoids organizations. The most I ask of my fellow man is to leave me alone. So joining an organization like this one was a pretty big deal to me. The only time I had ever been to the statehouse for a legislative matter was long, long ago when they tried to outlaw the leghold trap. My buddy and me went down with our dads, the place was packed.

So I don't know nothing,,,,, well next to nothing, anyways.

One year ago I didn't know any of you guys. That changed when Rottman43055 had an Open Carry meet in Newark. I attended, along with a good dozen or so other folks, and we made excellent witnesses when Rottman's son got handcuffed and Rottman was threatened with arrest if he didn't show ID.

Next, I went to the Statehouse for the 2A March. ericsher set up a little greet at Hometown Buffet and dogged me for not OCing in the restraurant. That was a great time, and I learned alot about OFCC that day.

And after a lifetime of playing the odds and not giving a darn by carrying anyway I felt like it, I finally got my CHL, first an emergency temporary one, followed with a regular one, when an anonymous freak from the internet made what I perceived to be a threat against my family.

I've walked in Cuyahoga Falls, took my picture under an illegal GB sign in East Lake, protested outside The Columbus Dispatch while OCing, held my own little OC picnic in Pataskala, and participated in a very public and much scrutinized OC picnic in Big Darby Metro park. When thedrewcifer joined the forum to relate his arrest for CCW while OCing, even though many here thought he was just a simple troll, I looked him up and went to court with him to see the charges get dropped.

Mostly, I have learned,,,,,
Learned from other's experiences, which never seem to stop happening. Learned things on dealing with bad guys and dealing with cops. Learned how to discuss RKBA with anti's and how to convert the undecided, as well as technical info on my weapons, and more importantly, how to find whatever information I need.

Being new to this "activism" stuff, and not having a clue on how to go about it, I volunteered to the brass here to do "almost anything.". Apparently, what they are looking for doesn't match my profile, so I did what I could instead; many spreadsheets worth of police department's contact info for the "Reaching out to Law Enforcement" project we had doing at the time. Too bad nothing came of it.

And lastly, I made friends, several of them. When you stand with a guy expecting to get arrested, or worse, you bond with them. Getting arrested isn't a goal, but sometimes it becomes a means towards that goal, and I now have several friends whom I know that will take that step if/when it's necessary, and that humbles me.

So thank you, OFCC, for allowing me the means to a new phase in my life. I have been a recipient of the good you all have done for the cause, and will continue to help out/support as much as I can.

Pretty good year, if you ask me

[teddybear49d]

+1

[rottman43055]

Nice post Chuck.

[jamie9mm]

I wonder what ever happened to the "Reaching law enforcement for education letter". Seems like a lot of time and effort {inappropriate language} down the drain. That letter as I understood it was basically about OC. It has been stated by more then one person that OFCC is only about concealed carry. I understand that fact and have no issue with it except these two. First one the home page OFCC states they are the states premier gun rights organization, not CC organization. Second the specific thread in mention was approved by jgarvas but seemingly faded away.

I've met many of the forum members as well and consider them a great bunch of people. I hope their is a 2A march again this year in both Columbus and DC. I think I'll drive to DC this year so I can stay a little longer and check out the museums. 2-4 people are welcome to car pool with me if I go.

The OC walks, cookouts, protest were all cool. I wish one had been organized for Big Darby vs. Batelle. The Powder Room faced some controversy in 2010 as well and looking back I wish I would have protested in Powell on their behalf too.

[Chuck]

The question becomes, What to work on in 2011?

[chevysoldier]

It was definitely a pleasure to meet you and become friends, I think we have anyways. I look forward in 2011 to spending more time with you and rottman especially.

[rottman43055]

The question becomes, What to work on in 2011?

Chuck's OP has caused me to recently reflect on 2010 as well. So, I'm going to share.

I have been thinking of the things I have done, things I didn't do and things I wished I would have done or handled better (a few clashes with the cops as an example).

I'm not the writer that Chuck is, so I can't put it all into words as to what a whirlwind I feel 2010 was for me.

The hosting meets, attending other people's meets, printing & passing flyers, talking to literally scores of people, making youtube videos, some political activites, risking arrest on a couple occaisions and on & on.

Besides my 2A activites, and volunteer work in other areas of life I had two people in my immediate family in the ICU several times for a couple weeks at a time and keeping everything together darn near killed me last July. Fortunately they are better now.

So for me 2010 was indeed quite a busy year. Perhaps to busy.

The good that came out of 2010 was making a few good pro 2A friends & seeing a few people begin to carry and educating a lot of people on the basics. As to the ripple effect on the bigger picture for the good of the 2A, I can only hope that in some way I helped the cause, but if I did or didn't I am going to slow down on all fronts.

My 2A activities for 2011 will basically be OC meets but the "pushing" them will be a lot less. People know we do them now, so if people want to come they will. Also, it looks like other people are beginning hold OC meets to be proactive instead of just doing it after an abuse from LEO's, so this is great!

The rest of my time in 2011 I plan to spend like I have spent the last 4 months, doing only what I want to do, laughing a lot and my new activty of partying like there is no tomarrow.