ILLINOIS AND BEYOND: To Critics in the Gun Community

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

— Teddy Roosevelt

by John Boch

If you're like me, you have met some outstanding people at Guns Save Life meetings and events.  Oftentimes, as we learn more about one another, we become friends.  Over time, sometimes we become really good friends.

No, not like Facebook "friends".  But real friends.  Friends – lots of friends – who help you move.  Or lots more who help you and your family get the homestead ready for winter after chemotherapy drains you of the strength to do tasks that came so effortlessly beforehand. 

People who will stand by your side in your darkest hours.  And other times, those folks who will help celebrate your triumphs in life.  Real friends who won't run at the first sign of adversity.  Friends who will extend a hand when you've fallen on hard times.

Of course, like a good friend, you do the same for them without hesitation or complaint.  It's what being a good friend is all about.

Some say a man with many friends has great wealth.  Only a fool would argue that a man with many true friends does not live wealthy beyond measure.  Even if he doesn't have a dollar in his wallet.

Unfortunately, among gun owners there are also some critics.  They typically don't attend meetings or show up at events.  They frequently don't contribute time, energy or ideas to the cause.  Sometimes they can't even be troubled to join organizations such as the NRA, ISRA or GSL. 

But boy, while they are slow to participate constructively and join, they are surely quick to offer criticism. 

Some complain for reasons ranging from substantive policy disagreements to trivial issues. 

"I'm not a member because…"  They aren't a member because they heard the NRA is responsible for this law or that law.  Or Wayne LaPierre called some cops 'jack booted thugs' at one time.  Maybe the NRA screwed up the person's magazine subscription.  Or whatever.

"I don't join the NRA because they send too much junk mail."   Nevermind that anyone can call the NRA and ask to be put on their "do not solicit" list.  By the way, if you hear anyone say GSL puts out too much junk mail, just turn and walk away.  We've done two mailings to members in our 25 years of existence. 

Like them or hate them, the NRA dominates politics as the big dog on the block.  With nearly six million members now, the NRA has earned respect from politicians.  Pols know that when the NRA talks, voters listen.  The NRA's members, and the millions more who consider themselves NRA members but don't have that active member card in their wallets – we all vote.  Defy the NRA and elected officials in swing districts know they will risk finding themselves out of office at their next election cycle.

Then there are people like this critic:

Besides – what have any of these groups done for this state? We got CC because of the courts. The FOID is still in place, suppressors banned, waiting periods etc and now we stand to lose a lot more of our rights. So why should we not put the money towards leaving the state and instead give them to organizations that don’t seem to be doing a thing?

Has the author of this gem been involved – even superficially – in the gun rights fight in the Prairie State?  Why else would he craft a "what have you done for me lately" missive exposing his own lack of understanding of things done to defend and protect his rights and ours over the last twenty years.  Who was it that said "It's better to remain silent and be thought of as a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt?"

Frankly, if it weren't for the NRA, to a lesser extent the ISRA and GSL, we wouldn't have semi-auto firearms in Illinois.  We might not even have concealed carry and we surely wouldn't have had a shall-issue carry law.  Without the NRA, you might need to pay $500 for a FOID card and face gun and ammo rationing and all manner of other onerous regulations.

Other harsh critics attack those of us working on the front lines for gun rights on a daily basis here in the Prairie State.  They'll write – or sometimes say – Richard Pearson is a blowhard or a buffoon.  Valinda Rowe is a this or that.  Todd Vandermyde is a fill-in-the-blank.  John Boch?  Oh, he's a keyboard commando full of hot air.

I know know these people, and I see one of them in the bathroom mirror every morning.  True, we have all had disagreements in the past, but I respect them for what they do, and so should every other decent person.  They each fight the good fight in their own ways, just as I do.  Yeah, we all make a mistake now and then, but I'm still waiting to meet that special someone that can walk on water. 

Richard Pearson has fought for gun rights probably about as long as I've been alive and deserves high praise for his work.  Under his leadership, the Illinois State Rifle Association has become much more aggressive and proactive advocating for gun rights in Illinois.  Valinda Rowe and her husband spend countless hours in Springfield on their own dime, to say nothing of the work they do for Illinois Carry.  By the way, as much as Valinda and I disagree on some things, the Illinois Carry forum members do real-time reporting on Illinois politics very, very well.  And Todd Vandermyde?  Long ago, we were bitter enemies.  Today, we're good friends despite a bump or two along the way in the past few years.  There's a reason so many of us say, "In Todd we trust" when it comes to advocating for gun rights. 

Again, none of us – individuals or organizations – are perfect. 

But by God, each and every one of us fight in the arena, faces and clothes marred by blood, sweat, dirt and tears.  We fight the good fight, coming up short now and then, but we still pick ourselves up and continue the fight.  Richard, Todd, Valinda nor myself will ever be counted as timid souls afraid to boldly advocate for gun rights.

Yeah, old Teddy Roosevelt said it right:  “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

True words for the ages.