I have to disagree that the anti's won. Yes, a major show has been cancelled, but a major show that had changed forever to fit the anti's agenda.
We are at a critical stage in whether we preserve or lose our Second Amendment Freedoms. We have watched as the anti's have tried to slowly and incrementaly chip away at the Second Amendment - a little here, a little there.
One of the primary tactics they have used in the past is to divide and conquer. Well of course, we respect hunters, we will let them keep their tools but not those Modern Sporting rifle guys. They lull one section into complacency withour fear of having to fight them, and allow the anti's to focus their attack. And sometimes even agreeing with them (remember Jim Zumbo and his evil AR rant).
What has happened now, is that everyone is waking up. They see the tactics, and look back and see the incremental change. They realize that even their interests do not lie in Modern Sporting Arms, they will be in the slot defending their interests in short order.
The Second Amendment does not require you to ask permission. To ask someone to "allow" you to keep your rights. They are yours, and it is clear that no one shall infringe upon them. The anti's would have you think that a right is the same as a privlilege. Driving is a privilege, and you have to have a license to drive and register your car. But a right is not dependent on asking the state's permission for some form of license. It was there before there was any state. It is your and yours alone.
So yes, there will be one less major show this year. But the victory lies in this: This was a tipping point event for us. One in which everyone came together to take a stand. Even non-firearm related interests. Boating companies, archery companies, food vendors, equipment sellers.....
Someone took one step forward, and others followed their lead. To me, it is an incredible showing of solidarity for the Second Amendment by the PEOPLE. And therein lies the major victory.
We are more together now than we have ever been. And we are prepared to all take a stand and say, "No More". We stand together or hang separately. And we will stand together.
What is also clear to me is that up until today, we were just firearm owners against the Administration, gun control groups, and billionaires like George Soros and Michael Bloomberg. We felt like we were at the Alamo. But today, reinforcements came pouring in.
We can't forget what those vendors who pulled out did for the Second Amendment today. They lead by example, and with their pocketbooks. So let's welcome the cavalary into the game. Our ranks are growing, and our resolve is reaching a hard temper.
