Texas Open-Carry Kooks Tear Up NRA Cards In Revolt

member's NRA life membership card, now cut up (from Open Carry Texas Facebook feed, personal information redacted by Liberal America)
An Open Carry Texas member’s NRA life membership card, now cut up (from Open Carry Texas Facebook feed, personal information redacted by Liberal America)

Yesterday, I mentioned that the National Rifle Association told advocates of openly carrying semi-automatic rifles in public that what they’re doing may not be such a good idea. In fact, the NRA said, it’s “downright weird” and “scary.” Well, several people in the epicenter of the open-carry movement, Texas, got the message loud and clear–and they didn’t like it. In fact, a good number of them are in open revolt against the NRA–and yes, the pun was intended.

The Twitter feed of the largest open-carry group, Open Carry Texas, was already filled with messages critical of the NRA. Late yesterday, Open Carry Texas pushed the ante into Defcon 5. In a statement on its Facebook page, Open Carry Texas called the NRA’s statement “unfortunate,” especially since it and several other kindred groups claim to have already changed their tactics. And then, Open Carry Texas threw down the gauntlet–unless the NRA backs down, Open Carry Texas may cut ties with the NRA.

“If they do not retract their disgusting and disrespectful comments, OCT will have no choice but to withdraw its full support of the NRA and establish relationships with other gun rights organizations that fight for ALL gun rights, instead of just paying them lip service the way the NRA appears to be doing.”

And to prove it means business, Open Carry Texas posted one of what it says is many pictures of its supporters cutting up their NRA life membership cards.

 
Then again, based on what we know about Open Carry Texas, this bunch would fit right in with the likes of the Gun Owners of America and other groups who think Wayne LaPierre is a squish. Consider that Open Carry Texas announced earlier this spring that it would release the phone numbers of anyone who called 911 to complain about their demonstrations. Granted, founder and president CJ Grisham promised in May that going forward, “we will protect the identity of the caller.” But what does it say about the mentality of an outfit that even thought such an ugly and nakedly aggressive tactic was a good idea in the first place? Oh, and should I mention that it amounted to cyberbullying and witness intimidation–both of which are highly illegal?

Additionally, back in May Mother Jones stumbled on a Facebook video of several Open Carry Texas members using a female mannequin for target practice. They positioned the mannequin naked from the waist up and her arms raised in surrender, then opened up with semi-automatic rifles. After the session, they posed with the mannequin. By then, her arms had been blown away and her jeans were down at her ankles. They called this a “mad minute,” a military term for a short period of withering gunfire.

It was also a backhanded attack on Moms Demand Action, whom Open Carry Texas members frequently call “mad moms.” According to Mother Jones, Grisham–who wasn’t present at the event–commented, “Warms the cockles of my heart.” The video has either been hidden from public view or removed by Facebook, but Mother Jones obtained a copy here. I’ve seen YouTube videos of Open Carry Texas demonstrations, and there seem to be quite a few women there. After watching that video, you really have to wonder what it takes to be a woman in that organization.

The NRA is getting deservedly reamed by the families of the Santa Barbara shooting victims for its obstinate stonewalling of common-sense reform of our gun laws. And now they’re getting attacked on their right flank as well. It’s hard to believe LaPierre and his friends don’t know that Open Carry Texas and others of their ilk have had their lunacy stoked by claims that any attempt to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons, wife-beaters and anyone else who doesn’t belong within an area code of a gun is a prelude to those jackbooted gubmint thugs taking away all of our guns.

Whoever first said “you reap what you sow” doubtless had groups as hidebound and extremist as the NRA in mind.

Edited/Published by: SB


Darrell Lucus.jpg Darrell Lucus is a radical lefty Jesus-lover who has been blogging for change for a decade. Follow him on Twitter @DarrellLucus or connect with him on Facebook.

Darrell is a 30-something graduate of the University of North Carolina who considers himself a journalist of the old school. An attempt to turn him into a member of the religious right in college only succeeded in turning him into the religious right's worst nightmare--a charismatic Christian who is an unapologetic liberal. His desire to stand up for those who have been scared into silence only increased when he survived an abusive three-year marriage. You may know him on Daily Kos as Christian Dem in NC. Follow him on Twitter @DarrellLucus or connect with him on Facebook. Click here to buy Darrell a Mello Yello.