No Kings and No Guns

 

I'm all for mass protests and civil disobedience but adding guns is a bad idea, a vary bad idea. Violence is a State monopoly and a game they are the masters of. You and me cannot win playing that game. Those on the right do it and mostly just look amateurish and silly. If you have a well trained security element to deter bad actors, maybe, possibly? If you think you are going to take on the police or related State apparatus GTFO! You're not. At best, you make the atmosphere much more tense and deter many from joining your cause. In the worst case, one or two undisciplined idiots do something really dumb and wind up getting people killed. That also kills your cause, no matter how well intended. Let me give you a few more things to consider.

The state needs and loves violence. A protest that turns deadly green-lights more repression. The Communists turning violent in 1930's Germany only helped the Nazis. Once violence enters the chat, things can spiral. The State, at least in the beginning, has all the advantages in a game of violence. The state can be seen as defending order and the rule of law (even if this is not the case). A few disorganized individuals with firearms are no match for the power the state can bring. Oh sure, in time a resistance can become better organized, better armed and better trained.  perhaps even giving the state a run for its money in the game of violence. I think Syria is a cautionary tale about where this leads; countless dead, a new tyrannical government and no end in sight.

We have this myth that simply owning a firearm suddenly turns us into Rambos.  Think about arm the teachers. Passing out firearms does not make a security force. It only increases the likelihood of a negligent discharge and possibly getting someone injured or even killed. Your fourth grade math teacher with a pistol versus a determined, heavily armed assailant who has the advantage of complete surprise loses every time. This whole notion was and still is absurd. To be competent with a firearm (that includes handling it safely) takes time and continued practice. A bunch of individuals operating independently  compose a threat not only to each other but to those they are trying to protect.

You bringing your firearm to a protest without any coordination, without any rules of engagement or plan opens the door to complete chaos. Who are you supposed to shoot at and under what circumstances? What's the end game look like? One thing you can count on, however you think things will go, it will turn out much different with much more tragedy. There will also be great difficulty in telling “good guys” from “bad guys.” That cop you just shot was trying to defend an injured woman. Enjoy the rest of your days in prison! I think it's best to let the right cosplayers continue to make fools of themselves while we think of a better alternative.

 I think that a better alternative is sunshine. Protesting should be about highlighting injustice, demanding positive change and offering real solutions to problems. It also needs to be in for the long haul. Real change takes time and a lot of mundane work like running for office, organizing, planning and executing viable actions to further a cause. Be patient, willing to put in the work and leave the guns at home.