Upcoming Event: Coming Out Shooting II

Allan Giberti

Most people know I’m a huge supporter of the 2nd Amendment, heck I try to make it a point to talk about it every show. 

I’m also the current President of the Rhode Island chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans, so I’m also an advocate for LGBT rights and equality.

Now, I want to make it clear that it is equality, equal rights not special rights. We also advocate for personal responsibility, and that’s not limited to being accountable for your actions, but other responsibilities like being responsible for your own safety and security, as well as the safety and security of your family.

When you put it all together, it’s only logical that I would also be a huge advocate for stressing the importance the 2nd Amendment plays in the safety of the LGBT community. Among gun owners, 43% are men, 17% are women and 19% are members of the LGB community and there’s a reason many of us own firearms. We are more than two times more likely to be the victim of a violent crime. Yes, I’m referring to hate crimes.

I am lucky to have never been the victim of violent crime. I personally know someone who was, and I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the whole thing. How can some people have so much hate for someone they don’t even know, simply because of what they are? I can’t even begin to relate to that level of hate. I also have a hard time understanding why it was allowed to happen and why it is still allowed to happen.

Gun rights are gay rights, and armed gays don’t get bashed. 

It’s that simple. 

The Second Amendment was written to keep Americans from becoming oppressed. All Americans have the right to equally defend themselves. 

For most of us it equals the playing field, because we are the help until help arrives. 

We can’t simply hope that hate crime laws and anti-discrimination legislation will protect us, because in reality they do not. If they did, why do we still have hate crimes? The threat of harsher punishments doesn’t deter anyone. The problem is that criminals just don’t like following the law, so we need to responsible for our own safety.

How do you do that? How do you share with your community the importance of such a hot button topic? 

Through discussion and education. The best way to do that is to have an event. 

Last year, working with numerous Rhode Island 2nd Amendment organizations we held our first gun range event, Coming Out Shooting, to help spread the message.

Here we are a year later, and I am proud to once again be part of Coming Out Shooting II. This is a free, informational event open to all members of the LGBT community and our allies. All you need to bring is a valid ID and a willingness to learn.

Come join us this Saturday, September 28th at the Smithfield Sportsman Club in Smithfield, RI at 11am. For more information you can check out the event on both Facebook and Twitter by following me @GibertiAllan.

Allan Giberti is the host of RI Red Radio on 990WBOB.com. You can listen to Allan live on Mondays at 7pm and Tuesdays at 8pm. All times Eastern.

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