by Carrie Lightfoot, originally published on TWAW.
U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Sadly, we see our country becoming more and more divided. It’s heartbreaking to see division ripping our country apart. There are no longer conversations. It is literally impossible to discuss any issue without it turning ugly, even among friends, workmates, and family. Regrettably, the effects of division have infected so many areas of our life including the political, social, religious and cultural arenas and yes, in the fight to protect our Second Amendment rights too.
Any organization or community of people must be united in their shared goal to attain their purpose successfully or to protect it. They must lock arms, side by side with the core purpose protected within. Naturally, the people who share a united mission will be diverse, with varying opinions on any or even all other subjects and beliefs. They are committed and loyal to the core purpose, yet they must be able to honor and respect the differences amongst them. With unity comes strength, influence, and power. Significant accomplishments are achieved when we are one in purpose. The fruits of unity are so attractive, that new people are drawn to the cause. That is where our strength lies and what is required in the battle to preserve our Second Amendment rights.
To fully understand the importance of unity we must understand what division is, what it looks like, and the effect it has on us personally and collectively. To protect what we together and personally hold dear, we must fully understand division to prevent it from taking hold and wreaking destruction within the community.
What is Division?
- The act, process, or an instance of separating or keeping apart
- To separate into opposing sides or parties
- Separation by difference of opinion or feeling; disagreement
Here is the most important thing to understand about division: It isn’t spontaneous or something that just happens to us. IT IS INTENTIONAL!
IT IS A TACTIC! Division is a strategy to gain power, and it has a purpose.
This strategy has been used since ancient times. I am sure you have heard the phrase “Divide and Conquer,” it comes from the Latin dīvide et imperā and this tactic has been used throughout history. It is used to gain power and to control enemies and potential enemies. It’s rather simple, to increase power, any opposing groups must be divided and therefore weakened and must not grow in strength. The breaking up of existing groups that have power or influence is the key to gaining control. Additionally, we can see this play out with mentally unhealthy individuals as well. Narcissists and abusers divide and break up the other relationships of the abused as a way to control and manipulate them. They use this tactic to have or to get the attention or power they crave.
What does this intentional use of the tactic of division look like in our fight to protect the Second Amendment?
Gun owners and Second Amendment supporters are bullied and demonized. We are told we don’t care about children, or that we are terrorists. We are publicly ostracized and are losing the ability to do business or told our business isn’t wanted. At times, we are even physically threatened. Bullied people are quiet people who can’t grow in power. This is the goal of the dividers.
The pitting of one against another by provoking people or groups within the community to fight amongst themselves and to not trust each other. False accusations are made, and seeds are planted that the leaders of the Second Amendment community are doing something wrong or aren’t genuinely working for the collective best interests. This fosters distrust and jealousy amongst the ranks and yes, weakens our ability to stand and fight with strength, power, and influence to protect our Constitutional right. When divided, little things become big things, and our common purpose is blurred. The result is our unity and strength are weakened. This is the goal of the dividers.
Our diversity as gun owners and Second Amendment supporters is being used as a tool to divide us. We see this tactic in the language and rhetoric being used that pits conservatives against liberals, Republicans against Democrats, and people of one color against those of another. Language matters and words are being used to divide us. This is the goal of the dividers.
Who We Are
American gun owners and Second Amendment supporters are people who believe in the right of self-protection from harm, by others or by a tyrannical government. That’s it! That is where we come together to join in the battle to protect this right. The battle is between people who believe in the people’s right to bear arms and those that don’t. Period! Our diversity is being used against us. Our differences, which is a strength of our community is being used by those seeking to create division by creating tension among us. They shine a light on the tensions that are naturally found in diversity and are using them as a tool to divide us. This is the goal of the dividers.
More Effects of This Division
The introduction of false facts and false accusations create distractions both intellectually and financially on the Second Amendment organizations and their leaders. This causes the organizations to spend precious resources, both human and financial in having to deal with multiple “side” issues. This keeps the organizations that we rely on off of the focused work on the primary goal of protecting the Second Amendment. This is weakening our power and influence. This tactic exhausts all resources. This level of distraction decreases the efficacy of the community and creates more opportunity to take the community down by dividing it. We are making the job of those opposed to our Second Amendment right easier. Their battle for power or control is won with less physical resources. Our Second Amendment community is weakening itself! This is the goal of the dividers.
Weak and predatorial people within are being enlisted and seduced. Sadly, they are willing to cooperate and assist with the division for some form of personal gain. Moles exist in almost all communities, these are the “me first” people who are in it for themselves and what they get out of it, not for contributing to the community for the unified purpose. Therefore, they are easy to seduce and entice into participating in the division. This is the goal of the dividers.
What About Us?
Regrettably, these tactics are being used against and within our Second Amendment community. Outside forces, influencers, dollars and the application of these tactics are weakening our ability to protect our precious Second Amendment. These are creating gaps in our chain of locked arms that our core purpose within, the protection of the Second Amendment resides. You have to see it too. People and groups that are forming cliques that are causing us to focus and fixate on details and sub-issues rather than our immediate need to just fight to keep our Second Amendment right in existence.
I am not judging these opinions and beliefs nor saying that they hold no validity. What I am saying is that now is not the time. We are dealing with all of the above while we are trying to fight battles on EVERY possible front. Precious resources are spent in every direction while we grumble, complain and question them while we simultaneously “expect” them to protect the “core,” our Second Amendment. Yes, this is the goal of the dividers.
What Can You Do?
Please, understand the very real threats that exist to our Second Amendment TODAY. The midterm elections and even the 2020 Presidential election pose severe and imminent threats. Recognize the intentional use and the purpose of the tactic of division. My plea to you is to look for any evidence of division in your Second Amendment world and expel it. Then, lock arms in unity with your brothers and sisters in arms and let’s get to work together now to protect our common core, OUR Second Amendment.
About Carrie Lightfoot
Carrie Lightfoot is the founder and owner of The Well-Armed Woman, LLC and is the founder and Chairwoman of the Board of TWAW Shooting Chapters Inc. a 501(c)3 Non-profit organization. Carrie was elected to the National Rifle Association Board of Directors in 2018 and is an NRA Benefactor Life Member. Carrie was named by Newsmax as one of 2015’s 100 Most Influential Pro-Gun Rights Advocates. Carrie is a published author and frequent guest in national media. She is an NRA Certified Instructor with multiple certifications and is an USCCA Training Counselor.