I heard of this some time back but I got a little confused on the date. There's a group calling for a rally on the Colorado capital steps to civilly and peaceably disobey the new magazine ban. It actually won't take much; merely handing a magazine to someone else for a second then taking it back is enough to break the law. This one will take place on July 1rst at 12 p.m. MDT.
The confusion came as they're calling for a 2nd "event" on July 2nd. This one has no central gathering point though - they're just asking folks to take pics and or vids of themselves as they break this law and upload it to their social media site de jour.
Here's the facebook page for the "Mag Swap at the Capital".
Here's the facebook page for the "Colorado Mass Civil Disobedience Day".
The problem I see is that the state capital is in Denver, which already has a magazine ban. Possession of 21+ round magazines in Denver is verboten. So unless you use mags that hold 20 rounds or less there's a good chance the swine at the Denver PD will arrest you for violating the city ban, not the state ban. (And as Michael Bane points out, cops in Denver and Boulder will definitely be enforcing this intrusion upon the Right to arms).
Also, they plan on being "civil". Being from the South I don't like that word in general, but I don't think civil disobedience is the way to go. Disobedience? Yes, oh hells yes. Civil? Not so much. If they called for folks to break the ban and not let themselves be arrested then I'd give them my blessing, and possibly show up my damn self. But I have no confidence in the courts, and even if I did a judgement in my favor would not relieve the indignity of being arrested for being in conflict with a law that imposed upon my Rights.
In other words, I think if 100 or more armed gun owners stood there defiantly breaking this law, and told the attending cops that if they tried to use force they'd receive more than they could enjoy, then we might get somewhere. Barring that this will produce a lot of test cases, and given the Colorado courts history I'd presume a lot of appealed convictions.
Yes; I realize such a scenario (armed mass disobedience) could get messy in a hurry. Freedom is a messy business, so why wouldn't protecting it be? I've long advocated that if someone tries to unjustly use force against you, you should defend yourself, your property and those you care for. I see no difference if the thug accosting you has a Crips tat on his neck, or a PD badge on his chest. But everyone has their own bit of sand, and their own line thereon to maintain.
Still, being passive, holding "civil" disobedience rallies and hoping the courts will grant us relief is far too optimistic for my tastes.
Don't misunderstand - I wish them well, any who show up at this rally today to break an unconstitutional law, and any who break that law tomorrow as a form of protest. But this gang that calls itself a government here will make all the jail space they need to soothe their ego's, and their thugs will do all that's asked of them to ensure the paycheck they get.
Edited 07-01-13 10:07 a.m. MDT I removed a paragraph from this post that I meant to place in another post I'm working on.
Well, nobody got arrested, from what I just read.
Posted by: jed at July 1, 2013 07:04 PMIf I had a nickel for every goddamn "gun rights supporter" who had a reason why they wouldn't support us in this, I'd have enough money for bail, that's for sure. It's easy to judge, not so easy to act. We are paralyzed by this stupid over analysis. We could have used more bodies there on Monday, instead of excuses.
Posted by: El Bombardero at July 2, 2013 07:41 PM