On June 1st, the Oath Keepers Texas Chapter, along with www.dontcomply.com , The Sons of Liberty Riders and several other groups will sponsor, support, and take part in the Come and Take it open carry march in Temple, Texas. Go here for details. Why are we marching? To show our support and solidarity with active duty soldier Master Sergeant CJ Grisham. MSgt Grisham, an outspoken advocate of truth and the Constitution, was arrested on March 16, 2013 by the Temple, Texas PD for “rudely displaying a firearm” while walking down a dirt road with his son on a Boy Scout hike. You can read about the incident here. And here is the video of the arrest:
Why did he have a firearm? Because he has the right to, first of all. Second, he was walking through an area full of hogs and other wild animals. We got hogs in Texas like you wouldn’t believe. We aren’t talking Charlotte’s Web here. Our hogs require firearms to stop them if a herd decides to stampede your way.
We want to show the city of Temple and Bell County Attorney Jim Nichols that the US Army is not the enemy. We also want to support MSgt Grisham by doing exactly what he did to get arrested. While open carry of long-arms (rifles and shotguns) is perfectly legal in Texas, that didn’t stop the Temple police from arresting MSgt Grisham. That was not right, and that is why we are marching.
(NOTE: there is a Texas state law prohibiting open carry of handguns. While we disagree with that law, this march is about reinforcing MSgt Grisham by doing what he did – open carry a long arm – so those who wish to participate in the march are asked to only open carry long arms).
We are also raising money for MSgt Grisham’s legal defense. Oath Keepers has set up a donation page on our site where you can chip in to help with his legal expenses (when you donate there, it goes directly to his legal defense fund. We won’t be handling any of the money). Fighting these unconstitutional and oath breaking acts is expensive. It takes a lot of time and money to be successful, and we need to win, so please donate generously to his defense fund.
As we investigate further, we have uncovered a rash of activity on the part of the Temple PD targeting active duty soldiers. We know outside of any military base, there will be tension. Thousands of soldiers and police officers don’t always get along on Saturday night. There is, however, no excuse for this behavior on the part of the Temple PD. As the state chapter president, I will be present with Beast Machine (my FAL). You bring your AR, FN-FAL, AK-47, Mossberg 930 or whatever makes you happy.
The “Beast Machine“
My comments during my speech will be directed to the County Attorney and to the subject of gun rights. That issue has never been hotter than it is right now, and it is imperative that the active duty military, charged with supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States, be able to enjoy the rights they are protecting. Please take a moment to watch the video taken by MSgt Grisham’s son. If you want to know how to be an oath breaker, here are lessons number one through ten.
The arresting officers never charged him with a crime, merely resisting arrest. If that is the only crime he was charged with, what was he originally being arrested for? His property was taken without receipt or notice, and his wallet was taken as well. To quote MSgt Grisham:
“No one should have to fear being illegally disarmed without warrant, especially someone who has never committed a crime in his life. There is an overt attempt to disarm Americans, and especially veterans, in this country. I am not the first person to whom this has happened, but I if I have a say I will be the last. “
If Oath Keepers has a say as well, it will also be the last. How do we succeed? With your help. Come to Temple, Texas on the 1st and support MSgt Grisham. Again, bring your AR-15, FN-FAL or AK-47 and strap it on your back. Show City Hall that we aren’t going anywhere. MSgt Grisham is also a prolific blogger. His blog, A Soldier’s Perspective, is widely read and respected.
Please also visit our page dedicated to MSgt Grisham and donate if you feel it is the right thing to do.
Visit the event page for all details on the march.
Semper Fidelis,
Jay Stang
Oath Keepers Texas Chapter President
Member, Oath Keepers National Board of Directors
NOTE FROM STEWART RHODES:
This situation reminds me of what happened when the first modern “open carry” activist in Nevada strapped on a pistol (open carry of handguns is legal under Nevada law) and took a stroll down the Las Vegas Strip. He was tackled to the ground at gun-point by Las Vegas Metro officers, handcuffed, and arrested. Like so many other police out there, those Metro officers simply did not know that open carry of handguns was perfectly legal in Nevada, and had been since the founding of the state (like most other states).
What was the response of the Vegas open carry group? Over twenty men and women got together and open carried as a group down the strip. Now that was a whole different animal, and having such a large group open carrying made the police stop, listen, think, and learn, rather than just react. Rather than trying to arrest everyone at gun-point, they talked to the open carry folks and got an education on Nevada law and on the Constitution. From that day forward, the open carry activists had no further problems. To make the education stick, the Vegas open carry crew still conducts open carry walks on the Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas, teaching not just the police, but also their fellow Nevadans and tourists from around the nation and around the world about the right of the people not just to keep, but to actually bear arms. I have attended those open carry gatherings and walks, and they are wonderful tools of education – teaching people that armed citizens are not to be feared, but in fact are a benefit to all.
This march will help do the same when it comes to the open carry of long arms in Texas, by educating the local PD, prosecutor, and citizens about the fact that open carry of long arms is legal in Texas. It will also help to reinforce the right to bear arms for all of Texas, and for all of the nation, and down at the state level, where the real fight is right now. Use it or lose it! – Stewart Rhodes
FULL STORY HERE
