Anti-government and Pro-gun Groups Should Stay Away from April 19

Posted by

Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City
Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City
April 19 is a dichotomy of symbolism.

It’s the date of the Oklahoma City bombing, which claimed 168 lives in the destruction of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building 15 years ago by domestic terrorist Timothy McVeigh.

April 19 also is the date of the 1993 attack on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas that killed 82 Branch Davidians, including their leader, David Koresh, and four ATF agents. The siege in Waco was the key factor that prompted McVeigh to seek vengeance on the U.S. government.

Coincidentally, and unknowingly to most Americans, April 19 is the anniversary of the American Revolutionary War battles of Lexington and Concord, which eventually led to the Declaration of Independence.

So, when a couple of anti-government and pro-gun groups held rallies on April 19, it’s no surprise that their reasoning to pick that day raised a few eyebrows. The names of these groups are irrelevant, at least for the moment. The fact that they are in the U.S. with a growing fervor however, wonders many media pundits, especially those on the left.

What’s frightening is that gun sales are up in the U.S. since President Obama took office. Could it be because the president is black and these anti-government and pro-gun groups are predominantly white? That’s debatable either way. It’s also unfair to link these groups together, although the stats paint a pretty hostile picture.

The organizers of these groups are either naive in the art of public relations or media hounds taking advantage of a meaty news cycle. Or do these groups really want to align themselves with Oklahoma City and Waco, Texas? They say its Lexington and Concord that are of interest to them. Regardless, perception sometimes is stronger than the truth, at least in today’s media landscape.

No doubt their political opinions as extremists, which may even border the lunatic fringe, only further links these groups to tragedies like Waco and Oklahoma City.

What should anti-government and pro-gun organizations be doing right now? The most obvious first step is never hold a rally on April 19 again. Pick another date. There are 364 more choices. Moreover, run with the fact that 75% of Americans distrust government. Help explain why and they’ll have a strong, sincere platform. Otherwise, they’ll continue to position themselves as extreme radical groups only interested in making noise, not change.

Leave a Reply