100% gun rights
0% culture war

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It’s good.

Intro

The gun debate: a contest to see which side can demonize more people. Each side is trying to destroy the other. You win wars by force. And culture wars are no different. Each side fires their volleys back and forth, but the only thing they improve is the cable news ratings.

We’re creating something better. We’re about making new gun owners and spreading gun rights — and that’s all. No name-calling or vitriol. We’re hardcore for gun rights, but always inclusive and friendly. Welcome to Open Source Defense.

Coming out of the safe

Yes, it’s true: a handful of gun owners absolutely do fit the stereotype. But here’s another truth: twelve million people in the US carry concealed at least once a month. There are 10+ million AR-15 owners out there. Almost 40% of people in the US have a gun at home. Those people aren’t a stereotype. They’re our friends and family and neighbors. And a lot of them are afraid to even be known as gun owners, let alone to share that it’s an important, joyful part of their lives. We’re making it safe for them to be themselves.

Everybody is welcome

The old stereotypes about who is and isn’t a gun owner are quickly dying out. Go to a gun range and you’ll see people have gotten the message — gun ranges are often much more diverse than the typical workplace or school. Diversity along every axis. Race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, profession, politics, home town, thoughts on whether a hot dog is a sandwich. You name it.

We especially welcome people who are gun-curious, or even anti-gun. You can rely on us for three things: to always support gun rights, to always be friendly, and to do both no matter who we’re talking to.

Gun rights are human rights

We’re all born with the right of self-defense, to control our own destiny. And for that to mean anything — especially for our weakest, poorest, or most disadvantaged — it means having great tools for self-defense. Grandma has just as much a right to control her body as a 6’4” athlete does, and unlike him, she can’t do it empty-handed.

Guns mean that if all else fails and bad luck ever strikes you, you keep the final say on what someone else does to you. If anyone takes those tools away from you, they’re taking your final say too. They’re saying that they’ll decide for you. That they’ll give you permission to control your own body.

We believe all people are born with the right to never ask permission for that.