During the spring of 2023, J’den McAdory, in Maryland, has been openly carrying a long gun in protest over Governor (D) Moore’s push for infringements on Second Amendment rights.
For weeks, maybe months, people ignored J’den’s protests. WBALTV interviewed McAdory, and then the governor responded and called McAdory’s brave protests an “act of cowardice.” Whatever else is true, for a young man to stand against the entire state apparatus in Maryland and assert his First and Second Amendment rights is not the act of a coward.
The man, J’den McAdory, told the I-Team on Thursday he’s protesting the governor’s new gun control law. He said he began walking the sidewalks in Severn a few months ago, first with his shotgun strapped to his back, and now, with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle in his hands.
“I grew up in this community,” McAdory said. “I’m 20 years old. I’ve lived here pretty much my whole life. I really want people to understand: I mean no harm to no one.”
McAdory told the I-Team he has gone out twice a week to remind people of their Second Amendment rights and to protest the governor’s new gun control measures, which take effect on Oct. 1.
WBALTV interviews parents who say they are scared and their children are scared. When they attempt to justify their call for McAdory to stop protesting, in the face of the apparent legality of McAdory’s actions, their only response is: You should not do something which makes people uncomfortable.
After the bill passed, numerous lawsuits were filed against it in federal court. The bill obviously violates the Second Amendment.
Analysis:
The question is: If McAdory had been wearing a uniform, would the parents have been uncomfortable?
When the Black Panthers engaged in far more provocative actions in the 1960s, Leftists claimed it was racism that provoked an anti-open carry bill that Governor Reagan eventually signed. When a Democrat governor in a deep Left state signs an anti-Second Amendment bill, protested by a young, armed man, it is not racism, but “courage.”
Some Second Amendment activists will say Mr. McAdory should not engage in his open-carry protest. It might make people mad. Those people who claim McAdory offends them are of the same political party which pushes “Gay Pride” parades and “Flag Burning.” The offense is all in their own head. No one can control what another person is offended by. No one has the right “not to be offended” in the United States of America. Being offended and free speech is inseparable. Anyone in any society can speak when the speech does not offend anyone. Only speech that offends someone requires protection via the First Amendment. J’den McAdory’s open carry protest is a classic example of how open carry is strong, symbolic, protected political speech.
Opinion:
Maryland will not become more anti-Second Amendment because of J’den. Some people will be educated. More people are likely to join in future protests because J’den McAdory showed he was fully within his rights to do so. Some black Americans will see they have the same Second Amendment rights as the rest of the population, rights that must be protected and fought for. This correspondent’s advice to Mr. McAdory would be to add a sling to the AR and a sign explaining the protest. Both would do wonders to remove doubt and make the protest more effective.
J’den McAdory should be saluted for his educational actions. They are much like the celebrated refusal to ride in the back of a bus, only more spontaneous and not backed by the Communist Party. J’den obviously believes in his First and Second Amendment rights. Surprisingly, he has not been arrested in deep leftist Maryland. Rights that are not exercised are lost. J’den paves the way for other Second Amendment supporters to follow.
About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
A rock killed Able. That was bad. A rock killed Goliath. That was good. It ain’t the rock that’s the problem!
Good Advice about s king and sign. The more exposure and interaction the less threatened these folks should feel. But because many media outlets portray 2A follows as bad people the average citizen has the wrong impression. I wish him well and God speed !
Want to know what makes me uncomfortable, anti gun laws.
Depending where a person lives, that could be considered brandishing a firearm. His choice to lawfully carry and protest. California had open carry but the firearm had to be unloaded and no ammo in any magazine or chamber, then they passed another law to stop open carry. Hope they do not do that in MD.
The parent Mr Hailey who said “you know we are uncomfortable about something you don’t have to throw it in our face.” Well heck what does the left do all the time. Transgenderism, LBGTQ and every other agenda they have. The left throws it in everyone’s face and expects everyone else to accept it. You either believe what they believe or it’s to bad. I say this guy has a Right to do what he is doing and the leftist need to get over it. I hope Mr Hailey drives miles out of his way and burns gallons of gas… Read more »
He’ll drive miles away till he runs outa gas, and cries waaah. Then McAdory shows up. They’re so grateful for five minutes, then cry waaah he made us so uncomfortable. They sue him and don’t see anything wrong with it. They win.
Good article, Dean. Also, thanks for keeping it genuine and not using AI to write any of it.
He’s a moron, If it’s not in a sling. Just plain stupid. I support his right to do it but common sense dictates he should carry it in a sling. His choice though.
Besides that, the arm fatigue walking around for hours at a time is horrible. Lol
Bubba — the terrorist in Austin….his rifle wasn’t slung… I don’t know what I’m saying… I was just saying it.
Ope — I used to carry my SAW on patrol for hours on end….no sling…. But then again… I’m a bad muthaf__a…. I forgot to mention that… haha.
A sling? He needs some sights or an optic.
Unless you are shooting a rifle @ 75 yds. or more sights are pretty much unnecessary. If one cannot sight down a picatinny rail and hit the target at anything less than that range, one should not be carrying that rifle. Period.
MM, I do……..Not that good with a pistol……..too old and not near good enough eyesight, anymore. LOL
Get a pistol brace for it. Lol.
if McAdory wants to protest, he needs to carry his AR over his shoulder and on a sling. Unlike handguns, rifles are generally veiwed as Offensive Weapons so it’s no surprise the average person could see him as an approaching threat.
why does the way he carries his firearm matter if it is legal to do so? you may not like the way i carry mine, and i might not like the way you carry yours. personal preference or choice.
also, where do you get the notion that handguns and long guns have different uses? they are both for self protection and defense.
you almost sound like m. halley in the video.
you dont know what you dont know.
@Orion said “generally seen as.” If protesting to sway public perception, it is best to consider how protest will be perceived by target audience.
While we all know handguns are far more frequently to choice for criminal offense, that is not the view presented by most media.
Yes but no. It depends on the situation you are in and what you are ready to take on. When you protest, you can run in to grocery shoppers, government authorities, and anti-gunners who want to do you physical harm. For the ones wanting to do you harm, you need to be at ready with your weapon. For the others, you need to smile.
HLB
Get REAL, Man!
lol… i am being real, man. we had one individual who did much the same before Oklahoma passed Constitutional Carry. he would walk the streets in downtown OKC with his rifle, in front, at the ready while proclaiming to do 2A audits; his behavior turned a lot of people off.
just because you CAN doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.
This is a common sense issue.
The real definition of common sense.
Doing it baby. No possible need to brandish like that.
Ope — I wish they wouldn’t do what they do when they’re at the ballot box, to avoid hurting my feelings….