Hi folks – my name is JL Dunn, I’m a longtime activist in Portland who has done such events as organizing the “Restore the Fourth” rally last year, and I was also the first to host an open carry event in Portland (that went really well, I might add). I’m a Portland native, 29 years old, USAF-veteran, co-founder of the Oregon Chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War, previous board member of the local chapter of Veterans for Peace, and many other pro-peace groups. I have an Oath to the Constitution, and in fulfilment of that Oath, I’ve done all sorts of actions to support and defend the Constitution.

Like many of you, I’m really concerned about new firearm legislation being introduced in Oregon like we saw in Washington, and I’m curious if any of you would be interested in brain storming some activities we could do to come out in front of new legislation.

I want to identify some other folks to work with to positively represent firearm owners. Personally, I’m concerned that the existing “pro-gun” groups in Oregon do not do much to dispel stigmas of gun owners in Oregon, and I want to take a lead on changing that.

I’m interested in putting together a large and broad base coalition of people, but also to carefully craft a public image and message. I’m interested in organizing media interviews and public debates and a general campaign that introduces new friendly faces as the public face of firearm owners in Portland.

• What do you think pro-firearm activism can look like in Portland? What can we do to make it meaningful?
• How can we create a friendly gun-owner image that appeals to Portland’s sensibilities?
• Would you be interested in volunteering, or showing up to support actions? If so, what sort of actions would you be interested in supporting?

Let me know if you have any other general thoughts, or if you’d be interested in attending an in-person discussion. I’m especially interested in working with people who have been victims of violence, military/law enforcement veterans, and people who are very familiar with firearm laws.