Politics & Government
Dueling Protesters Expected at Downtown GOP Christmas Party
You can join the Dems on Library Hill to hold a protest sign, or stand with the Tea Party crowd, for a chance to win a rifle.
When the NH GOP invited former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown to be guest of honor at a fundraising Christmas party Dec. 19 at the Hunt Building in Nashua, they were hoping for a strong turnout.
Looks like they will have it, and then some.
If all goes as planned, there will be dueling visibilities going on outside, as protesters from both sides of the political divide – equally opposed to Brown, for different reasons – will be holding signs and sending their individual messages.
Nashua Democrats will be rallying in the park across the street from the Hunt Building at 5:15 p.m., while conservative gun rights group, the NH Firearm Coalition, has put out the call for "freedom-loving New Hampshire residents" to dress in blaze orange and join them from 6-8 p.m. at the Hunt Building.
While the Democrats have more obvious reasons for protesting a high-profile Republican making a political appearance in Nashua, the NHFC, steeped in Tea Party Coalition conservatism, wants to "remind Bloomberg-Endorsed Scott Brown the carpetbagger, that his anti-gun policies have no place in New Hampshire politics," as posted on their website.
They also want to send a message to the state GOP that they "should not be supporting gun-banning candidates for US Senate or any other office."
In the spirit of Christmas, the NHFC will be giving away 1000 rounds of 223 PMC Gold ammunition, and a Colt AR-15 rifle.
A cursory check of scottbrown.com did not turn up a statement on where he currently stands on gun control, but the NHFC cites a 2012 post on Politico in which Brown talks about why he would support a federal ban on assault weapons in the aftermath of the Newtown, Ct., school shootings.
Brown has served 33 years with the Army National Guard, currently holding the rank of Colonel in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. In the summer of 2011, Brown completed his annual training requirements for the National Guard in Afghanistan.
Below is the NH Firearm Coalition Mission Statement:
The New Hampshire Firearms Coalition, Inc., (NHFC) is New Hampshire firearm owners’ strongest voice to State and Municipal government officials and agencies, and to the media. The NHFC seeks the widest scope for you to exercise your Second Amendment civil right to be armed.
● roll backs of laws restricting the types of firearms New Hampshire residents may own;
● expanding New Hampshire residents’ right to carry firearms, openly or concealed;
● strengthening protection for shooting clubs and ranges against encroachments/harassment;
● extending carry license validity beyond four years;
● increased concealed carry license reciprocity;
● strengthening protection for firearms manufacturers and dealers;
● educating reporters and editors about firearms and firearm related issues;
● educating public officials about firearms and firearm related issues;
● easing regulatory burdens on firearm buyers, sellers, and manufacturers;
● expansion of hunting seasons and areas;
● helping firearm-owners to better their shooting skills and to learn new ones.
The NH Dems will be holding a conference call Thursday at 1 p.m. in advance of the event to talk about "Brown’s record of supporting Wall Street and big oil at the expense of the middle class won’t work with the people of New Hampshire."
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