A group of gun rights advocates wandered around Texas suburbs recently wearing semiautomatic rifles like Fendi bags.
As a conservative, I would be the first to say that these people may be well-intentioned — but they are definitely misguided.
We get it, you are afraid your rights are being eroded away, and you have every right to bear arms. However, at some point, you have to ask yourselves whether or not your rights on display are actually having the right impact, or sending the right message.
We understand that you believe if you don’t use your rights you will lose them, but please explain how terrifying kids at a suburban restaurant is helping you accomplish your goals.
You may think having those weapons on display out in public is helping to break down barriers and encouraging people to be more comfortable with firearms in public, but this is categorically not what you are communicating.
This is one of those infamous cases where not all publicity is good publicity.
In fact, you are very likely doing more harm to your cause than good by reinforcing stereotypes, and attaching irrational behavior and unfounded fears to a legitimate political position.
Bottom line?
When you are representing a sensitive issue there is nothing wrong with being forceful and blunt in your positioning. But, you want to make sure the message you are actually sending is the one you think you are sending.
When you assume people are understanding, but they are not — particularly when you are confusing and frustrating your ideal market — it’s time for an honest reassessment of your strategies.
Ronn Torossian is one of America’s foremost Public Relations executives as founder/CEO of 5WPR, a leading independent PR Agency. The firm was honored as PR Firm of the Year by The American Business Awards, and has been named to the Inc. 500 List. Torossian is author of the best-selling "For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results with Game-Changing Public Relations." For more of Ronn Torossian's reports, Go Here Now.
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