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About this time in 2016, we were just barely getting folks to realize we even had a Roanoke location, were in the process of closing out our Stewartsville store, and were a couple of months out from both opening our first Indoor Range AND a huge presidential election. To say we were spread thin with time, resources, and focus would be an understatement.  A contentious election was about to begin with both of the major political parties crowning their messiah who would change the course of this nation. It was the most critical election of our lifetime (again).  And at SafeSide, our focus was elsewhere. As the weeks and months clicked by, we dialed in to the details of starting up this new range business – creating jobs, hiring, and complying with all the new regulations that were suddenly going to apply to us.  We were a little quiet about politics.

Being apolitical is likely a virtue, and its definitely a privilege. One that we exercised pretty well in 2016, 2017, 2018, and most of 2019.  So for our customers and followers that like that approach: we’ve given you four pretty great years! 2020 presented us with a whole new animal, however, with the very survival of our type of business in the crosshairs of those elected. After the big wins for anti-gun politicians in Virginia’s 2019 election, we were part of that sleeping giant that was awoken.  You probably saw us on the news or on Facebook talking about the power grab of the anti-gun majority in Virginia’s House and Senate.  You may have ridden one of the 6 buses we sent to Richmond for Lobby Day. You may have come to one of our Gun Owners’ Town Halls in Feb/March that drew over 500 attendees. Throughout the time period between the November 2019 elections and the end of the Virginia Legislative Session, we forged a path through partisanship and into the issues.  And THAT is what you’re going to be seeing from SafeSide during this election season.

The Gun Issue is our only Issue
There are so many important issues on the ballot this year – some literally in the form of referendums, but mostly in the sense of what one candidate or candidate’s party represents.  For SafeSide, our business relies on the rights afforded to Americans by God and by the 2^nd Amendment of the United States Constitution.  While the political views of our staff may vary personally, our company is solely focused on the Rights of law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms. 

You can take a stand for/against an Issue without endorsing a candidate
So you may see us post images, memes, new stories, etc. featuring candidates that speak out in support of these rights.  You may also see us post the same things from candidates who tout their willingness to trample on these rights.  Just because a candidate’s name appears on something we post does NOT make us an endorser of that candidate.  We are endorsing views consistent with ours as they relate specifically to gun rights. Take your fight about other policy issues to the appropriate forum.

We will be fair to those with varying views
We’re not going to trash a specific candidate or party.  You folks are smart. You need to form your own opinions about how you will cast your vote.  There is a LOT at stake, and the gun rights issue is one of those big ticket items.  Having said that, regardless of the political party, we will extend a similar courtesy to you.  If a candidate or group wants to rent the range or use the parking lot for an event, we won’t discriminate based on who that candidate or group is AS LONG as the message and messenger support our gun rights as lawful, legal gun owners.  Our company does not contribute to any campaign or candidate (although many of our employees do).

Your life may depend on it
We have seen sweeping restrictions via new legislation in Virginia recently enacted – and the promise of more is coming early next year with a new legislative session.  We’ve also heard promises from major political parties (and candidates) to take similar steps at the federal level. Without the rights guaranteed by the 2^nd amendment, we don’t have the ability to stand up for all of the other rights bestowed to us.  From our beginning, SafeSide has been focused on the individual right to protect yourself and your family - to be able to guard the innocent. Firearms are just one tool in that goal. If that ability is being threatened with a full-on attack on the rights of law abiding Americans, we stand against that threat and with those who also stand against it.

Others will take a different approach
Not everyone will like this approach.  Some people will complain we are getting too political.  Others will claim that if we don’t put a TRUMP sign in front of our building that we have abandoned our roots.  We have such a diverse group of great customers and staff – with a wide variety of political leanings and party affiliations. The goal here is not to alienate any person or group.  BUT, if you want to see SafeSide and other responsible firearms dealers continue on in what we do… how you vote is going to make that happen or not.  With so many divisive issues being discussed in our nation and our community right now, it’s time we focus on the thing that binds gun owners together and get out the #GUNVOTE.