At the recent GOAL 250 Dinner, Second Amendment advocate and Bearing Arms editor Cam Edwards delivered a powerful message to a packed room of Massachusetts gun owners. The speech, hosted by Cape Gun Works and recorded in full, captured not only the urgency of the current moment but also the deep historical roots of the fight for liberty in the Bay State. As Cam reminded the crowd, “Every time Jim [Wallace] comes on the show, it’s ‘greetings from the Second Amendment battleground state of Massachusetts’ – and that’s exactly what this is.”
The Spirit of 1775, Revisited
Cam Edwards, a Massachusetts native and longtime host of Cam & Company, opened his speech by drawing parallels between today’s gun rights activists and the patriots of Lexington and Concord. “They didn’t want war,” he said of the Revolution-era citizens. “They wanted to be left alone.” That, Cam emphasized, is all modern gun owners want as well: to live their lives in peace, without having to fight every year just to hold onto their rights.
But like the colonists of old, Cam said, today’s advocates are pushed to resist. “Every time the people of Massachusetts would say no, the powers that be would say, ‘Oh yes.’”
Chapter 135: The New “Intolerable Act”
Cam was especially focused on Massachusetts’ Chapter 135, calling it a modern-day version of the British “Intolerable Acts.” This recent gun control law, signed by Governor Maura Healey, has sparked immense opposition, not only from citizens but also from police chiefs and legal experts. According to Cam, the law is “pretty flipping intolerable” – and the fact that Healey had to declare an emergency just to put it into effect only highlighted its deeply controversial nature.
What’s more, Edwards pointed out the irony: the governor also delayed parts of the law for two years, proving the so-called emergency was political theater.
Fighting Back with Community
Cam’s message wasn’t just about politics – it was about people. He praised the attendees for their sacrifices: giving up time with family, spending weekends collecting signatures, and donating money to grassroots efforts. “You’ve given your time and energy for something bigger than yourself,” he said. “That is a powerful thing.”
He drew a vivid comparison to 1775, when militiamen from places like Boxborough and Acton didn’t act alone – they marched together. Likewise, today’s 2A movement in Massachusetts isn’t built on lone voices, but on a community of citizens united by principle.
More Than Just Men: The Forgotten Fighters
In one of the speech’s most memorable moments, Cam shared a little-known piece of Revolutionary history. After the men of Pepperell, Massachusetts marched off to fight, the women of the town formed their own militia, electing officers and guarding a local bridge. When they captured a Tory messenger carrying incriminating papers, they held him under guard until authorities arrived.
This anecdote, Cam explained, was meant to show that the defense of liberty has always been a people’s movement – not just the elite, not just the men, and not just the politically connected. That same diverse coalition exists today, and it’s what gives the movement its staying power.
Facing Opposition Closer to Home
Edwards acknowledged that today’s threats don’t come from a distant monarch across the sea. “The problem is closer to home,” he said. Unlike 1775, the resistance isn’t just against bureaucrats in D.C. or foreign powers. It’s often against neighbors, co-workers, and even family members who believe in the myth that more laws equal more safety.
“We might have family members who don’t want to listen,” Cam warned. “They buy into that false premise that we can ban our way to safety.”
Crushing the Stereotypes
Cam pushed back against the persistent media stereotypes about gun owners, saying they’re often painted as uneducated or dangerous. In reality, he said, gun owners in Massachusetts have shown incredible discipline, commitment, and constitutional literacy. “You speak as one with all of your voices,” he told the crowd. “And you make it impossible for them to ignore you.”
He praised GOAL (Gun Owners Action League) and the larger civil rights coalition for their impact – getting Chapter 135 put on the ballot for repeal was no small feat.
Making Hypocrisy Visible
Perhaps the most biting part of Cam’s speech was his takedown of Governor Healey’s double-speak. “She declared an emergency,” he said, “but then suspended parts of the law for two years.” Cam credited activists in the room for forcing her hand, exposing the inconsistency of her position, and making her backtrack, at least in part.
Whether or not Chapter 135 is ultimately repealed, Cam said the mere act of challenging it so effectively is a victory in itself.
A Message that Ripples Across the Country
Though based in Virginia now, Cam told the audience that what happens in Massachusetts matters nationwide. The state’s activism, media attention, and legal challenges are sending ripples across the nation, inspiring others in states like California, New Jersey, and Illinois.
“Some people are alarmed in other anti-gun states,” he said, “because they see how effective you all have been – and it scares the bejeezus out of them.”
A Lesson in Liberty and Resolve
Cam Edwards’ speech was more than motivational – it was a masterclass in historical context, grassroots power, and principled resistance. He connected centuries-old ideas to today’s political fights without losing the human element. His message wasn’t about glorifying conflict – it was about remembering why liberty matters and recognizing those willing to fight for it in ways big and small.
This wasn’t just a dinner speech. It was a battle cry for a community that refuses to be silenced or sidelined.
The Work Is Far From Over
Edwards closed his speech with a note of caution and resolve. “Let’s hope to God that using our voice, our feet, and our pen is enough,” he said. But even if it’s not, he added, “I know you’re not going to give up.”
And that’s really the point. In Massachusetts, the 2A battle isn’t over. But thanks to people like Cam Edwards – and the many citizens who show up, speak out, and sign their names – it’s a fight that’s alive, principled, and determined.
Raised in a small Arizona town, Kevin grew up surrounded by rugged desert landscapes and a family of hunters. His background in competitive shooting and firearms training has made him an authority on self-defense and gun safety. A certified firearms instructor, Kevin teaches others how to properly handle and maintain their weapons, whether for hunting, home defense, or survival situations. His writing focuses on responsible gun ownership, marksmanship, and the role of firearms in personal preparedness.
