The Truth about Down Range
Truth is in the eye of the beholder
For once, Evan Tuchinsky scooped me! He posted the pictures of Down Range banners before I did! But I got the interview! Ha!
In my council recap April 15-2025, I mentioned the myopic and hateful rhetoric directed at our Chico Police by a couple of “defund the police” council members, and the re-branded Community Concerned for Justice police-haters who spoke about the threat to peace and democracy of “militarizing” our police, as if they were “militarized” just because the State passed AB481 to say so. Saying so doesn’t make it true. You would never know that by the Progressive anti-police rhetoric.
To listen to them, you would think that heat-sensitive drones to locate fugitives from police in the dark and dangerous terrain was a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, banning the military from domestic missions.
Ironically, when the mass shooter does show up, these same people will demand the police appear instantly to protect them, and then, from their restored position of safety, complain they should have “de-escalated” or some other form of second-guessing.
By their logic, 911 should be abolished next, since it is the tool of hateful citizens to call on jackbooted fascists who are willing to open automatic fire on innocent citizens exercising their free-speech rights. Of course, eliminating 911 would interfere with their practice of “SWATTing” their opponents, since 911 is the main tool of the trade.
In the flurry of flaming word salads from these knuckleheads, Down Range, a local business that caters to 2nd Amendment-respecting customers, was swept up in the vilification of law enforcement and all those even informally connected to them.
Down Range sells uniforms that police and other uniformed public servants must wear while on duty. Our Chief of Police reminded everyone that it has no formal relationship with the company, but individual officers are free to spend their uniform stipend with whomever they choose. Oh, the Horror!!
Posters reportedly owned by Down Range became part of the narrative onslaught. One of the comments from the public, echoed by my council representative, Addison Winslow, admonished us that a target on our Governor is never acceptable, and we should not have any association with a company that does that.
The intended impression he left is that Down Range had displayed a poster outside their business with a target on the Governor, indicating that they were recommending violence against him. That didn’t make sense to me, so I called them to get the facts.
I received a call back from one of the owners, Steve Dyke. He sent me pictures of the posters. There are two.
You shouldn’t be surprised to learn that the owners of Down Range do not appreciate the constant attack by the state on the 2nd Amendment. I mentioned in my prior article some of the legislative attacks leveled against CCW holders and legal gun owners. Not only is that morally and legally wrong, but as a business that trades in weapon training and gun safety, including instructing for CCW permits, it is a direct attack on them.
Steve feels as I do that the principal advocate and spokesperson for this attack on 2nd Amendment rights, not to mention the signer of all such legislation, is our Governor, Gavin Newsom.
The first poster says, “The Governor will keep you safe.” In the foreground is the Governor, making one of his signature gestures of lecturing us on his virtue, and behind him is a city in flames. The meaning is obvious: when it comes to citizens’ safety, the Gov has other priorities.
Ironically, this poster was quickly stolen by someone who disagrees with this sentiment. I’m sure the person responsible also marches to “SAVE DEMOCRACY” and to keep the government’s “HANDS OFF!” constitutional rights, and is an ardent advocate for “FREE SPEECH!”
The second poster shows a picture of the Gov with a giant “F” next to his portrait. His expression was chosen to make the point that he may not care what you think. Pretty clever political commentary, nothing more.
Margaret Swick said at the meeting, as Evan Tuchinsky reported, “We all know what that means,” implying it meant “F… the Governor.” I don’t see the “…” above.
Well, it turns out, according to the man who paid for it, the “F” is a grade. Downrange gives the Gov an “F” in governing. Oh my! That’s violence, which might explain why our public schools have eliminated grades as a form of microaggression and work-shaming.
Now we come to the “target.” As you can see, a marksmanship target (not even a body silhouette) is incorporated in their logo, not unlike how a dentist might use a tooth in theirs. It is not “on” the governor, but identifies that this message is being offered by a company named “Down Range.”
Evan got this part right, though he leaves it up to the beholder to make the call.
And he’s right. How one interprets what is plain to see is a reflection on the beholder. Some, whether CC4J or our own progressive (read socialist) council members, will go to any length to villainize and slander those they believe are in the enemy camp, even if it requires bending, misrepresenting, or ignoring the truth.
I write this whole thing not because I think this is a hill to die on, but because it is a clear example of how some people are willing to say or do anything, as long as it conforms to the narrative they favor, and disparages those they consider evil.
Here, the offered narrative is clear:
“Police cannot be trusted with weapons and tools that could be used for evil, so we should be suspicious of their motives and assume the worst. We should also boycott any business they might use.”
Dishonesty is dishonesty. Take note.