Deaminator,
Your post is very eloquently written, and I hate to say it, very true. The sheep dog reminds the sheep that their are wolves out there ready to pounce, and they don't like that at all.
kairo,
First off, welcome to THR!
Second, you make many excellent points. You ought to have spoken up sooner! We need thoughtful individuals like yourself posting your thoughts on the importance of RKBA.
kairo said:
To my family, guns have always been a means of hunting and mild recreation. Self defense never entered into the equation.
Sadly, that is all the 2nd amendment means to a lot of people these days. "If it can't be used for hunting, then it should be outlawed." The 2nd amendment isn't even about self defense, it is the ULTIMATE check and balance against the state. As stated in an earlier post, I had a run in with a guy who is pro gun except for "military assault rifles" for which he didn't see a "legitimate sporting purpose."
I responded by saying that we must draw the line HERE AND NOW, no more compromises ... because Fedzilla won't stop at EBRs. He thought about it for a moment, and acknowledged that I did have a point. Funny thing is he apparently doesn't consider the Springfield M1A Socoom an EBR
. I'm pretty sure Fedzilla does.
Beyond the 2nd amendment, too many Americans think their rights are "granted", "provided" or "given" to them by our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. This is an attidude that each and everyone of us must fight against. Maybe it is too late, but I for one don't care to throw my hands up in the air and say "it can't be done." In my college days I challenged such a person by stating, "So if you were the only person left on Earth, I guess you'd be screwed, as there would be no State to give rights to you."
kairo said:
One thing I've learned throughout the years, is that it's much easier to become complacent than it is to take a stand against something you believe in. I have more or less adopted an attitude of "I'll keep my guns, locked in my safe, with my ammo" but I haven't made any effort to promote my hobbies. It's just easier to sit back and hold onto the things you have, rather than fight for what may come.
True. But taking out new shooters who may not have a strong opinion either way is sooo much fun! If all of us here on THR took out just one new person per year and introduced them to RKBA, even if they didn't end up buying a firearm, we would be in a better position in the long run.