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a liberal on guns
Apr. 20th, 2013 09:02 amMore for me than any reader - except maybe for international passersby wanting to understand how this can work in the U.S.:
Am I a liberal as defined by my culture? I'm mostly liberal as defined in a lot of cultures.
Do I support a right to bear arms? Almost as much as I support a right to drive a car. Which is to say, "right" is a wonky word.
Do I support outlawing guns or ammo? Nope. It's good to keep those in power a little nervous, and never to completely trust the military.
Do I support firearms restrictions? Yes. Limits on anything that dangerous to so many other people per capita are entirely reasonable.
Do I believe some restrictions will cut down on gun deaths? After a fashion, yes. Otherwise it'd be a waste of my time to write all this.
Do I see guns as a problem? They're inanimate objects; the problems are reverence for them as though they're living or sacred things, and the notion they can't possibly be misused by non-criminals. (Who do we mean when we say "criminals," precisely? This comes out of the mouths of staunch background-check opponents a LOT. If you're not going to have background checks, why differentiate? There's no logical need to.)
Do I own guns? Nope. I've been offered them to protect myself when I was in danger; I turned down the offer. But I'm not a pacifist - if I can beat or whack the shit out of danger, I will.
Do I have experience with guns? I do, from childhood even. It's a conscious choice not to shoot as an adult. It doesn't make me better than anyone.
Am I a liberal as defined by my culture? I'm mostly liberal as defined in a lot of cultures.
Do I support a right to bear arms? Almost as much as I support a right to drive a car. Which is to say, "right" is a wonky word.
Do I support outlawing guns or ammo? Nope. It's good to keep those in power a little nervous, and never to completely trust the military.
Do I support firearms restrictions? Yes. Limits on anything that dangerous to so many other people per capita are entirely reasonable.
Do I believe some restrictions will cut down on gun deaths? After a fashion, yes. Otherwise it'd be a waste of my time to write all this.
Do I see guns as a problem? They're inanimate objects; the problems are reverence for them as though they're living or sacred things, and the notion they can't possibly be misused by non-criminals. (Who do we mean when we say "criminals," precisely? This comes out of the mouths of staunch background-check opponents a LOT. If you're not going to have background checks, why differentiate? There's no logical need to.)
Do I own guns? Nope. I've been offered them to protect myself when I was in danger; I turned down the offer. But I'm not a pacifist - if I can beat or whack the shit out of danger, I will.
Do I have experience with guns? I do, from childhood even. It's a conscious choice not to shoot as an adult. It doesn't make me better than anyone.
