BrazosDog02 said:
I have had more than a few ...ahem...discussions with my liberal friends on facebook. Most of these aren't "ban everything" types and they are interested in discussion...the kind where we ultimately disagree.
Anyway, to me, the issue here with gun control is pure disagreement/understanding on a very basic level about some pretty important things. A few things I Have noticed that my lib friends say:
1.) The 2nd Amendment was never intended for private ownership of guns for you to defend yourself against others or your own government. It was only intended for you to own them as a regulated militia to be a backup to the regular standing army.
2.) Universal background checks are a good idea and there is no reason to suspect or believe a government will use that information for future confiscation. Besides, they can already find all of the info they want about you as it is if they really wanted to.
3.) There is ZERO reason for a private citizen to need military grade firepower from AR15. You can't go buy a tank or full auto weapon like the military can, so what makes you think you need anything more than pop's bolt action?
Guys, we are battling solutions from people who's basic understanding and logic is flawed. You will not and can not debate, convince or beat that....
I have no idea how to combat it except donate heavily to lobby groups and continue to vote people into office that share my belief, but even I understand that the effect of that will wane.
For starters, drop the litmus test for people on the right side. That is the best way to lose in my opinion. Its terrible politics.
But we already do a pretty good job at combating it. I think the most misunderstood part of this 'debate' is how the issues are viewed by each side. There was a good article just in the last week about it but I cant find it. Anyway do not view the issues thru the same lens.
The left sees it, generally speaking, as a political question in need of a political solution. It is clear, like it or not, that the 2nd amendment is not absolute. Whether or not you agree with that doesn't matter. It is established. So the question is political. How much? who gets what? When and Where? who is watching out for the little guy? etc. etc.
The right doesn't see it that way. To people on the right it is not a political issue. It is a lifestyle. It is a core belief that transcends our own laws. It is a natural right. You see it on this board every day, especially on concealed carry threads when people mention they do not always carry. Or on threads about growing up with guns .For us it is natural instinct to teach my kids to shoot. Not a political decision.
On one hand the NRA is just another lobby. They are good at propaganda and misleading messaging and all of that. But where they struck gold was they harvested this energy created by millions of people who see 2A as a lifestyle and natural right. That's why they are so much more powerful than the gun control lobbies.
