Reply #8: Militia groups scare the hell out of me, [View All]

[spin]

I should mention I'm a gun enthusiast (gun nut) with a concealed carry permit and I carry.

Several times I have been approached by people who I suspected were part of a paramilitary group. I politely refused their overtures. The other shooters at the range I shot at, considered them wackos.

I believe that honest trained citizens should have the right to own and carry weapons for self defense. I firmly believe that firearms aren't the problem, bad people with firearms are. I also believe that the right of the people to own weapons helps to discourage tyranny.

I have a lot of faith in our system of government and while I feel that corporations have far too much control, I don't feel we are anywhere close to the point that an armed rebellion is necessary.

Most rational gun owners feel the same way I do. However, any attempt to confiscate or eliminate weapons will cause the party that proposes it to lose the support of many people.

While I've found many anti gun people on DU, I've also discovered a surprising number of pro gun posters. Gun ownership is an volatile issue that has hurt the Democratic party in the past. If a Democrat does gain the Presidency and pushes for extreme gun control measures, the party can expect a severe back lash. A one term Presidency followed by a long dry spell and a return to Republican control of congress will possibly be the result.

The best tactic for a new Democratic President might be to try to enact effective laws to curtail criminal possession and unlawful use of firearms, to ensure only honest, mentally stable and trained people can own firearms and that their weapons are stored safely to discourage theft and access by curious children. Even the NRA might support this approach.

Wedge issues such as gun control and abortion are used by both parties to attract voters. Unfortunately, the really critical issues often are ignored. We continue down the wrong path. The corporations and the elite few get richer. The middle class declines. The poor suffer and turn to criminal activity to survive.