I think the WV folks are very friendly.... Hatfield's & McCoys.... By Gawd! That was a long time ago, but in KY they still take those things seriously in the rural areas of Eastern KY.
I believe as you see the slow reduction in hunting numbers, you will gradually see generational changes in folks with regards to guns in general. Having guns only associated with personal defense is not a good thing. As hunting becomes more restrictive in terms of having to lease property and so forth, it gradually limits the numbers that the sport can handle. It becomes an activity that is only affordable by the few. The few are not enough to resist the changes to the rules of firearm ownership when the society is becoming more and more urban.
Other countries in Western Europe have see these changes. First it is slowly more restrictive ownership of firearms, then it is registration of handguns, then registration of all guns, then permits for both handguns and long guns, then considerably more restrictive public policies (rules) as to who is qualified to own a firearm... eventually it is confiscation by the state. What happened is that as the rules become more complex, difficult etc. firearm ownership decreases due to the hassle factor by honest people. As the numbers of people having the firearm freedom ownership philosphy decrease, so does their effective force politically.
My father absolutely can not see any good justification for the para-military designed guns except for mischief. We have had many an argument, (oops discussion) on the subject. But, this feeling is pervasive with many hunters as they see no "hunting" application that is reasonable or appropriate for these kinds of firearms. I feel that it is great that many hunters are trying out handguns for hunting pursuits. It opens up an entirely new sporting area that is challenging. I also am moving in that direction for deer. This is good for handgun ownership nationwide as it brings handguns more into the mainstream.
We need to encourage the young to learn firearm safety, shooting, hunting, etc. It is a lot of fun. But, it is a learned sport and only through education will the pro-gun folks be able to keep the anti-gun zealots from winning.
