NY Times: "The Rise of the Armed Left"

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

roscoe

New member
An interesting article on how political events have pushed a rise in gun ownership on the left (read the comments - some good, some bad):

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/02/opinion/socialist-left-guns-nra-trump.html

To keep this forum-safe, I will avoid talking about any political position. But I will say that I know quite a few liberals who have taken to owning guns in times in which they have felt persecuted because of their circumstances. It is less common now, but in the 1980s gay-bashing by gangs of young men was a real thing, and I had some gay friends arm themselves specifically in response to the perceived threat. And, although it is 40 years ago now, in my opinion, the Black Panthers arming themselves were the closest in recent times to embodying the purpose of the 2nd Amendment.

It is interesting how this goes - folks on the right arming themselves against some perceived Muslim invasion threat, and folks on the left arming themselves because of a perceived Nazi/White Nationalist threat. (This board and THR are pretty good, but some gun boards are full of folks talking about Muslim invaders).

I actually find it refreshing that the left sees the need to take the initiative to protect themselves, because part of some left-leaning philosophy has historically been a pacifism (that I, as a liberal, find contemptible).

One of the NRA's big failings is not to be reaching out across the aisle. They frame themselves as pretty right wing - articles about Socialism, etc., that really have no place in advocating gun ownership. But maybe their interest is in the continued political conflict rather than actually convincing folks from different philosophies.

But, folks, let's keep it clean!
 
Comedian Bill Maher, well known for his stinging
verbal attacks and backer of many liberal causes,
says he's a gun owner for protection.
 
But I'll bet he doesn't want YOU to own any. Feinstein is the same way; she has her CA CCW........

Just make sure to vote folks.
 
If you look at the fundamentals, weapons have no politics, but are often misused by politicians and despots.

I welcome anyone that has a rational view of the world (as in not BSCrazy) to consider gun ownership.
 
NPR reported that roughly 80% of Americans are fearful of escalating violence resulting from political incivilities. Not really surprising those on either side are arming themselves.

Hell, there was even a story on NPR titled "Another 'Civil War'? Pessimism About Political Violence Deepens In A Divided Nation.

A person's gotta be blind to not see certain things on the horizon.
 
This can go off the rails fairly quickly. So I caution against rants about liberals or conservatives being no good blah, blah.

If you want to discuss having an eclectic view of the RKBA that's fine. Denounce people and that's not good.

If you pose a political spectrum litmus test as a necessity of being a 'true' supporter of gun rights, that's not ok.

The commentary for the article has quite a few positive comments from across the political spectrum and that is encouraging.
 
Pretty interesting. They now, some of them, want to have guns to defend themselves, smart move! But inside I suspect they still want guns illegal, except their's of course! Have to give them credit for doing what it sounds like they are doing though. On the other hand, the garbage collector is a poor image for a gun owner, but maybe not for a garbage man. People like that do not represent me but in the eye's of the liberal they do. I have an older brother that the few time's he does go out to shoot get's all decked out in military style clothing. Give's the wrong impression to anti's I think but to me he simply looks stupid! I am a sometimes member of the NRA. They come across to me normally as a militant group. Can't stand LaPieere! I don't think he is any kind of a person I'd want to be representing me but, now and then, I'm back in. The NRA would have you believe that the only reason we have gun's today is because of them. I don't believe that. We have them today because of our constitution and to many representative's fear bucking it, that's a good thing! If push came to shove would many American's take up arm's against their country? I'm sure they would. I think the only thing that would come of confiscation is chaos! I think that would suit the vocal liberal's just fine.
 
We make an error, especially in politics, by believing that we can know sometimes stance on one issue by his or her stance on another.

For instance someone may believe in single payer healthcare, free expression of sexuality an gender, a balanced budget, and the individual right to firearm ownership.

I expect there are far more people who are not in lock-step with the platforms of either major party than there are that are. A "progressive democrat" is not necessarily against the individual right to own firearms. a "conservative republican" will not necessarily defend it. These labels are FAR too encompassing.
 
I feel the line is drawn in the sand , mind's are made up , no middle ground sad to say . Pick a side and let's see what happens .
 
2 years ago, I spent hours with a buddy helping him pick out his first firearm purchases. Rifle/pistol/shotgun... we went to a gunshow and a couple local stores. He spent about $2500 including decent optics for his AR15, some basic accessories and starter ammo.

He was very open about the irony of his decision... 15yrs Officer in the Navy, never bought a gun before, but figured he had to now before the woman he fully intended to vote for got elected and started banning them.

I've been a single-issue voter for a long time, and he wasn't... still glad to help him out regardless.
 
I never was a single party voter. Moderate but slightly on the left side of the scale. I voted straight ticket now, and will never do otherwise from here on out. I may abstain from one particular ballot item for various reasons. But there is a party I will never cast a vote moving forward.
I support anyone exercising their rights no matter the party affiliation.
It’s tragic that people vote away their rights for promises that won’t be kept.
 
Have you ever taken someone shooting for (their) first time and they didn't smile after a little ballistic therapy?
I've probably let 100's shoot my guns, and can only think of 2 people who didn't like it and smile afterwards. One was autistic and wanted to try, but the impulse noise was too much. The other was a anti- who decided they wouldn't like it before hand.
 
Myself I am no conservative, I am no liberal, I am an American and I welcome anyone who exercise their constitutional right. I refuse to belong to a party. I think the founding fathers got it right with the constitution. Any candidate that follows it either side will get my vote. Too often for me no one has my values so I do a write in. Too often our parties are more interested in the party and not what the fathers wrote. But that’s just me
 
Last edited:
I mean come on, if someone, some entity or some political party cannot be honest about gun, gun owners and the meaning of the second amendment... can they really be honest about anything?
Can they be trusted?
The gun issue is just one of many things.
 
Nathan said:
As an NRA member, I fully support ALL Americans owning guns. I’ll even invite them myself.
Click to expand...

^^^Same here.

Besides, it is not unusual for those on the left to own firearms, nor is it a new thing. Where I live I'm surrounded by Democrats that hunt and own firearms. Much of the difference of opinion is not ownership, but of how easily accessible firearms are nowadays, capacity and deadliness. Those folk on the left that want to ban all guns are extremists, like those on the right that think guns should be available to everyone, regardless of age, mental health and criminal history. If there really is the so called "line in the sand", it is a very wide one.
 
Roscoe---I did read the comments to the article. Almost all were 'anti-firearms' ownership but there actually were a few pro-gun comments too. Being it is the New York Times I guess it would be surprising to have more than a handful of pro-gun comments. One thing I did notice in a goodly number of comments was the mantra:

We support the second amendment. No one is trying to take away your guns.
(But please turn in any and all semi-automatic guns to your government representatives.)

Personally I am CONSTANTLY amazed at how folk can be so FANATICALLY devoted to an issue (gun control) and be so IGNORANT about it at the same time. Proudly ignorant. Like it would be beneath them to find out how a gun and magazine go together. Like it would be beneath them to consider how many laws we already have on the books that aren't stopping 'gun violence'. Like it doesn't matter if they are disingenuous with their "weapons of war" slogan and about the fearful wounds caused by the mighty 5.56/.223 rounds fired by "assault weapons".

Your article led me to another New York Times article "It's Time to Talk About the NRA". The comments to the NRA article might be described as 100% "harsh" and I'd say "harsh" is a dramatic understatement.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive...tion=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top