Justin,
Im glad you have brought the liberal side to the discussion
(believe it or not, I am typing this response in the admirals club in the austin airport.)
Being a conservative (from north Dallas) I usually only see one side in these forums.
So....... What is your thoughts on your presidents proposals?
Are you for them as many others with that political side are?
Looking at your posts here, are you for an AWB?
Just curious.... Not meaning to offend in any way, just curious on how a liberal gun owner views. This situation.
Here, let me chime in on that, since by the historical definition of the word, I am liberal. (well, libertarian, but conservatives say "if you aren't with us you're against us"... and lib is lib)
You asked the question what a "liberal" gun owner thinks about the AWB?
I think its a pile of garbage, and is about as ridiculous as denying a person the rights to marry someone they love based on YOUR particular religious views, in this country that prides itself on personal freedom and separation of church and state....especially since those rights have monetary impact to those denied them, and are governed by the state...when your #1 and only evidence to support your objections is a religious tome named the Bible.....Yea, separation of church and state.....right. Conservatives HATE the idea of Sharia law, yet its very clear they LOVE the idea of imposing their christian version of it on 100% of the American population. The AWB makes as much sense as saying that since I voted to legalize gay marriage, I'm really interested in having a legal bestial relationship with my labrador, and am happy that I can now pursue marrying my dog.
I find it the AWB about as ridiculous, intellectually lazy, and ignorant of history, as the thought that if we don't immediately bow our heads and worship a certain and specific god that YOU approve of (most likely yours) in a way you approve of, that we will all descend into heathenism and will lose all sense of morals and ethics.
I find the AWB as stupid, unpatriotic, ineffective, and criminal.... as an American president who starts a war in Iraq against the will of the American people, then undermines the war effort with rampant cronyism and mismanagement of resources, wastes taxpayer dollars padding their daddies buddies' pockets, and display gross incompetence.
I find that arguments to support the assault weapons ban are about as well thought out, all encompassing of everyone's opinions, supported by data, and unbiased, as arguments in support of each of the above common conservative views, arguments, or conservative-supported policies.
Hopefully that will help.