I am glad that we are having this discussion here. I do think it is gun related as a) guns are part and parcel to the discussion, and b) if this thing goes badly, our guns may be placed on the line.
I work in a very conservative organization...along side many very conservative people...people who are very uneasy about changes that are being considered by the White House and Congress since the November elections...people who are just as uneasy as we are about RKBA and the 2nd Amendment (we're in healthcare).
Many of us are gun people and many of these otherwise very conservative, McCain Palin bumper sticker kind of folks are not familiar or comfortable with guns...just because they are not experienced...city people if you will.
This kind of activity, at these public forums, may well foster a "nutty aura" around our hobby (one that we fight anyway) and also may well alienate our consevative counterparts...those who's passions are around other planks in the conservative platform. Many of these people know that many of us support them on their conservative issues. We can be sure that many of them, while not "gun people", do not seek changes to, and in fact support, the 2nd Amendment...if only at the ballot box. We want and need that continued support.
I think this sends the wrong message about us and while it's a shame, we cannot count on everybody understanding what we want and who we are. For some people, the 2nd Amendment may just have to remain a concept and if you're one of those people, and you see this kind of thing, you may wonder what we are really about...we don't need that kind of doubt in any more minds.
I am glad this discussion is taking place here. Thanks.
