Here is something to think about. I just kicked the idea around in my head today, and noticed that this topic was still active, and I think this applies....in a positive way. Through the years, I have always enjoyed a sense of confidence, belief in my own self and abilities. Self reliance, but a bit of a sense of duty, honor, etc, rolled in. I was told by my parents that I didn't have to follow the crowd, etc, and that I could be my own person. I butted heads with teachers, sometimes for fun, sometimes because I thought THEY were slacking, and keeping them on their toes as much as they did to us. Then I went into the working world. Wow! I worked for some great bosses, and by contrast, knew when I had fallen under some real idiots. Well, I didn't let them off easy, either. So, after laying all this background stuff, do you think that people of independent mind, those who don't follow the leader, free thinkers (who rely on logic, etc), might fall prey to the seduction of taking it one step further? I.E., looking at guns as one more way to achieve INDEPENDENCE? If one is comfortable and confident with guns, then one is free from oppression, be it personal social, or political. It is taking that free psyche one step further. Many people rely on others to protect them, but they are not really as free as those who can take care of themselves. Now, the downside to all of this, as type A, freemen often do, we offend and/or scare others who KNOW they are weaker, less self reliant, or just sophisticatedly "handicapped". They just don't "get it", when it comes to the subject of being armed as a DUTY, hand in hand with the concept of freedom.