Thank you for your post...
It is helpful to hear a well thought out commentary from someone with your opinions.
I hope what you find in life is that no group of people is homogeneous, whether they be pro-gun, pro-choice, African American, male or female. Racism takes many forms.
To your questions and concerns, I can provide my own perspective, without speaking for anyone else.
Open mindedness: I would prefer to be ABLE to exercise the entire bill of rights without persecution or prosecution. I do not require anyone else to exercise theirs anymore than I demand that they vote (although it's a good idea).
Sheep: Sheep are not mindless, nor is the term meant as an insult (IMHO) Since biblical times, the "flock" has represented those who are defenseless, protected from wolves (criminals) by shepherds and sheepdogs (law abiding citizens who CAN defend themselves and others).
San Francisco: It's not the city or it's residents. It's a beautiful city with some really fine Americans (just like most places in America). It is the politics of the local government there that many of us disagree with. In my opinion, Chicago is a better example.
Environment: Many of us are for the environment and conservation, but this is a firearms forum, and it may not come up so much. Although we may all be pro-2A, we may have VERY different views on other topics. Also, there are quite a few "environmentalists" with whom I take issue. Many are too extreme and make a bad name for the rest of us who obey the law. (This goes for ANY issue with extremists).
Health care: Personally, I believe that the Federal Government has the capability to tackle really big problems for our society, but has a miserable record of inefficiency and ineffectiveness. If you and I did our jobs as poorly as the Federal Government has done, we would have been fired long ago. I believe that customer-centered concepts like what Wal-Mart, Walgreen, and CVS will eventually offer better solutions for the uninsured in the US. Our intentions are very similar, we just may disagree on the best solutions.
The legion of the fence-sitters: I praise you for addressing this forum. As I'm sure you've seen, many who participate here are more responsible and thoughtful than others. It's a large group of several thousand people from all walks of life. Please be careful leaping to the conclusion that all comments made here are the opinions and thoughts of ALL law abiding gun owners in the US. Give me ANY group of 12,000-13,000 Americans, and we're bound to find some with whom we disagree.
As you decide which way to lean, please be careful not to fall on the "racist" side of any issue. The best commentary a well-connected journalist could give on this issue is as follows:
"Wow, the population of gun owners in America is as diverse and varied as America itself. This, like any group is NOT as stereotypical as some would like to believe. Perhaps those of us who disagree and are bothered by guns should realize that when we speak, and be wary of being as "racist" as those we often accuse."
Brian
Father of 2 (who just doesn't want to explain to a 6 year old what a 4 hour erection is (poo poo Cialis/viagra) just yet)
White Anglo Husband in an inter-racial marriage
Charitable, Evangelical Catholic, Libertarian
Business owner, entrepreneur (job creator),
11th generation American, affluent, leader
Gun owner, car owner, home owner...