38Special said:
And, like it or not, the image of a guy in the woods with a "terrorist" rifle -- and yes, that is exactly what an awful lot of Americans think of the AK-47 -- doesn't mesh with the clean and wholesome image we want associated with hunting.
Here's where I think you, "don't get it," 38Special.
As *Shooters* we need to come together to protect *ALL* shooting sports.
When you, as a *hunter* say something like "the AK-47--doesn't mesh with the clean and wholesome image we want associated with hunting," that tells me that you are MORE concerned with the image of *hunting* then you are with protecting the larger 2A rights of ALL shooters.
More bluntly: It's NOT about protecting the "clean and wholesome image of hunters," it's about protecting the rights of all types of shooters.
It's when those hunters who just don't understand that, and put their desire to protect hunting over the rest of the shooting sports, say things like what Zumbo said, that the rest of us "Shooters" get pissed off!
That's why there was such a vehement response to Zumob's words.
How would you, as a hunter feel, if I said, for example:
"Because there is such a strong anti-hunting movement in this country, I think target shooters should disassociate themselves from hunters. The "Blood sports" are barbiac and cruel. I'll go as far to say that "hunting rifles" are no more than "tools for cruelty." We shooters should stick to target shooting and should ban hunting rifles from out target ranges."
Oh, and don't forget, to really compare that to what Zumbo said, assume I was someone who worked in the industry and could be seen as a representive of the shooting sports, like Zumbo was for hunting. Someone who works in the industry needs to be held to a higher standard.
Would that piss you off? Now you know how the rest of us felt.
The 2A is not about hunting. If hunting is all anyone is concerned with, then to Hell with them.