“We need sensible gun laws,” said the Senator. “I just got back from Montana where just about everyone has guns. In that culture, fathers and sons bond over hunting. You can’t take that away from rural America. But the inner city is different, and we should tighten the laws on gun purchases and close the loopholes in gun show sales to unscrupulous buyers. The gun control people and the right to bear arms people are talking past each other about disconnected topics.”
I completely agree. Guns are much more about the differences between cities and rural areas than Left vs. Right and need to be approached that way. Guns have been a part of life in the country for hundreds of years, and people need them, as critters sometimes want to attack and eat their livestock and crops. But OTOH, I don’t want the driver in the car next to me during a Los Angeles freeway traffic jam to have a loaded Glock under the seat.
I’m a gun owner, but I also recognize that almost all of us believe that the 2nd Amendment is not without limits. For example, do you believe that I should have the right to have my own nuclear bomb? Few people would say yes.
On the other hand, I don’t believe in a disarmed society– for exactly the reasons you mention in your post. Besides, in times of civil unrest, guns can and do prevent physical harm and property damage. (You recall those who sat on top of their homes and/or shops during the LA riots keeping guard?) As our government becomes more fragile and less able to enforce its laws and protect its citizens, it would be inhumane to prevent people from protecting themselves.
I think Obama’s position is sensible– and a fine example of how compromise (not knee-jerk opposition) can solve the problems we face.
The Founding Fathers did not put the 2nd Amendment in the Constitution to guarantee Americans the right to hunt for food, but the right to hunt Elected Officials who would try to take our rights away.
The 2nd Amendment is there to ensure we retain the ability to, if necessary, once again rise up against tyranny.
On the other hand… as my name implies, I hunt, or more accurately, have hunted. I can feed my family. That’s not the issue these days, nor the Fascists how have taken over our country and imposed a tyranny… the issue is those who don’t hunt, who can’t feed their family, but will, one way or another. I was never proud of ‘Nam, but I got no problem…