I frequent a few gun forums, and my sig line on many of them is

[old mark]

"I am a gun carrying Democrat." I encourage Democrat/Liberal/Left gun ownere and enthusiasts to use a similar signature line just to let people know we are here and there are quite a few of us. Many RWers seem to believe they are the only ones skilled in shooting and gun handling, and I believe it's a good idea the quietly give them something to think about.

I am sure I am on several "Ignore" lists in some of those sites, but I probably am here, too.

I believe it may be productive to educate a few RWers just a little in this way - don't make a big issue of it, just let them know we are here.

Thanks.

mark

[Warpy]

1. Nah, they think that when it comes to a question of your gun versus

any other policy position, your gun will win and they'll be able to turn you Republican.

I've seen that thought process in action.

[old mark]

4. Considering I have been a shooter for over 50 years and a Democratic

voter since age 21, I doubt that will happen.


mark

[KILL THE WISE ONE]

2. just don't tell them, they are the reason I have guns

the tea party is the reason I now have a mini arsenal :tinfoilhat:

[old mark]

11. Yeah, part of the reason anyway - I see nothing wrong with

that at all, certainly better than relying on the mercy and sense of fairness of the right wing extremists.

mark

[truedelphi]

3. This might make you laugh...

I was following an old Jeep Cherokee in traffic. And they had all these bumper stickers - "War is not healthy for children and other living things" "Save the planet" "Obama/Biden 2008" so I figured they were progressive.

Other bumper stickers indicated it was probably a woman driving the car.

When I stopped behind them at a red light I saw this one on that same vehicle:

"Warning - I only slow down when I'm re-loading!"

[old mark]

5. See? We are not alone!!!!! nt

[demosincebirth]

6. Any one who's ever been in the military knows how to handle weapons

I Seem to think that many of those with a "gun" fetish have never stepped inside a military base. I am not including you. You being a dem, you have more sense.

[PavePusher]

12. Not actually quite the reality.

The majority of people in the military only handle a weapon to qualify every year or two or longer (was every three in the A.F. at one time). We don't get to shoot on the government dime often at all, unless you are in an actual combat arm... and sometimes not then. And the even larger majority are only "qualified" on the M-16.

And since we (again, in the A.F., different for each branch) only shoot about 100-120 rounds total during qualification, you can't say we're exactly well practiced.

All my shooting skills were developed on my own dime, own guns, own ammo, own sought-out and paid-for training. Hell, most places, you can't even use the base firing range, unless they specifically have one set aside for the public (very few).

So I have to pay for range access off-base as well, or find a spot out in the desert on BLM land, scout it to make sure it's safe, etc., etc.....

[ChicagoSuz219]

7. Why don't you contact Wayne LaPierre, NRA...

...& tell him that Sarah Palin & the teabaggers are giving his organization a bad name. If his desire is to let people know that his members are sane & responsible, he might want to re-think letting Sarah be the keynote speaker at the Convention.

I'm just sayin'...

[old mark]

8. I have contacted Wayne several times in the past - he is in it for the money

just like Palin.
The NRA was a very good organization at one time, and I am sorry it has chosen to become the RW's exclusive property.

Maybe if enough liberals joined we could takt it over...That would send a message, wouldn't it?

mark

[ChicagoSuz219]

9. Oh, well. It was a thought.

Very few liberals I know own guns. I'm sure you can find a bunch on DU.

[old mark]

10. I believe that at least half of the guns in the US are owned by Liberals or at least Democrats -

Most of the information you get from the "gun Control" groups about stuff like that is an outright lie - they are in it for the money as much as the NRA is...

mark

[jazzhound]

13. I remember reading the breakdown on this, and I wish I wouild have

kept the article. I recall that it was stated that 25% of Dems were gun owners, slightly more Indies, and slightly more R's than Indies. Looks like a little googling is in order.

[ChicagoSuz219]

19. Yeah... I kinda doubt that...

...sounds good, though... ;-)

[PavePusher]

27. Why do you doubt? n/t

[ChicagoSuz219]

28. I don't personally know any. n/t

[ChicagoSuz219]

29. Although I grew up in NYC...

...& now live in Chicago where there are much tougher laws, so that might explain it.

[shedevil69taz]

32. I stayed away from politcs

For a long time cause I view the RKBA as a very important issue, and for a while it seemed like only republicans were in favor of common sense gun laws, and quite frankly every other issue I thought they were on the wrong side of.

More and more though you can read about democrats taking the lead in making it easier for law-abiding people to exercise thier 2nd amendment rights.

[ChicagoSuz219]

33. RKBA? What is that?

I'm guessing those Dems are just pandering to the gun lobby... "like Hillary Clinton as Annie Oakley."

[PavePusher]

34. Right to Keep and Bear Arms (RKBA).

One of those pesky Constitutional things some people "pander" to. Or something.

[ChicagoSuz219]

35. Never saw it as initials. n/t

[formercia]

14. I quit 2 gun clubs because of the crazies.

Quit the NRA when the crazies took over.

It's scary, being around those people.

[Enthusiast]

15. Long time Democrat deer hunter

here.

Gun laws have never been so liberalized as they are at this moment in history but the NRA has convinced millions otherwise.

The NRA serves the interests of the GOP.

[SteveM]

16. The NRA has convinced millions -- along with gun control groups...

I don't think the NRA or any of the pro-2A organizations would have had as much luck liberalizing gun laws had it not been for the "support" of the gun-controllers/prohibitionists. The controllers have a remarkable penchant for pushing policies which have had if not the opposite effect, then spurred the spread of concealed-carry laws, concealed-carry movement, electing large quantities of loud-mouthed right-wing candidates, etc.

BTW, I got two deer this last seasons in Texas.

[Enthusiast]

17. I wish gun control advocates

would back the hell off.

They don't understand how unreasonable their proposals sound to rural Americans and only serve to alienate otherwise good Democrats.

[old mark]

23. They really are poison here in PA, too - although there are a huge number of Democrats here

with guns and carry licenses and all that, including me.

mark

[Enthusiast]

24. It is a natural disconnect

that exists between rural and urban folks. The rift could be patched up but the GOP and NRA exploit it to their advantage.

[PavePusher]

25. Their "proposals" aren't reasonable in urban areas either. n/t

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

20. You ever go to Norton shooting range?

They have free clay shooting there And the rifel/pistol is dirt cheap.
About 15mins north of C-bus. Did my ccw qualification there.

I'm thinking about going one of these next 2 weekends to shoot some clays.

[old mark]

21. True, but it was not always so - I was a memeber until the 1980's when

LaPierre took over the organization and really started the political bullshit. Before him, it was a good organization dedicated to promoting safety and education and information on shooting.
The politics has really corrupted that, and I do wish we could raise enough liberal gun owners to take the NRA over.

That would be a real service and would make the RWers crazy at the same time.


mark

[PavePusher]

26. Parts of the org are still...

"dedicated to promoting safety and education and information on shooting."

And they are definitely worth supporting. And, as I will eventually be a voting member, I can help try to steer them back to a steadier course.

Sure as hell can't do that as a non-member...

[old mark]

30. You are right - people do overlook all the positives of the NRA

because of their political bullshit and manipulating the RWers fears for money.

We need more leftist members in the NRA!!!!! I guess it's time for me to join again.

mark

[Katya Mullethov]

18. I would use that Ru Paul tag too

I would altho add a Ru Paul in a "Che wearing a Che wearing a Che" tee thirt Avatar for the Coup de grath .

[old mark]

22. Please feel free - My wife got Ron Paul confused with Ru Paul, and

I thought it was hilarious.


mark

[Glassunion]

31. It's understandable. They are very much alike.

Only that Ru Paul isn't batshit crazy.

[Euromutt]

36. That, and Ru Paul's... tall.

I'm not entirely certain whether that's a euphemism, plain fact, or both. Ru is defeinitely a lot taller than Ron, though; I think I've actually referred to Ron Paul (in polite company) as "that lying kobold."

[old mark]

37. I never really saw the resemblance, myself......nt