If the NRA and other second amendment groups seem militant, perhaps it is because they see their rights and culture being threatened.  It is worth considering that some see NARAL and Planned Parenthood militant in defending what they see as a right and culture.  Clearly one can agree or disagree with the culture in either instance – although also as clearly, neither is so pure.  Some find either an abomination, while others feel they are defenders of rights and choice.

It is no surprise that Americans are ethnocentric – both around the world and right in their own neighborhood.  Most people are sure that their way is the only way, the right way.  Some people cling to their abortions and sexuality, while others cling to their God and guns.  This is the modern history of our nation; on one hand we dedicate a month to celebrating diversity, while on the other we continually work to squash it.  It might be worth noting that the percentage of Americans who say they own guns is greater than the percent that are Hispanic or African-American.

But the great divide here is not one of preventing harm v. not caring for the victims of tragedy.  The difference is a deep-seated cultural one - those who hate guns and those who own them and see them as the root of the problem, see banning guns as a way to try to change a culture they do not share or value.  Those who own them rightly see this as an assault on their culture.  They are also likely to see the acceptance of abortion and gayness as the death knell of a nation, while those who support such life choices and lifestyles, see efforts to eliminate them as an assault on their culture.

In fact, this current gun rights debate has surprising similarities to the ongoing abortion debates, even if the roles are reversed.  Just like it is not accurate to talk about pro-life and pro-abortion, it is inaccurate to couch this debate as anti-gun v. pro-violence.  Just as no one favors abortions, but wants freedom to choose, no one favors murder, but does favor freedom to choose.  So in the abortion debate, the dynamic might just as easily be captured as pro-choice and anti-choice.   With firearms, the same distinction can be made; there are those who prefer to limit others’ lawful freedom and those who want to maintain that freedom. 

It is interesting that the love of freedom, of the right to choose, is a universal American phenomenon; everyone cherishes their freedom.  What is troubling is that they do not cherish others' freedoms.  All freedoms have potential undesirable consequences - hence the notion of responsibility.  But if one wants freedom, they must grant freedom.  The loss of any one freedom is the first step in the loss of all freedom.  Of course, when the NRA says this, they are seen as extreme - it is step one in the slippery slope.  Yet pro-choice proponents makethe same argument when anti-choice forces use tactics to limit the right to choose, the first step toward prohibition.  Different goals, same argument - because of a cultural divide.  It is also interesting, as an aside, that the ACLU so adroitly parses words in a way that denies support for the individual liberty affirmed by the second amendment; they support an individual right not specifically enshrined in the Bill of Rights – that of abortion choice - yet deny another that is. 

How is it that some people view the negative reactions of others to abortion and homosexuality with such incredulity ("How can they want to limit our freedom?") yet cannot see why gun owners are so incredulous at those same people’s opinions on guns?  How is it that the answer to those who say “Having a firearm is my right and part of my culture” is ridicule, yet saying that “Having sex and then having an abortion is okay” is somehow acceptable?  How is it that “Only a crazy person thinks they need to have a gun” is considered a reasoned judgment, but “Only an immoral person kills the unborn” or “Only an immoral person would have sex with a same sex partner” is not?  How is it that polls that suggest a disapproval of gay rights or abortion rights are dismissed because we do not vote on basic freedoms, yet polls on gun rights are constantly cited as a justificaiton to limit this basic freedom? (80% of people are in favor of it so it is the right thing to do).

I will tell you – as someone who watches and is often disgusted by both sides of this argument  as they is displayed in the media – there is no one who has a monopoly on the crazy here. Watching each side be holier than thou is a sad display of why there are no cures for what ails us.  I am in favor of freedom – that we not limit the rights of the many for the foolishness of the few who abuse those rights.  I am straight, so the freedom to choose a same-sex spouse is irrelvant to me - still I understand its value to some people.  Non-gun owners might want to consider this when forming their own opinions as well.  Freedom is not jsut about what we want to do.