Morons!

It plays right into the insane, irrational liberal narrative about gun owners when morons do shit like this: ---->

Let me be clear for those of us who are sane gun owners:

1.  These morons do not represent the overwhelming majority of gun owners and carriers in this nation.  Please do not even insult the rest of us by insinuating they do.  It seems that gun owners are the one remaining group that can be stereotyped with impunity - even those who are so vehemently against it in principle do it on a regular basis.  But if all Muslims are not terrorists, and not all black males are cop killers like Dontae Morris (look it up), then why is it okay to assume all gun owners are like these clowns?

2.  If I were in Chipotle or anywhere else and these clowns walked in, my radar would be on full alert and chances are my hand would be on my pistol.

3. Gun owners are as varied as any other group. As science shows us about group differences, most often there is more variability within groups than between them.  Therefore, just as with whites, blacks, men, women, straights and gays, there is going to be some percentage of assholes in there. Fortunately research shows that gun owners and those who carrier concealed weapons are, by and large, more law-abiding and less likely to commit crimes than are non gun-owners. Problem is that when it is a member of a group that is currently in favor, we are inclined to make excuses for a single miscreant's behavior.  When it is a group whose rights are less in favor, such rationality is not so much in evidence.

4.  Some gun owners want to intimidate, asserting that this is their right (and it is) and therefore your sensitivities are not an issue.  In absolute terms, this is correct.  After all, how far would I get if I were to be revolted at a gay kiss in the line at Chipotle?  What opinion of me would people have if I said I found watching Michael Sam and his lover smear cake on each other and kiss revolting?  But some would say it is their right and I was a homophobe who should be ignored or even castigated (if not castrated).  the answer would be "Get over it!".  So those gun owners would tell all those they intimidated to get over it.  Of course, in today's world, only previously oppressed people have rights.  Since gun ownership is seen as a white male pursuit (it is not), there is little reason for any one to care if we are treated with disdain.

5.  But some of us do realize that we should be sensitive to this issue.  Now the morons in question here will never figure that out. they are not, at heart, gun owners.  They are more gun groupies, not exercising or appreciating a right, but in love with an image.  They are, in essence, young white male Trayvon Martin's who are acting out a fantasy image that we can only hope will not end badly for them or others.

6.  I have often been criticized for my lack of concern for the right to carry firearms openly.  It is not a right I particularly care to exercise.  I carry openly on my own property, as is my right, but even in locales where I could carry openly, I do not and would not.  I do not mind those who do and support their right to do so, but it is not something I would do.  I certainly, therefore, do not see the point in carrying openly for no reason other than "I can" and a desire to put it in someone's face.  Of course, as noted above, there is a lot of variability among those who carry and in those who would carry openly.  Many gun owners are confused about why they are armed, some thinking it bestows powers to enforce law upon them - again maybe in love with an image, not a right.  Some want to open carry because of that sense of authority.  Many, however, prefer to do so because it is more comfortable and accessible and, if it is their right, who am I to disagree.  We can all choose how we proceed (just like I won't be lip-locking Michael Sam anytime soon).

7.  Note that wanting to "put it in someone's face" is not new and not restricted to gun owners.  An easy example is the gay rights movement.  Ever been to San Francisco for the gay pride parade?  Not a pretty sight to those of us who do not share those particular sexual fantasies.  But for years, "We're here, we're queer, get used to it!" was a rallying cry for gay rights. It is not hard to fathom that some similar response will emerge from the gun-rights community as they begin to see their rights in danger.  We're here, we're armed, get over to it.

7.  All that babbling later, the point is this. Whether it is Moms Demand Action, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, or whoever, the epidemic of assholes sweeping the country affects all groups. In our current, very divided society - even more divided no thanks to our leadership of the past 14 years, who have made their way by telling us who to hate among us - rights for me and not for thee" has become the rallying cry.

Assholes come in all color, sexual orientations, political affiliations and, yes, even among gun owners.  But if we cannot condemn all women for Mika Brzezinski, all blacks for Oprah, or all gays for Michael Sam, then we should not condemn all gun owners for a couple of jerk-offs.