The American Left and Firearms

Probably because “decent laws” or “sensible restrictions” are very much a matter of opinion. And generally speaking, “I don’t see a need for anyone to own …” is not a great argument in a country where liberty is prized.

I agree on the writing style. But there are some good points made in the article.

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In the late 1940’s they were doing their best at getting WWI era rifles into the hands of members. Granted, that was a long time ago, but it was my grandfather’s last dealing with the organization. What are these safety programs you speak of?

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On some other thread there was talk of voting patterns and holding a passport. Sure there have been surveys about how many Americans have sen other parts of the world and so on but I figure lots of the “good folks” who do have a passport and have traveled outside the US probably never went where things were really actually worse, really worse. But maybe they saw those places on TV…

I have no actual need to own them yet were I to move back to the US, in a sort of dream state to do list would be to legally own two particular guns that fall into that category, an Uzi and a Tavor. Not ammo, just the guns themselves. When I wanted to shoot at a range I could just buy ammo there.

Oddly enough, here in Japan I could own the objects in a deactivated state but the cost is far higher than legally owning active specimens in the US.

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I have no stats but I bet you are spot on with the exception of people visiting family abroad. That is what exposed me to how some in the world live. My relatives in Mexico are middle class but the poverty there – outside resorts – is something that was very apparent to me as a kid back in the 80s. I still remember just how shocked I was. My grandfather loved taking long drives – sometimes seemingly to nowhere – and I saw all sorts of stuff. I went home with a great appreciation for what we have here. But aside from visiting family Americans generally don’t see the shitty parts of second or third world countries.

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When I was in high school, they always sponsored gun safety classes. It was not until I was grown that I even knew they did lobbying. According to their website, they still teach gun safety. I am not a member, but I remember the safety classes were pretty well received, like the red cross lifesaving classes.

We always owned guns in Japan, but that was when I was a kid. We went to the gun range sometimes, but I don’t remember if that was on a US base. My first gun, a Browning .22 auto, was purchased there. I still have it.

Those courses appear to be a small part of their overall mission. A bit of public outreach / PR perhaps? I’m having a hard time understanding how they would be “going back” to something when it appears to be tangential.

When was this? You mention a range on a US base so were you living on base? If so that was US soil so effectively you owned guns in the US. Here and now on Japanese soil, owing even a .22 auto is hard to the point of impossible for me

We did not live on a base, but I remember sometimes going to them with my mom to buy American groceries. but we moved to the US in 1974 or so. Somewhere here is a picture of the gun cabinet in the Japanese house, with me pointing at my gun. Even the gun cabinet was made there. I still have it, and it smells of teak. When I moved back as an adult, in the early 90s, it was completely different. But I bought some cool airsoft stuff.

What’s the name of this “gun control lobby” that is equal to the NRA? I don’t recall senators calling them for talking points.

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This seems surprising to me, it would take me some time to research on the gun laws here at that time. AFAIK even access to base PX has always been restricted to .mil folks and their immediate families.

Unfortunately the people of that age range who lived here back then whom I knew have all passed on now so theres no one I can just phone and ask.

It’s them, over on the right:

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I will ask my Dad when I see him in a couple of weeks. He was a military pilot, although much of the time he was based in Thailand, and it was just Mom and I. Looking back, she had to have been under terrible stress during that period.

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With humor and compassion I implore all the people in this thread who are intelligent, responsible, thoughtful, open minded, good decision makers who treat guns and gun ownership with the gravitas and respect it deserves to kindly remember that you are the exception and for every one of you there are a handful of idiots and racist bigots and drunk arseholes. Even in the homes of well intended smart people accidents happen with children, depressed teens, mistaken identity, etc…

You might view regulation and licensing as a hassle because you are already self responsible, but try and remember that some of your fellow Americans would greatly benefit from having some, and it would put the minds of non gun owners and much greater ease making it more likely that you can continue to pursue your gun ownership activities.

:slight_smile: thanks!

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Thank you for using humor to exemplify one of the stereotypes that makes these discussions difficult.

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You realize that goes both ways, right?

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i’ve never seen one of these discussions that was easy, ever, people feel very strongly. i only advocate practical responsibility.

In order to hunt in colorado I had to take a week long hunter safety course to get a hunting license to be able to go shoot a deer. When I got my first car, I had to take a driving test and get a license. It seems odd to me that people can purchase and own assault rifles and pistols designed specifically for lethality on humans can be purchased by anyone without the same due diligence. I personally advocate for responsible ownership with the same level of respect and regulation that we as a society require for most other items with this capability.

Not quite sure what you are saying, could you clarify so I can better reply?

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There are in fact people of that description on all sides of the argument.

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Thanks. For sure, I agree. That was my point. It is foolish to assume that there aren’t those kinds of people all over in every slice of society, which is exactly why some basic safety training and licensing is a no brainier for anything with this capacity. You can be pro the right to own and pro the need for responsible sensible regulations. It is my opinion that responsible sensible regulations are the only thing that are going to enable gun ownership to continue to be a right.

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