Gun Safety
Control is a bad word. It carries a negative connotation when we consider someone else having control over our person or our property. Gun control conveys the idea that the government wants to tell you what you can and cannot do with guns. However, the issue has never been about control, but rather about safety. Thus, progressives should now refer to such legislation as gun safety programs.
And this makes perfect sense. Aside from recreational purposes, people buy guns to protect themselves and their family - to keep them safe. And progressives want to help these people keep their families safe. Trigger locks are not about control. They are designed to help gun owners keep their families safe by avoiding accidents. Closing the gun show loophole is not about control. It's about keeping families safe from felons who want to use guns to commit crimes.
Progressives should stop having arguments with gun owners about the 2nd Amendment. Such debates only further the divide and make gun owners feels as though we're not on their side. Instead, accept the 2nd Amendment and advocate for "common sense" legislation that is designed to keep gun owners, and their families, safe.
And this makes perfect sense. Aside from recreational purposes, people buy guns to protect themselves and their family - to keep them safe. And progressives want to help these people keep their families safe. Trigger locks are not about control. They are designed to help gun owners keep their families safe by avoiding accidents. Closing the gun show loophole is not about control. It's about keeping families safe from felons who want to use guns to commit crimes.
Progressives should stop having arguments with gun owners about the 2nd Amendment. Such debates only further the divide and make gun owners feels as though we're not on their side. Instead, accept the 2nd Amendment and advocate for "common sense" legislation that is designed to keep gun owners, and their families, safe.
posted by Mason at 11:29 PM
1 Comments:
Exactly right. I do not view my belief in the right to self defense (i.e. the 2nd Amendment) as incompatible with my other progressive principles. In fact, I consider this a bedrock "freedom" issue, as do many, many moderate Americans.
Let's take ownership of gun issues from the conservative reactionaries, and make them our own. Belief in personal freedom leads directly to belief in the right to defend one's self and family.
-AlphaGeek
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