Projection: A Lesson in Gun Control Advocate Mentality

opposingviews.com ^ | 6 May, 2010 | m46607

[marktwain]

“If I only had a gun...” It's a phrase, common amongst Gun Rights advocates and Gun Control advocates alike, typically preceding a confessed desire to use the weapon. In the case of the former, with Gun Rights advocates, it is verbal proclamation of the will to use that weapon in order to change a particular outcome. In the case of the latter there appears to be little overall difference. The focus, or application, of a firearm is to change the direction of a dispute through lethal force. The point at which the two listed groups diverge is where they begin to list their intentions.

In the case of Gun Rights advocates I have heard “If I only had a gun” paraphrased or altered to represent what they could have – might have – done if faced with a situation similar to the Fort Hood shooting where as many as 30 were wounded while 13 others lost their lives. It's been stated and reiterated time and again by the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus after the incident at Virginia Tech in 2007 which left 32 people dead. Both massacres took place in Gun Free Zones, therefore “If I only had a gun” becomes a far stretch for anyone who abides by the laws put in place to prohibit such ifs.

While I've heard the Gun Rights advocate state their intentions, building the case for why they need fewer restrictions on where they can't defend themselves with a firearm, I've heard no solid responses as to why those who have voiced their concerns, frustrations, and willingness to do good have been ignored by Gun Control advocates. In fact many of the responses I've read – many of them here on Opposing Views –

[marktwain]

Anti freedom types do seem to have a problem with controling their emotions.

[sig226]

I have worked in gun stores for many years. Quite a few of those years were in a store in New Jersey that also sold fishing and camping gear, as well as other outdoorsy stuff. Of course, the store attracted quite a few liberals.

Two common comments addressed the sales staff in the gun department. Often we were told that we should all be thrown in the gulag because we were merchants of death. This despite the fact that a permit to purchase a handgun took between three months and two years to obtain, and that in spite of the fact that state law mandates it be issued no more than thirty days after the application was submitted.

Equally common was, “I can’t have a gun. I’d kill somebody with it.” This was said at least once a week. After a few years, I got sick of asking them if they owned cars and kitchen knives. So it led to this kind of exchange:

“I can’t have a gun. I’d kill somebody with it.”
“Well then I suppose I ought to make sure I own one and carry it, because I might run into you one day.”

I never counted the number of liberals who felt a need to walk up to our counter and spew the most hateful garbage they could imagine. It would be funny, but they also voted.