You admitted nothing?
"Americans are sitting fat and happy in their leather recliners watching their 60 inch DLP TVs in 1080p high def. We’ve become a nation of “go along to get along” types. I’m just as guilty."
Does "I'm just as guilty" mean something different in your neck of the woods? 'Cause it sure sounds to me like you admitted to being a go along to get along guy, sitting fat and happy in his leather recliner, watching his big-screen hi-def TV, while the government runs roughshod over our rights. If that's not you, why did you say "I'm just as guilty"?
"...when the Clintoon AWB went into effect with little more than a whimper from gun owners."
"I was 14 and manning my algebra book when I that law was passed. I didn’t feel the effects from it until 7 years when I bought my 9mm Ruger and had a gimped 10 rd. magazine."
"I only said what I said having read anecdotal accounts of the time period in books such as “Unintended Consequences” and made corollaries based on historical facts:"
So in other words, you're talking out your a**.
If you're going to make a bold statement, such as accusing us gun owners who vigorously fought the AWB of letting it pass with "little more than a whimper", you'd better be ready to back it with more than anecdotal evidence, and what you consider to be "historical facts". Especially considering you weren't old enough to vote, or even understand the issue at the time. I was a 29-year old soldier stationed in California in 1994, and took considerable career risks speaking up and speaking out against the Coward-in-Chief and his party's infringement on the 2nd Amendment.
Had it not been for we PO'd gun owners voting the 'Rats out of office en masse in '94, you might not have been able to buy your Ruger seven years later. There were all kinds of plans in Congress to ban semi-auto pistols and shotguns, ban any ammo capable of penetrating body armor (IOW, any rifle ammo over .22 LR), ban any ammo that had ever been used for military purposes (IOW, even .22 LR), etc. Had we gun owners not put the Pubbies back in control of Congress, the 2nd Amendment would've been dead. There's a "historical fact" for you.
I'm glad you're exercising your RKBA, and that you consider yourself a conservative. I, too, hope history doesn't repeat itself, but if it (likely) does, are you going to get out of your leather recliner, turn off you big screen TV and do your patriotic duty? Here's an idea: why don't you turn off the TV now, give up your go-along-to-get-along ways, and help those of us who are (again) vigorously opposing attempts to ride roughshod over our (and your) rights? Maybe if you and others like you get out of your leather recliners and help us pull the wagon, history won't have to repeat!
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
There’s quite a bit of acrimony in your rant there, WKU, but you’re still bashing me as if I’m part of the problem.
I only admitted to being a go-along-to-get-along type of person. I don’t own a TV and haven’t paid for cable since I bought my own home 5 years ago. I have several antique armchairs that I reinforced and reupholstered myself that I use to sit and read my Kindle every night while drinking tea. About the only modern convenience I afford myself is my extensive computer collection, but I’m a PC gamer and a computer engineer, so that sorta fits.
Now, all of that aside, I have become an outspoken Second Amendment advocate. I taught myself reloading and gunsmithing, built my own small forge in the backyard, and I regularly refurbish curios and relics. I’m well-known in my community, active in my Homeowner’s Association, at my church, and in local politics. I voted for Ron Paul in the Primaries in 08, and that was only because I could not throw my hat in the ring for a whiny RINO regardless of how much time he spent in a Vietnamese POW camp.
As far as the 94 AWB and other things, I’m not talking out of my ass. I’ve done my fair share of research on this stuff, but I’m simply making the point that I am subject to the viewpoints of history. No one book is going to be even-handed in their assessment of the situation on the ground, and I’ve not read much about the hue and cry from those of us who care about the 2A because the media seldom reports on it.
Meanwhile, I know damn well that people like yourself were instrumental on the ground to keeping the pressure on Congress to put an expiration date on this piece of legislation, and for that, I thank you. There was a lot of arm-twisting and bullshit politics that went into passing that AWB, and I’m certain there were some less-than-legal measures attempted, some successfully. In the end, it came and went, but without Patriots like yourself and an upwelling of support from the youth such as my generation and those younger than me (I’m 31), the 2A will go the way of the dodo along with the rest of our Rights.
My biggest fear is that good men do nothing. I admit to being one of those men if for no other reason than to not be thrown in the clink or murdered by overzealous cops. One person cannot make a difference, but a few thousand armed Patriots are the reason why this country came into existence. Let’s see if there are enough of us to man up and keep it alive.
Just as a secondary to this part of your post, in case it wasn't clear in my response; I would die for this country. I already pull a very heavy wagon in my community for this country and for the 2A, and I will continue to do so with little more than a grunt when it gets tough. I was raised to grin and bear it, and I'll continue to do so. My lament is that there aren't enough youth among my community who are willing to do the same, and while I enjoy a good book and some orange pekoe, I'd gladly lay down both and my life in service for the greatness of this country and the exceptionalism that America has always stood for.
We're heading into dark times, FRiend. Don't mistake my posts for sloth. I may not be a fighting man by training, but I'll protect my God, my family, and my country with every last fiber of my being.