re: “. . . their hatred of the most basic of civil rights, self-defense.”
Agreed. And, not only for self-defense, but I think the 2nd Amendment was intended by the Founding Fathers to give the citizenry the ability to remove a tyrannical government when necessary.
BTTT!
To remove tyrants, yes. Also to push back foreign invasions, stifle illegitimate insurrection, etc. Oh, so many things.