Cowards, Traitors, and Tories. Being a gun owner is not enough.
“I’m a gun owner from Virginia and I thank President Obama for standing up to the NRA and standing with responsible Americans.” -Scott, Virginia
(*Editors Note: the following was originally published in 2014 but the topic is once again very timely)
As lawful American citizens gear up for another round of attacks from those who wish to disarm them, we are again beset with the task of defending something that in a sane world would not need to be defended. The question before all lawful citizens and true American patriots is what is required of us? Or what should we do?
As a part of my daily routine, I rise early, brew coffee, let the black lab out to do his thing, and sort through emails, etc. before commencing the day’s business. Frequently I will peruse the firearms related wires and formalized gun blogs. During today’s perusal I came across yet another assertion that it is not just conservatives and Republicans who “own” guns. The implication of the report was that we right-wing, conservative types need to be “inclusive” and recognize that left-wing, Democrat voters are gun owners as well. My response is, as Col. Sherman Potter used to say, “Horse Hockey!”
Owning a gun is not enough. It is your allegiance that matter most.
Obama Gun Owners
Do I believe that left-wing liberal-minded Obama voters do in fact possess firearms? Of course they do. And, you know what? It does not make one damn bit of a difference. There’s a guitar in my closet and that makes me a “guitar owner” but ownership sure as hell doesn’t make me a musician.
People who thump their chest and declare that they are gun owners don’t impress me. Big deal, anyone with cash and an I.D. can “own” a gun. If you claim to be a gun owner and voted for Hussein Obama you are not my ally. This fight is not about gun ownership, it’s about liberty. This fight is about whether or not the individual citizen will have the liberty to live their lives without government intrusion, to spend their money as they please, to provide for their families as they may and defend their lives and property from all manner of threats.
I’m reminded of a bumper sticker I saw last fall that read “Sportsmen for Obama”. That sentiment is akin to another short-lived movement, “Jews for Hitler”. If you claim status as a gun owner while at the same time holding the belief that an all powerful government has the authority to dictate whether or not a citizen has health insurance and what kind they must have you are not a friend of the free people. If you hold the conviction that a centralized government is the proper arbiter of fairness and that redistribution of wealth is a valid concept, you are the enemy, gun ownership notwithstanding.
The current crowd that populates the Republican Party does not exactly fill my heart with hope and joy. The majority are at best Charlie Brown’s in expensive suits, wishy-washy and as reliable as the weather. Conversely, those with a capital “D” behind their names can at least be relied upon to consistently vote against the will and interests of the American tax-payer. These ruling class vermin without fail are openly hostile to the United States Constitution and constantly seek out ways to circumvent it or nullify the founding documents.
An instrument of liberty, neither good nor evil.
Folks, the current battle is not about ownership of an object, it’s about allegiance. On which side of the fight do you place your allegiance? I’m sorry, but you progressive, liberal, Obama-voters who claim to support gun rights are both delusional and naïve. You cannot claim to support individual liberty as outlined in the Bill of Rights while offering your allegiance to those who wish to destroy it. It just doesn’t work that way, stomp you feet and whine all your want.
Owning a gun does not make you a de facto patriot. Diane Feinstein once claimed ownership of a gun. Should I be impressed by that fact and support her? This fight is about allegiance to the principles upon which this nation was founded; individual liberty, personal responsibility and a limited government. If you cannot stand behind those principles you are not an ally of mine, no matter how many guns you claim to possess.
What to Do
So, what should you do? I suppose a good start would be to actually read the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution. If you haven’t read them since 10th grade it’s time for another look. Take the time to read your individual state constitution as well. You’d be amazed by how many local politicians have apparently never read it.
Educate yourself, read books that were written before the current trend of ‘revisionist history’. The Political Thought of the American Revolution by Clinton Rossiter was once used in college courses. It is out of print but worth its weight in gold. Paul Revere’s Ride by David Hackett Fischer describes the events leading up to April 19, 1775 and first ensuing battle of the American Revolution. Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis is another valuable resource.
Next, pay attention to what is going on in the world around you. Endeavor to stay informed. I know it can be depressing, but adults have to deal with uncomfortable issues. Only children can get away with playing games all day long.
Do you need to be in the majority to have rights?
Support pro-Liberty and 2nd Amendment organizations nationally and locally. The NRA, GOA, 2nd Amendment Foundation, etc. have all been laboring to protect your rights. Let you Local, State and Federal representatives know that you will indeed hold them responsible for the actions they take and that you are paying attention to their behavior as your proxy in government.
Introduce a new person to the safe use of firearms. Take a friend, coworker or colleague to the range and show them how to enjoy safe and effective use of guns. Lay off of the macho and allow everyone to enjoy the experience in a friendly and open environment.
That should be enough to keep you busy and give you a place to start. You don’t have to do everything on the list at once, but you should be able to get started today. Time for a coffee refill.
The choice it yours to make. Tory or Patriot, make your decision today.
Paul Markel became a United States Marine in 1987. He has been a police officer, professional bodyguard, and Small Arms and Tactics Instructor for the US Military during the Global War on Terror. Paul is the author of numerous books; to include “Faith and the Patriot”, “The Patriot Fire Team”, “Student of the Gun, a beginner once, a student for life”.
Go to StudentoftheGun.com for more information.
Paul Markel
Scott from Virginia is really dum as they come!
First, do we KNOW this dufus owns a gun, and if he does, what it is and how does he happen to have it? Was it his grandfather’s squirrel rifle that’s in a box in the attic next to his grandmother’s dress form? Or is it an M&P .45 that he carries concealed? BIG difference.
Background checks. I wish it were possible for anyone to run one before selling a gun. It isn’t. How about starting by making that service available to citizens. Only the 4473 background check for a nominal charge, like $10. Not a requirement, but available.
Lastly, I’ve actually had a couple people ask me to give instruction on handgun handling and shooting. I’ve been tempted, but instead I referred them to a local range that has intro lessons by an NRA certified trainer for a nominal charge that includes trying several different handguns–far better than me showing how a handgun works and then possibly giving inadequate or wrong instruction at the range. Plus, I have only semi-auto handguns; no revolvers. Neither of them took my advice. What would you do?
WilliamB,
If you are interested, take the NRA basic pistol course and then think about taking the basic pistol instructor course. Does it make you an expert? Not at all, but you will learn a lot and be certainly qualified to give a safe and effective demonstration of gun handling. Also gives you the option of working with more experienced instructors to build your own experience if you want to pursue it in the future.
The entitlement minded and the apathetic are killing us slowly…..
I am soooooo sick and tire of all of the “reasonable” gun owners. “Let’s be reasonable”, I’ve heard it time and time again. I will not be reasonable, I will not succumb, I will not give one more inch of my rights and freedoms . . . PERIOD!
I see that “Move On.org” garbage above (while stifling a puke) and think, “Buddy you cannot have it both ways.”
Sad thing, I think he believes he can, which is another sign of liberal idiocy.
One cannot be pro “Planned Parenthood” and a member of Black Lives Matter.
One cannot be pro Obama and then say nothing when Obama DID NOTHING (other than promote racism) about black kids killing each other in Chicago.
One cannot be pro gun control and in the same sentence say “Look at how well gun control is working in Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans and New York City.” The two are diametrically opposed.
You can be assured when the facts and the rhetoric are opposed and the person speaking says, “See it works!” you are looking at a mindless liberal.
Reasonable isn’t the problem.
It is reasonable to not sell a gun to a person, who by law, is prohibited from owning one. You say they’ll get one anyway? Probably, but you don’t have to be the one selling it to them … unless you don’t care … which I’m sure we all do. Background checks are not going away. At this point all we can press for is reasonable fast and accurate.
It is reasonable to prevent people with mental health issues from owning guns. We say the gun is not the issue but it’s a mental health issue. OK. We don’t want our doctors asking about gun ownership and we don’t want anyone to be able to call up law enforcement and say that someone they know is going crazy and you’d better go and take away their guns. What is the mechanism to get someone in front of a judge to adjudicate them withiut trampling our other rights? What is the criteria for “un-adjudicating” them? I’d like to hear a few suggestions for taking this good thought and putting it in effect. As of yet I haven’t heard any.
There are a lot of issues out there and I am probably to the left of most of you but I am the vote that counts. How’s that? I am a former anti-gunner who is now pro 2A. I take classes and I train and I practice. Who cares? Listening and learning has made me think. It’s also made me a lot more self reliant, (not that I relied on the government for much before), I have sent letters to my representatives letting them know that although I come from the left they do not have my support if they keep up the ludicrous gun control platform and they best refocus on a crime control platform.
I am the swing vote. I am the guy who can wander into an NRA First Steps class with my kid and now shoot regularly with her and my wife. I am now the guy who has taken several people to the range for their first shooting experience. I am they guy who went to the NJSafecon to learn better how to rebut the anti’s arguments. I am a member of NJ2AS. No, I don’t agree with you about abortion, gay rights, social programs, and honestly that is not why I’m here. I learn a lot from the podcast as I do from many others. We must be better 2a advocates to convince people with facts and logic that gun control is not the answer. You don’t need to convince your like-minded friends. You need to convince those in the middle of the bell curve who are on the fence about the whole issue. Thise are the people we need to get on our side to change the game.
My opinion is that most anti gunners are not going to be swayed by bringing up the original intent of the second amendment. They just don’t think goosestepping troops are,going to be marching down main street but they do fear crime. They also fear Duck Dynasty look-alikes,waiting on line at Starbucks with black rifles slung over their shoulders. Paul made a very good argument starting with, “Do I have the right to defend my life?” I suggest committing that script to memory as a great place to start a right to carry discussion.
Calling them vermin and idiots is probably not a good way to open the dialogue unless you’re just interested in preaching to the choir.
Just my 2 cents. Well, by now maybe 4.