imported post
I wanted to cross-post the conversation here, partly because something very profound was said (by our very own ConditionThree), but buried deep in the thread:
Quote: Originally Posted by
CitaDeL
Let me frame your rationale with some historic parallels.
'The American colonies will never be free of the Crown.'
'Coloreds' will never ride in the front of the bus with good white folk.'
'Homosexuals will never be accepted in public or allowed to marry.'
In the first place, we as gun proponents are under the obligation to at least try to exersize our second liberty- particularly if excersizing the first is ineffectual. Second, we must remind ourselves as well as others, that we will not be treated as second class citizens on the basis of our 'appearance'. Third, if society can become accustomed to two people of the same gender cohabitating, showing affection in public, and raising a family, they certainly can handle the appearance of a person regardless of sexual orientation openly displaying their intent to defend their spouse and their progeny.
Ultimately, the only way we will make advances in restoring the right to keep and bear arms, will be to throw off our own inhibitions to what we believe society will be offended by. Because when we allow ourselves to be self conscious of our civil right to be armed, we then endorse the bigotry that keeps good people from taking up arms in defense of self and the defense of others. It is WE that create the perception that none are worthy to be allowed arms, when we abide by restrictions that do not exist and at the risk of offending some unknown persons sensibilities.
If we can in some small way show that gun owners are regular people, I believe that like other civil rights struggles, it is possible to change prejudice into acceptance... if not acceptance, then tolerance... if not tolerance, acknowledgment...
Whatever the advance, its much more than we will get by assuming that we will
never educate or change people's perceptions.
