by Supaduke » 08 Feb 2017, 6:50 pm
I for one am neither ashamed or afraid. I do however, understand the importance of public perception. It's exactly the same as my passion, motorcycles. Every dumb kid doing dumb things just rips to pieces our arguement that enthusiasts are responsible and law abiding. It turns those who are apathetic towards our chosen sports against us. Slowly but surely one by one. Those that are turned more often than not won't be turned around to support us. Guns, like motorcycles are not overly popular in our society. It's one of those hobbies that people can be passionately against.
It's not defeatist, it's fact. Incidents like this do not help our cause. Australia especially, where gun ownership is a privilege, not a right is affected badly by such incidents.
Years to build a reputation, moments to destroy. We all know that funny look we've received from some people when you mention you're a gun enthusiast.
Wether we like it or not our government are often driven by populist opinions. Make something unpopular enough and boom it's gone.
I'm certainly not being apologetic for these buttheads, nor do I apologise for owning guns.
Cops have guns, it's part of the job of law enforcement. Don't like cops visiting your house? Then don't own guns.
They are visiting in the course of their job.
Laws change as society changes. Do I agree with all our laws? Nup, the fundamental flaw of democracy.
Do I believe concealed carry is ok? Yes.
Do I believe open carry, especially long arms is ok? No, it's aggressive, intimidating and frankly a bit pissweak.
Imagine those idiots strutting round a shopping centre kitted up like that and you were there with the missus and kids. Your threat responses would be through the roof.
Aggression creates more aggression. Nothing wrong with a little bit of subtlety.