I'm new here so am going to tread lightly, plus I hope to meet you all one day on a Spyder ride and would rather not have this discussion as part of the first meeting with all of you (although I have read every post.) I will say that compared to the War, Religion and Politics forum I have been participating in on a lightly moderated sports team board for a long period of time and intensely since the shooting, you all have been amazing civil all things considered. Interestingly I will say though, the points being argued and rebutted are pretty much the same although I think the age demographic here is probably older just given the hobby we enjoy riding is an economic stretch for many in their 20's and 30's that participate in sporting forums.
One thing, and I am a gun owner and support the 2nd amendment but not to the point that others do in terms of what I feel I need to own (nor do I have the experience that many of you do both with the knowledge and use of firearms), but I have been struggling with the idea that there should be no limit to what the 2nd amendment guarantees as far as gun ownership. Many believe the 2nd guarantees the right to own the AR. Okay, but before it was invented no one needed to own it so why is it deemed a "right to own" now? Does this mean any weapon invented in the future is also guaranteed under the 2nd? The question is somewhat philosophical in nature and I am still thinking about the ramifications and how to even define "limits" and "gun types".
Another point that has started to take shape in my head though, given what I assume the average age is of those posting here (mid 40's and higher?), I wonder how much influence we are going to have over this debate in the future or even now. I say this having 18 and 14 year olds and how social media savvy they are and how they consume and disseminate information and just how they interpret the values we have given them. Both of them are Boy Scouts and know how to shoot btw. Many of you served (for that you will always have my respect and thanks, my father was a loader in a Sherman tank in WWII and helped clean up Dachau 8 days after it was liberated but pretty much never talked about it other than to say the smell of death was everywhere. The point being he taught me to respect those that served, always.) Where I'm going with this is I think there is a generation behind us that may feel very differently about guns and the right to own what type as they are the first real generation to get shot at in schools and dance clubs. Their world is so incredibly different than the one we grew up in, everything is faster and more complex due to the access to and speed of information (I am not one that thinks this is all good either.) Believe me the mom's are on point and passionate for their kids, their voices will be heard.
I don't pretend to know where it will go or how it will end up, but I am starting to think our "generation" has less dog in the hunt on this one than we think. It will be fascinating to see what happens 25 years from now if I am around to see it.
Respect to you all.
LeftCoast
P.S. I'll be out front yelling at the kids to get off my lawn.:roflblack:
