Speaking of which: (OT) Have you guys heard the screaming New England dad?
[Warning: *Heavy* use of the C-word.]

(Whoever ‘em may be is up for you to decide).

I am a bit of a zealot in this. I too cringe at the extremes of “cold dead hands” and guys protesting wearing camo, but that’s embarassment for my side. I suppose slippery slope sounds the same as cold dead hands. (Nice alliteration.) I also cringe when I have to agree with the ACLU. But often times I do.

I hate when others presume to know what’s best for me, and to try and force me to thier thinking by law. And in some areas, I won’t be swayed. As long as you don’t hit the special buttons (see bible quotes and “for the children” above) I’ll listen nicely, explain my POV and let things lay. As far as gun control - will someone be able to talk me out of my position? I truly doubt it.

One of the things I love about this site is this right here. Jake and I have differing opinions, express them and everyone enjoys it. You can add if you want, as the brothers do. Or you can just read, as Axeman from Connecticut does, too shy to actually join in. This site is just big enough (we average 100 readers or so a day, I have no idea who outside of 20 people or so) to stay interesting, but small enough and tight knit enough we don’t follow Godwin’s Law.

I wouldn’t want it growing much more, we have respect for each other now.

i can’t wait until they control the sale of “double cut bastards”. how many stabbings would have occured if the brit citizens were allowed their God given right to defend themselves ?

i’m gonna start HFfPCAPoaS. Human Families for Protecting Children Against Poo on a Stick. it’s a slippery slope y’all…

Also, I know perfectly law abiding citizens who own unregistered firearms, and a part of me is a little proud of ‘em for it. And don’t think I (and my blade nut brother-in-law) haven’t pondered if we could get an auto-opener though “friends” in the military.

The other side of that coin for me, though, are the “cold dead hands” folks. (Yes, I realize I’m treading on dangerous ground here.) Gun nuts freak my shit out in exactly the same way Focus on the Family and Michael Moore freak me out. It’s not because I disagree with what they are saying (though I often do), it’s the way they say it. I know I’m judging here, but it’s my gut reaction.

I agree with everything you said above. I would no doubt enjoy going shooting with you, and I will do it provided we have time in the schedule. But just the fact that you got so worked up about it you wrote a two page post… Well, that makes my neck hairs tingle.

I love you Shay, and I always read your rants, because you are one of the best reasoned zealots out here on teh internets, but on these few issues I do view you as a bit of a zealot.

And really, that’s OK. Zealots may bother me personally, but they are often the motivators for necessary change.