I agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment, but the reality is a bit murkier. Buying, owning and shooting guns is non-political, but gun laws are not. If you are liberal, that means you probably vote for the people who insist on undermining the second amendment, and institute things like the FOID law, waiting periods, etc… And want to put heavy taxes (heavier than current) on guns and ammo. And won’t issue carry permits except to people who are politically-connected.
And if you’re liberal, you might agree with some of these things, but it shouldn’t be surprising that gun owners, in general, don’t. Now, conservative issues like abortion, welfare, health insurance, etc. are completely divorced from gun laws and 2nd amendment rights, but you’ll likely have to put up with unwelcome comments on these issues. Grin and bear it, unfortunately.
I have taken visitors from Spain, Germany and Austria to the gun range, and they all enjoyed it very much, even though they really couldn’t wrap their heads around the idea that I could go to a store and walk out with a gun and then keep it in my house. They were impressed, yet shocked at the same time. They were not, however, indignant or terrified or outraged like many anti-gun Americans.
As for the NRA, frankly I don’t understand the liberal hate for the organization. The NRA is focused on gun safety, marksmanship and gun rights. They stick up for gun owners, and don’t get involved in non-firearm politics. I belong to the NRA, as well as GOA (Gun Owners of America) and SAF (Second Amendment Foundation). I’ve never seen any of these groups get involved in non-gun lobbying. I want these groups to support my gun rights and fight anti-gun laws, which is why I send them money every year. If that means they oppose democratic candidates, it is because of the candidates’ views on gun laws, nothing else. There are some democrats who support gun laws, though they seem to be disappearing, unfortunately.