# Gun-totin' Liberals **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 29, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458 "2011-01-29T23:57:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/1 "2011-01-29T23:57:42Z")
There was a ‘political compass’ thread posted a few months ago. I took the quiz, and I scored well into leftist territory. I’m pretty liberal. Only I support the RTKBA. Any other gun-totin’ Liberals here? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/2 "2011-01-30T00:10:10Z")
My father is both a Marxist AND a member of the NRA ( he likes the magazine ) ;). I’m pretty liberal, but growing up I was taught how to shoot and have nothing in particular against gun ownership. But I’m not quite “gun-totin” myself - I probably rate as an even-keeled moderate in terms of gun control arguments ( I’m essentially okay with mandatory registration and safety training ). Which probably means that both sides hate me :D. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/3 "2011-01-30T00:23:33Z")
Me. I love shooting but don’t get a chance much anymore, mostly because I don’t have access to any woods or safe places to shoot. Never really enjoyed shooting at ranges, indoor or out. I grew up out in the country and spent a lot of time plinking. I’ve never been much of a hunter or shooter of varmints. Love the guns themselves as marvels of engineering, craftsmanship and aesthetics/ergonomics. I’ve always favored modern military type weapons and yes,…high capacity mags. If I had my own property to shoot on, I’d own a lot more guns than I do. I’m a firm believer in the Second Amendment but where I used to believe it was about citizens ability to resist an oppresive government, I now worry about armed citizens acting on behalf of an oppressive government. I am more of a centrist Democrat really but in these parts anyone not a rabid rightie is a “liberal”. Edited to add that I was once an NRA member but they will never see another penny from me because I loathe the candidates they push on all other than 2nd Amendment issues. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/4 "2011-01-30T00:24:52Z")
Maybe I should take the quiz and find out if I’m a “liberal” first. ETA: Never mind, I think I’ve done that one, and I didn’t agree with many of the assumptions. I guess I’ll never know. ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/5 "2011-01-30T00:32:01Z")
I own rifles and handguns, but I support reasonable gun control measures like background checks and existing bans on automatic weapons. Plenty of 2nd amendment fanatics I know call me a hypocrite because of that. Politically, I believe in free abortions, socialized medicine, gay marriage, and very few infringements on civil liberties ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/6 "2011-01-30T00:59:33Z")
(Raises hand) Voted for Obama, think socialism isn’t so bad in moderation, own enough weaponry to conquer Costa Rica. Cold dead fingers and all that. Never met a Mauser I didn’t want. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/7 "2011-01-30T01:25:40Z")
I am sure my political viewpoint would be considered liberal. I have no interest in conquering Costa Rica, but if my friend silenus runs short, I could probably supply what he needs to complete his plan. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/8 "2011-01-30T01:50:35Z")
Dude, beaches, women in bikinis, rum cocktails, some of the best diving on the planet…it is our collective personal security imperative to conquer this country and bring it under our benevolent rule. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/9 "2011-01-30T01:56:18Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Never met a Mauser I didn’t want. Here’s my [Mauser C96](http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m305/llaaksonen/old_school_guns_1.jpg). I have a 1917 Spandau Gew. 98, but the chamber is corroded and it won’t eject after a shot, so I turned it into a K-98. I also have a Yugoslavian 98 that was sold in a package with the bayonet, cleaning kit, and ammo pouches. Arsenal thing. Haven’t fired that one. (Haven’t had a chance to fire the C96 either.) ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/10 "2011-01-30T02:16:02Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Dude, beaches, women in bikinis, rum cocktails, some of the best diving on the planet…it is our collective personal security imperative to conquer this country and bring it under our benevolent rule. OK, I am in. Just let me know where I need to send the truck… ---
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/11 "2011-01-30T02:52:32Z")
Count me among the armed liberals…although I’m really more of an extreme moderate. I own several long guns, no handguns. Was always an unenthusiastic hunter, and mostly gave it up. Nothing against hunting, it just seemed like too much work. Keep the guns around for utility - occasionally have to shoot a varmint or put down an animal - and yes, for home defense, should it become necessary. (IMO, a 12-ga. shotgun is quite suitable for this purpose…who needs a handgun?). I don’t really approve of most gun-control efforts, mindful of the “slippery slope” argument, but could live with a few sensible measures. SS ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/12 "2011-01-30T03:14:53Z")
Johnny LA, If we are showing off handguns, here is my usual carry: [Beretta M9](http://members.cox.net/alarmtech/beretta1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/13 "2011-01-30T03:29:03Z")
Another one. 2nd amendment is probably my number one issue politically, but I find republicans/conservatives (and especially tea party types) to be on the wrong side of nearly _every_ other issue, and those add up to being more important to me. Like fiscal conservatism, I find republicans to be long on talk and short on action when it comes to second amendment issues. That and they all seem to be just fucking stupid. It is worth noting that the only significant firearms law passed by the Democratically controlled congress, and signed into law by President Obama was the legalization of concealed carry in national parks. Yes he and Eric Holder have \*talked \* on occasion about restoring the AWB, and I have no doubt Mr. Obama would like to, but as for what he does, seems inclined to heed the lessons of the 1994 congressional mid-terms and the 2000 presidential election. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/14 "2011-01-30T03:41:28Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > If we are showing off handguns, here is my usual carry: > > [Beretta M9](http://members.cox.net/alarmtech/beretta1.jpg) Got one of those. (92FS, actually.) They were starting to replace the Italian-made ones with the American-made ones. I opted for the Italian. I feel no need to carry a gun, though. The title was just a bit of license. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/15 "2011-01-30T15:24:41Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Got one of those. (92FS, actually.) They were starting to replace the Italian-made ones with the American-made ones. I opted for the Italian. > > I feel no need to carry a gun, though. The title was just a bit of license. 😉 I have an Italian made Beretta 92F, great gun, thousands of rounds through it with zero malfunctions. Accurate enough, for an unmodified military pistol. ---
**Author:** ![History\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b19c9b/32.png) [@History\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/History_Geek)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/16 "2011-01-30T19:38:29Z")
I think my liberal positions outnumber my conservative positions. But one of those conservative positions is most definitely my right to keep and bear arms. Bring on socialized medicine and legalize marijuana, but don’t try to pass anymore anti-gun laws. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/17 "2011-01-30T20:19:20Z")
I have been known to describe myself as a liberal who likes to shoot, although I don’t own a weapon. Once or twice I have embarrassed a considerably more conservative friend at the range. But despite my enjoyment of shooting, my positions on guns are definitely liberal. The NRA is nuts, we as a nation have a weird fetish for guns, and as a person who works in one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world (aviation) I have little sympathy for those who oppose licensing. ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/18 "2011-01-30T21:23:25Z")
I only literally tote my guns when I drive to my parents or my brother’s houses to stay for holidays or visits, but I own two handguns. I got a concealed carry license when I was 21 because my grandfather made it a condition of giving me one of the guns, but I never used it. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/19 "2011-01-30T21:34:14Z")
I occasionally go target shooting &/or skeet shooting. When I’m done, my hands may smell like fireworks, but my politics are my politics. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458/20 "2011-01-30T22:16:34Z")
I’m a raving hippie liberal, and own one gun. I am making plans to get a CCP, and planning to get a couple more firearms. I don’t know if that makes me gun-totin’, though. I support more restrictions on gun ownership, with more stringent background checks and those checks done for all purchases, even private ones (yea, I know, unworkable, too expensive, blah blah blah). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-totin-liberals/569458.md?page=2)