# Thread for Richmond Gun Rally Mon. Jan. 20 **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 18, 2020, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598 "2020-01-18T02:59:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/81 "2020-01-21T16:42:11Z")
I’ll give 'em a bravo for holding a peaceful rally. Want to be a major partisan and demonstrate for your cause, popular or not? Hey, we’re all citizens and you can do that in America. It is a respectable way to hash out public differences. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/82 "2020-01-21T19:54:46Z")
This thread was full of racist, ageist, sexist (anti- old white guys) politically-charged predictions of mayhem that absolutely didn’t come true. In fact, the protesters mostly behaved well and even cleaned up after themselves. Did anyone mention that “the base” is the English translation of Al Qaeda? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/83 "2020-01-21T20:01:30Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > In the US. There are between 5 and 10 million AR-15 style weapons in the US, making them 2 to 5 times more common than satellite-dishes, say. I’ve seen the number estimated at close to 20 million AR-style rifles in the US, and some think it’s pushing 30 million. It’s been the most popular style of firearm bought in each of the last 10 years. Based on figures extracted from manufacturing data, about half of all firearms manufactured last year were “modern sporting rifles”, to use industry terminology. There are now many, many .22LR and shotgun variants, in addition to the original ubiquitous .223 models. I’d say that makes it very common by any reasonable definition of the word. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/84 "2020-01-21T20:11:30Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > …Did anyone mention that “the base” is the English translation of Al Qaeda? No, you’re the first. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/85 "2020-01-21T20:17:51Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > This thread was full of racist, ageist, sexist (anti- old white guys) politically-charged predictions of mayhem that absolutely didn’t come true. As well as multiple posts hoping that those (obviously fucking justifed) predictions do _not_ come true, thanks for acknowledging. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/86 "2020-01-21T21:07:22Z")
No one here was anti-old white men, as the majority of posters in this thread fit that demographic. They were against people who protested removing guns from neo-Nazis who were planning on murdering people. Anti neo-Nazi is not anti white. Anti-racist is not anti-White. That would only be true if neo-Nazis and “old white guys” were the same thing. Though I do give you points for an appropriate name, **Orwell**. Trying to change minds by changing definitions of words is very Orwllian of you. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/87 "2020-01-21T21:32:02Z")
Gee, why would we be worried about a gathering of “very fine people”? ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/88 "2020-01-21T21:32:21Z")
It is being reported as a ‘Peaceful Rally’. However I fail to understand how the press and participants think that a peaceful rally requires deadly weapons. That very act is a violent and intimidating threat that verges on terrorism. IMHO, they dishonor themselves, their Commonwealth, Nation and Constitution (and fellow gun owners). ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/89 "2020-01-21T21:32:51Z")
No, what is Orwellian is calling AR rifles assault weapons. Or calling people interested in protecting their gun rights Nazis. Or equating law abiding gun owners with terrorists. I read a lot about the VA gun rally on gun owner bulletin boards, and none of it was fascist, antifa or racist. Gun owners in VA are simply trying to protect their liberty and constitutional rights. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/90 "2020-01-21T21:34:38Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > Gee, why would we be worried about a gathering of “very fine people”? I don’t know. Why would you? ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/91 "2020-01-21T21:48:33Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > It is being reported as a ‘Peaceful Rally’. > > However I fail to understand how the press and participants think that a peaceful rally requires deadly weapons. That very act is a violent and intimidating threat that verges on terrorism. I’m happy to help you understand. At issue is that these people believe their right to bear arms is about to be infringed by proposed legislation. So, they exercised their right to bear arms, in public, on public streets, as (currently) lawful in that location. Like many protesters, they are trying to make a point. Now, even though I’m a gun owner, I’m not particularly comfortable with people open-carrying everywhere they go, or more specifically, anywhere _I_ go, but it is in fact lawful. So not terrorism or even verging on it. The moment they point that gun at anyone or anything, they’re breaking the law, and will presumably be dealt with. We have those laws for good reason. But if they don’t, they’re within the law. No matter how it makes anyone feel. ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/92 "2020-01-21T21:55:57Z")
I’m a little disturbed by the ease with which those wishing to assert their rights to own (certain types of) guns are conflated with right-wing, supremacist or other fringe elements. While there surely is more overlap than with, say, surfing enthousiasts, they are in the end not the same thing. This protest was organized by those who believe that proposed legislation unduly infringes on their rights. Some assholes decided this may be an opportunity to make this about all kind of other things, but they were apparently relatively few and did not succeed. Anyway, it didn’t make it “their thing”. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/93 "2020-01-21T21:57:49Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > I’m happy to help you understand. At issue is that these people believe their right to bear arms is about to be infringed by proposed legislation. So, they exercised their right to bear arms, in public, on public streets, as (currently) lawful in that location. Like many protesters, they are trying to make a point. Now, even though I’m a gun owner, I’m not particularly comfortable with people open-carrying everywhere they go, or more specifically, anywhere _I_ go, but it is in fact lawful. So not terrorism or even verging on it. The moment they point that gun at anyone or anything, they’re breaking the law, and will presumably be dealt with. We have those laws for good reason. But if they don’t, they’re within the law. No matter how it makes anyone feel. Let’s not ignore the reality here. A lot of these people have beliefs that go beyond just wanting to protect guns. When they start chanting “White lives matter” and “Jews will not replace us” and “Blood and soil” they’re not talking about guns. ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/94 "2020-01-21T22:07:43Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Let’s not ignore the reality here. A lot of these people have beliefs that go beyond just wanting to protect guns. When they start chanting “White lives matter” and “Jews will not replace us” and “Blood and soil” they’re not talking about guns. A lot? I wasn’t there, so I wouldn’t know. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/95 "2020-01-21T22:34:57Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > I’m happy to help you understand. At issue is that these people believe their right to bear arms is about to be infringed by proposed legislation. So, they exercised their right to bear arms, in public, on public streets, as (currently) lawful in that location. Like many protesters, they are trying to make a point. Now, even though I’m a gun owner, I’m not particularly comfortable with people open-carrying everywhere they go, or more specifically, anywhere _I_ go, but it is in fact lawful. So not terrorism or even verging on it. The moment they point that gun at anyone or anything, they’re breaking the law, and will presumably be dealt with. We have those laws for good reason. But if they don’t, they’re within the law. No matter how it makes anyone feel. Yes, it is lawful. It is also a threat. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/96 "2020-01-21T22:44:52Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > I don’t know. Why would you? Did you not get the reference, or are you being disingenuous? ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/97 "2020-01-21T23:48:50Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > Did you not get the reference, or are you being disingenuous? I guess it’s a woosh. I don’t get the reference. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/98 "2020-01-21T23:53:39Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > I guess it’s a woosh. I don’t get the reference. Try batting your eyelashes when you say that, you disingenuous fuck. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/99 "2020-01-21T23:54:33Z")
oops - not **CS** 😛 ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598/100 "2020-01-22T00:50:53Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > In the US. There are between 5 and 10 million AR-15 style weapons in the US, making them 2 to 5 times more common than satellite-dishes, say. What’s the distribution? If the majority of AR-15s are concentrated into the hands of relatively few gun owners, then they’re not common despite being numerous. Whereas relatively few people have multiple satellite dishes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-for-richmond-gun-rally-mon-jan-20/846598.md?page=6)