General Discussion

11 Bravo

(23,928 posts) Sun Jul 14, 2013, 07:32 PM Jul 2013

Is it possible to be a progressive DUer and a gun owner? [View all]

I am a 62 year old former combat infantryman. I've been shot. By an AK-47. It fucking hurt. I own two long guns (a shotgun and a rifle) and two hand guns (a 9mm pistol, and the .45 caliber service revolver that my Dad carried as a fighter pilot in WWII). I have been a progressive Democrat since I was old enough to think. I hunt, and my family and I eat everything I kill. I think trophy hunters have a screw loose. I have a VA concealed carry permit. I was (and would be again) in favor of Virginia's AWB before George Fucking Allen lied his ass off to get elected, and then promptly overturned it contrary to his campaign promise. (Happily, I later stumbled into an opportunity to call him a lying asshole, to his face, on a Richmond sidewalk, but that's a story for another time.) I supported Virginia's one-gun-a-month law (how many fucking guns does ANYONE need?) I support universal background checks and the closing of the gun show loophole. I support a ban on high capacity magazines. I don't believe any private citizen needs to have access to armor-piercing (cop-killer) ammunition. I believe that George Zimmerman, that cowardly cop wannabe, should spend the rest of his life in prison.
So help me out here, DU. Am I a gun humper, a gun fetishist, a Gungeoneer, or just a plain old Delicate Flower?

123 replies

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Highlight:

Is it possible to be a progressive DUer and a gun owner? [View all] 11 Bravo Jul 2013 OP

As a gun owner, I'm looking forward to how this goes. flvegan Jul 2013 #1

Of course. It's possible to own an gun and be on any part of the political spectrum. RB TexLa Jul 2013 #2

Just don't tell that to some here. unreadierLizard Jul 2013 #4

I know and it drives me crazy. I just ignore Mojorabbit Jul 2013 #34

I love flamebait. kestrel91316 Jul 2013 #3

Not my intent, but you're welcome to your opinion. 11 Bravo Jul 2013 #9

Right? renie408 Jul 2013 #10

Well... TeeYiYi Jul 2013 #14

I for one appreciate some common sense from a gun owner BainsBane Jul 2013 #55

Pleae believe me, BB, I do NOT dislike you! 11 Bravo Jul 2013 #69

Cool BainsBane Jul 2013 #103

i agree with you. DesertFlower Jul 2013 #5

It's not a question of ownership, but of attitude. n/t Scootaloo Jul 2013 #6

Quite a few here don't make that distinction though. (n/t) LAGC Jul 2013 #12

You have been here close to 16,000 posts worth and you felt THIS thread was necessary? renie408 Jul 2013 #7

What's the difference between a gun "owner" and a gun "humper"? Nye Bevan Jul 2013 #8

Humpers take selfies with their guns. ..nt TeeYiYi Jul 2013 #19

A 'gun owner' becomes a 'gun humper' at the exact moment the gun owner displays petronius Jul 2013 #30

When someone is closer to the Tea Party than the Democratic Party on gun policy BainsBane Jul 2013 #50

As I said: merely an insult, insisted on by people who prefer that sort of behavior... petronius Jul 2013 #86

It's a statement of fact BainsBane Jul 2013 #104

A test I always use is to consider whether I would be embarrassed for my friends, petronius Jul 2013 #108

I did not choose the term gun humper BainsBane Jul 2013 #110

Are you saying that "gun humper" is *not* intended to be an insult? petronius Jul 2013 #112

Of course it is BainsBane Jul 2013 #115

Right, an insult. Then we were in agreement right up to when you called it petronius Jul 2013 #118

I called my definition a statement of fact BainsBane Jul 2013 #120

...man who killed an armed... rrneck Jul 2013 #113

Yes, thank you BainsBane Jul 2013 #116

I thought it was after the third date. Half-Century Man Jul 2013 #52

Kids move quickly these days. BainsBane Jul 2013 #107

We need a Canadian lawyer to chime in here.... ileus Jul 2013 #11

Let me answer it nadinbrzezinski Jul 2013 #13

I'm extremely "progressive" and I own guns. roamer65 Jul 2013 #15

Yes thelordofhell Jul 2013 #16

Of course it is Maeve Jul 2013 #17

I know responsible gun owners. But, they would NEVER argue against universal background checks... hlthe2b Jul 2013 #18

Bingo. I'm one of those. roamer65 Jul 2013 #25

We're a big tent party, and the whole point of democracy is that many minds with varied backgrounds struggle4progress Jul 2013 #20

yes. At least I think so. cali Jul 2013 #21

Of course. ... spin Jul 2013 #22

Yes, I and thousands of other members are living proof of that. NYC_SKP Jul 2013 #23

Zman could have said same thing, until he shot Trayvon. Now he can say it again. Hoyt Jul 2013 #61

Yes. Off to the trashcan, now. n/t Egalitarian Thug Jul 2013 #24

you're an american patriot sigmasix Jul 2013 #26

Jesus Christ Moses2SandyKoufax Jul 2013 #27

And you just made the OP's point Bake Jul 2013 #63

I'm surprised it took 27 posts, though ..... oldhippie Jul 2013 #101

Oh yeah. No doubt. Bake Jul 2013 #123

I think all legitimate gun owners needs to have their guns destroyed Mr. David Jul 2013 #28

I love a little irony. flvegan Jul 2013 #38

No offense but... I think you're a little bit freaky. Maybe it's just me. cherokeeprogressive Jul 2013 #66

Because he used an illegal gun and they're debating whether he was sane or not. Mr. David Jul 2013 #68

Thanks for the confirmation. cherokeeprogressive Jul 2013 #76

Don't you find it a tad odd to say people who own guns should be committed because guns kill Arcanetrance Jul 2013 #93

Calm down Half-Century Man Jul 2013 #73

This message was self-deleted by its author LumosMaxima Jul 2013 #29

Sure it is. Not all will agree, though. NaturalHigh Jul 2013 #31

Yes Duckhunter935 Jul 2013 #32

Of course DBoon Jul 2013 #33

Why do so many of them support Zimmerman ? JI7 Jul 2013 #35

i own guns and am appalled by the z verdict nt arely staircase Jul 2013 #41

I Don't Own Guns RobinA Jul 2013 #60

I was raised in a family of hunters, have hunted, still enjoy game, was ways taught gun Thinkingabout Jul 2013 #36

I don't own a gun (did for work in the past) and yes, progressives own guns The Straight Story Jul 2013 #37

Simple answer: 100% yes, even without any of the caveats or background... (nt) petronius Jul 2013 #39

+1. I couldn't put it any better. (nt) friendly_iconoclast Jul 2013 #59

i am a gun owner and a pretty liberal democrat arely staircase Jul 2013 #40

and you are right about trophy hunters too imho nt arely staircase Jul 2013 #42

Is it possible? Yes. Are you going to get some serious side eye LeftyMom Jul 2013 #43

You may be any of the above etherealtruth Jul 2013 #44

The "one-gun-a-month" law was a LIMIT. Prior to that there was NO limit to the number ... 11 Bravo Jul 2013 #54

I remember that law being passed. NutmegYankee Jul 2013 #58

Virginia ends monthly one-gun purchase limit etherealtruth Jul 2013 #85

Part of the tragic Republican gains there. NutmegYankee Jul 2013 #88

I understand that and lived in Virginia for several years etherealtruth Jul 2013 #84

As far as "how many guns" Half-Century Man Jul 2013 #77

yes Skittles Jul 2013 #45

That sounds very reasonable to me BainsBane Jul 2013 #46

I don't go anywhere NEAR the Gungeon, so I won't be convincing anyone. 11 Bravo Jul 2013 #65

Here comes a general rant...misplaced in the queue...sorry. roamer65 Jul 2013 #72

Isn't this getting uncomfortably close to the top post under General Discussion? Rstrstx Jul 2013 #47

Yes. NutmegYankee Jul 2013 #48

A gun OWNER? Yes. A pro-gun ACTIVIST? No. Paladin Jul 2013 #49

Yes. It's possible. nt LWolf Jul 2013 #51

I am in that boat: Maine-i-acs Jul 2013 #53

Yes. Ask Gabby Giffords and her husband. n/t Whisp Jul 2013 #56

I do not see carrying guns on city streets as progressive. Hoyt Jul 2013 #57

it's obvious to me that widespread gun ownership is not a net benefit to american society. KG Jul 2013 #62

Yes, it's not only possible, but a proven fact.... n/t Ghost in the Machine Jul 2013 #64

Of course it is Spirochete Jul 2013 #67

My litmus test is attitude: Ruby the Liberal Jul 2013 #70

Just Lay Low for a few days. bvar22 Jul 2013 #71

Absolutely. Now consider what it meant for you to have felt Robb Jul 2013 #74

1,000 times, THIS Ruby the Liberal Jul 2013 #80

Robb, I don't know where you stand with regard to me, but in many ways I consider you my brother. 11 Bravo Jul 2013 #83

I'm sorry you get lumped in with the rest of the idiotic rightwing gun trolls here. Warren Stupidity Jul 2013 #75

I think you are a perfect example of how a progressive can be a gun owner. n/t pnwmom Jul 2013 #78

This non-owner says "yes" n/t arcane1 Jul 2013 #79

Of course. ZombieHorde Jul 2013 #81

Answer to the original question: OF COURSE... Demo_Chris Jul 2013 #82

I am a gun owner Jenoch Jul 2013 #87

If I may - NutmegYankee Jul 2013 #91

I know the difference. Jenoch Jul 2013 #92

Some states, like mine, ban it for rifles. NutmegYankee Jul 2013 #96

I agree it should be banned. Jenoch Jul 2013 #99

Yes. nt msanthrope Jul 2013 #89

Sure, why not? Owl Jul 2013 #90

Dunno about progressive PD Turk Jul 2013 #94

Yes. steve2470 Jul 2013 #95

You are helping to perpetuate a dangerous, deadly culture. moondust Jul 2013 #97

Oh muh gawd!! Major Hogwash Jul 2013 #98

Yes. I know plenty of progressive, liberal Democrats that own guns. Mr.Bill Jul 2013 #100

i used to own guns and was a lifetime nra member madrchsod Jul 2013 #102

I loathe guns, I'm a progressive and tpsbmam Jul 2013 #105

Concealed Carry - Fucking Sucks otohara Jul 2013 #106

Yep, I'm walking, talking proof! Even have a concealed weapon permit. williesgirl Jul 2013 #109

Is it possible to be a progressive DUer and a gun owner? rrneck Jul 2013 #111

As an 18E who completed the 11B course at Benning, I think you are wonderful and a true progressive. Anansi1171 Jul 2013 #114

I don't have any guns. Lugnut Jul 2013 #117

Gun fucker, gun fetishist (same thing, really), gungeoneer, or delicate flower? Iggo Jul 2013 #119

Gun owner for the purpose of hunting, hobby, home defense: Sure. Concealed carry? ecstatic Jul 2013 #121

Yes. n/t Adsos Letter Jul 2013 #122