Reply #21: Not so rare here on DU, methinks.

[benEzra]

Probably not as rare elsewhere as is commonly portrayed, either.

My own experience is similar to the OP's. I hold a NC carry license, which involves Federal and state background checks, a mental health records check, an FBI fingerprint check, an 8-hour class on self-defense law using a state-developed curriculum taught by a state-licensed instructor, and a demonstration of live-fire proficiency with a handgun on a shooting range. I've also passed background checks when I purchased pretty much every gun I've ever bought.

I have repeated ad nauseaum on DU all the gun control regulation I do support, so I won't repeat that here. The executive summary is that I mostly support focused regulations aimed at criminal misuse, rather than regulations intended primarily to harass the lawful and responsible.

"Gun owner" as "wild eyed redneck" is primarily a media construct, rather than a reflection of reality.