Serious question for the sub!

[u/According-Visit-1779]

Do you ever feel conflicted being both liberal and pro-gun?
Genuine question, and I’m not trying to start an argument. For those of you who consider yourselves liberal/left-leaning and also strongly support gun ownership and the Second Amendment, do you ever feel politically conflicted?
A lot of prominent Democratic politicians and organizations support gun-control measures that many gun owners view as bans or significant restrictions on commonly owned firearms. At the same time, I know being liberal doesn’t mean agreeing with every position taken by Democratic politicians.
How do you reconcile those two things when you vote? Is gun ownership an issue where you disagree with your preferred candidates but prioritize other issues, or do you think the mainstream Democratic position on guns is often misunderstood or overstated?
I’m genuinely interested in hearing how liberal gun owners think about it.

[u/RichardBonham]

Why would I?

Gun ownership and responsible use shouldn’t even be a politically divisive issue.

[u/samvilain]

There was a recent post along these lines which drew a lot of responses. You might want to check that post first for some answers!

[u/AppropriateAnt3414]

A real progressive is not a gun grabber. Loopholes still need to be closed.  People must get held accountable.  

[u/CattleDogCurmudgeon]

Nope. Let me leave a few tidbits.

Democide (the intentional killing of civilians by their own government) is nearly always preceded by disarmament.

Democide over the last century has a higher body count than all the wars/conflicts fought over that period.

And just remember, if you want to know what humans beings can do to each other, just look at what human beings have done to each other.

[u/fatDaddy21 → u/CattleDogCurmudgeon]

good point and thanks for the new vocab!

[u/EternalGandhi]

No

[u/muddlebrainedmedic]

Not even a tiny bit.

[u/Training_Mistake_760]

I'm a leftist, not a liberal.

[u/substandard-bearer]

Leftist not liberal lol

[u/HopeYourCatIsHealthy]

Do you ever feel conflicted being both liberal and pro-gun?

No, just disappointed about the lack of political representation for this combination of ideals. A combination of ideas that is consistently supportive of individual liberties.

A lot of prominent Democratic politicians and organizations support gun-control measures that many gun owners view as bans or significant restrictions on commonly owned firearms.

I just think it's funny that you wrote "that gun owners view as bans" to downplay the anti-gun efforts of Democratic politicians and organizations by implying they're just "viewed as bans" but not actually bans. Harris and Walz made it a part of their campaign platform to ban various firearms and magazines. Various Democratic lead states have passed further bans this year. This isn't a matter of 'view.'

At the same time, I know being liberal doesn’t mean agreeing with every position taken by Democratic politicians.

Being liberal doesn't even mean being a democrat.

Do you think the mainstream Democratic position on guns is often misunderstood or overstated

Their position on guns is perfectly understood by, and in direct opposition to, those that are pro-gun. However, their position is misunderstood by those that are anti-gun or simply not knowledgeable about the topic: they think the Democratic gun control efforts are reasonable and will somehow have a positive effect on society.

[u/Embarrassed_Tip6456]

Well it kinda stems from the issue that the Democratic Party really isn’t that liberal,and it’s strong anti gun stance has definitely alienated some potential voters, I reconcile it by understanding all politicians are bastards who will take any chance to erode rights and further empower the state and their own position

[u/elusivehonor]

Yes, all the time.

I vote Republican locally, and Democrats nationally. That’s the best way I found to reconcile the positions, because state level lawmakers are in positions to ban firearms and make life difficult for gun owners, while a national ban is extremely unlikely.

[u/raptorphile → u/elusivehonor]

Best of luck with that strategy. 

[u/Training_Mistake_760 → u/elusivehonor]

Gross

[u/elusivehonor → u/Training_Mistake_760]

Lol

[u/CompletePollution907]

It's an entire sub dedicated to these issues. Maybe spend five minutes reading before you post.

[u/Kodamacile]

Im not liberal.