Gay Rights Activists are Being Too Gun Shy

Taking Sides

In a recent post, I mentioned that I support the right to bear arms - responsibly.

I've refrained from posting too often about gun rights because so many of my friends who also share my posts and take a strong stand on gay rights (whether they themselves are gay or straight) are just as strongly against guns.  Their views vary, from supporting bans on certain types of guns, to banning all guns, period.  Many posts are similar to the debate raging around gay marriage on both sides.  The problem with the debate is that agreeing with a particular point seems to imply that one agrees with everything. I agree with the NRA that banning guns is not the solution to the violence problem.  But I also do not think that more guns is a solution either. I fell into a similar argument when a friend said he was against the Supreme Court hearing cases against Proposition 8 and Defense Of Marriage Act.  While his argument was against the process, (he feels it should go through the legislature, not the courts) it felt like he was saying that he didn't support gay marriage.  He and I have disagreed before.  We seem to have a little agreement on tax and spending issues, but our priorities are wide apart.  He believes same sex couples should be able to marry, it's just not a fight that he is very committed to, and he believes that the Republican Party, while opposed to marriage equality, likewise has the issue low on their priority list.  (their spending on a legal defense of DOMA says otherwise, but I digress.)

On the matter of gun control, the amount of statistics and allegory in the media is baffling, so as in many cases, I form my opinion based on my personal observation.  The people I know who own guns are incredibly responsible with them, and I would oppose any law that infringed on their right to own and responsibly use a firearm.

It's a complex issue to be sure, and I am not in entire agreement with either side as I said.  I have some issue with the saying that "guns don't kill people, people do."  If that were entirely true, we wouldn't be so worried about the right to have the gun in the first place.  Now the other statement used by the pro-gun lobby, that if guns are outlawed, only outlaws would have guns" does stand to reason, at least literally.

Common Ground: Two Issues, Same Enemy

A thought occurred to me recently.  Gay rights and gun rights appear to be very opposite, especially if you think of the issue in terms of politics.  Gay rights are championed by the Democratic party, and gun rights by the Republicans.  It would seem logical then, that Democrats will support bans on guns, and Republicans support bans on gay marriage.  By extension then, if you support gay rights, you're a Democrat, and oppose gun rights, and vice versa.  It's that assumption that I am trying now to break away from.

Both sides have a set of arguments, but as a comic panel, The Atheist Pig, points out, it boils down to a simple psychological aversion.  At it's root, the opposition to gays is the thought that two men together is "icky."  

In my opinion, there is a similar aversion to the right to bear arms: guns are scary.

I am not saying that either opinion is wrong.  They are opinions, after all.  Many straight people are simply not used to the thought, or sight, of two men being affectionate with each other, and feel "icky" about it.  Likewise, people who don't own guns, or perhaps who only see the cinematic portrayal of violence, are going to feel that guns are "scary."

Come Out of the Gun Cabinet

Much of the changing attitude toward gay rights has been attributed to more and more LGBT people coming out.  I have found that my own understanding of transgender people has grown, and would not have without friends and acquaintances who were willing to be open.

Likewise, I think we need more people to be open about support for responsible ownership and use of guns.  I know people who own firearms, and advocate for gun rights.  As I mentioned before, they demonstrate what it means to respect the power of these weapons, and make a reasonable case for equal access to them.  The NRA has a strong case, but lousy PR if you ask me.   Both sides are putting out their extreme stories and examples.  Mass murderers with guns, vs. the armed savior who prevented a crime.  What about the majority of gun owners?  The people in the middle?  People who own firearms, and take target practice, but have never had to use them in an emergency situation?  Or people who hunt, whether for sport or for food, but have never otherwise fired a weapon?  We need to hear more of those stories.  The reason we don't is because, just like the stories of same sex couples, it's boring.  Boring doesn't make news.  But slowly, these stories are going to make a difference.