Reply #184: I think we need to emphasize common sense [View All]

[Bouncy Ball]

and I KNOW we need to lay some heavy emphasis on the fact that Democrats DON'T want to take everyone's guns away. I know precious few Dems who actually say they really DO wish government would make all gun ownership illegal.

Many Democrats own guns, themselves.

One thing I've found interesting is in the difference of attitude between gun-owning Dems and gun-owning Reps.

Gun-owning Dems don't generally pose in pictures with their guns. If you didn't ask them, you might not even know they own any. They don't seem to get as "excited" (for lack of a better word) over their guns--going to gun shows, going to (and owning) gun ranges and gun shops, etc. Whereas I definitely see that among republicans. Most of the gun-owning Dems I know (including myself) simply own a gun or two for home self-defense. They are very common sense about it. They don't want to take away anyone's guns anymore than they want the government to take away theirs, but they realize that no one needs to own an Uzi or an AK-47. And they also realize it's common sense to have background checks, waiting periods, etc.

For the republicans it seems to be very black and white. Either we have all guns, all the time, no restrictions, or they scream and yell that liberals are trying to take their guns away.

Democrats realize that you can fully support a Constitutional amendment while exercising common sense in those gray areas. Also, there ARE republicans who do agree with restrictions on the types of guns you can buy, there are republicans who agree with background checks and waiting periods, etc. Democrats simply need to point out that fact. That's a commonality.