Kaili Joy Gray AKA Angry Mouse's provocative diary started me thinking: I'm afraid of people with guns. Which means I'm also afraid to be a noisy, conspicuous advocate for gun control. I'd be scared to put an anti-NRA or pro gun control bumper sticker on my car or sign in my yard.
I don't feel this way about all public expression. In 2003, I waved anti-war signs on street corners and, despite cautions from friends, put a WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER sticker on my car (it's still there) and in my front window. I never had my car vandalized and I've only been screamed at once (by guy driving a Mercedes convertible who yelled: War is ALWAYS the answer!).
But no way am I going to risk the wrath of a gun toting NRA fanatic. While I might go to a gun control rally, I'd leave if I saw anyone packing a gun. So looks like I'm letting my First Amendment rights take a pretty solid hit from someone else's Second Amendment rights.
Now, I know that the vast, vast majority of pro gun rights folk are not going to take a pot shot at me while I'm driving on the freeway. But I do feel that this political fight is a little like unilateral disarmament where you got to pray that for the selfcontrol of your opponent. Plus, there really are some crazy angry armed people out there.
So, I'm asking, if I lived in a solid red state deep into gun culture would my fears be rational? As a woman living in a solid blue state with pretty strong gun control laws, am I a wuss?
I also wonder how many legislators are also intimidated. Not just by voter backlash or the coffers of the NRA but worry that support of gun control measures will result in threatening phone calls and stalking by crazy gun fanatics. I wonder if a whole lot of folks like me aren't contributing to the perceived omnipotence of the NRA. I'd be very interested to hear your opinions/experiences.
BTW, I don't think I've ever seen an anti-NRA, pro gun control bumper sticker. I just checked the internet and found plenty of websites offering "funny" stickers full of threatening bravado such as this one. But for the braver-than-me, I did find a website offering pro gun control stickers and pins.