Are controllers their own worst enemy?

[Kang Colby]

Last edited Sun May 15, 2016, 11:50 PM - Edit history (1)

Let's take a trip way back in time, way back to 2013. I would argue that the controllers insistence on an AWB helped sour Manchin-Toomey in the Senate. Now, this is not a point I'd like to spend much time on or debate because even Machin-Toomey was DOA in the House. But by pushing the AWB, controllers helped get out the message that a possible gun ban was in the near future. The details of Machin-Toomey didn't matter at that point, background check legislation was mixed up with a political message calling for gun bans. What did that do politically? It put the lobbying arms of various 2A organizations into overdrive fueled by record donations. It also helped the firearm industry immensely by helping push record sales volume. Free advertising. Unfortunately, Democrats would go on to lose the Senate in 2014...so I'm not sure the gun control push and associated expenditure of political capital did much good.


Gun controllers would be more likely get to something done politically if they didn't shriek and act hysterical all the time. Most gun controllers I've met in person, come across as distressed, out of sorts, and generally act unreasonable. They are swept away in the emotion and religion of gun control...true believers so to speak. It's so bad that activists for other causes want nothing to do with gun controllers. I guess people have come to the conclusion that it is very difficult to work with fringe lunatics that spend their time attacking the bill of rights and civil liberties.

What does this have to do with RKBA? Well, I think it shows that on 2A issues messaging is everything. I don't think controllers have been able to fool anyone with the recent "gun safety" re-branding...one conversation with them gives away their position. They are only interested in making it more difficult for people like YOU to purchase, possess, and carry firearms.

Gun control in this country should be limited to hitting what you aim for.

[ileus]

1. but....butt guns kill people donja' know!!!

[theatre goon]

2. I think their biggest problem...

...is that reality just doesn't match up with their beliefs.

The idea that "more guns equals more crime" doesn't hold up, the idea that armed self-defense is vanishingly rare doesn't hold up, the list goes on and on...

If their beliefs conformed to reality, they might make some progress. Of course, if their beliefs conformed to reality, they wouldn't be anti-gun...

This is, of course, assuming that we're not talking about those who use gun-control as a stand-in for simple control -- they're fine with just lying about the situation. I'm talking about those who sincerely believe that guns are a problem, in and of themselves, in direct contradiction of all available facts and logic.

[Eleanors38]

3. The controllers don't want to admit their elitism of 40 yrs ago is still zombie-walking...

around today, and the smell is worse than ever. They depended so heavily on MSM and its cheap & easy conduit for agitprop, they are amazed that nothing has changed; nay, they are even more behind the eight ball. Always looking for a powerful elite, always hoping for foundation money, always promoting some "new" documentary that will turn the tide. They have become tiresome to folks in general.

[Kang Colby]

4. I agree. Go have a read of ATA for a local example of what you speak. ;)

[pablo_marmol]

5. I think that the general public is figuring out what The Controllers are all about.

All across social media, folks are noticing that The Controllers actions (and inactions!) reveal that they are just posturing. They can't be bothered with researching the issue that they claim to be so invested in. They're not aware of the most basic facts that everyone should know prior to entering the debate. Eg:

What is the definition of a semi-automatic firearm?

What percentage of U.S. firearms are used for criminal purposes?

Generally speaking, what's been going on with the U.S. crime rate since 1990?

What do the vast majority of folks who commit crimes with guns have in common?

Etc., etc., etc.

And of course their willful ignorance prevents them from offering any intelligent input into what can/should be done to get the gun violence rate down further than it currently is. It's always someone else's job to do the homework apparently. Moms demand action, but place absolutely no demands upon themselves beyond shrieking and repeating tedious lies.

[Matrosov]

6. The three main problems..

1) Most controllers' efforts are driven by the news. They'll speak up when there is a major shooting but most of them don't work around the clock and throughout the year on their cause like most RKBA supporters do.

2) Most controllers are preoccupied with things like assault rifles and high-capacity magazines, even though banning those things would have a negligible impact on crime.

3) Most controllers aren't well-informed about firearms and firearm laws. Controllers who think the average person can buy a machinegun online and have it shipped to their front door aren't doing the cause any favors.