Some of the Gungeoneers will be surprised to find that the VPC

[sarisataka]

44. Compromise is nobody is really happy

neither will get all that they want, which is probably for the best.

I went in the reverse of you. Uncles hunted but I never went with them and only rarely saw the guns, usually when they were cleaning them after coming home. Mostly I was anti gun with the thought that nothing good comes of them.
Over the years as I learned more of my fellow humans, I saw that while not exactly good, guns do have some valid uses. I am still against trophy hunting and using guns to "make a statement". The OC radicals are assholes of the highest degree in my book. The military taught me much about guns and shooting has remained an enjoyable hobby.
One thing that really was driven in is the respect that a dangerous item must have at all times. I fully support safe storage laws. I understand the desire to not inflict further anguish on people who have been traumatized by an negligent shooting but if the laws are not enforced they might as well not be there. By holding people accountable, maybe the next person will take due care and a life will be saved.

I agree about the pendulum swing. That the right has so successfully co-opted the issue is disturbing. No right is without restriction and with every right comes responsibility. What should be a middle of the road matter that concerns everyone equally, bullets don't ask about politics, has been perverted into a with-us-or-against-us issue that is detrimental to everyone.