Churches offering concealed-carry weapons training to attract members. ...

[spin]

46. If you are suggesting that only "rightwing nuts" have concealed carry permits or go to church. ...

then you are sadly mistaken.

I will grant that a higher percentage of Republicans own firearms than Democrats and it could be fairly argued that more White Republicans attend church on a regular basis than White Democrats. (Black Democrats are even more religious than White Republicans.)

http://www.gallup.com/poll/150353/self-reported-gun-ownership-highest-1993.aspx


http://www.gallup.com/poll/148361/religion-party-strongly-linked-among-whites-not-blacks.aspx

In Florida which is a "gun friendly" state, gun ownership is very common. Florida does not require firearms to be registered, owners to be licensed or any approval of local officials to purchase firearms. Honest citizens of any race find acquiring a firearm a simple process. Florida is a "shall issue" state so consequently local officials can not discriminate on who can obtain a concealed carry permit so honest minority citizens who get the training and meet the requirements can get a carry permit for a very reasonable fee. Over 800,000 resident Floridians have concealed weapons permits.

In more "gun unfriendly" states and cities, numerous hurdles are placed in the way of any citizen who wishes to own or carry a firearm. Consequently it is far more difficult and often very expensive for a member of a minority community to obtain a firearm or a carry permit. A high percentage of Democrats live in such areas and this in itself might explain why a higher percentage of Republicans own firearms than Democrats. Change the gun laws in those states and cities to make them similar to those in Florida and over a fairly short period of time, I will predict that gun ownership would become common and many citizens would obtain carry permits. In ten to fifteen years I would predict that the percentage of Democrats who own firearms would be very close to the percentage of Republicans if not higher. (Realistically the politicians in the "gun unfriendly" areas of our nation will continue to make gun ownership difficult so my scenario will probably never happen.)

I have lived in Florida for over 40 years and have enjoyed target shooting handguns during that period. I have introduced a fair number of people to the sport of target shooting during those years and a good percentage were Black or Hispanic. Surprisingly a higher percentage of the minorities that I brought to the sport went on to get concealed carry permits. I don't believe that many of these individuals were Republicans although I might be mistaken as in some cases I never had any conversations dealing with politics.

I will politely suggest that it is somewhat foolish to stereotype any large group of people. There are an estimated 80,000,000 gun owners in our nation. Some are Democrats or Republicans and some are Independents. Some are very religious but many are atheists or agnostics. Some are rich and some are poor. Some live in rural areas and some in large urban areas. Some belong to a militia and fear the UN or Obama plans to take away their firearms but most feel this is paranoid and laughable.

Some fear the end of the world or civilization is near and have spent enormous amounts of money preparing for the end of civilization as we know it. Such people usually are well armed. Most gun owners might at the best have a few days or a couple of weeks of food stored in their homes in case of an emergency.

Some gun owners are poorly educated but a high percentage have college degrees and many hold professional jobs. Some gun owners are criminals or suffer from serious mental issues but most are honest responsible citizens.

If I misinterpreted your comment, I apologize. I just have a personal dislike against stereotyping any large group of people.

I obviously am a gun owner and I do have a concealed weapons permit. While don't go to church on a regular basis, I consider myself a "Christian." However many "Christians" that I know have told me to my face that my destiny is to burn in Hell. I usually politely remind them that judging others is above their pay grade.

Six years ago my daughter's marriage was conducted by a lesbian minister. This lady truly impressed me and if I had lived in her area, I definitely would have attended her services.

Obviously not all churches are "rightwing." You may realize this as in your post you stated:

It's a smokescreen for rightwing nuts. Like most churches.