Gay Pride, Gun Pride: Round 2

by Robert W. Hunnicutt • January 26, 2012 • 71 comments

The other day, I whipped up what I thought was a quite unremarkable little column about the fact that gay rights and gun rights have been expanding at the same time. Most of those who responded took the line I would have expected, that gun owners need all the help they can get, and if you’re gay and like guns, then welcome to the club.

Some took quite the opposite tack, and that I found disturbing.

Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (jfpo.org) was a longtime SGN advertiser, and its late president, Aaron Zelman, was one of the most intransigent and creative figures in the gun rights movement.

One day I got a call from a pleasant-sounding man who said, “I see you are taking advertising from the JFPO.” When I confirmed that, he went on. “Don’t you know that all Jews hate guns? Feinstein, Schumer, all of Hollywood: they all hate guns.”

I conceded those he mentioned were clearly on the wrong side, but that JFPO was an organization for Jews who liked guns, and was in fact one of the strongest and most vital voices for gun rights.

The caller said that couldn’t be right: all Jews hated guns and wanted them confiscated. Clearly JFPO was some sort of agent provocateur entity cooked up by the Bilderbergers or maybe the Elders of Zion to lead gun owners astray, and that I should quit taking its ads. He had to hang up unsatisfied with my response.

The pleasant-sounding man’s position was that Jews can’t like guns, and, by extension, gun owners can’t like Jews.

Today I took a call from a somewhat less pleasant-sounding man who said the recent column indicated I am clearly part of a conspiracy to promote the homosexual agenda, and that he was canceling his subscription. Gays, he implied, can’t like guns, and gun owners can’t like gays. Like his predecessor, he had to hang up unsatisfied with my response.

All discord, whether sectarian, racial, class or lifestyle-based, centers on Us and the Other. The Other is assumed not to share any of our values, hopes and dreams. Social contact with the Other is dangerous precisely because we may find that assumption false.

I moved to the Washington, D.C. area in the summer of 1976 to work for the NRA. One Saturday I went to a custom car show. As I strolled the line of gleaming muscle cars, I was surprised to see some middle-aged black men enthusiastically discussing the virtues and demerits of the Mopar 440 Six Pack.

Why was I surprised? I guess I assumed all muscle car lovers were blond white dudes from Southern California, not snap-brim hat-wearing black guys from Anacostia, D.C. They probably favored Marvin Gaye rather than Ronny and the Daytonas, but they were just as enthusiastic about their ’65 GTOs as any suburban gearhead.

I never thought about black people the same way after that day.

It’s very easy to think of all gays as underfed fashion plates foofing around the Castro District, very distant from you and me. But as some of the responses to the previous column indicate, the fat guy at the next shooting bench with the “Peace Through Superior Firepower” T-shirt may have a spouse at home who doesn’t happen to be a woman.

I don’t, and Shotgun News certainly does not, have a position about gay rights. There are some organized gay groups whose devotion to the 1st Amendment I find tenuous. Some of them have positions about the age of consent I find disturbing.

But if you’re gay and like guns, we’re on the same side. If you think gays aren’t allowed to like guns, we’re not.

In Culture & Politics, Uncategorized • Tagged Gay Pride

Ryan

this is the reason I come to this site, it respects the differences of each individual while appreciating the hobby we all share. It always seems that some gun enthusiast complain that not all rights are held equal, yet they do not acknowledge the rights of others some even as far as trying to breed hate. Sites like this help shed the image of the stereotypical image of the gun owner. Not all of us are republican, christian ,straight, or white but we all appreciate the rights our forefathers set in place to protect us from the persecution that they had suffered.
- Bay area gun owner
  
  I saw a Prius in San Francisco with an NRA sticker on it. I was happy.
ckerst

As a liberal gun owner I run into the same "if you're liberal you can't like guns" attitude. I don't find all the positions on the left hold merit and I don't find everything on the right worthy of consideration. My attitude is that if some of us aren't free then none of us are. Are rights were enshrined for every citizen, you don't get to pick and choose who gets them.
- Alberto_Knox
  
  Dude, Me Too! Lots of guns, all the Commie 'weapons of liberation." Texas CHL sits in my wallet gight next to my ACLU card. My range bag has an Obama sticker on it. People need to lighten up and realize that, no matter what the politicians and TV commentators say, the world is in shades of grey, not black and white!
- The Habman
  
  Darn right! Freedom an all or nothing thing!
GayCynic

Thank you.
Dr. Crawford

Mr . Hunnicutt, I enjoyed that, and agreed.
Bpw

I don't have a problem with gays liking guns, or anyone else liking guns for that matter as long as they are responsible. What I have a problem with is crap like the photo shows… I don't walk through parades advertising that I'm in a gun club… And I don't think they are either… My problem is the constant reminder that a gay is gay. I know a couple of guys who REALLY like fat girls. Do they organize chubby chaser parades? No. Do they feel the need to further some cause? No. Do they make up groups with catchy names like "White dudes for whaling" ? No. They just go about their business like everyone else.
- Ryan
  
  Wow, I didnt know that chubby chasers were discriminated against and that they couldnt marry the fat girls they loved….maybe they should organize and gain those rights. Really Bpw??? thats the example you use? I am not sure you fully understand that concept of why gay people rally. Would you have said this about the african americans during the 1960's? comments like this are what i was complaining about in my comment, I am not gay but i have seven friends in the military and three are gay, all three have served in war zones, they dont have the same rights as us yet they are on front lines being shot at for the rest of us to enjoy rights they dont have. Why does it bother you if they practice the rights they DO have to try to gain rights they DONT have? This is a nation built on freedom and rights and respect of others freedoms and rights. You have crossed that line. freedom is freedom if you dont agree you can gladly move somewhere else there are many countries that are closed minded. thank you
- Pat
  
  But what if I like gay fat chicks?
Bpw

No problem Pat I don't care if you love guns, and women, and women's bodies, those are things I can truly identify with! The fact that you may be a woman? – whatever.. I don't think its right, but that's not my call. My problem is when the activists force it in my face promoting some agenda. Gay marriage? Why? The institution of marriage is to protect the family. 2 guys can't start a family, 2 girls can't either…. I'm sorry but no amount of protesting and no amount of causes and agendas is going to change that. If you want to live together fine. sleep together, your business. but get married? Why? For the tax break? Ok I'm with ya on that- I think any household should be able to file jointly regardless of sexual orientation. There are friends that live together for years that aren't gay.. They should have the tax break too.
Now Ryan comparing blacks to gays is not even close to the same. You talk about rally's in the 60s as if you were around then but by your comments, I can plainly see you weren't. The gays have it easy compared to the blacks.
- Roger
  
  Tell that to Matthew Shephard.
  I equate beating someone to the point of unconsciousness, and then tying him to a fence a leaving him to die a slow death about the same as a lynching.
  - Bpw
    
    Agreed, however these instances are not nearly as common as hate crimes of the 60s and before. Any lynching is horrible, wrong, and deeply disturbing (unless the lynchee is a child molester or something) but the gays today aren't faced with things like special seating for public transportation, strait only drinking fountains, and blatant public discrimination. Typically the gays today face a much more subtle discrimination. I personally believe that the whole gay since birth is a bit of a crock. I believe it is a choice, and I believe it is sexual deviency. Not that I hate gays or even dislike gays – in fact I have some gay friends (and I use the word friends not acquaintances) that I love dearly. That means that I love THEM dearly not the fact that they are gay. They know where I stand on that.
  - Earl Turner
    
    Roger, I call that justice.
- Ryan
  
  I will agree they have it quite a bit easier and also have more rights. the comparison is that they do it for the rights. The marriage statement is more than just tax reasons… there are issues such as when one is hospitalized, that the other is not allowed to be there at times because they are not "married" this also happens with insurance coverage of many kinds including health, a couple i know couldnt get a loan for a house because they couldnt apply together because they werent "married" its these rights that are the reason they rally. also your comment about family is completely wrong and i am guessing that is being driven by a religious belief which isnt a basis of the founding of our nation. most founding fathers were deist or unitarians, many didnt even believe in the Bible or Jesus' divinity. Research has shown that the children raised in gay households grow up just as normal as in any other household. I dont think you understand what a family is. you seem to have a superficial concept of one man + one woman = kids. unfortunately in this world we have many children without parents or up for adoption so why not let them be raised by two people whatever their sex may be, at least they will grow up with loving parents in a stable home. I acknowledge your freedom of speech but your use of it is discriminating and shows that you truly dont understand what it is to be gay, and some of the things you have said shows that you have an elitist outlook on being heterosexual, and that something is WRONG with gays. This type of thinking is actually countering that of our founding fathers and is unfortunate.
  - Bpw
    
    So let's see…. You are pro gay, anti- Christian, accusatory, illinformed, over confident, and quick to jump to conclusions about who someone is based on a couple of paragraphs….
    
    You make some decent points here Ryan for the first 1/3 of the paragraph. But downhill from there. Am I a Christian yes. Do I believe it takes a man and a woman to make children? If you don't, the time you've spent researching politics could have been better spent. Do I believe that it is a travesty that more and more children are left with only one parent or worse with both parents losers? Absolutely and furthermore I believe that gay parents can make great parents to orphaned children. Once again it is the homosexuality I believe is wrong – and I believe those who practice homosexuality are wrong for doing so. Does that mean they are bad people? No. Does that mean I think they are going to hell? I'm not God and I won't judge. I can tell you the bible says it is a sin- but the bible also says that all sins are equal. So my answer according to the word would be that they wouldn't be going to hell any faster than me for my failures and shortcomings. I subscribe to shotgun news, and while reading it I want to be thinking about guns, shooting, and recreation. I want to unwind and not be thinking about the politics of homosexuality. I mentioned above that I have friends that are gay- gayness does not define them. They are just like everybody else, and to talk to them you'd never know. They don't participate in rallies or anything like that, in fact they claim to be embarrassed by the "flamers" as they call them. To give you a bit more insight, since you have no idea who I am anyway…. I was anally raped by a 21 year old gay guy when I was 12. I thought he was my best friend. Do I hate homosexuals because of this? No. I don't play the part of a victim, and I don't let an event or an interest define who I am. You may find my comments inflamitory, and that's fine, but sometimes inflamitory gets your point across much better than the book I've just written in response to your comments.
    - TXBoy
      
      I am with you BPW – Your POV is not discrimatory, and there are millions of people that have this same belief. And to Ryan about our Founding Fathers…. Jeesh – Need a little more research here.
      
      I hate the Sin – not the sinner. I completely agree – It is bad enough having to deal with GLBT sensitvity training, or pride day, yet I can't send out an email about my bible study. Why does one man sleeping with another have to be in my face!
      
      BPW – Feel free to respond to the RASH of responses I will probably get – your articulation and keeping Ryan and his bud's on task is excellent.
- Luna
  
  If you think that gay rights will ruin the sancity of family and marraige, let me ask you how many times you have been divorced. People who get a divorce rather than working through their problems are also violating the sanctitiy of marraige. So if you believe that strongly, don't ever gat a divorce.
whatever

I don't understand how any agenda is shoved in your face? I guess I still believe this is free America and if you see something you don't like you have the option to 1. Walk away, 2. Turn off the TV, or 3. Not read an article relating to a subject you don't agree with. I personally don't agree with many things presented to me in life, if I feel really strong about it I don't read, watch or listen to it.
Stonewalker

Thank you for the follow up, you answered a few lingering questions I had about your intent from the last column. I think it represents the type of attitude that we, as a civil rights movement, need to take on if we are going to make waves in our society/culture. And yes, gun rights are civil rights!
charles m

thanks for the brave stance- as a Pro Gay rights, Pro Gun rights Christian I applaud Shotgun News for this.
- Al Brady
  
  I agree, Charles. Also, sorry, but when I attempted to hit the thumb up key I jabbed wrong. Add two, one for the support I meant and one for the unintentional negative.
- Tiredofthis
  
  Brave? I think Stupid! They should fire him for dividing up their customers and creating controversy in a gun publication unrelated to guns. He must have an agenda to dream up a comparison like this.
  You said "Pro Gay rights, Pro Gun rights Christian"? – Impossible.
guido

Very good article and it's long overdue to let the GLBT community in on those who cherish the 2nd amendment. I think the NRA would be smart to honor diversity and educate the Gay community about their right to bear arms. Not all gun owners are toothless rednecks!!
Ted

I always enjoyed my issue of Shotgun News until now. Why cant I enjoy reading about guns and ammo without having someone's sexual preference shoved in my face? Pink Pistols? I think I am going to puke!
Ted

One more thing, I will not be renewing my subscription.
CDPH

So, the mentally disturbed should own guns?
Bob Vela

WE THE PEOPLE, isn't that enough!
Brentg

To say that people would choose a life of being hated and discrimination shows the stupidity of those making the arguement. I am pro gun. I am straight but support Gay rights. I believe in separation of church and state. Im fed up with those who choose to cloak their fear of death in a so called faith. Its amazing how we as a human beings will cling to fairy tales in hope of a after life. If you think child birth is a miracle then your an idiot. Its a simple act of nature that plays out millions of times each day. I think the Bible is a brutal and violent diatribe on life. People pick and choose from it to meet their needs. It makes them have importance protest things and hate in groups. This goes for most all organized groups. They same fools claim 2012 is the END…. Though for that to be true they would have to forsake so called "inteligent design" and embrace evolution….but thats ok because its end of days bla blah blah….
figgers

Sorry Dude, but you made a very foolish attempt at linking second amendment rights to gay rights, the former guaranteed by the Constitution, the latter guaranteed by nothing.

Your attempt is similar to the gay community comparing their quest to create rights for themselves to the black community's efforts to exercise rights they were already entitled to.

I am afraid you stepped in it with your first article and then fell all in it with this second one.
G-Man

Why for the love of God would you even start this conversation?
I don't care about gay people. I have enough trouble trying to keep the jack booted thugs in the ATC and DOJ from selling my guns to the cartels.
With all the real issues facing the 2nd Amendment crowd why bring a subject to the table that will only divide people?
Dan J.

Why does it seem everyone has to be part of a group. And being part of that group every other group must have something wrong with it. I am a instructor, and owner of firearms, I value and worry about my gun rights. I honestly dont care what people do in their private lives, nor really what happens behind closed doors as long as it is legal. If WE as gun owners and 2nd Admend fighters we should be glad that we all dont look the same, do the same, or dress the same. WE vote for rights and to keep them, does the voting booth have sections for different types of people? No one is asking you to join a different gun club or even spend time with gun owners you dont like, but the common thread is the GUN, not the person working the trigger.
andy

So, SGN finally learned that a little controversy can generate clicks I think some people maybe blowing this out of proportion. I dont think the author made any outlandish statements or chose sides. Just made some observations. Liberty can be scary and ugly, which is what makes it all the more beautiful. Maybe, SGN should also send out samples of Geritol, and Zanex with every magazine to calm the hoards? Just a thought.
vishnu

Several people have commented that they don't some much object to gays as to seeing homosexuals "flaunt" their "lifestyle". My attitude towards homosexuality is one of my more liberal viewpoints, but I have to agree that much of what we see in many "Gay Pride" parades is offensive to most people. On the other hand, from what I have read over the past few days, a whole lot of folks found the commercials and the halftime show at the Super Bowl to be offensive as well. Homosexuality is hardly being shoved in your face by SGN; just don't read those stories that mention gays in their title.
Just as last time, however, all of these comments pro and con are irrelevant to the messages of the article. The author does not want to be (to quote Gunny Highway) "taking warm showers together until the wee hours of the morning" with another guy. Gay rights activists must be doing something right to have made some of the gains to their cause, so it might be useful to study their tactics, and every gunowner is another potential voter for gun rights.
Earl Turner

I have enjoyed reading through the pages of SGN for 12 years now, but when I read the first article, it made me angry that MY gun magazine had stooped to pandering to a group of people that have no decency or regard for healthy lifestyle choices. I will no longer be a customer of SGN. I will not renew my subscription.
By the way, diversity (perversity) is not a strength, it is a weakness. Tolerance is not a good thing, how much poison can you tolerate? I know I am not alone when I say ENOUGH ! I don't care that you freaks want to sodomize each other, you are sick. Homosexuality is unnatural.
Al Brady

I'm a white, senior, Christian/agnostic/athiest depending on my headspace and timing at the moment asked, have a black wife, am X Marine infantry rifleman, that has seen some "What Doesn't Belong" pictures in Childrens magazines. We need consider such. Picture This: Blacks, whites, gays, straights, young, old, male, female, gun culture folks, anti gun folk, religious people and the non religious. Now, which doesn't belong? HINT: Of those listed, only one group, by definition, wants to deprive the civil rights of the rest!

Due to their much greater probability of experiencing hate crimes, I believe gay / lesbian folk need ALL civil rights to include gun rights most especially. I'm told that about one person in six is other than main stream orientation. That's about 16 to 17 percsent. Sixteen percent of the US population is one hell of a huge voter block! Gays, lesbians and gun culture folk need each other more desperately than can be imagined!

If any item from the Bill of Rights can be neutered, it has set precident for all the rest!
- JAMES
  
  "X Marine"? Don't you mean "Former Marine"? I think you lie…your whole post is in doubt now.
  - Al Brady
    
    Jaimie, go play with your hamster. Getting mouthy with grown men from a safe distance doesn't make you tough or strong in any way.
joe

I'm tired of the PC Bullcrap. If SGN is going to play into this crap, why don't you run a article on Proud Hetrosexual gun owners???? BECAUSE IT MIGHT OFFEND THE "PINK PISTOLS"!!!! The PC will take this great country down.
- Al Brady
  
  Joe, I can appreciate many aspects of you; however, if you keep alienating potential allies you may find yourself with NO pistol and that would seriously offend me as I would have no weapon, either! Work to protect our 2d Amendment and all other rights! Don't spew hatred to assure you lose your, my and our rights.
charcoal

al brady hits on the nail.people should unite together for our second amendment rights no matter what your sex preference is,who cares…. people for the second amendment rights as well as our other god given rights need to unite not divide.
retired cop

I was surprised to see these articles in Shotgun News. Suprised in a good way. Both articles are, in my opinion, well thought out and well written. I agree with most of the comments pointing out that the more responsible gun owners there are, the more likely our gun rights will be protected. I fear for true Americans who believe in the Constitution that may one day be ordered to surrender their firearms. If that day were to come, we will all no longer have the ability to be individuals and our ability to fight for our rights and freedom will no longer exist. By the way, I am a white, gay male who happens to be a retired Police Officer. And yes, I know what its like to put my life on the line to protect and serve ALL law abiding Americans. Well done Shotgun News.
- Al Brady
  
  Hello RC!
  Wanting to let you know that I appreciate your years of service to all folks of your community and country to include me. I've felt quite embarassed by the hatred and garbage flowing from many of the supposed gun supporters on this site. I've got to believe that most of it is from those against our rights trying to make gun owners appear …. quite ustable. I should think all 2d Amendment supporters and protectors would realize how damanging such stupid and hateful, really insane postings can be. As an NRA endowment member I feel need to apologize to you and many others on this site for the backward garbage. Again, I thank you, RC.
Roger Carmichael

Just the facts of life here on spaceship Earth, a thin shell of a world a few miles thick if that, only 8000 miles dia
with limited resources for life support which we as a species are rapidly depleting at expense of other species.

With these facts in mind, the Major Global problems mankind faces need a solution? Popultion Control
Gays aren't the problem, Gays are part of the solution- Gays adopt unwanted children, not create new ones
Gays are not the ones fornicating freely willy-nillyl to foster large double digit family size where each child is a drain on Earth's life support system to the tune of FIVE TIMES the energy consumption of a 3rd world child

At rate the human race is procreating, there won't BE a THIRD MILLINEUM, we'll destroy Earth long before
Modern HIstory is defined by The Solar Mortality Theory which predicts major global socio-economic upheavals should occur every 3 generations since end of 18th Century- the 1860s, 1930 to 40s and NOW
It gives scientific reasoning to conclude the human race is Sun-Synchronized to grow in wavelets of one
solar cycle 22.2yrs and this is born out with records of energy consumption, it is not a steady growth rate.

Currrent socio-economic unrest was predicted to start with an event occurring in mid-2007.5
We now know what triggered the economic collapse- the SEC removed 1937 Uptick Rule on 7/7/07
to permit hedge funds & Wall Street Banksters to SHORT the housing market into the ditch, thereby
transferrin 90% of American wealth into the coffers of the top 10% wealthy citizens with no one jailed

Economic bubbles occur if you have excessive population growth to create supply & demand imbalance
Our traditional FINAL SOLUTION to the resulting economic morass is a sharp increase in Death Rates
or GENOCIDE to offset the foregoing high Birth Rates that created the imbalance in the first place.

In short a citizen has the right to procreate him/her self ONCE and ONCE ONLY, or 2 kids per family.
Any more ensures that the phenomenon of global genocide will continue unabated into the century

A better FINAL SOLUTION is a decrease in Birth Rates, therefore Gays and Lesbians are a component of a sensible solution to mankind's dilemma. In effect, why wait to implement high Death Rates when it makes
COMMON SENSE to operate on the other end of the equation, huh? DuH~ well it won't happen because it means there has to be INTELLIGENT LEADERS on the planet and, look around, do you see any? I don't
- Al Brady
  
  Roger, please have a look at the topic here. It has nothling to do with your out there monolog. You might want to take your posting to your own web page or to a site more dedicated to whatever your subject. Happy space travel!
sakovkt

It's just not enough to say "I support the 2nd Amendment".

We just have to say "I'm homosexual and I support the 2nd Amendment"

How about "I'm a Neo-Nazi and I support the 2nd Amendment"

Need all the allies we can get, right? And you have to be fair!

But the JFPO wouldn't like that, would it?

See where all this is headed?

(How about gun owners for crunchy peanut butter? But, you know how the "smoothies" feel about that, right? (LOL))

For anyone who truly supports the 2nd Amendment, the 2nd Amendment is enough.

United We Stand means, United on the 2nd Amendment.

Drag in other issues, and we're in 'ObamaWorld": a complete lack of direction or resolve.

And don't kid yourself.

The "Pink Pistols" are dragging 2nd Amendment supporters into DADT repeal, activist judges, homosexual marriage and Obama's latest tiff with Catholics on contraceptives.

Stay out of it and Stay on Target!
- Al Brady
  
  Hello, Sakovkt!
  
  To my mind, the more 'groups' of people we can get to support ALL civil rights, the stronger and better off we are as 2d Amendment supporters.
  Regarding Obama"s conflict wiith Catholics over contraception …… FANTASTIC! The more large groups of voters that he loses, the better our future looks!
  No gay or lesbian is trying to force you to do anything you don't want to do. If one asks you for a date, you can just say "No". But seriously, even before the Constitution, the Declaration of Independance spoke of "life, liberty and the persuit of happiness". If that doesn't apply to all of us it applies to none of us.
  I'm straighter than any Democrat appointed Supreme Court justice, but I see we ALL have the reasonable expectation of full rights and; the persuit of happiness. Also, due to the greater probability of being victimized in 'hate crimes', gays and lesbians need the 2d Amendment defenses even more strongly than ;the rest of us. We both need the support of the other and the gay / lesbian voter block is a huge one!
Son of Liberty

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot??? Is this Gay Shotgun News? Or Straight Shotgun News? Or Pro Life/ Pro Choice Shotgun News? Really bad call to twist these topics into an article here. What's next? Stick to firearms and valid second amendment issues. We will stick together on gun issues regardless of our private life choices without you throwing up needless walls that divide us. Think about it.
Hadit

I'm tired of this crap too. I will not renew my subscription, after 25 years.
7×57

Ancient Grease, Rome, and even some south sea islands of today regarded and regard homosexuality as a gift. The south sea society that I observed give very high religious positions to their homosexual people who by the way also cross dress.

If one truly believes in the separation of church and state in America than equal rights for gays is absolutely mandatory otherwise we will regress into a religious dictatorship forcing its laws on everyone willing or unwilling to accept them.
Tim Mitchell

Why do we care that you are Hetrosexual, the way you have sex behind closed doors is not a Constitutional right. It is just what you want to do and the way you live your life. The Right to HAVE Guns is Constitutional!! IF WE are first _Americans_all rest will fall into place.
Rick

Thanks for clarification where Shotgun News stands on this; I wondered when they'd sign up for the gay cause. I do not consider any aspect of the gay movement to involve "civil rights." If Shotgun News wants to align with that movement, which is essentially an attack on MY civil rights, then I'm done. To put a twist on an old Islamic saying, the friend of my enemy is my enemy, too.
Dolciana

In solidarity with the JFPO, the next time I have a table at a gun show I'll try to remember to wear my pink triangle, but only those who are without sin may cast the first stone. As a transgendered woman I know about hate and discrimination first hand, with the bruises and scars to prove it. The pure kind not watered down with political correctness or humanitarian sensibilities.
- Al Brady
  
  In saying "the next time I have a table at a gun show" you're telling me you're on the side of the Constitution and everyones civil rights. I'm straight, but totally support you, as well. I hear some complaining that your rights aren't listed as a particular number in any freedom document.. That sounds really strange. Whatever happened to "life, liberty and the persuit of happiness"? You've my support and my thanks.
Thomas Jefferson

What is interesting is how we've pulled away from being Americans and we're compartmentalizing ourselves and defining ourselves by our hobbies and our sexual proclivities. It's rather ridiculous, but I guess that is why the elites look down upon the unwashed masses with a haughty sense of derision.

Off topic a bit, but to the individual who's friends are fighting overseas for our "freedoms". You may want to ask them to redeploy to Washington DC. That's where they're usurping them, not over there. That's a tired political mantra that tells me a lot about your education and please don't tell me why this country was founded. Most of you haven't a clue other than what you learned in the government propaganda mills you call schools. Funny how supportive people are of their country when they conspire to leave you unarmed and penniless. You are all truly slaves on the US plantation.

"oh what a ghastly noise the plebs make when they are happy." Cicero
Rich

I ignored the first article and dismissed it as modern day ignorance. The second article reinforcing your first one has pushed me over the edge. I will not renew my subscription after it runs out due fully to this article. I couldn't care less about anyones sexual orientation as that is their business and not mine. I do have a problem with having it shoved down our throats. What the hell does sexual orientation have to do with guns and second ammendment rights. So some gun owners are gay…. So what. Why don't you do articles about gun rights and what is going on in the white house. DO articles encouraging people to write their congress crittters in support of their rights. There are channels that people can go throught to support their gun rights as a collective group. The silly way you put a twist to have gay activists help support gun rights as they support their own cause. …. I don't understand why you insist on shoving this down readers throats. I use to like your magazine. Write article part 3 maybe you can lose some more subscribers.
Greg Howard

Y'know, after all the gay bashing and similar trash I've read aboutover the years, I would think that gay/lesbian ownership of firearms would be a natural thing. It's not like the law can always get there fast enough to prevent an assault and gays/lesbians seldom carry cops in their pockets (who does?). If gays bother you… don't date them. Simple. I am straight, male, middle aged, children by two marriages- my eldest daughter is a lesbian. She cannot use a firearm to protect herself because she lives in San Fransisco. I taught her self defense with and without a firearm. She chose San Fransisco to live because it is gay tolerant… she will be moving because outside districts have figured that unarmed gays are easy targets.
- Earl Turner
  
  Are you looking for sympathy? Do you need a shoulder to cry on? What a shame you did not teach your oldest daughter that being gay is wrong.I am sure your are disappointed she will never have a real relationship or give you grandchildren.(unless she adopts some third world turd) See previous posts regarding tolerance. Man up and disown that fur trading pig. Hopefully "outside districts" teach her what you never did.
- Al Brady
  
  Greg, I appreciate you, your effort to keep our Constitution intact, help your daughter and all other folk of all orientation and make this a better world. I feel to apologize for Earl Turner (naming self after the Turner Diaries) who I feel is probably very rabidly against the 2d Amendment as he truly is trying hard to make all supporters appear stupidly hateful as a freedom loving group. May his insanity spread no further!
Snug

Gun lovers and gay lovers have the same problem , sensatoinalism by the media.Only the unusual catches their attention,commonplace everyday life experiences of both garner no coverage. If they cannot find bizarre,outlandish things happening, in either of our lifestyles ,they simply make up lies .That we certainly have in common.
Also polititions nearly universally court our votes while having no interest in in us between elections. When confronted with their incredibility ,it is always the fault of the other party ,or "the timing wasn't right". Then they promise to make up for everything "right after you vote for me in the next election". We share that too.
- Al Brady
  
  Snug, you're absolutely right! I'm seeing other similarities, as well. If either gun folk or gay folk want full liberties and rights, we've got to support full rights for all. None can have full rights while denying another of his full rights. Gay and lesbian citizens seem natural allies for all others wanting full rights as the gay / lesbian community receives the impact of far more hate crimes than any other group in the US. Gays and lesbians need firearms for personal protection and we need their votes! I believe Forest Gump would say something about 'carrots and peas'. We all need 'mutual support'!
Earl Turner

Q: How many new subscriptions do you think the gay community will bring?A: Not many.Q: How many long time readers are disturbed by this current direction in activism?A: Many. I do not advertise the sexual activities I persue, yet the gay community sees fit to stuff thier brand of degeneracy down the throats of America, just to gain approval from the very people they are opposed to!? To all the gay folk reading this: keep it to yourself, DADT goes both ways. We as Americans, in a PC world, have to endure gay tolerance in our work places, our military and churches to avoid "offending" some queer's feelings, while WE as striaght, healthly people are subjected to your disturbing behavior daily.I don't march down the street with a$$less chaps in june, proclaiming I love kitty, yet you degenerates dance to a techno beat down main street USA telling the world your disgusting habits as if WE care. "your here..your queer..get over it"
Earl Turner

FU-Q for violating my rights of free speech, do not delete my posts. how many other outspoken people have you silenced? If I was a faggot, every disgusting word would be protected by you. SHAME on you SGN. this will go viral tonight. expect alot of traffic. 1488
- Al Brady
  
  Earl, I'm a straight, white male that clearly knows our 2d Amendment is under attack. I also know the hateful rants of damn fools cost us many votes as we are ALL depicted as the same damn fools that start such rants. I'm assuming you are against firearms freedom as you do your best to fight against all freedoms. Earl, you are the perfect poster child for anti gun laws. I believe that is your intent. I've a lesbian couple living next door. They're good neighbors and good people. I enjoy having them here. But I would sure not like having a hateful AH like you in my neighborhood!
Alberto_Knox

Liberal gun nut here. Glad to see this article, and more than a little surprised. Lots of folks that like one part of the Constitution or another will tend to ignore the other parts. We are all free, or we are not. The government should not restrict the rights of people to lead their lives, speak their minds, and defend their property without due process.

The right to posses a firearm can be taken away by a felony conviction. State laws regulate marriage. As DOMA is inevitably overturned and the Feds get out of the wedding registry business and the states one by one allow gay marriage it will be no big deal… just like CHLs are no big deal today.

But there was a time we had to work and lobby hard to get CHLs passed into law. Don't forget that. That's where the gays are today. Once this is all over it will be no big deal and gays will realize they screwed up by inviting divorce lawyers into their relationships!
- Al Brady
  
  Your last line caught me right behind the eyes! It will probably prove quite true. Still though, no one's out of the forest yet. Our Constitution is under more attack and threat than ever before. The gay / lesbian community and the gun culture need each other more than might be imagined. Due to their greater probability of being the recipient of hate crimes gay and lesbian citizens need ALL civil rights and MOST ESPECIALLY the 2d Amendment. As other than mainstream orientation folk are about one out of six (or so I'm told) that comes to between sixteen and seventeen percent. Sixteen percent of the US population is one hell of a huge voter block. For the gay community, gun culture and all citizens to have their civil rights secure, we all need each other! Please, help and support all our btothers and sisters in this.
Frank

Thumbs down on this. I do not at present intend to resubscribe unless something is done to make clear to the readership that this article by no means represents the viewpoint of SGN.
Regards,
saddened long time subscriber.
dislike

You got to be joking. Giving people status for a behavior. By the way Blacks can't help being Black "Hello" Looked up the SGN online to subscribe again, since a couple years away and what do I find "Pink Guns". Oh Man, Not SGN too. You know I have a friend who's brother is a registered pedophile. He asked me a few years ago why I wouldn't talk to him anymore or want to invite him over like, old times in school etc. My answer was simple I DO NOT LIKE YOU, NOR DO I WANT TO BE AROUND YOU ANYMORE. My point is I chose not to be around or associate with his deranged beliefs and behaviors. Which is still considered by law and society as immoral. Not so long ago society and law considered homosexuality immoral also. Wonder were pedophilia will be in 20 or 30 years. I can see it know SGN aligns itself with the PFGO (pedophiles for gun ownership) Group because gun owners need all the support they can get. Sounds real stupid doesn't it????? You were right however, about how if we don't like something, we can turn it off, walk away, change the channel or just not subscribe……..
guest

Although I may not agree with homosexuality or the promotion of it, as American citizens, the Second Amendment applies to all law abiding citizens.
David K

Thank you, now who do we vote for. I'm a member of the NRA and I support gay rights. My uncle was gay and I'm proud to have know him. He and I attended many Packer games together and he showed me the face often hidden in the closet.
Afraid to Say

A distant relative of mine recently friended me on Facebook, browsing her “Likes” and wall posts I noticed quite a few pro-gun items and anti Obama postings. My first instinct was that this relative must be totally against me. Why on earth would she even friend me, I thought.

She knows I’m openly gay and support President Obama. Don’t most people who hate the president and love guns want to do away with people like me?

I needed to back up this assumption first though. After all, I had no evidence of this… I’m not really sure WHY I felt that way. Anyway, with the help of Google I wound up here. What a surprise that was!

Now my thoughts have changed. Perhaps there are only a few gun owners that would like to see me dead. Perhaps there are quite a few “normal” (normal meaning not wanting to kill me) gun owners out there who don’t hate me just because of what I do behind my private closed doors.

My position on guns reflects my personal experiences with them. When I was 12 my brother took me out shooting. As we walked through the desert on the way to where ever the “cans” were setup, I walked behind him and was checking out the rifle he lent me. As I was looking at it and walking, I must have tripped or something and suddenly the gun went off narrowly missing my brothers head. Boy was he upset with me, hearing the bullet whiz by. A simple gun class would’ve prevented that near tragedy. Maybe I would have known there was a safety on it and to actually use it.

Another time a close friend of mine was suicidal and was threatening to go out and buy a gun and end it all. Luckily I talked him out of it, but what if I wasn’t there? If there were a couple day waiting period, he might of had time to realize he didn’t want to die or someone else could’ve talked him out of it and there would be no tragedy.

My third experience is with my uncle who used his fathers gun to end his life when he was a teen. Family rumor is that he was gay and his father extremely anti-gay and that was the reason. Anyway, a gun class that included the possibility of children using the gun for suicide or playing with them and accidentally getting shot might have led his father to secure the gun from the son, thereby preventing his death.

I think the policy on guns should be similar to the requirements for driving and owning a car. You need to register and license your car. To drive it you must learn the rules of the road and pass a test to drive one. There are limits on the age you must be to drive as well. If you drive an 18 wheeler you must get a special license and pass special tests for that, why not have the special test for the “assault weapons”? In addition, there are rules about what kind of vehicles you can drive, I don’t think any state will let you drive a tank on the open roads. Certain vehicles are not allowed on certain roads as well.

I hope you don’t get any additional unsubscribers, Hmmm, maybe I’ll subscribe… what the hell.

The Guns & Ammo Network

Shotgun News

Gay Pride, Gun Pride: Round 2

Conservation Partners