TPM Reader MV says don’t dismiss it entirely …
Just wanted to weigh in on the “Red Dawn” fantasy part of the debate. For me, that’s actually the only pro-gun argument that resonates. No, it’s not something that could happen anytime in the near future, and no, citizens with assault rifles (or any other guns) aren’t going to win an all-out war against any modern developed country’s military. What guns do however, is basically guarantee bloodshed if the government ever does take a hard turn to tyranny. That bloodshed is itself a significant deterrent, even if its the revolters’ blood. Just as Tienanmen Square is still a very sensitive issue with the Chinese government, any major bloodshed event is a big deal for a would-be tyrant.
From TPM Reader DM …
Hey Josh, NYC liberal here, been with TPM since the beginning, major supporter of gun control. I have a bit of insight on the “red dawn” fantasy that may be helpful and wanted to give it a bit more thought rather than simply dismissing it, because I do believe it is a big
motivator on the other side.But it is not “red dawn”, rather it is a fantasy/fear about what would happen if the government loses control, particularly say if the power goes out for an extended period of time.
From TPM Reader EW …
In VT, during hunting season last fall, one saw pickups with gun racks on the side of the roads. Many of the trucks had Obama bumper stickers on them. So VT is different. It has no gun laws at all, yet it is way down the list in terms of gun deaths, but not near the bottom.
TPM Reader JN checks in …
I don’t know if you have gotten any comments like mine, but here goes. It’s more than the self-aggrandizing Red Dawn Fantasy. It’s about what many blue collar white males claim to fear but secretly hope for-a race war.