tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204770193819266018.post3235991894129081592..comments2023-03-23T08:44:59.633-04:00Comments on Beretta Blog: AmbassadorBerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13534172546238171038noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204770193819266018.post-31542508749207807132012-04-12T10:43:14.382-04:002012-04-12T10:43:14.382-04:00You are correct that there is more to this issue a...You are correct that there is more to this issue and being a responsible, educated voter is a significant way to "effect" and "influence" the protection of our rights and should have been included in the article. A good Ambassador would include researching and understanding where our elected officials stand and then exercising the privilege of voting and getting involved in the process. I think this "conservative vs liberal" generalization divides. We each need to know our values and support those officials that will work to uphold them through action, regardless of political party. Thanks for sharing!Carrie Lightfoothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14592491375470311540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204770193819266018.post-30261483254760931722012-04-12T01:24:13.689-04:002012-04-12T01:24:13.689-04:00I’m a proud owner of two Beretta shotguns, a CCW h...I’m a proud owner of two Beretta shotguns, a CCW holder and a member of USPSA. I’ve owned guns throughout my life, and I fully appreciate the need to safeguard our Second Amendment rights. <br /><br />But there’s a lot more to this issue. <br /><br />One aspect of ambassadorship that Carrie doesn’t mention is the need to engage with elected officials from both parties. There are far too many gun owners who see a “D” next to an elected official’s name and immediately conclude that the official must be part of the “foaming at the mouth” crowd looking to restrict gun rights. In the vast majority of cases, that’s simply not true. Particularly in the West, many (if not most) Democrats embrace the same traditions of gun ownership that are often claimed by Republicans. <br /><br />I’ve heard countless gun enthusiasts express the fear that President Obama wants to limit gun rights. There have been record sales, year after year, since he’s been in office. And yet, he’s done absolutely nothing – let me repeat – nothing -- to impinge on Second Amendment rights. <br /><br />The reality is that conservative media outlets have perpetuated the myth that all Democrats favor gun control, and all conservatives oppose it. That one issue is a litmus test for many, and the GOP has succeeded in convincing a sizeable number of Americans that regardless of economic and social policies, they should support Republicans based on this one issue. <br /><br />As gun owners, we do our cause a great disservice by equating gun rights with only one political party. The best way to protect our Second Amendment rights is to stop presuming that Democrats are the enemy. Responsible gun ownership is entirely consistent with liberal ideals. The left can, and should, embrace gun owners as a voting block. Gun owners can, and should, embrace liberal ideals. The only reason that gun rights are not firmly established as a platform of the Democratic party is that gun owners have written off Democrats ( and vice versa). It’s time to change that attitude on both sides.Emthreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08093443720869722969noreply@blogger.com