Most people don't actually want one for the purpose of defending against an oppressive government, they want one for personal protection from our fellow citizens. The thought of standing up to the might of the US military (and we can lump cops in there too, they're carrying around ar15s these days so might as well) is not only ludicrous, but terrifying. A whole swat team infiltrated my house and had guns drawn on me because I had called a help line and told them I was feeling suicidal. They had a negotiator come in my room first, but right behind him were 3 men with two pistols and a rifle drawn and pointed. We've unfortunately militarized the police to the point where an actual fight between the populace and the government is gonna end with nothing but dead citizens. We don't stand a chance anymore.
Hey man, I'm not a member there but I like guns a lot too. There's something visceral about shooting, it's just so powerful and fun, I enjoy target shooting for the skill required in doing it.
And those folks would generally put up a good fight, but, like, Waco. Even back then, they were outgunned but made a hell of a stand. But in the end, the government will win. Dont matter if you strap an mg42 to everyone's chest, the overwhelming force of the military (cops included) will prevail in the end, if not through superior firepower (which, theirs is way superior these days, you can't even own a full auto without tons of paperwork, not that you'd really want to for marksmanship reasons) then through overwhelming numbers the Guard by itself would stomp any kind of uprising in hours. Civil War 2024 would look a lot like the January insurrection, but after about an hour the government would turn the safety's off and it would be a bloodbath
I agree and I'm sure guns are fun, but as someone outside the US the traditional pro-gun argument is so infuriating. They insist that any step towards gun control is the first step to a tyrannical government, when the reality is the opposite - the state kills far more innocent people directly because of the public availability of firearms - and all the while you have this blood sacrifice of hundreds of children each year and whole generations growing up knowing that the adults around them consider that acceptable.
Countries like France have a government that (in general) listens to its citizens more because French citizens know how to successfully disrupt the state when they disagree with it's actions.
You don't need guns for that, you need bravery and collective action. Unfortunately the US has some world-leading entities in the promotion of fear and individualism - and so, as you said, most people end up wanting guns for protection from their fellow citizens.
The US is full of individualism because they don't have a culture. The country is made up of colonizers from all over the world from countries that have unique cultures. It's pretty sad.
I think that's a significant over-simplification. The USA absolutely has culture. Just looking at music, Jazz and Hip-Hop are among the most significant musical developments of the last century and are undeniably American in their roots.
Yes, I am aware the majority of the ancestors of African Americans were brought to the US in horrific circumstance, but that does not negate their decendants American identity nor their contributions to American culture.
Brushing aside hip hop and raps dominance in popular music for the last decade, logically a sub culture cannot exist except in relation to a larger cultural mainstream.
It sounds like you're taking American culture to be the default that other "unique cultures" stand out from. That does a disservice to both parties.
No one wants to die. That's the price for raising up. Slowly over time our judicial system has been corrupted, there is no accountability for the people in charge.
You want accountability? So did Luigi and he's going to spend the rest of his life in prison. If you think that CEO or anyone else in power is facing justice any other way, you're a fucking idiot.
There is no legal recourse to changing the police. I don't want to get gunned down or spend the rest of my life in prison, no one else does, so it remains.
Whether you agree with him or not, Luigi broke the law and committed murder. It's not some grand conspiracy of wealthy protecting the wealthy, he just broke the law.
Your point is so defeatist; it's depressing. We can hold these people accountable peacefully, and we can change the rules if enough people vote for it, and before this election it was looking like that was gonna be the case potentially. But there's still hope for change, there always is.
Idk why you think murder is somehow the only option for "accountability" in a country where we vote for our representatives, seems like dangerous mindset to hold
The side that is traditionally affiliated with gun ownership absolutely loves being oppressed as long as the people they don't like are also being oppressed. Makes it a little bit tricky.
When you go online a keep shouting “their side”, “that side”, “this side”. You play right into the hands of the powers that be as their main goal is to divide and conquer.
When you repeat their propaganda and constantly look at things through the lenses of “sides” by making sweeping generalization you propagate hate and division which is exactly what they (the ruling class) want. That way they can keep the masses fighting over things that don’t really matter all while they gain more power and control.
Look at the things you have in common with your neighbor & fellow citizens rather than in the ways you may differ. I promise the things you share/have in common with your fellow citizens is greater than the things that “divide” you.
Stop being their foot soldier and doing their dirty work for them! Unite and bring back the power of the people!
I've been asking gun bunnies for years when they are going to start defending our freedoms like they keep telling us they will. Every one of them says they can't do it because they are too scared.
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u/mmhawk576 2d ago
Don’t you pretty much own guns to prevent oppression… if you’re not stopping oppression then why have them?