The Partisan Divide on Issues

[David Horn]

(02-19-2021, 02:02 PM)Bob Butler 54 Wrote:

(02-19-2021, 01:25 PM)Eric the Green Wrote: It is interesting that the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and neo-Nazis/confederates did not bring their AR-15s with them to the Capitol invasion on Jan.6th. Open carry is not legal in DC, and I guess the militias would have to shoot their way in. I do have some concern whether national guard and DC troops would be ready for them. They could invade the Capitol again anytime during the 4T until 2029 and murder our legislators and our vice president. They are THAT crazy and mean. 

Personally I think AR-15s and all guns should be forcibly confiscated from any known militia groups. While necessary to prevent future civil invasions, this action could itself spark the civil war. Of course these AR-15 weapons and other military assault rifles should be illegal, but there are so many out there now that confiscating them from everyone who already has one would be impractical. But another Capitol invasion (including invasions of state capitols or any other place the militias or other crazy individuals or groups hate) is a definite danger now, and I don't trust the right-wing not to do what Classic Xer suggests it will do. I think this kind of small civil-war is likely to be the final act of our 4T. Jan.6th could be just a dress rehearsal. Our permissive gun laws all these years coupled with our national psychosis make this kind of event almost guaranteed to happen again and again.

I suspect if the long arms had been spotted well before the barriers were breached, they would have given up their intent.  They were also acting under the cover of the action of less violent sorta protestors.  These would have run rather than staying in the middle of a lethal firefight.  I suspect that billy clubs and lacrosse sticks were as far as they insurgents were wanting to go.

Removing a constitutional right would require due process.  Just being a member of an organization does not make you a felon, though enough felonies were committed on January sixth.  A bunch of people are apt to lose their right to own and carry weapons.  I suspect you will have to be content with that.

I see a put-up-or-shut-up effort building. It's obvious that we have a nascent anarchist movement in this country, that has no problem using firearms to make its point.  We also have a SCOTUS tilted as far right as the one from the late 19th century.  Someone will get a case in front of them that will force them to settle the issue of just how much the right to bear arms allows.  Depending on the result, it will be game-on, with the losing ideology turning up the heat on the issue.  My guess: the right will be expanded a lot, and the already growing majority opposing that POV will finally organize to change it.  Successfully?  TBD.