Christian Science Monitor has an interesting story on the rapid spread of gun-friendly laws in the US.  Related to it, they have a story on "Right-wing 'patriot' groups girding for actual class warfare, report says"  The report is from the Southern Poverty Law Center.  Here's a quote from the story:

Specific ideas include pushback to the United Nations Agenda 21 “smart growth” treaty; lingering questions about Mr. Obama's citizenship, highlighted last week by an independent investigation into Obama's eligibility by Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona; whispers about FEMA building concentration camps; rumors of covert plans by Mexico to repatriate parts of the Southwest; and concerns about Muslim Sharia law becoming part of the US court system.

Patriot groups are also pushing state legislation to rebuff the National Defense Authorization Act, signed by Obama in December, which allows the US to detain without arrest American citizens believed to be involved in terrorism, which is widely seen in the patriot community as a constitutional breach.

3%

... Too bad no one wants to talk about the "well-regulated militia" part.

Can't be too careful these days as the last several presidents keep taking.

Do the really think of themselves as "The Patriot community"?

How cute.

That's the sort of term that social scientists and/or journalists invent. 

For those with NY Times access, Paul Krugman's column today is interesting.

"Gun Nation" / "Patriot Community"

We have this thing called the 2nd ammendment....something about the "right to bear arms" . Very much open to interpretation. Certainly the reality of modern society changes how this is viewed. I am a gun owner and Life NRA member. This does not mean that I am in lock step with the NRA contemporary philosophy.

First and foremost my interest in gun owner ship is a hobby. I like to target shoot and collect hand guns. It is a natural offshoot of this hobby that has prompted me to also hold a concealed carry license.

The reality of modern society is such that the police are not able to protect the public. There just is not enough of them. There are too many horrific incidents where people were killed and it could have been prevented or minimalized if someone was in position to return fire.

All a concealed weapons permit does is: provide a small standard of training in how you can legally defend yourself, and let LEO s know this.

I shoot at several ranges in Central Florida regularly. I find for the most part, the people there are just like me. They have the same interests as I do relating to gun ownership. I also encounter many LEO s. ( oh sorry...law enforecement officers)

Occasionally I encounter someone who may be too enthusiastic. A small minority that have the notion that when the end of the world comes they will be left standing because they have more ammo, a higher caliber and more canned goods than the rest of us. I had an encounter with one of these gentlemen a fews weeks ago. Its a very crowded day at a large, public , outdoor range. I find a slot next to a large dude, wearing all black with a large American flag on the back with the "don't tread on me" logo. dude has a bag full of pistols and is firing a mag with each one. I'm using my S&W 327. ( its an 8 shot 357 revolver ) I use very light reloaded .38s on the range. Some how I decided to f with homer. I reload with the large cal 357 mags...you know lots of grains. BOOOOM. dude backs off the line, pulls of his ear protection. Drops a GD on me. I look at him with a shit eating grin and say : "sound of freedom ain't it"? STG dude packs his gear and splits. One shot. People next to me start laughing out loud. I reload with the soft .38s.

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So if you are a surfer I wish you the prosperity that allows you more time to pursue the salt water dream, and the true happiness that comes from warm water, clean waves and the companionship of your fellow surfers. If you are an internet troll just spewing bs then f off.

Cops do not carry guns to protect you, they carry guns to protect themselves.  I think that simple truth can explain why someone would entertain responsible gun ownership. 

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

Chances state lawmakers will strike the deadly force law from the books: Nil.

Chances it will be amended: Slight.

Chances the NRA will get to boast of a win: High.

MIAMI HERALD