Should guns be banned at all protests

[HomerJS]

IMO - This current political climate it is too volatile to allow guns at protests. If you feel you need that kind of protection stay home. You don’t have to attend protests.

Others have said and I agree some angry nut with a gun will get involved in an altercation and shots will be fired. More people in the country will feel threatened and go buy more guns. More and more people will show up armed and civil war will ensue.

 

[sandorski]

Yes, it's a no-brainer.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

No.

Honestly it's high time libs started arming themselves.

No, I don't think guns belong at protests *yet* but the instant the brown shirts comes in heavy with truncheons, rubber bullets, water cannons, sonic weapons etc I don't think it would be the worst thing to have a contingent of riflemen keeping the cops honest.

 

[nickqt]

Only if police are also barred from carrying firearms at protests.

 

[Jaskalas]

IMO - This current political climate it is too volatile to allow guns at protests. If you feel you need that kind of protection stay home. You don’t have to attend protests.

Others have said and I agree some angry nut with a gun will get involved in an altercation and shots will be fired. More people in the country will feel threatened and go buy more guns. More and more people will show up armed and civil war will ensue.

Are you saying we shouldn't devolve into violence against MAGA?
I understand the appeal of avoiding it, to pretend America can continue. But I question if our Democracy and our Elections will exist in any meaningful way. Which case I present my original question. I am conflicted, but I do not see a scenario where escalation is not necessary. Perhaps I am getting ahead of myself, and people still do not comprehend what MAGA is, and what it will do.

In 2016 they said fake news.
In 2020 they wanted to overturn our election with a coup.

In 2020 they massively screwed up a crisis response.
In 2025 they are creating the crisis themselves.

If you think this is bad, wait until they have another 4 years to evolve. 2028/2029 is still going to shock you.

 

[HomerJS]

Another reason not to allow guns at protests

https://www.reddit.com/r/ProtestFinderUSA/comments/1jt1dot/lafayette_indiana_protestor_arrested_for_standing

 

[Moonbeam]

IMO - This current political climate it is too volatile to allow guns at protests. If you feel you need that kind of protection stay home. You don’t have to attend protests.

Others have said and I agree some angry nut with a gun will get involved in an altercation and shots will be fired. More people in the country will feel threatened and go buy more guns. More and more people will show up armed and civil war will ensue.

Think this through. Somebody will bring a gun and then a bunch more people will bring guns to protect themselves from such a mad man. Why not just bring the gun to the first instant and blow the shooter away. This will reduce the tendency for people to start shooting at protests, no? I think your logic is being blinded by fear of guns. Most people stop shooting when they get shot.

 

[sdifox]

Nope. Americans have long demonstrated they care about guns more than lives. Time to open the tap.

 

[amenx]

Sick of these Kyle Rittenhouse wannabes

https://twitter.com/x/status/1908875830643872105

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Given the unenforcability of such a thing, I don't see why only lawbreakers should have the monopoly on self defense.

Bit like asking if canine teeth should be banned on the pasture. I'm sure the sheep would say yes but the wolves aren't gonna listen to you, so let the sheep get to chomping too.

 

[HomerJS]

Think this through. Somebody will bring a gun and then a bunch more people will bring guns to protect themselves from such a mad man. Why not just bring the gun to the first instant and blow the shooter away. This will reduce the tendency for people to start shooting at protests, no? I think your logic is being blinded by fear of guns. Most people stop shooting when they get shot.

Your scenario ends with many people getting shot and killed not just the Trump nutter.

We also have the following...

If police show up after a shooting and people that look like me are brandishing guess who police are shooting first? Despite how it started.

Remember the Auora movie theater shooting? If ten other people were packing, is it very likely more people would have been killed in the crossfire. Also, same thing when police show up. They shoot the first black person they see. If you think I'm exaggerating, I have an example.

 

[cytg111]

I guess there is an argument to be made for start drilling early ... If the predictions of another CW come to pass you dont want to show up with out the gear.

On the other hand openly carrying at protests might be what Trump needs to declare an emergency and deploy troops.

 

[sdifox]

I guess there is an argument to be made for start drilling early ... If the predictions of another CW come to pass you dont want to show up with out the gear.

On the other hand openly carrying at protests might be what Trump needs to declare an emergency and deploy troops.

He doesn't need any excuses. He'll just proclaim it and it will be true. Like congress is going to stop him.

 

[nakedfrog]

No.

Honestly it's high time libs started arming themselves.

No, I don't think guns belong at protests *yet* but the instant the brown shirts comes in heavy with truncheons, rubber bullets, water cannons, sonic weapons etc I don't think it would be the worst thing to have a contingent of riflemen keeping the cops honest.

This appears to already be happening.
And people are already carrying at protests, some concealed, some open. Not sure if more open carries would dissuade the gravy seals who think all the non-fascists hate guns though, their news sources probably tell them everyone to the left of center does (and obviously where they think "center" is may not accurately reflect reality).

Another reason not to allow guns at protests

https://www.reddit.com/r/ProtestFinderUSA/comments/1jt1dot/lafayette_indiana_protestor_arrested_for_standing

Well, there's no information there, the GoFundMe is gone, and I can't find any arrests associated with it.

 

[nakedfrog]

Sick of these Kyle Rittenhouse wannabes

https://twitter.com/x/status/1908875830643872105

Perfect representative, from the big truck to the big belly peeking out under the sweatshirt.

 

[Moonbeam]

Your scenario ends with many people getting shot and killed not just the Trump nutter.

We also have the following...

If police show up after a shooting and people that look like me are brandishing guess who police are shooting first? Despite how it started.

Remember the Auora movie theater shooting? If ten other people were packing, is it very likely more people would have been killed in the crossfire. Also, same thing when police show up. They shoot the first black person they see. If you think I'm exaggerating, I have an example.

I was just expressing an opinion as if l thought it were rational. I do believe there is nothing immoral about self defense including with firearms it to me guns are like collecting sea shells, rocks, coins, or pottery. They are intrinsically satisfying to have. I also love owning tools.

So for me the idea of protesting violently, or dealing with the issues that might arise if I did, are just not topically relevant to me. I try to live in the now, dealing with what is before me, surrendered to whatever may happen down the road. Being prepared for the future the insanity of others may bring to me is like being suckered into also playing the insanity game.

There is only one revolution that really matters or will fix anything in my opinion and it is one that can happen only within. To change the world all you can do is try to subtract one crazy person from it and maybe mention it to others they might want to do the same.

 

[HomerJS]

I was just expressing an opinion as if l thought it were rational. I do believe there is nothing immoral about self defense including with firearms it to me guns are like collecting sea shells, rocks, coins, or pottery. They are intrinsically satisfying to have. I also love owning tools.

So for me the idea of protesting violently, or dealing with the issues that might arise if I did, are just not topically relevant to me. I try to live in the now, dealing with what is before me, surrendered to whatever may happen down the road. Being prepared for the future the insanity of others may bring to me is like being suckered into also playing the insanity game.

There is only one revolution that really matters or will fix anything in my opinion and it is one that can happen only within. To change the world all you can do is try to subtract one crazy person from it and maybe mention it to others they might want to do the same.

If you show up at a peaceful protest open carrying an AR that is NOT self defense that is self OFFENSE.

 

[Moonbeam]

If you show up at a peaceful protest open carrying an AR that is NOT self defense that is self OFFENSE.

I would only argue the relevance of that point for me. I avoid crowds as they are a prerequisite for mass psychotic outbreaks, stampedes, etc. and open carry in California is illegal. Also the effort to get a concealed permit is more trouble than it is worth to me. Like most of us Californians, I am unarmed and all of my guns at home are empty, many disassembled. I have generally lost interest in them as I don't have a place to go out in nature to relax and shoot targets which I would like to do nor do I have room to desplay them as pieces of art. Again, too much effort to bother with. Periodically they perk my interest and I may one day get back to them.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

If you show up at a peaceful protest open carrying an AR that is NOT self defense that is self OFFENSE.

Unfortunately today I'd trust a hippie with an AR strapped across their back over someone with a MAGA hat and a bulky jacket.

 

[pauldun170]

IMO - This current political climate it is too volatile to allow guns at protests. If you feel you need that kind of protection stay home. You don’t have to attend protests.

Others have said and I agree some angry nut with a gun will get involved in an altercation and shots will be fired. More people in the country will feel threatened and go buy more guns. More and more people will show up armed and civil war will ensue.

Depends on where they fall on the color wheel