It's been a real treat, here in MA, since the election. The level of butthurt has been off the charts. Then we'll add the SJW nonsense, and now the Las Vegas shooting.

Everyone who knows me, at work and socially, knows I collect firearms and am knowledgeable. In the past, people have come with questions about laws or firearms themselves.

In Trumpian times, all I've gotten is people coming at me with all the old standby's of anti-gun "logic."

Frankly, this has been exhausting. But, I'm not about to move or give up, or anything of the sort. Through the years, when people found out that I'd grown up in MA, much less moved BACK as an adult, they'd just tell me to leave the state.

No, no. This place was the birthplace of our nation. I'm a traditional Yankee, which actually means Republican, and libertarian. Not what it _now_ means.

Also, I know that if society ever collapses, I'll be an instant warlord here. That's beside the point though.

So, for as long as I've been back in MA, but certainly since Trumps election, and after each high profile mass shooting, I've had repeated conversations with very upset people.

It's very simple.

Stick to the facts, and let dawn break over blockhead.

With this most recent shooting, more of the conversations I've had, have been about repealing the second amendment. It's something to see the eyes of a person, once they realize the potential real consequences, should that actually happen.

I don't think I've changed any minds, but that isn't actually my goal. I'll talk to anyone, and I'll do it coolly and logically. I'll take apart all of their assumptions and learned arguments. I'll not "win," but I'll leave them with the kernels of sand that undermine what they think they know.

I'm not in MA with them. They're in MA with me.

Vigilance. 'Cause somebody has to have it.

And as the 'Warlord of MN', I wish to make an alliance with you, when the time comes.

H&K-Guy

I lack the patience for so much stupid.

I believe you know what the original people that were responsible for the founding and preserving (the actual men who fought before and after as well as during all the smoke and noise), felt and lived, as the majority were either happy with what the Crown allowed them, as well as "provided" them or were whiny and boisterous about what they hated, yet were still a constant pain in the ass to the men who dared spit in the eye of the King's men.

You have my respect for standing where you are, and I would welcome you in the state I am in, in a minute, and be grateful for having someone with grit.

If one is form me or with me, he is not against me.

I'm sure the banners in Massacheusetts can hang on forever, but I kind of wonder whether the way things are loosening up gradually in the rest of the country will eventually have an effect on state laws there.

quote:

Originally posted by H&K-Guy:
Vigilance. 'Cause somebody has to have it.

And as the 'Warlord of MN', I wish to make an alliance with you, when the time comes.

H&K-Guy

Done.

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:
I lack the patience for so much stupid.

Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
I believe you know what the original people that were responsible for the founding and preserving (the actual men who fought before and after as well as during all the smoke and noise), felt and lived, as the majority were either happy with what the Crown allowed them, as well as "provided" them or were whiny and boisterous about what they hated, yet were still a constant pain in the ass to the men who dared spit in the eye of the King's men.

You have my respect for standing where you are, and I would welcome you in the state I am in, in a minute, and be grateful for having someone with grit.

If one is form me or with me, he is not against me.

I think what Freedom is, has been distorted in a lot of urbanized areas. Certainly in metro Boston, even with its history and connections to the birth of the nation so close, the concentration of wealth and colleges has begun a rot.

I don't think it's irreversible. Drive 20 miles outside of Boston and you'll see that it's just the beginning of southern NH.

Growing up, my family being from ME and NH, there was always a very "mind your business," and "fuck government" attitude. I think right now most people see the Northeast as either leftist elites or dirty hippies, but let me tell you that "Leave me the fuck alone" is a more traditional New England idea. Leave me alone, I leave you alone. Don't start none, won't be none.

I have to say, that one of the major points I've been able to make, during some laborious conversations, after they've told me about their fear, and how dangerous guns are etc. etc, is when I remind them that I'm still the same person, and I'm still armed. This has a calming effect, because they remember who I am.

Frankly, gun owners who are "behind enemy lines" like me, need to be "out and proud," but not perhaps in the same parade and assless pants way that "out and proud" is typically meant.

I should also mention that before discussing gun control, I have to work them through the "Hillary Clinton is a piece of shit" part of the reality check.

I love America, and Ben Shapiro is currently my hero.

Coolly and logically. Yes.

Somedays I wonder what happened up there. I'm a South Shore guy, small town, 15 minutes from Boston or the beach at Duxbury. We said the Pledge of Allegiance every day, followed by My Country Tis Of Thee. We celebrated Columbus and the Pilgrims not as conquerors but as heroes. Everyone I grew up with came from a working class family, if you didn't see them at mass on Sunday it was because they went to the Saturday evening service. Every family had some type of gun, mostly for hunting, but they had one. I got my FID card when I was 15, and the local PD firearms instructor was my teacher. We all got jobs at 16 (got my paper route at 10) and we were respectful. Field trips to the Museum of Science, Plymouth Plantation, Lexington and Concord. Celebrating Patriots Day.

I visit now and just...ugg...it hurts my brain. My family is very conservative, I'm pretty sure only my mom voted for Hillary (Jack Kennedy was a God, and a Democrat, so we must always vote that way...). I was out to dinner with my mom a few years ago and her husband asked me if I would ever consider moving back. I laughed and said no way, I prefer Free America. I graduated in '92, left in '94, and that is no longer the same place I grew up in.

Keep up the good fight.

quote:

Originally posted by mbinky:
Somedays I wonder what happened up there.

I'm certain it boils down to wealth and colleges, and the Kennedys didn't help.

It's nice and soft here, and the wealthy are very sure they're smart. Now, they aren't dumb, because seldom is someone who is wealthy really dumb, unless they straight up inherited it.

For decades, and even more today, Boston has had a class problem. Even now, with all of the wealthy democrats, good luck finding an apartment if you're not well off, but need a job near the city. If you can't find an apartment, you'll need a car, or access to the rail and a lot of time.

Boston is BOOMING right now. But, the middle is gutted.

For all the political awareness, and "Resist" bumper stickers on the Benzs, people are in no hurry to change the balance of wealth here. It's textbook hypocrisy.

They are so insulated, that the daily shootings in Boston and other major metro areas, don't make any impact. But, ooooboy, some nut shoots up a concert..

Seriously, these assholes and many like them, have no idea that the classification of "mass shooting" they embrace, happens with stolen handguns, and monthly.

They have NO idea what the reality is. They just hear the leaf blowers, and Amazon drivers. Meanwhile Dorchester or Hyde Park is still a war zone.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:....With this most recent shooting, more of the conversations I've had, have been about repealing the second amendment. It's something to see the eyes of a person, once they realize the potential real consequences, should that actually happen....

I live in the Bay Area, CA, know full well what it means to be behind enemy lines. As to repealing the second amendment, I have wondered to myself, what if Hilary were POTUS, no 2A, she and her minions were the only ones with firearms. Would society have more peace/prosperity/liberty, or less.

I think we both know the answer to that.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
I have to say, that one of the major points I've been able to make, during some laborious conversations, after they've told me about their fear, and how dangerous guns are etc. etc, is when I remind them that I'm still the same person, and I'm still armed. This has a calming effect, because they remember who I am.

Frankly, gun owners who are "behind enemy lines" like me, need to be "out and proud," but not perhaps in the same parade and assless pants way that "out and proud" is typically meant.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^This

Good folks have endured decades of left wing ideology, effectively propagandized through main stream media and entertainment.

Time and fatigue has silenced our voice to a whisper. The lefts new standard appears to be your wrong, no discussion necessary. Who wants to be that guy shouted down by id-gets?

The 1st amendment is first for a reason. Sane citizens prefer handling differences through reasoned debate. The 2ond amendment is a last resort solution.

Yes, Trump is president and doing his part to make America great again. As strong as Trumps voice is, ours must join his to effect MAGA. Amen and stand up to show support for those who do speak out. Vocally supporting what you know is right might well become contagious and effective.

I've lived in ME and NY and the people in small towns are just like people from the south. Much like large southern cities are like NE cities.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:

quote:

Originally posted by mbinky:
Somedays I wonder what happened up there.

I'm certain it boils down to wealth and colleges, and the Kennedys didn't help.

It's nice and soft here, and the wealthy are very sure they're smart. Now, they aren't dumb, because seldom is someone who is wealthy really dumb, unless they straight up inherited it.

For decades, and even more today, Boston has had a class problem. Even now, with all of the wealthy democrats, good luck finding an apartment if you're not well off, but need a job near the city. If you can't find an apartment, you'll need a car, or access to the rail and a lot of time.

Boston is BOOMING right now. But, the middle is gutted.

For all the political awareness, and "Resist" bumper stickers on the Benzs, people are in no hurry to change the balance of wealth here. It's textbook hypocrisy.

They are so insulated, that the daily shootings in Boston and other major metro areas, don't make any impact. But, ooooboy, some nut shoots up a concert..

Seriously, these assholes and many like them, have no idea that the classification of "mass shooting" they embrace, happens with stolen handguns, and monthly.

They have NO idea what the reality is. They just hear the leaf blowers, and Amazon drivers. Meanwhile Dorchester or Hyde Park is still a war zone.

My wife and I are coming to Boston on the 14th for six days for some sightseeing and a side trip down to Milton to visit the house my Dad and uncle grew up in.

Thank God I'm a cop and can carry under HR 218.

The last time i was in Boston was 1963, my oldest sister moved back (Hyannis) in 1973 and married into "the" Smith family. She and they are those you fight. So far left and work feaverishly to seat/crown Hillary.

So, I realize not all are cut of that cloth. And hope the pendulum may swing back.

I feel your pain!

There's a few of us fighting the good fight in Chicago, too.

(The chair is up against the wall)

"For all the political awareness, and "Resist" bumper stickers on the Benzs, people are in no hurry to change the balance of wealth here. It's textbook hypocrisy.

They are so insulated, that the daily shootings in Boston and other major metro areas, don't make any impact. But, ooooboy, some nut shoots up a concert..

Seriously, these assholes and many like them, have no idea that the classification of "mass shooting" they embrace, happens with stolen handguns, and monthly.

They have NO idea what the reality is. They just hear the leaf blowers, and Amazon drivers. Meanwhile Dorchester or Hyde Park is still a war zone."

Absolutely NO difference here.
On Chicago's Dorchester Street they are dropping dead like it's a new national sport.

Our Hyde Park is exactly what the Liberals deserve. University of Chicago, Ground Zero for obama... It's an EXTREMLY liberal island surrounded by a sea of savages that continually burglarize and rob the sheep.

"Oh, we cant sign the complaint Officer. Society made them like that. They are poor and underprivileged...."

Then we have the "Limousine Liberals" on the Gold Coast... Just throw money at the problem. Scream "Somebody (else) do something!" because they cant be bothered to ever roll their sleeves up and get dirty. They always want/need someone else to do the heavy lifting for them.

Littered with obama/hillary/feel the bern/resist/sjw stickers...

Arc, I'm living in the San Francisco Bay Area! I feel your pain!

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
The last time i was in Boston was 1963, my oldest sister moved back (Hyannis) in 1973 and married into "the" Smith family. She and they are those you fight. So far left and work feaverishly to seat/crown Hillary.

So, I realize not all are cut of that cloth. And hope the pendulum may swing back.

Scary. I spent my summers next to the "compound" we used to swim out to the point and get chased away by the SS. My great uncle had a home out there. We used to launch kites on the beach and wait to get chased away. We would watch Rose go into Sunday mass up on Main Street. Downtown Hyannis was my stomping ground back in the 80's.

As a life long San Franciscan and a 4th Gen to boot, I've seen the slide ever increase over the decades.
Everything you describe about New England is encapsulated just North of here in Marin country. Little waterfront towns, with toney neighborhoods, lush greenery with exclusive private schools littered all over the place and boutique farms to the west. Every women has a LLBean canvas tote and every guy owns several pairs of corduroy pants with a Patagonia vest. Low income housing, you mean the condos are over there? minorities, oh, we love them, fight the power right, just get back over the bridge when the sun goes down, mkay.

The rest of the Bay Area is made up of transplants straight out of college. Tech, finance, design, education...they're all the same; graduated from a private university from back east, gonna spend 12-years out here, make sure to attend all the 'West Coast reunion' parties, find a spouse who's doing the same and move back as the cost of living is too much for a young family.