Can you be a Progressive Democrat and still the support the Second Amendment?

[TXCritter]

160. OK, an actual answer to your strategy question

First, consider when the 2d was ratified. It was 1791.
At that time, the States had more autonomy than they have today. Since then the 14th Amendment was ratified which limits States' power in the same way that the Federal Government is limited.

So, I contend that prior to the ratification of 14th Amendment, the States had more freedom to regulate guns than they have now.

I live in Texas and if I were running for federal office my position would follow that analysis. I would take the position that I will not support further FEDERAL limitations on gun ownership. I would then allow for support of an Amendment which unbinds the States from the limitations of the 2d. i.e. Make gun control an explicitly States' rights issue and forever remove it from the federal election cycle.

The argument is simple - the needs of Texas rancher and the needs of coastal urbanite are extremely different. Population density, culture, educational approaches - all of these factors make a one-size-fits all approach to gun control impossible.

The only people served by the federal gun-debate cycle are the arms dealers who laugh all the way to the bank every time a democrat is elected POTUS.

Take this issue away from the federal cycle and the Republicans have nothing left to stand on.


Now, if I were running for STATE office my position would vary depending on the state I live in. Different solutions will serve different states better.