The question of gun rights?

[ComradeAV]

As you all know we as revolutionary leftists are 100% for the right of the proletariat to bear arms. But the question which I wish to ask, shud we at the present moments align with right wing groups who also are for the right to bear arms? Basically shud we stand behind right wing groups on this issue? I am highly against aligning reactionary and right wing groups for any reason whatsoever, but I just want to know what everyone else feels.

[Tablo]

I don't think we should align with right-wing groups for any reason. Gun rights should be approached as a single issue so that it requires neither a "left" or "right" alignment to support it.

[Raightning]

We shouldn't, because to work with reactionaries is to give legitimacy to reactionaries. They are ultimately our enemies, and our immediate enemies at that, and to make common cause with them makes about as much sense as working with white nationalists against Zionism.

[FreeFocus]

We should take a clear stance supporting gun rights, but that doesn't mean we should be out leafleting for Mike Huckabee or Sarah Palin and voting for them.

[Savage]

leftists and rightists protesting together on the streets for less strict gun laws will never happen. The right wing argument for bearing arms against criminals and what not is highly conservative, whereas leftist proponents seek to arm themselves against the repressive mechanisms of the state, either just for defense or for revolution. Since both sides have antagonist interests within the matter it would be foolish for either side to be in solidarity with the other.

[Tablo]

leftists and rightists protesting together on the streets for less strict gun laws will never happen. The right wing argument for bearing arms against criminals and what not is highly conservative, whereas leftist proponents seek to arm themselves against the repressive mechanisms of the state, either just for defense or for revolution. Since both sides have antagonist interests within the matter it would be foolish for either side to be in solidarity with the other.
I understand what you are saying, but despite the different interests they both want the exact same thing, gun rights. Plus I think it is common among both the left and right to enjoy recreational use of guns. I wouldn't mind protesting gun rights with someone that is conservative. Then again I don't think I would bother actually protesting for gun rights.

[Savage]

I understand what you are saying, but despite the different interests they both want the exact same thing, gun rights. Plus I think it is common among both the left and right to enjoy recreational use of guns. I wouldn't mind protesting gun rights with someone that is conservative. Then again I don't think I would bother actually protesting for gun rights.
I'd say that there's quite a lot leftists who are hostile towards recreational hunting. Protesting for the same cause might start of ok untill the rightists realize they're supporting people that want to challenge their privilege.

[FreeFocus]

I understand what you are saying, but despite the different interests they both want the exact same thing, gun rights. Plus I think it is common among both the left and right to enjoy recreational use of guns. I wouldn't mind protesting gun rights with someone that is conservative. Then again I don't think I would bother actually protesting for gun rights.

Considering a lot of these right-wingers are racist and I fit their stereotypical "profile" of a criminal (brown skin), I wouldn't be protesting with these dolts. The right does a decent enough job of protesting effectively to get gun rights recognized, and Democrats don't usually win without acceding to gun rights.

In urban areas that vote Democrat, there's often a lot of support for "gun control," and this might be warranted at the moment (well, not really. Maybe tighter regulation but I don't want guns banned). I'd prefer that the working class not kill itself as class consciousness and class organization is being built. With strong, working class organizations, we could protest against gun control and for universal, maybe free training (free, easily accessible seminars) and the like.

[Tablo]

Considering a lot of these right-wingers are racist and I fit their stereotypical "profile" of a criminal (brown skin), I wouldn't be protesting with these dolts. The right does a decent enough job of protesting effectively to get gun rights recognized, and Democrats don't usually win without acceding to gun rights.

In urban areas that vote Democrat, there's often a lot of support for "gun control," and this might be warranted at the moment (well, not really. Maybe tighter regulation but I don't want guns banned). I'd prefer that the working class not kill itself as class consciousness and class organization is being built. With strong, working class organizations, we could protest against gun control and for universal, maybe free training (free, easily accessible seminars) and the like.
My father is right-wing and not what I would consider a racist. I guess it depends what right-wing people I am protesting with. One of the few views my father and I agree on are gun rights. He feels that we need them for recreation, self-defense against criminals, and self-defense against the government. He isn't one of those kind of people that are scared of "evil colored poor people". He grew up in a largely black ghetto before his family moved into a trailer in a poor rural white community.


I'd say that there's quite a lot leftists who are hostile towards recreational hunting. Protesting for the same cause might start of ok untill the rightists realize they're supporting people that want to challenge their privilege.
Only leftists I can see actually wanting to take away hunting rights are animal liberationists that I already think are stupid. Plus they are a minority so that doesn't concern me.

I'm not too concerned about any of this though. I'm not going to spend time protesting for gun rights and any time spent supporting it will probably be done through leftist groups along with various other rights.

[Across The Street]

It seems to me that most people who argue for gun rights in the US do so for the sole purpose of personal protection, rather than having an armed populace, though the rate at which we purchase guns for protection has made most of the population armed already. A lot of people in the U.S., regardless of their right-wing or left-wing claims seem to stand behind the wars in the middle east. At the very least, both political parties which currently have power within the U.S. government, overwhelmingly support continued aggression and exploitation of the resources of countries around the world. All of this makes me think that the majority of U.S. citizens will use their arms against anyone who is perceived as a terrorist, since this is the threat that continues to be used as the justification for our presence in the middle east. I don't think it is a question of simply aligning with right-wing groups on the issue of gun rights because it's pretty clear just about the whole country is in agreement, from the farthest reaches of both ends of the traditional political spectrum. What needs to change is the trigger-happy culture that seems to be evolving.

[Tablo]

It seems to me that most people who argue for gun rights in the US do so for the sole purpose of personal protection, rather than having an armed populace, though the rate at which we purchase guns for protection has made most of the population armed already. A lot of people in the U.S., regardless of their right-wing or left-wing claims seem to stand behind the wars in the middle east. At the very least, both political parties which currently have power within the U.S. government, overwhelmingly support continued aggression and exploitation of the resources of countries around the world. All of this makes me think that the majority of U.S. citizens will use their arms against anyone who is perceived as a terrorist, since this is the threat that continues to be used as the justification for our presence in the middle east. I don't think it is a question of simply aligning with right-wing groups on the issue of gun rights because it's pretty clear just about the whole country is in agreement, from the farthest reaches of both ends of the traditional political spectrum. What needs to change is the trigger-happy culture that seems to be evolving.
I think it is fair to say most people in the country oppose the wars and less than half are actually armed. I really think this is an awful misrepresentation of a country with a broad spectrum of views and opinions. I would not consider most people I know who own guns as being "trigger-happy". All these assertions seem to based on a weird stereotype of Americans.

[Magón]

There are other things that the Right could be "allied" with, such as less government. Of course, this isn't, like gun rights, a reason to ally with the Right. We might agree, but usually when one side or the other is speaking out about something, it's not always just one thing like guns or government, there are things added on that make the rest of their argument completely unable to be supported or agreed with.

So no, I don't think we should ally with the Right on gun rights, but we should both be spoke out against those who think to take away such a right. The day the Left and Right ally on something, Hell will be real and it will have frozen over.

[craigd89]

Why don't more leftists support gun rights?..DO any of the leftist parties in the US support gun rights?...

[Aurorus Ruber]

But the question which I wish to ask, shud we at the present moments align with right wing groups who also are for the right to bear arms?

Somehow that sort of alliance seems quite unlikely to materialize. These right wing groups loath any sort of left wing movement. Look at how they've reacted to moderate liberals and try to imagine how they would respond if approached by unapologetic communists.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

No, for a few reasons.

One is that most of the "gun rights" organizations have actually supported and even helped craft legislation that restricts gun ownership.

Another is that they are usually tied up with one or another party of capitalism.

There are plenty more. The independence of the working class sticks out.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Why don't more leftists support gun rights?..DO any of the leftist parties in the US support gun rights?...

Because they are largely rooted in the managerial classes which seek to oversee all of society. In their socialism, they will administer the guns so the rest of don't have to.

[Across The Street]

Tsukae, I mean that most people in this country seem to be in agreement that we should have gun rights, regardless of political affiliation, or lack thereof.