This sub is becoming too extremist in the wrong ways.

I generally agree with this sub, although I'm a socialist and generally disagree with people here on economics. I own several guns (all pistols right now) and have been interested in guns for over 20 years. I think guns are important for defending one's family and there are several examples of guns saving people. I also think there's an important social aspect: it gets men out of the home and into the local community, often times meeting others in a public space for a group activity. It's a social activity that's similar to going to a swimming pool or a park but has the added benefit of teaching you how to defend yourself. <br><br><br><br>I've only been active on this sub for a month or so, and have posted several times, but I've noticed a disturbing trend here that's causing me to reconsider if I should be associated with this sub or not. Over the last month I've seen several posts of people saying they just wish they could "kill liberals" or "I can't wait to shoot liberals" and crap like that. Sometimes it's in reference to a news article, sometimes it's just random. It's always random users with low karma (no idea how to verify that or care enough to verify that) but often times there will be hundreds of upvotes in the comments. There was a post recently of someone saying they had been stockpiling guns and ammo for years in preparation for the day they could kill Democrats. It's super sad and I really hope it's just children with nothing better to do than troll chambers, but I'm starting to suspect it's a bit of both. Either way, it's very off-putting and I think it's detrimental to the pro-gun movement and to the USA as a whole.<br><br><br><br>I want to make it clear, I am not making any accusations towards the owners/mods of this sub. From what I've seen, you guys do a good job of creating rules and following through with it. But I do think this sub is a reflection of some broader issues in the USA that need to be addressed. I think there are a lot of angry, bitter people in this country that use guns and other forms of political extremism as a way to cope with their pessimism about the future. I think there's a growing divide in the country where people are becoming more and more tribal and hostile towards others who don't have the same political views as they do. I think it's really dangerous and unhealthy for the country. I think pro-gun people should be skeptic of government abuse of power but also be open to the idea that government can be used as a force for good in society, and therefore we should have an honest discussion about what policies would be best for society. Gun owners should not be seen as villains but as good people who want the best for their family and society, and I think that means being honest about who we really are.<br><br><br><br>If you're a Republican who is honest with themselves, you should be able to see Trump for what he is: a dishonorable con man who was completely unqualified to run the government. After losing his popularity and losing the election, he attempted to raise up an armed insurrection with his constant talk of a stolen election. He was only elected in the first place because of "macho" posturing and his ability to whip up anger and resentment towards immigrants and liberals. This was all well-known by Republican leaders who decided to support him because they realized he could win the election, and then later because they knew he'd support their agenda. This type of government by resentment and hostility only divides people more and more. Trump spent his whole presidency sowing divisions and creating resentment among people, and I think that's why we see so many crazies on both sides now who just want to fight and kill on a mass scale.<br><br><br><br>So I just want to say in conclusion, I am pro-gun, but I am also pro-democracy and pro-social cohesion. I want all gun owners to be seen as upstanding citizens who care about their communities. If we can't agree on that then this sub has become a lost cause. We should be critical of government but also recognize its potential to improve people's lives. We should want a healthier democracy and society that functions well and brings people together. We should be against Trump and Trumpism (which is unfortunately spread to both parties) and think of ourselves as part of "the radical center" that seeks to bring people together, rather than fanning the flames of outrage and rebellion.