My post was not to stir up a hornet's nest---but to express concern about the poor state of standards for concealed carry and that an absolutist position that any regulations concerning firearms will only make gun owners eventually lose. The simple fact is that the percentage of gun owners in this country has been on the decline--more guns--but fewer people having them (sort of like wealth). It is my opinion that if gun owners lead on establishing standards, such as in the area of training and qualifications to have a concealed carry permit, they present a position that can be characterised only as "responsible" by any rational observer. The demographics are compelling as I see them-----eventually the general public will demand action and the politicians will bend to their wishes and no gun owner will like the outcome.
By using the analogy of a Hornets Nest, you are implying a kind of mindless group response or reaction on the part of the people that are disagreeing with you. That is simply not so.
We know that the opinion you are expressing, while valid, and having some common sense elements, is unfortunately one shared by the left, or those that fight on a daily basis to abolish or limit our rights under the second. Yes, more training is a good thing. No one would argue that simple premise. But if you are proposing that we, as supporters of the 2nd, should get in front of new legislation in order to preempt the left's efforts as a tactic to somehow satisfy the left is wishful thinking.
You are assuming that the left is rational, and genuine in any focus on this training issue. Many here believe it is just another tactic, and their efforts would quickly shift to another point if proven wrong on this one, or just create even bigger lies to overcome the reality.
I don't see the left giving up their anti efforts because we are training more. There are all kinds of ways they would and could spin that story, especially with the help of the MSM and pompous ignorant foreigners like Piers Morgan on CNN. Anything that would solidify the tenets of gun ownership and the constitution in the accepted social norms in this country is the enemy of the left.
It's like the Terminator, you can not reason with it, you can not plead with it. It will not listen to reason, and it does not care. It will not stop, ever, until the 2nd is dead. We all need to understand that.
"OK Mr. Bloomberg, I just came back from Thunder Ranch. Can I please have my rights back? I will try not to disappoint you or Rosie O'D."
"Sure kid, that's all we ever wanted. Simple misunderstanding."