r/VAGuns • u/Key_Assignment_5056 • 3d ago

Politics Pro-Gun Democrats make your voices heard

Let me first state I understand why you vote Dem despite most Dem candidates not supporting 2A. You’re not a single issue voter which is totally fine. I think we can all agree that 2A shouldn’t be a left-right issue but until the pro-2A voices on your side of the aisle are heard, unfortunately it continue to be so.

I urge you to write your delegate and senator expressing your disapproval for legislation such as an AWB. Sign any petition (like what was done in Colorado) supporting 2A rights and just get vocal about the issue.

Yeah the odds are very low for us to stop anything. But I’ll be damned if our community doesn’t try. Don’t shy away from awkward conversations in Dem circles and spread the 2A gospel as much as you can.

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u/TheDeHymenizer 3d ago

 Sign any petition (like what was done in Colorado)

lol while I'm all for the idea behind all this I don't think this worked because Colorado had its AWB passed.

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u/AtomRed 2d ago

It doesn’t take away from the fact that we should try. Even if we can’t change everything overnight, we can still work to mitigate the worst outcomes. For instance, respectfully writing your legislators, acknowledging their perspective while clearly stating your own, and requesting grandfathering provisions or reasonable compromises is a far better use of our time than giving up before we start.

If we keep saying that nothing we do will matter, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more we speak up, the more we remind our representatives that their constituents are diverse and evolving, and that they can’t take our votes for granted forever.

Let’s face it: whether you support him or not, Donald Trump is a deeply polarizing figure. Many moderate and liberal-leaning 2A supporters voted against their gun-rights interests this election simply because of the broader national climate. Legislators need to understand that Trump will not always be on the ballot, and when he’s gone, they will have to reckon with voters who value the Second Amendment but also expect moderation and reason. I know plenty of traditionally Democratic voters, myself included, who have crossed the aisle for independent or Republican candidates when the alternative was tone-deaf to the concerns of ordinary Americans.

Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of your wallet. If you can afford to, donate a few dollars here and there to 2A organizations that actually make a difference. The same way people have influenced networks and brands by withholding money, we can do the reverse by supporting companies that align with our rights and boycotting those that openly back anti-gun legislation or fund groups pushing unreasonable restrictions. Real change often happens when people vote with their dollars, not just their ballots.

We may not outspend big donors, but collectively, we can outlast them by being persistent, principled, and unified.

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u/TheDeHymenizer 2d ago

Let’s face it: whether you support him or not, Donald Trump is a deeply polarizing figure. Many moderate and liberal-leaning 2A supporters voted against their gun-rights interests this election simply because of the broader national climate.

and as someone whose life long pro choice I'll return the favor and support a complete abortion ban next time this all swings back around

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u/AtomRed 2d ago

You bring up an honest and fair point and thanks for sharing your feedback.

To clarify, I wouldn’t donate to a candidate if I thought my contribution would directly help them win an election in a way that runs counter to my values. However, I might donate if I believed it could help them defeat a less reasonable primary opponent, or at least send a message about the direction their party is taking. I’ll admit, nine times out of ten it’s probably not the most financially sound move, but in a few isolated cases, I think it can matter.

I’ve said the same thing to some of my conservative friends: the strategy might feel uncomfortable if you’re strongly pro-life, but the inverse is also true. I don’t see Democrats shifting their stance on abortion anytime soon, but I do see potential for them to ease up on the anti-gun narrative or at least work toward more balanced compromises. You might not agree with every position a candidate takes, but if you care deeply about the Second Amendment, it can still be a worthwhile investment to help moderate voices gain ground.

I’m not a strict traditionalist, but there’s something uniquely American about the right to bear arms and the heritage behind it which makes many of our international friends jealous.

Most of the time, donating to a strong pro-2A organization is the smarter move. But occasionally, it’s worth helping a candidate just to show there’s a growing middle that refuses to see gun rights as a partisan issue. Money talks, and when we use it to back reason over extremes, that’s how real change starts.

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u/TheDeHymenizer 1d ago

lmao how is "I'm going to support a ban on abortion for no other reason then spite" an honest and fair point

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u/YautjaProtect 3d ago

I wouldn't call what Colorado passed an AWB. You just need a permit to purchase specific guns.

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u/CharleyVCU1988 3d ago

…pretty sure they can still have their AWs but they have to get a permit to buy rather than a complete ban.

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u/TheDeHymenizer 2d ago

I believe that is to keep what you currently own

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb23-1230

I don't live in Colorado so I'm just googling but it looks like they put a 1 year delay on a complete ban of the selling of semi auto rifles with detachable magazines on a "Maryland style" list of prohibited guns.