I presume that some people have beliefs similar to me.  I also know that many do not.  This includes certain RKBA issues.  In general I am socially progressive, and fiscally conservative.  I do not believe that everyone should be able to own a gun.  I have no problem at all with keeping adjudicated mentally ill people or felons or drug abusers from being armed.  Likewise I do not think you should be able to have a howitzer ( modern ) or Atom bombs.  I actually think the Brady law as it is currently used is OK and have no problem with CCW liscensing.  I think the AWB is idiotic. In short I'm sure these views differ with many.  

A recent question in a news site asked if my beliefs closely matched those of the NRA, I said yes, as they are the organization that most closely match my views on the issue.  No, its not about hunting, but it is about what my version of common sense is.  No, I don't really think the black helicopters are coming to enslave me either, nor are we poised to see blue berets marching down main street.  I think that about covers it.  I also have no problem sharing my views either.

Just a few years ago, I was surprised to find out that most people did not think like me.  Before you scoff in derision at my youth/inexperience/idiocy, let me explain.

My opinion was that the utmost consideration should be given to law abiding citizens, treating them as innocents under the law, and denying them nothing as long as they did not hurt others or damage property.  I also believed that those who hurt others and damaged property willfully should be punished to the extent of the damage they did to their victims.  I was of this opinion when the Columbine High Massacre occured.  I was quite surprised to learn that most people I knew at the time argued seriously and with a straight face for a complete and immediate ban on all guns - and if you didn't agree, you liked to watch children die in a bloody puddle.  Yes, I actually was told that.
I asked about the idea of somebody using a firearm to defend themselves against crime or a bodily threat, and they said that it was out of the question.  All guns banned - NOW.
I asked about target shooting.  Nope.  All guns banned - NOW.
What about collecting old antique blackpowder pistols and rifles?  Nope.  All guns banned - NOW.
There are some psychos out there who have no business with any item more deadly than a AA battery flashlight - and it isn't bad-apple gunowners I'm talking about, it's those who hate guns so rabidly that they want them all banned now.
It also came out that most of them actually did not trust themselves with objects that could hurt another.  They knew they were loose cannons, and they assumed everybody else was too.
That was my first real experience with opinions I couldn't understand at the time, and my first experience with something that persuaded me to become much more cerebral in my beliefs, and ability to explain and persuade others.

Them's fightin words, boy! [:D]

[b] One thing I've learned over the years is to NEVER assume anything unless I've either seen or heard it from the source directly.

I know the hunting gunners think differently  than the Target gunners ( AR/AK shooters ). This is the wedge driven by the Anti's to divide the Gun Owners into the bad and good. What the Sportsmen fail to see is their own demise in offering the AR/AK owners to the wolves.  

If you asked all gun owns about their RKBA you would get a *YES* it's my right . Then from the few it would be followed by a *BUT*  . Not those evil weapons. What do you need them for. [/b]

THIS is the first thing that actually shocked me as far as differences in thinking go.  I've known a lot of people, and have prided myself in being able to see other's points of view.  When someone told me that she did not want a gun in the house because she didn't trust herself - she was afraid she would get mad and use it - I was floored for the first time.

Some, if not many or most, simply don't trust themselves.  Apparently these people have no control over their own actions and impulses.  It's a concept I still have trouble with since I have never lost control of my actions - not even when drunk.

It's only natural for these people to think that everyone else is like them, so they are usually very adamant about being anti-gun.  After all, YOU might lose control of yourself and shoot them.