This blog is cross-posted at StewartAcuff.com
I drove back to Washington from Savannah, Ga. Driving through South Carolina, I listened to Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. They had the most grotesque and unbelievable rantings against President Obama and sensible, Constitutional gun regulation. Limbaugh went on and on about there’s no definition of an assault rifle. I don’t know if I could give you an exact definition, but I don’t know anyone who hunts deer with an AR-15 and two automatic pistols.
I grew up with guns and hunting and I’m comfortable around guns. I no longer hunt, but I don’t make judgements against those who do.
But there are very clear differences between guns for hunting and sport and guns made for killing people in mass numbers and very efficiently.
It is very important that we progressives not judge nor demonize hunters and those who use guns as part of their culture. Many of us in the labor movement hunt and shoot. We are all important parts of our progressive movement.
When I lived in Atlanta, I worked out in a gym close to the federal buildings. I worked out with federal cops including a couple of guys who were assigned to stop the flow of human killing guns from Georgia with weak gun laws to the Northeast. They were ATF agents. That problem of smuggling automatic guns from states with weak gun laws to states with tough gun laws can only be done with federal laws and agencies.
As President Obama said, loving and protecting our kids is our first job and responsibility.
Thanks to all who sent birthday greetings over the last few days! I got literally hundreds and I am very grateful for every single one. Thanks for your solidarity and friendship.
—–
Follow @StewartAcuff on Twitter!
Connect with Stewart Acuff on Facebook!
Stewart Acuff is the former organizing Director of the AFL-CIO. Acuff has also written two books: Playing Bigger Than You Are: A Life in Organizing, and Getting America Back to Work.
Get the E-book edition of Playing Bigger Than You Are by CLICKING HERE!