Sunday, May 25, 2008

Armed Gays Don't Get Bashed

"Thirty-one states allow all qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons. In those states, homosexuals should embark on organized efforts to become comfortable with guns, learn to use them safely and carry them. They should set up Pink Pistols task forces, sponsor shooting courses and help homosexuals get licensed to carry. And they should do it in a way that gets as much publicity as possible."

--Jonathan Rauch, Salon Magazine, March 13, 2000

The issue of hate crimes has been on my mind of late. Given the desperation of the lunatic fringe of the Christian church, it is very likely that some in that camp will turn the political fight over gay marriage into their own personal jihad. As Pascal said, "Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction."

With this in mind, to not prepare for an increase in violent hate crimes against the gay community would be, in my mind, foolish. Perhaps Mr. Rauch is on the right track - arming the gay community most definitely would give a moment of pause to those who wish to do us harm.

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