Why is Second Amendment Absolutism Linked to Conservatives? Is the Right to Self-Defense a Liberal Idea?

There seems to be a significant misalignment between the conventional understanding of 'liberals' and how the term is interpreted in the United States. While 'liberal' in some contexts can imply a stance that promotes individual freedoms, in the U.S., the narrative has been altered by those co-opting the term for nefarious purposes. This has led to widespread confusion among mainstream Americans, with some advocating that these tactics are intended to 'scramble' rather than change minds.

Evolution of Rights Perception

When I grew up, the right to self-defense was neither considered liberal nor conservative; it was a fundamental individual right. Today, however, the narrative has shifted. Statistics from gun purchase histories in the United States indicate that 90% of gun buyers have no specific political position on the issue. This suggests that the right to self-defense is a non-partisan matter, often driven by practical necessity and safety concerns.

Historical Context and Recent Trends

In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in gun purchases, particularly among Black women. According to a 2021 report, 87% of gun sellers reported an increase in Black women purchasers. The motivations behind this shift are multifaceted. For instance, during the height of riots and lawlessness, legislation like the Biden administration's lack of condemnation of Black Lives Matter (BLM) and its failure to expedite background checks created a perception that the government was indifferent. In response, individuals considered obtaining a gun to protect themselves from potential threats.

Moreover, the FBI’s failure to process over a million gun background checks in a timely manner contributed to a situation where more guns were sold without proper checks, exacerbating safety concerns. This trend continued over the past two years, with more background checks falling through the cracks.

Modern Liberal Progressives vs. Traditional Liberals

The term 'liberal' in modern discourse has been hijacked and redefined by those advocating for a strong, centralized government with extensive oversight and control over citizens' lives. Unlike traditional liberals, who advocate for individual freedoms and limited government intervention, modern progressives promote an authoritarian agenda that includes government sponsorship of entitlements, nanny-state policies, and a witch hunt-like environment through practices such as cancel culture and wokeism.

This shift has led to a fundamental misalignment between progressive ideals and the traditional liberal stance on individual rights. The concept of easy access to firearms for unstable individuals or suspected terrorists exemplifies a viewpoint that is diametrically opposed to liberal ideology. Therefore, the assertion that this is a liberal idea is misinformed and misleading.

Conclusion

Second Amendment absolutism is often associated with conservative groups, but this is not inherently a liberal idea. The right to self-defense should be seen as a fundamental individual right, irrespective of political affiliations. It is imperative to manage this right responsibly to ensure public safety. The misconception that easy access to firearms is a liberal idea underscores the need for a reevaluation of how terms like 'liberal' and 'conservative' are used and interpreted in contemporary political discourse.