Xpost from Good Reads:The uncomfortable truth about gun rights supporters–sometimes they are right

[PJMcK]

1. Most gun owners probably don't fire their weapons too often

While I am not a gun owner, I'm acquainted with many people who are and from casual conversations, I've gotten the impression that many gun owners don't think about their weapons all that much. In fact, several neighbors have told me that they go to a range 2 or 3 times a year, clean their weapons and store them safely.

Perhaps the loudest voices in the gun rights debate are a relatively small percentage of gun rights advocates. Clearly, the NRA is a small but loud and powerful lobby, but even many gun owners reject their militant positions. I've read that 90% of Americans are in support of some kind of stricter gun control laws, i.e., more substantial background checks. Could this anecdotal experience be reflective of any general trends? I don't now but I'd be curious to hear others' thoughts.