If Guns Are So Good, Invite 'Em to GOP Rallies

Dear Donald, Ted, Marco, Jeb, and the whole GOP field,

Are you serious? Are you seriously contending that background checks for everyone who buys a gun are bad policy and a threat to the Constitution? The same Constitution whose Second Amendment starts, "A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State..." but nowhere states "Anyone who resents the government has the right to take up arms against it"?

(Credit: Mitch Barrie)

If you've really swallowed the NRA Kool-Aid, then prove it. Ask your supporters to bring their guns to your rallies. All of 'em. I'm confident that most will be responsible gun owners. Maybe over half bought their guns through a dealer who conducted a proper background check.

Hell, I'll even bet you'll beat the national sanity average: Perhaps as many as 75 percent of those who show up will be free of mental illness. And of course, being mentally ill and having a gun doesn't mean a person will necessarily use it. Let's be optimistic: perhaps only 2 percent of those bearing arms at your rallies would be a clear and present danger. Let me be clear: I don't want you, or anyone else, to be gunned down. Still, if you're going to champion untrammeled access to guns, you have to welcome them at your rallies.

Besides, there will be plenty of loyal followers there to avenge you if some lunatic or fanatic takes you out. It's the price of freedom, right? We've all seen how Ted can wangle a machine gun, but he's an experienced debater -- I'm sure he won't lose his cool. So, let's go, men (and Carly). Tell the faithful: "Grab your gun, and c'mon down!"

Promote this hashtag: #BringYourGuns

Or be honest, admit you're capitalizing on the anti-Obama hysteria of the right, and let's get serious about background checks for gun sales. The life you save could be your own.