We have to keep in mind, tho, that the far right has an equal, if not stronger contempt for what they perceive as liberal.
We have so many subtexts in our national discourse that I despair of ever finding some common ground - compromise has become a dirty word.
I think it's very interesting that your experience discussing the shooting sports with your urban friends mirrors mine - these people, by and large, are not reflexive "gun-grabbers"
A couple of points Gnomon.
Regarding the right having contempt. I don't deny it is there. It would be my opinion that the right's contempt is founded on the left's premise of trying to force their values on us. It is the left's demands that the state intrude unnecessarily in our lives. By and large the right just wants to be left in peace.
I too often despair of finding common ground. It's sad.
Finally and this is a positive. In the last five years I have had three different middle aged urbanites discover I am a hunter and at some point (especially when their wife isn't listening LOL) ask if I would teach them to handle and shoot a shotgun and then take them hunting.
This gives me cause to be more hopeful for the future than King has indicated. I believe there are many urbanites, raised in cities with no connection to the extraordinary beauty of the land or any visceral understanding about where their food comes from who, once they have had time to digest the concept, would jump at the chance to get out and learn how to enjoy the wild.
And I suppose it is that hopefulness for the future that causes my outrage at the misinformed, outright lying, money wasting antics of the true believers who seem to feel that any gun is a dangerous and evil product, regardless of whose hands hold it.
