To mark my solidarity with all recent gun-control marches (I never see any marching at these things; plenty of strolling and slogging, even some lollygagging, but no marching), rallies, protests, demonstrations, cortéges, and various uncategorized shindigs – all lead loosely by the eternal flame of youth – I bought this symbol of my support:

AR-15 chambered for 5.56 NATO, custom-made by Locked & Loaded Arms, Seabrook, TX

This was quite a sacrifice for the cause.  At $1300, it cost money I could have spent on more necessary things (“like us”, say the cats).  But who can put a price on solidarity?

I did not need or want this rifle.  I already own more powerful and useful rifles.  I don’t particularly care for the 5.56 round; I don’t need the excess of accessories (though I admit the stainless steel muzzle brake is rather nifty); I don’t need 30-round magazines. Truth be told, I’m an old-fashioned man who prefers the pleasing human/machine interaction of a lever-action rifle.

But I felt moved to help.  Having just renewed my NRA membership for three years, I can fill a role the recent gun control drama badly needs.  For that role, I understand that I need an AR-15 with a frightening appearance.  There is nobody and nothing I wish to assault, and I don’t have a clue how to go about assaulting anything anyway, but it seems I must own an “assault rifle” to properly fill my role.

After all, with my millions of other NRA brothers and sisters I’ve been called a terrorist, a child-killer, a Nazi, a redneck f***er and other fun names…well, I must do what I can to look like one, right?  Not so easy for a balding, 61-year-old man who lives a quiet peaceful life with many more cats and books than guns or evil thoughts, but I will do what I can to look as I must.  I am needed.  Without me, how can their self-righteousness sustain itself?

Just trying to do my part…