They are coming

As Rebel recently posted, "Your opinion is invalid or REALITY CHECK!"

Time for a reality check.

For those of you who have problems separating fact from opinion, I have neatly broken this post into sections.

FACT - This is reality. The world in which we live. This is what happens, whether you, I or the clown behind you who just ducked around the corner so you can't see him, like it. You may deny it. Reality is under no obligation to conform itself to your expectations.

OPINION - This is what I think about it. It is based on a fact, but of itself, it is not a fact. Your opinion may differ. I support your right to your opinion. I do not have to agree with your opinion to support your right to have it.

THE OPENING PARAGRAPH/POST - May or may not be fact or opinion. It starts the discussion. In this case, one onus is on me to prove it is fact. Another onus is on you to prove it is opinion.

Saddle up, Pancho. WE RIDE!

OP: Some of them are coming to take our guns. 

FACT: This is public, government-funded housing in Birmingham. That means everyone has an equal right of opportunity and access. Yes, this kind of housing does have income limits and a few other restrictions. This agency cannot infringe on the Constitutional rights of the residents. The Rules.

OPINION: Fair enough. If you can afford a house on the open market, live there and let someone who can't, have the public housing.

FACT: "The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home." Heller v. DC.

OPINION: A 20 gauge pump action shotgun is the best weapon for home defense.

FACT: People who live in public housing sometimes have their HOME in that housing unit.

OPINION: Home is where the heart is. A building can be a house. A tent can be a home.

FACT: Government has restricted gun ownership repeatedly. The 1934 Firearms Act required a special tax to own a certain category of firearms. The 1968 gun control act added more restrictions. Even more restrictions were signed into law by Ronald Reagan. The "assault weapon" ban did expire, but it was the law of the land. Efforts to renew this ban have repeated cropped up. Bans and restrictions are in place in a number of states.

OPINION: A mountain is not moved in a single day. Over the course of years, it can be flattened. Incremental advances are still advances.

FACT: Government has taken guns away in the past. "The local police superintendent ordered all weapons, including legally registered firearms, confiscated from civilians. But as theTimes noted, that order didn't "apply to hundreds of security guards hired by businesses and some wealthy individuals to protect property…[who] openly carry M-16's and other assault rifles." Mother Jones. Connecticut.

OPINION: An isolated incident? A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

FACT: Yes, Virginia, there are people who really do want to take away guns, all of them. The Daily Beast. Salon. Petitions. An actual bill presented in Congress.

OPINION: These people don't truly understand what they are trying to do.

FACT: Many bills are introduced in Congress. Few ever get traction to get anywhere.

OPINION: Persistence pays.

FACT: You have the empirical evidence. You may treat this as you wish.

OPINION: Martin Niemöller.