My 2 votes went out today. Whoops, my wife's and my vote went out today and both have Steve and the MB write in.
Sending mine out this week....with Steve and MB written in as well.
Why MB? Because, as he has eloquently enunciated, the gun culture is apologetic to the outside world and we know that MB is not an apologist.
I always believed apologizing as a manner to get along was a strategic error and, as such was thrilled when I got my first opportunity to vote for Ted Nugent. So now I've been an NRA life member for about 25 years, was an annual member for years before that, and have watched, intensely, the gun debate during the 1968 gun control debacle (starting at about age

. I also remember the Cincinnati revolution....and liked it.
Now that I've passed the 50 year old mark I can say from my observations, unequivocally, that you do not hold ground, that you do not gain back ground, by smiling, showing teeth, and apologizing for being a gun owner. People (sheeple) like to support winners....apologists do not come across as winners or leaders...think about it.
Like MB said, we retain rights by exercising them. Get your CCW and....carry. When work conversation comes up...bring up guns....when someone makes fun of you being a bubba, call them a bigot 'cause it's usually a liberal slime or a lemming following the liberals...that buzz word makes them uneasy, makes you come across as a winner and starts to change the tide. Don't be mean and condescending, be firm, polite and confident...and you will win people over.