Gun rights advocates are, by definition, pro-liberty. “The Second Amendment protects the First,” is the common refrain. This bedrock belief requires tolerance for the worst kind of free speech, from racist rhetoric to anti-gun agitprop. I’m not sure South Florida Gun Supply jefe Andy Hallinan’s decision to declare his store a “Muslim free zone” is an example of the former. Nor do I reject his attempt to defend the Confederate flag from cries of racism out of hand. But one thing’s for sure . . .
Andy’s poking the bear. Most recently, Hallinan’s decided to team up with George Zimmerman, the nationally vilified Floridian who shot and killed Sunshine State teen Trayvon Martin in self-defense. The gun dealer obviously knows that adding Zimmerman to his political crusade is a red rag to the mainstream media bull, an animal that’s already demonstrated its determination to gore gun rights but good.
Selling Zimmerman’s painting of a Confederate flag? That’s just asking for it. And so the Washington Post answered. Does this make all gun owners look bad by association? Why else would they run it?