jhood001, I'm pretty sure that you and I are on the same page regarding our passion for gun-rights and other civil liberties. But tell me then... The people that vote for Feinstein, McCarthy, Schumer, Obama, Degette et al... Even if they own guns do you really think they're truly pro-gun? I'm gonna have to disagree with you because I don't. If you (generic you...not "you" personally) support a party that openly states in their party platform:
We recognize that the individual right to bear arms is an important part of the American tradition, and we will preserve Americans’ Second Amendment right to own and use firearms. We believe that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation. We understand the terrible consequences of gun violence; it serves as a reminder that life is fragile, and our time here is limited and precious. We believe in an honest, open national conversation about firearms. We can focus on effective enforcement of existing laws, especially strengthening our background check system, and we can work together to enact commonsense improvements – like reinstating the assault weapons ban and closing the gun show loophole – so that guns do not fall into the hands of those irresponsible, law-breaking few.
...then I submit you ARE NOT pro-gun. Couch it in whatever terms you like I sincerely don't believe you can support the people that wrote that and say you're pro-gun. We'll have to agree to disagree. If that politically polarizes the issue then so be it.
And I grew up with family from the South so I'm pretty familiar with how some "democrats" stand on their guns. Doesn't change the fact they're supporting the Democrat party philosophy of increased gun control by voting for a Democrat. I think we all know how short a politician's memory can be and we all know how quickly their values can change once he/she wins an election. Furthermore, when the party leadership really NEEDS every vote they can get on a particular piece of legislation they know how to "persuade" party members to vote along party lines. They can threaten them with cutting off national party funding, they can force primaries at re-election time...all sorts of nasty tricks to get a vote they need. And that's not just Democrats...that's politics in general.
Maybe we need to clarify our terms and how each of us would define "pro-gun". My definition would be someone who actively supports the shooting sports, votes for "pro-gun" politicians who don't support a party platform of increased gun control and gun bans and someone who doesn't believe in further compromise of our already "compromised to death" gun rights. Someone who is for loosening restrictions on gun ownership in general. Basically, someone who knows what the 2nd Amendment says and believes in "will not be infringed".
ETA: Don't get me wrong. If there's a Democrat, especially in the CO legislature, that's wants to stand with gun owners in defiance of the Democrat party I'd certainly welcome the support. But I'd also say the old adage "beware of Greeks bearing gifts" would certainly apply.