Pennsylvania, the land of bitter gun-clingers, embraced its inner bitterness yesterday by hosting a rally in the state capital to encourage people to cling to their guns.

“The enemies of freedom are not giving up — not by a long shot,” said John Sigler, president of the National Rifle Association. He warned that too few gun owners understand that their rights are at risk.

The crowd booed heartily at the mention of a bill that would require gun registration and a proposal, backed by Gov. Rendell, to limit handgun purchases to one per month.

“Make no mistake, if they limit you to one, they can limit you to none,” Sigler said.

The first commenter on the story decided to make it another forum for bashing rednecks, and others joined the bigoted game. The reaction is worth noting:

• Silly, silly rednecks, who want to retain the means to defend themselves instead of simply becoming clients of Fast Eddie’s Most Excellent Nanny State.
• Must be “rednecks’ if they’re standing up for the Bill of Rights and all the freedoms some people take for granted.
• If defending my rights makes me a redneck, well shucks, color me red.