>
The party of law and order are shooting up their opponents. This is where we are now. >

They will not stop. 
We are well past the point of justifying self-defense. >

Two quotes by Abe Lincoln stand out about this:
Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit, and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors.
Speech at Edwardsvill, IL, September 11, 1858
At what point then is the danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we ourselves must be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we must live through all times, or die by suicide.
Young Men's Lyceum Address, January 27, 1838 >

Of course they weren't. Stop and think this through for a second. Some of them genuinely believe that elections are rigged, that some fascistic force within the government is going to force them to do horrible things or be jailed or killed if they oppose it, and most importantly that they are capable of stopping it. Anyone who truly believes that is going to fight against that fascistic force and some of them are going to do it violently.
At some point, the government really needs to look at some way to reign in the far-right propaganda outlets such as requiring licensing to call yourself a "news outlet", "journalist", or other similar thing. >

And if they'd won - ie if the democratic election had been overturned in the courts through some subterfuge - they'd be arresting and jailing Democrats on false pretences and guys like this or the Michigan kidnappers would be looking for Democrats to shoot in the knowledge the courts would seek to protect them. >

Violence has always been on the table for the GOP regardless of the courts.   For christ sakes republicans tried running a Biden campaign bus off the road in Texas, they tried to kill nancy pelosi multiple times, wanted to hang Mike Pence because he wouldn't refuse to certify electoral votes.
Anyone that hasn't seen the pattern of violence is pretty much burying their head in the sand... >

Non-paywall mirror link >

They think the whole system is corrupt. Anything at all that doesn't support their beliefs is a scam. Of course they weren't. >

When they fail in the courtroom and then try "other measures", they find themselves failing in the courtroom once more. >

They were obviously frustrated that the courts kept asking them for things like "facts" and "evidence" to substantiate their claims. >

They keep losing there, so it makes sense to try their bullshit somewhere else. >

Election deniers couldn't conceivably have stuck to the courtroom, because they had no actual evidence, just made up nonsense.  Judges tend to prefer actual facts to the GOP's alternative facts. >

I am deeply disturbed and outraged by this article about a political candidate, who was actually the leader and mastermind behind a series of shootings in New Mexico in 2017. While I understand that those advocating for gun control and stricter gun laws may face political devengence, this kind of extreme response is unacceptable and speaks to the need for significant change in our political culture.
What's worse, is how the candidate still had the audacity to run for office while facing these charges and demonstrating no remorse or regret. It seems that in our current political landscape, lack of morality and respect for human life is being rewarded and is seen as "acceptable". 
This article is a stark reminder of how much work we still have to do to end gun violence and make our society safer for all. It is my hope that justice will be served in New Mexico and that the candidate will be held accountable for his actions. It is time for our politicians to take real steps to refute corrupt political ideologies and ensure that our leaders are both competent and moral. Political leaders must be held to the highest standards of conduct and respect and these shootings demonstrate an inexcusable breach of these standards. Enough is enough. >

I think it is important to be clear that this unacceptable trend is not happening equally on both sides of the political spectrum. >

Or in other parts of the world.
It's just us with this many guns. And deaths. And suicides by those with access to those guns. And killings by those with access to those guns.
You know, I think it might be the sheer volume of guns. But I'm just an idiot on the internet, what do I know, amirite. >

Hey I'm all for less guns, but the use of them for political reasons is coming much more from the rhetoric on one side than the other in the US. >

Oh, absolutely.