Just to weigh in with my 2 cents.
First off the assumption that non-violent resistance is only for pacifists is in error.
Check out some of the resources on this thread
REVOLUTION, Ya Say Ya Want AAs others have already mentioned, violence only grows the power of the government.
Many seem to have the fantasy view of jackboots going door to door confiscating weapons, yes they did that in New Orleans, but the most likely situation is the incremental tightening and expanding of laws. They won't make some big line in the sand move, that would work against them.
Most of the gun crowd already have bowed to the laws ie. 1968 how you can transfer, what types you can own.
I find it interesting that some of the same folks who won't even anonymously protest or chance a misdemeanor arrest are going to fight to the death. I mean let's play out the scenerio... 5 am asleep, in your underwear, a dozen trained men in body armor with automatic weapons burst into your home... I don't see many taking that on with the pistol from the night stand.
I have to say that I don't imagine that there isn't many of the same ideas and feelings I have had myself... but, when you "game" them out in your head they don't lead to the outcome you are after.
Non-violent resistance are the only techniques that have succeeded in the last 50 years, against brutal totalitarian regimes. But, it takes, letting go of your prejudice to study the subject. It seems that the saying "to the man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail." applies here.
The mistake that is made is thinking that you should counter what the government does by trying to overpower them. It is an asymmetrical situation.
A small number of people can have significant effect... if the government looks like the thug bullies.
