Attacking the Characters of Gun Owners?

[Wake]

Why do people do that?

I've heard these tasteless comments of how owning a gun somehow means you're a coward, paranoid, or other nonsense.

Can we as a nation knock off saying this kind of crap? There's no reason to demean someone for owning a gun.

 

[Real Korimyr #9]

Meh. We do it right back.

 

[Aderleth]

Why do people do that?

I've heard these tasteless comments of how owning a gun somehow means you're a coward, paranoid, or other nonsense.

Can we as a nation knock off saying this kind of crap? There's no reason to demean someone for owning a gun.

True enough, but that works both ways. There's plenty of pejorative nonsense being thrown around by gun advocates about their opponents as well. There are numerous examples on this forum. It's not a one way street by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[Wake]

It needs to stop, both ways.

 

[Real Korimyr #9]

It needs to stop, both ways.

I'm not certain it does. Supporting gun control is a failure in both rationality and morality and should be called out as such at every opportunity.

 

[Mach]

Character attacks are a default too in politics and persuasion in general.
It's like performance enhancing drugs. They are arguably bad, but since everyone uses them and assumes everyone else is using them, everyone uses them and argues they "have to".

Some can stay above the fray, but it's lonely at the top. (And likely less effective statistically!)

I was somewhat anti-gun, and I work with a number of well educated technical guys, entirely non-redneck, non-country, non-survivalist, non-military, who just so happen to enjoy firearms use, collection, discussion, etc., as a hobby, and as insurance for worst case self defense in certain situations. Scary what happens when you actually learn about "the opposition". (by scary I mean predictable)

 

[Wake]

I'm not certain it does. Supporting gun control is a failure in both rationality and morality and should be called out as such at every opportunity.

Hrm. That may be, but I think it should be done without finding excuses to attack a person's character. Saying you're a paranoid coward for owning a gun shouldn't fly, imho.

 

[Rocketman]

Hrm. That may be, but I think it should be done without finding excuses to attack a person's character. Saying you're a paranoid coward for owning a gun shouldn't fly, imho.

Marijuana makes people paranoid, maybe they are paranoid to begin with when mellowing out at the end of the day:lol:

 

[ttwtt78640]

It needs to stop, both ways.

Only "one way" is wishing to impose laws limitting the freedom of the "other way". The insane thing is blaming freedom for crime; naturally all that are allowed to roam freely among us are more apt to commit crime using all available tools, yet banning/restricting access to all "crime" tools is not a good idea, while insisting that those very same "crime" tools are essential to be kept/used by our gov't (the essense of the Feinstein bill).

 

[Bob Blaylock]

Why do people do that?

I've heard these tasteless comments of how owning a gun somehow means you're a coward, paranoid, or other nonsense.

Can we as a nation knock off saying this kind of crap? There's no reason to demean someone for owning a gun.

Most of it is rather obviously based on psychological projection.

 

[Joe Steel]

Why do people do that?

I've heard these tasteless comments of how owning a gun somehow means you're a coward, paranoid, or other nonsense.

Can we as a nation knock off saying this kind of crap? There's no reason to demean someone for owning a gun.

In 1999 Missouri voted on "shall-issue" concealed gun licensing. As part of the promotion of the ballot proposition (Proposition B, 06 April 1999,) pro-gun folks brought Dr. John Lott to town to help make their case. I went to his presentation and recall him saying only 4 to 6% of those qualified to carry a concealed weapon actually would become licensed. That was consistent with other sources I checked. Generally speaking, gun carrying is not all that popular.

That led me to conclude concealed gun-carrying is not normal. The vast, vast, overwhelming majority of the population don't see the risks they face in daily life to be so great they need a gun every minute of every day. Those who do, then, are justifiably suspect of living in a fantasy world of paranoia and gun cult mysticism.

 

[SMTA]

I'm not certain it does. Supporting gun control is a failure in both rationality and morality and should be called out as such at every opportunity.

I have always looked at antis being against individualism.

They seem to hate anyone who wants to be self sufficient, and confident enough to take care of themselves.

It seems that they are angry that everyone else does not cower in fear as they do.

Some of us just do not need our own babysitters.

 

[SMTA]

Along the lines of individualism:

Several years ago, my son's ATV was stolen from our yard, in the country.

When I met 3 of the SO detectives to pick up the ATV, I already knew from talking to the Sheriff that the young thieves lived several miles from our house, although we did not know them.

I commented on the fact that if they showed up again, that I would be meeting them armed if I was home, and it would not go well for them at all.

I also made a comment in jest about TSC selling lime every day, and that we had plenty of acreage and a shovel.

The lead detective laughed, and told me to call, and they would drop by to help me drag the bodies inside the front door!

Everything is quite cool in the country!

 

[GottaGo]

My own niavety makes me laugh sometimes.

If you don't want to carry a gun, then don't. Just because I can (permitted) doesn't make me any less of a person, nor the person who chooses not to carry, any less of a person.

 

[Wake]

In 1999 Missouri voted on "shall-issue" concealed gun licensing. As part of the promotion of the ballot proposition (Proposition B, 06 April 1999,) pro-gun folks brought Dr. John Lott to town to help make their case. I went to his presentation and recall him saying only 4 to 6% of those qualified to carry a concealed weapon actually would become licensed. That was consistent with other sources I checked. Generally speaking, gun carrying is not all that popular.

That led me to conclude concealed gun-carrying is not normal. The vast, vast, overwhelming majority of the population don't see the risks they face in daily life to be so great they need a gun every minute of every day. Those who do, then, are justifiably suspect of living in a fantasy world of paranoia and gun cult mysticism.

To be fair with you I don't know that person, nor was I at his presentation. In my opinion those who do decide to carry a firearm legally are more prudent, because **** happens, and it's better to have a gun in hand than a cop on the phone if something happens. If a would-be mass murderer comes into our mall/supermarket/whatever, and I see him bringing out his gun and if I can help it, I'll drop him. In truth, the real fantasy world is thinking we don't live in a world where truly dangerous things can happen... things that take us by surprise. Protecting yourself with clothing and other items isn't normal, either, but it's practical and effective.