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Whats Up With Americans and their Guns

Posted 24 months ago|68 comments|671 views
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As a Canadian and definitely not a gun fan, I just do not get it. Whats up with Americans and their need to own guns? I do not understand why it is so important to them?

Today a article onlinw with BBC News talks about the "Gun convention 'a celebration of US culture'"

The article talks of one of the biggest crowds gathered at a booth where the Company makes discreet holsters.

""We're a sport oriented, patriotic, family-focused organization," says Howard Q Moody, an NRA manager.

"We love our guns because they are an instrument or a tool that helps us do the things we love."

For Mr Moody, those things involve sport shooting, spending time with his family, and, if necessary, protecting his loved ones and property. "

Please what is it with Americans and their need for guns? How can people say "we love our guns"?

I suppose I am just a confused Canadian, sitting here scratching my head??


Katie Connolly
BBC News, Charlotte
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COMMENTS
24 months ago: What's up with Canadians and their hate of America?
24 months ago: faith healer

i love americans, i just don't understand the gun thing? In fact I was just chatting to an American friend..

why do you feel unloved?
Altruist
Altruist
Eugene, OR
24 months ago: The gun thing is just like the love of powerful cars. It is overcompensation for a lack of sexual prowess. Guns make the insecure feel stronger and the weak more powerful.

I used to hunt, and go target shooting, when younger and I understand the need to hunt to feed your family. I understand the need for a woman walking down a dark street at night to be able to protect herself.

I do not understand the need for gun nuts to have fully automatic weapons, military assault weapons, bullet proof vests, or teflon coated bullets made to penetrate them, or Talon bullets meant to shred the insides of people. These are not meant for hunting rabbits, but to kill people and maybe rob banks, or start a revolution. Most of these things are already illegal but the NRA would allow Everything.

Most gun owners are rational and safe and they have a weapon for a specific purpose. Those who collect dozens of weapons and like to parade around with a gun on their hip to show how macho they are, and to intimidate others, are insecure whackos and give the rest of the gun owners a bad image.
24 months ago: All good points. Yet why does it seem more prevalent in America then in other places? Does life feel more threatened there? Is it more so because of 9/11. I do not see the same attitude in Canada. Not that I am looking though. Americans have a sense of protection of themselves, family and country. More so then here. In some ways it is admirable.
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
24 months ago: Ah, I thought so. All the people who who don't own guns and fast cars are just trying to brag about their virility. I don't own a fast car, but I have a big ol' truck with a big ol' diesel engine. It gets washed when it rains. I also have some kick-butt artillery.
I actually thought that it was a reflection on me, but now I realize that the guy driving the Prius is really Mr. Macho man. And if we are in a situation where we have to defend ourselves, I'll bow to his ability to talk his way out of danger, and I promise not to use my gun to save him.
Siempre Solo
Siempre Solo
Auburn, NY
24 months ago: Don't generalize sweetheart! Some Americans love their guns. Others of us hate them with a passion. I wouldn't own a gun to save my life, literally! If the cost of self defense is the death of someone else then I don't want to own a gun. Besides I believe in G-d, a resurrection of the faithful and a brand new earth so why the heck would I need a gun? All I need is to be a good steward of the earth I've been entrusted with. When G-d asks me what I've done with what he put into my hands to take care of. I don't want to have to say, "I shot it all and ate it Lord!"
24 months ago: Sorry I did not mean to generalize. I to do not like guns. I love God too. I walk in faith not fear. Thanks for your comment. Love your humor! LOL
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
24 months ago: I'm sure your kids would thank you for letting them be harmed or killed, rather than abridging your principals.

Over 2% of the population, and nearly 3% for blacks, become victims of violent crime every year. Two out of every hundred, and every year that lottery starts over again.

But the main reason for keeping arms, especially the more exotic ones, would be to protect our freedom, should the unthinkable happen, and our government becomes the despot warned against by the founders. The founders laid out quite clearly that our duty as Americans would be to do away with any government that becomes tyrannical.
24 months ago: violent crime is awful, I agree. yet i do not know if owning a gun is the answer.
24 months ago: Swords to plowshares? That does not mean civilian swords.
24 months ago: I agree it does not.
Siempre Solo
Siempre Solo
Auburn, NY
24 months ago: Chrissy,
Don't be. No harm done! I just get tired of hearing pro gun Americans say they are "real Americans" or Coservative right wing Christians praise G-d and War in the same breath that they say save the unborn. I believe firmly in what you just said "walk in faith not fear" besides how can we build a better world if we don't want to put down our guns? Your welcome! I think your pretty funny too "sweetheart" ^_~
24 months ago: We respected and loved our guns when before our Constitution was written.
24 months ago: yes I think this is a true statement. I am happy you want to protect your families and country. Can it not be done without guns?
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
24 months ago: Well chrissy, think about it. If someone comes at you with a gun, what are you to do? You certainly aren't going to ask them if they were abused as a child, or if they feel unloved.
24 months ago: no I am not, you are right. I am going to run like heck and probably get shot in the back!
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
24 months ago: That would suck. Do you have children? I'm assuming not, but I could be wrong.

I remember as a five year old boy (cue the harp music and the wavy flashback screen) sitting with my mother, and a news story came on about a child that had been abducted. I asked my mom what she would do if someone tried to take me. She calmly and firmly said, "I'd scratch his eyeballs out of his head." I was shocked to hear this coming out of my gentle, loving, nurturing mother's mouth. You see where I'm going with this?
24 months ago: yes I see....
24 months ago: Sure Chrissy.

How about spit wads?
24 months ago: you lost me with this comment.
24 months ago: You know I was in the Air Force, but when I was a boy I use to shoot birds for target practice, I gave away my rifle, so that I would never, never shoot another innocent animal again, or a two legged one.
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
24 months ago: You're a vegetarian too?
24 months ago: I would say I do not want to kill a animal, but I suppose if I was forced to, for food or protection, I would.
Siempre Solo
Siempre Solo
Auburn, NY
24 months ago: Praise G-d Edward! Now that is truly a blessed testimony!


…by the way birds are two legged too. ^_~
24 months ago: your quick
Siempre Solo
Siempre Solo
Auburn, NY
24 months ago: Not quick enough to run from the assault rifles these gentlemen insist on carrying!
THE RONBOT HUNTER
THE RONBOT HUNTER
24 months ago: The Federal Government and the Anti-Gun lobby would love you, for your lack of knowledge about protecting Constitutional rights and liberties.

It is the inability of a corrupt government to be suppressive of our rights, that is protected by the Second Amendment.

It is not about silly notions about sport or collecting. Or about any other thing that people like you and the Ant-Gun lobby traitors speak about.

The way you are now, in your mind -- is a traitor to the protections of our Constitution.

Either you are 100% for our rights or you are a traitor to the Constitution.

I tell it like it is, I pull no punches, tell no lies, and I am as I am

THE ONE AND ONLY RONBOT HUNTER
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

http://freedom-school.com/keating/how-a-...

http://freedom-school.com/law/prison_tre...
24 months ago: I serve a high power, He is the king of Kings, and everyone will have to face Him some day, if you want to protect someone, how about Israel, the only democrat country in the middle east, God said I will bless those that bless Israel, and I will curse those that curses her. If you do not believe in God it does not matter, you will still have to face Him. (soon)

He even created Cypress as nasty as he his, he still has time to repent, hiding behind a logo that reads "civil freedom" what a joke.
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
24 months ago: ...He even created Cypress as nasty as he his...

What did TCG do this time and how did he knock you off the pedestal of blissful spiritual gooeyness?
24 months ago: No problem, I my favorite is rack of lamb, but killing for no reason? that's lame.
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
24 months ago: Did anybody get my first comment in email where I linked to an article about violent crime in the UK? It seems to have disappeared off the board here.
24 months ago: You can't even trust some Christians, that may lose their temper, can you trust someone that is not filled with the Holy Spirit? and on drugs, as 80% of the population are?

Some will even use a hammer to smash the face of a 7 year old, a gun you can murder from a distance, it doesn't feel that personal.
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
24 months ago: Okay, as my first comment 'disappeared', I'll start by re-posting a link to an article titled, "The most violent country in Europe: Britain is also worse than South Africa and U.S."

http://tinyurl.com/nvqbmt

Let's see if the comment 'sticks' - assuming nobody else read my first comment, anybody gander a guess as to why I'm pointing this article out?
24 months ago: So the UK has a higher crime rate than the US? I found it interesting that Canada has double the violent crime rate than the US also...

...The U.S. has a violence rate of 466 crimes per 100,000 residents, Canada 935...

Do the cops in the UK carry firearms? How about in Canada?
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
24 months ago: and the UK has some of the strictest gun control laws to match up with their sky high crime rate. It's all well and good to have utopian fantasies of a crime free world and the lambs grazing with the wolves but until that happens, I will be exercising my US Constitutional right to have a firearm, knife, mace, etc.

Of course Canada has no such provision and even if they did, they would treat it as they do the concept of free speech - as in the Canadian government determines what you can say or can't say by labeling any contrary speech as hate speech. Of course, we aren't doing much better considering the impact of the religious right. When it comes to the ideological left or the religious right, free speech comes with plenty of shackles.
24 months ago: OH, I get it. Maybe that is why they are using a U.S. based website to spew their knowledge.
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
24 months ago: Yeah, the religious right is the ones who made the school kids remove their American flags because it might offend the Mexicans on Cinco de Mayo.

Oh, wait, that wasn't the religious right, that was liberal academia.
24 months ago: OOTB, they didn't remove the flags...

They remove the students...
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
24 months ago: No, I'm thinking more like when the religious right was foaming at the mouth about Harry Potter and pushing public schools and libraries to 'exorcise' fictional book that conflict with their own fictional sky wizard. While the religious right yaps about limits to free speech, expression & censorship that originate from the left, they are no less busy doing it themselves - classic pot kettle syndrome.
24 months ago: Sorry, I miised the date when those books were removed like the flag wearing students.
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
24 months ago: Kind of like the Texas SBOE removing Thomas Jefferson and views that conflict with the Dominionist fantasy of a Christian State.
24 months ago: (citation needed)
markbyrn
markbyrn
 Moderator
24 months ago: or like when the Religious Right Threw a Fit Over Islamic Prayer In Virginia:

http://www.talk2action.org/story/2010/3/...

"It's highly ironic that many of these same folks constantly clamor for more religion in government - as long as it's their faith, of course."
24 months ago: OH, your talking about how he was removed from "World History". Not being removed from "U.S. History".

When you say removed do you not imply from everthing? Kinda cherry picking are you not? What is the whole story? Please in your own words. You really think Thomas Jefferson is out of "American History" in the Texas schools?
24 months ago: you know it is true, I am a Christian, but none of us have the right to force our opinions. unfortunately maybe too often we have spurted off when we should of been silent and prayed for God to intervene. Causing difficulties when we did not need to. Interpreting scriptures to suit ourselves and using it to defend what we thought was right. Many times incorrectly. Causing unnecessary burdens, fighting etc. Then we have finished attacking the general population we attack each other. I am sorry. It is shameful
24 months ago: I am sure they do.
Siempre Solo
Siempre Solo
Auburn, NY
24 months ago: I will guess you are about to be critical about their religious beliefs or their anti gun laws.
24 months ago: I must say that they sure do have a lot of crime. I often see some horrible stories in the news and they are always from the UK.
Siempre Solo
Siempre Solo
Auburn, NY
24 months ago: Sorry Chrissy, My comment was directed at Mark Byrn Who asked earlier if anybody knew why he had posted that link he did.

I do agree with your above coment however that as Christians we spend far too much time medeling(if I can use thast word) instead of praying.

As far as I know Jesus ministry on earth consisted of three crucial parts. Sporeading the good news of his fathers kingdom. Helping the needy and lots of prayer. I never sawe him forming political action groups are pro gun rallies.
Gregoire
Gregoire
24 months ago: I just looked at the article.
Pretty interesting.
As to your motive:
Maybe the total resistance to private gun ownership in the UK as compared to the US?
Maybe I'm reaching for the "too obvious" Mark.
24 months ago: That's not the only thing that's happening, as we get more ungodly, the signs of Jesus return is all around us, just look at the weather, earthquakes are becoming more frequent. Look at my END-TIMES postings.
24 months ago: It's the world, not any country in particular. if some one comes towards you with a gun, you have to consider, do you have the will to kill, if you hesitate you are dead anyway.
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
24 months ago: In a heartbeat.
24 months ago: ...blink of an eye...
Billyberoo
Billyberoo
Cedar Park, TX
24 months ago: What's up with Canadians and their use of "eh" eh!!!
24 months ago: I just did that for my special Cypress Gang..
Altruist
Altruist
Eugene, OR
24 months ago: Chrissy I stand by my original assessment. The reason Americans have so many insecure gun nuts is that the right wing is constantly manipulated by their fears.

Even though violent crime has been going down for the last ten years those on the right are kept in a constant state of agitation with all kinds of boogeymen that keep them up at night. One of their worst imaginary fears is that the big bad government is going to take away their freedom, and they cling to their guns, which they equate to freedom. http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/...

Part of it is the media where you can see 30 different crime shows on the tube all competing with each other to have a more sadistic villain. Part of it is the right wing propaganda machine, Fox News and all of the AM hate radio, that are constantly screaming that the socialists will take away their guns and their freedoms.

This propaganda machine was curiously silent when Bush was actually taking away our freedoms and it is applauding Arizona when it attempts to remove the freedoms of latinos, or of Lieberman who wants to strip citizenship from anyone even accused of terrorism. It applauds when it denies rights to gays or to women. (We still have not been able to pass an equal rights amendment). But they get real riled when their imaginary boogeymen threaten their imagined freedoms that were taken away a long time ago by the corporations.
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
24 months ago: I thought your original assessment was that gun owners were just compensating for a teenie weenie.

But, with the increase in gun ownership, I don't find it surprising at all that violent crime stats have been going down. Maybe these more violent countries should follow our lead.

Wouldn't you think that if gun owners were a bunch of "whackos", and more guns being purchased every day by said whackos, that our violent crime stats would be through the roof?
Altruist
Altruist
Eugene, OR
24 months ago: You can look at lots of statistics. The US has double the overall crime of the number two country, yet murder with guns we drop down to 4th and murder in general we are down to 26th.

The highest percentages of ownership are in states with hunting like Wyoming, Montana, Alaska where it makes sense to own a hunting rifle.

I don't have problems with regular law abiding citizens having guns for legitimate purposes (I have one), but I suspect the ownership and fire arms permits don't reflect the guys that have 21 weapons who skew the stats. I question the need for things like AK-47's and when these guys advocate overturning the government, yeah I worry about whackos with guns.
24 months ago: That is funny. I find it hard to carry more than 7 at one time. Texas CCL does not have a limit of firearms on the person. I went to a local indoor range in the last week or so with one strapped to each ankle (2), one one each side of my back belt (2), one on each side of my front belt (2) and one in a shoulder holster.

All Loaded to the hilt.

I walked into the range paid my fee and started uncovering. There were lots of COPS watching as this range is one of the better ones. One asked me why so much? I said normally I carry two but today is range day. They had a good laugh.

But, they didn't say - "Your BUSTED".
24 months ago: Oh, yeah, in the almost 12 years I have been licensed to carry I have never once needed to show or discharge a firearm in public. Seems to me the crime perps here don't know who will be their last adventure. Isn't that the intent?
thePoliticop
thePoliticop
Long Beach, CA
24 months ago: The problem with America and guns, is that we are too far gone. It's too late to stand and oppose guns because there are just too many guns to govern. So in essence, it's a dead issue. There is NO WAY anyone can step in an abolish ALL guns. Hell, we can't even get an accurate census count, how could we dream of getting ahead of a gun count.
Irresponsible idiots who do not understand how to use their guns, is the problem. Kids with guns, is the problem. Illegal arms selling and trading is the problem. So in essence, guns are a problem! But there is no reason to argue the point, cause ain't nothing that can be done. Really!!
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
24 months ago: I still think the government could get most guns out of private citizens hands, by collapsing the economy for the lower and middle class, to the point that most people would gladly exchange their firearms for money and food. The cash for clunkers got a lot of gas guzzling, polluting vehicles off the road. The tax rebates for energy efficiency purchases also are getting the mindset in place.

All they need now is a catchy title for the program. How about "Foodstamps for Firearms" or "Groceries for Guns". Maybe a little more esoteric, and make it all warm and fuzzy, "Turn in your Piece for our Turn in Peace".
thePoliticop
thePoliticop
Long Beach, CA
24 months ago: It is funny you said this OotB, for the past two years on Mother's Day, my Department held a Gun Buy Back program with gift cards to Target, Sears and Ralph's Groceries.. And it was pretty impressive how many guns were turned in from GRANDMAs and old widows who were cleaning out their garage and came across old 1942 relics. Granted, there were several "street quality" guns turned it, but no where enough to make even the slightest impression on the gun presence in the street.
Truth be told, it was a waste of time and money to collect that 1978 Clint Eastwood movie replica with the removed firing pin, in exchange for a $100 gift card to Target.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the effort but it doesn't really work.
Here's a noble idea, instead of giving away tangible goods for the guns, why not a $500 mortgage credit for homeowners, for the month per gun turned in?
Hell, I might even turn in two of mine for a $1,000 credit next month. And the government can credit the mortgage companies wih a tax credit, so no actual money changes hands or is lost.....
I know, kinda stupid, but so is giving a hundred bucks to Target for a $30 Airsoft from Big 5
Altruist
Altruist
Eugene, OR
24 months ago: I think Politicop is correct It would be impossible for the government to get all of our guns even if they tried or wanted to.

We are much like the Muslim nations in that violence is in our culture. We need to change the culture to a more peaceful one, where we realize that the best way to resolve conflict is not through violence. Conflict resolution classes and parenting classes that provide viable alternatives to spanking are slowly moving us in a more peaceful direction. The glorification of violence on TV, movies, music, the internet and video games, and the constant fearmongering from Fox and hate radio are all pushing us towards a more violent nation.
Altruist
Altruist
Eugene, OR
24 months ago: Chris Rock had a sensible idea for reducing violence in the country. If every bullet cost $1000, then people would think long and hard before shooting anyone.

But then they would just resort to machetes like the poor in Africa - Unless we change the culture.
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
24 months ago: I think a better idea toward making Earth a more peaceful place is letting everyone kill one person, free from repercussions. Everyone would be much more polite, and would think long and hard before starting some junk. They'd be thinking, "Has this guy already had his freebie, or am I going to be it?"

Chris Rock could afford a whole box of bullets every day for a long, long time. Don't let his ghetto manner fool you. He's one of the rich people you despise so much.
thePoliticop
thePoliticop
Long Beach, CA
24 months ago: OotB
You almost made me flip my computer on that one..... That was hilarious!!!!!!

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