Reply #21: "Normal" people don't worship guns, either.... [View All]

[Pholus]

It isn't going to work to "ban" guns. It's not in our tradition and I would think we should have learned our lessons about the societal consequences of outright banning things by now. But what IS it with the current gun idolatry going on with some folks?

Consider this thread: Oh, yes, this shooting was in inner city Baltimore -- it's THOSE people's fault, not mine. I'm a RESPONSIBLE owner and you can take my word on that. Of course, I have 75 guns in my collection, including an SKS and an AK-47 and I subscribe to groups on the web that teach me how to turn them full auto with just a metal file but you can trust ME cause I'm a law-abiding owner. Well, Trixie, everyone is law abiding right up until the instant that they're not so forgive me for not being reassured. I don't know so you haven't earned my trust.

My parents generation had a few guns around the house for hunting, but they didn't BRAG about the size of their collection. Nor did they spend all day crowing to the world about how they had their guns to make them feel safer and how we should all thank them for the sacrifices they make as they concealed carry a pistol into every store, bar, hospital and church that we might also want to use. They also didn't feel the need to buy guns specifically designed to kill lots of people quickly or magazines with 50 rounds. Those types of weapons were, sorry to tell you, considered basically distasteful and immoral. The people who lusted after them were spoke of in hushed whispers as being the sort of person to stay away from. Semi-autos and assault weapons were reserved for law officers and the military, not the socially insecure and the self-appointed guardians of public safety.

Look guys, there is NOTHING wrong with guns, but like any hobby if it defines you so much you feel compelled to ALWAYS militantly defend and justify them, perhaps it's time to do some self-examination.