Ryan outfits 10 yr old daughter with deer-hunting gear (gave her rifle as gift at age 9)

[OneGrassRoot]

134. I avoid gun threads because I have ZERO desire to debate guns (edited)

Last edited Wed Sep 26, 2012, 07:04 AM - Edit history (1)

but this senior pic issue has bothered me for the last few weeks, and this thread seemed like a place I could pose the question to others, to get their thoughts, including from gun enthusiasts.

I'm not a fan of guns; not a fan of hunting. However, I respect others' rights and that their interests are different than mine.

That said, for someone like me who isn't "into" guns in any way and admittedly ignorant about the topic, there is definitely a perceived difference between a hunting rifle and a Glock.

I never knew about competitions that make use of Glocks but, as mentioned, that isn't even an issue as it concerns this young lady. She doesn't participate in contests or official events of any type.

So, the difference in my mind is what is the message she wants to send in taking such a picture?

A hunting rifle and hunting gear would express that she likes to hunt. Okay.

I still don't get what she is trying to express with a Glock.

This is a Glenn Beck-lovin', racist, bigoted redneck family and this young lady is the same.

The expression and pose I mentioned included a "make my day" type of expression; there are also poses with her lovingly caressing the gun.

I have no doubt whatsoever that, regardless of what a young black or Hispanic man (or young black or Hispanic woman) would be wearing or their expression or how they held the gun, this family would view them as criminal thugs asking for trouble.

No doubt whatsoever.

This young lady happens to be my niece, so it bothers me. A lot.

I don't believe the claim that it is a "thing" that a lot of kids are doing, so I posted here to see if others had heard of such a trend.

And I simply still don't get what she is wanting to express to others with this choice. She has other pics with sports equipment. That I get. The Glock I don't.

It's not just this incident, even though this takes it to a new level. I don't understand the desire to glorify guns in any way, posing with them. I understand pics taken at a shooting range (action shot), I get pics taken as part of a competition or when out hunting.

I don't get people at home posing with their guns. I liken it to people taking pics with a prized car or other prized possession, but this is a prized possession that was created for the express purpose of harming others, even if that harm comes in the process of protecting oneself. It creeps me out when its glorified. I have respect for guns and the right for others to own them and even collect them (to a limited degree); it just really bothers me when the same respect doesn't seem to be shown when people glorify it or even trivialize it.

That's the word...some people seem to trivialize guns the way they so carelessly pose with them in an attempt to make themselves look tough.