General Discussion

beevul

(12,194 posts)

145. A question way above your pay grade.

Sun Oct 11, 2015, 02:57 PM

Oct 2015

So what's the utilitarian purpose of shooting targets at 1000 yards?

A question way above your pay grade.

Confess, it's a power trip, an itch an air gun doesn't quite satisfy. The smell of that smokeless powder makes you imagine yourself as some Simo Häyhä shooting "bad" guys, guys who are in truth not much different than yourself, but caught up in the same bad circumstances.

Please explain to the next rapist killed by a woman via firearm, that the rapist was in truth not much different than the woman herself, but caught up in the same bad circumstances.

I haven't fired a gun in a few months now, and haven't bought one in over ten years, though I have to admit that a crossbow is interesting to me.

Yep, I do hate guns. I've lived most of my life now in the sorts of urban wilderness where the cops and gangsters are always shooting at someone, and I've seen too many suicides by gun.

As I suspected.

Gun fetishes are entirely unappealing to me, but I do have some respect for fine machines and hobbies that require excellent hand-eye coordination.

That's nice. Straw men are entirely unappealing to me, but I do occasionally gain respect for those who can debate honestly.

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Highlight:

What If We Made Gun Culture Uncool Like We Did Cigarettes? [View all] kpete Oct 2015 OP

Great idea. leftofcool Oct 2015 #1

I think this is probably the best way. ibegurpard Oct 2015 #38

You don't have a right to smoke! yeoman6987 Oct 2015 #54

Can't hurt...but we're never going to entirely eliminate guns unless, and until, we repeal the 2nd Amendment. InAbLuEsTaTe Oct 2015 #56

Our country can't figure out a budget must less repeal an amendment yeoman6987 Oct 2015 #64

How many amendments have been repealed? TeddyR Oct 2015 #68

That's also more than zero, demonstrating that it can, in fact, be done. nt Electric Monk Oct 2015 #76

Repealing the 2A wouldn't eliminate firearms. GGJohn Oct 2015 #77

Shhhh Duckhunter935 Oct 2015 #79

Guess I let the proverbial cat out of the bag. GGJohn Oct 2015 #81

Don't think so Duckhunter935 Oct 2015 #83

Obviously not, since you fail to recognize that once the 2ndA is repealed, the Fed Govt (and the States) would then be WAY more unencumbered to place FAR more stringent restrictions on firearms... InAbLuEsTaTe Oct 2015 #126

Maybe you should re-read my post. GGJohn Oct 2015 #127

Not only did I take civics, I'm a practicing attorney. branford Oct 2015 #129

Constitution gives you the right to keep and bear arms, and gives others the right... Mister Ed Oct 2015 #122

If that's how you roll cool. Not swear to me at all. yeoman6987 Oct 2015 #123

It is a stupid comparison by a clueless New Yorker .. pipoman Oct 2015 #2

Good luck with that. nt hack89 Oct 2015 #3

I would still imthevicar Oct 2015 #4

just for you: kpete Oct 2015 #5

Yawn. YOU BORE ME! imthevicar Oct 2015 #161

LOL. GGJohn Oct 2015 #6

i quit smoking kpete Oct 2015 #9

I'm glad you quit, I'll bet you feel much better, GGJohn Oct 2015 #13

Congrats! InAbLuEsTaTe Oct 2015 #57

Firearms possessors do that already to themselves LonePirate Oct 2015 #12

I disagree. GGJohn Oct 2015 #15

The vast majority of loosened gun laws are in gerrymandered red states. LonePirate Oct 2015 #20

IL, CA can hardly be called red states, yet they are also moving towards GGJohn Oct 2015 #22

This is simply not true: "the vast majority of loosened gun laws are in gerrymandered red states" DesMoinesDem Oct 2015 #24

The article does not sarisataka Oct 2015 #27

Yes, guns are becoming a larger part of the US culture and the US is becoming desensitized AlinPA Oct 2015 #142

I actually agree with you, GGJohn Oct 2015 #144

Republicans-NRA will oppose any improvement to the background checks system and certainly AlinPA Oct 2015 #148

One picture of the real aftermath of one mass shooting....is all it would take....that none are ever Fred Sanders Oct 2015 #7

If Sandy Hook crime scene photos had been released, we'd likely have some sort of gun control now LonePirate Oct 2015 #16

So, the only way the gun control org. can get the laws passed they want GGJohn Oct 2015 #19

Sometimes you need to use emotion to counter the intimidation and greed coming from the NRA LonePirate Oct 2015 #21

And usually using the emotion card backfires badly. GGJohn Oct 2015 #23

and yet guns are largely sold on fear. Fear the liberal lawmakers are going to grab guns... KittyWampus Oct 2015 #31

Guns are largely sold on fear? GGJohn Oct 2015 #80

I bought mine Duckhunter935 Oct 2015 #85

Sure thet did GG, fear of the big bad boggie man, or fear of being seen for what they are. Hoyt Oct 2015 #107

So you know every firearm owner in the US? GGJohn Oct 2015 #108

I bet I can peg 90%+ of them. You are quite transparent. Hoyt Oct 2015 #110

Transparent? GGJohn Oct 2015 #112

It's not emotion, it is just showing the effects of the tool when used for its purpose. morningfog Oct 2015 #94

Sure it is. GGJohn Oct 2015 #95

You need thicker skin if you can't handle the images of the use of a beautiful machine, morningfog Oct 2015 #96

My friend, I have a very thick skin, GGJohn Oct 2015 #98

Great! Then you should support publishing mass murder crime scene photos. morningfog Oct 2015 #100

No, I don't it, GGJohn Oct 2015 #101

The "emotional card" is what many 2A zealots use to defend their positions, so why not? Gormy Cuss Oct 2015 #133

The pro-gun movement is powered by a huge amount of raw emotion, mainly paranoia. Paladin Oct 2015 #134

I guess we'll never be hearing 'nra talking point' from you then... beevul Oct 2015 #138

Post removed Post removed Oct 2015 #29

Person A's right to own a gun does not outweigh Person B's right to live. LonePirate Oct 2015 #36

If the 2A were repealed, Snobblevitch Oct 2015 #41

If the 2nd amendment were repealed then the Federal government could pass laws... PoliticAverse Oct 2015 #43

Yes, Snobblevitch Oct 2015 #44

Most federal and state gun control proposals are already constitutional. branford Oct 2015 #47

Indeed none of the proposals by Clinton, Sanders or O'Malley would apparently run PoliticAverse Oct 2015 #49

There a big difference between a general proposal and actual legislation, branford Oct 2015 #51

Rights aren't granted by the bill of rights. Did you pass civics? X_Digger Oct 2015 #97

Apparently you are someone that thinks the bill of rights has had no effect PoliticAverse Oct 2015 #103

"Had never been passed" != "repealed" X_Digger Oct 2015 #111

Oh come on. If the second amendment were to be explicitly removed the Supreme Court wouldn't PoliticAverse Oct 2015 #113

The supreme court would say, "This right was protected yesterday, and is still protected by.. X_Digger Oct 2015 #115

Some need one in reality. n/t PoliticAverse Oct 2015 #116

Okay, where is the right to travel laid out? I'll give you time to google and read. n/t X_Digger Oct 2015 #118

I know huh? GGJohn Oct 2015 #117

Well, that's okay, we have other posters throwing out the 4th, 5th, due process protections of 14th. X_Digger Oct 2015 #119

No, it isn't. raccoon Oct 2015 #124

As an activist gun-controller, why don't you lobby for release of photos? Eleanors38 Oct 2015 #53

I'm pretty sure... beevul Oct 2015 #30

"Controlled media!" B-WAHA! MSM IS gun prohibition! Eleanors38 Oct 2015 #50

You really think that publishing pictures of victims of mass shootings is going to convince people TeddyR Oct 2015 #69

/\ This deathrind Oct 2015 #158

In Australia it was a matter of weeks, when mass media control was not so controlled as today. Fred Sanders Oct 2015 #160

You mean like how the pigs feel entitled to choke Eric Garner to death over taxes on a 50 cent cig? Nuclear Unicorn Oct 2015 #8

Don't forget that heavy taxation helped karadax Oct 2015 #10

Cigs aren't an enumerated right, heavy taxes are perfectly constitutional, GGJohn Oct 2015 #18

Nearly 1/2 of cigs in NYC are sold illegally. "Taxation:" alternative spelling for black market. Eleanors38 Oct 2015 #55

I don't know. They are crazy in the first place. They'd sell all their valuables if necessary CTyankee Oct 2015 #63

that's the only way to do it n/t librechik Oct 2015 #11

I'm trying to figure out how that would look different than the rhetoric that's currently used. Brickbat Oct 2015 #14

Exactly. nt branford Oct 2015 #52

Smoking remains particularly high among people who live below the poverty level oberliner Oct 2015 #17

How about warning labels? flamin lib Oct 2015 #25

I have seen handguns that have stamped on the barrel Snobblevitch Oct 2015 #42

This message was self-deleted by its author olddots Oct 2015 #26

Gun toters should be held up to ridicule at every opportunity mwrguy Oct 2015 #28

Note that according to the CDC about 42 million US adults smoke cigarettes. PoliticAverse Oct 2015 #32

Nobody has fantasies about saving women and children with a pack of smokes Major Nikon Oct 2015 #78

Neither do the vast majority of firearms owners have a fantasy about saving GGJohn Oct 2015 #86

You know how you tell when someone is a gun owner? Major Nikon Oct 2015 #99

That's odd. I never speak of my firearms because it is nobody's damn business. Throd Oct 2015 #105

Yes it is. GGJohn Oct 2015 #114

totally different Locrian Oct 2015 #33

it would backfire Amishman Oct 2015 #34

Aim the culture change at youth. Let the diehards just die hard. nt flamin lib Oct 2015 #46

You do realize.. virginia mountainman Oct 2015 #152

Dream on. nt flamin lib Oct 2015 #155

I don't dream...I know... virginia mountainman Oct 2015 #156

I think too many people are addicted to their guns Skittles Oct 2015 #72

Good post, and I fully agree with you.. virginia mountainman Oct 2015 #151

"Gun culture" is more than "uncool," it's perverse. hunter Oct 2015 #35

When people tell me about their "gun collection" ThoughtCriminal Oct 2015 #71

I immediately think they are pathetic Skittles Oct 2015 #73

To a certain extent, I think this is already happening. Aristus Oct 2015 #37

Sharp upswing in the national public support for firmer gun control? branford Oct 2015 #48

"Die off:" The Political Theory of Mass Extinction 202: A survey course... Eleanors38 Oct 2015 #58

I quit ciggies close to a year ago. wendylaroux Oct 2015 #82

It differs for every patient. Aristus Oct 2015 #87

Thank you Aristus nt wendylaroux Oct 2015 #90

My pleasure. Aristus Oct 2015 #92

It's possible, but quitting lowers the odds, GGJohn Oct 2015 #89

Lord wendylaroux Oct 2015 #91

I quit appox 35 years ago, just told myself that I didn't want to smoke anymore, GGJohn Oct 2015 #93

Yea,I do feel better. wendylaroux Oct 2015 #102

lots o' butthurt, it seems KG Oct 2015 #39

It could work but you have to start with the children. That's what was done with cigarettes. kelliekat44 Oct 2015 #40

Video games have increased the popularity of gun ownership among younger people today NickB79 Oct 2015 #45

Have always thought it a good tool in the safety campaign elfin Oct 2015 #59

Approach is common, but some 20% of gun-owners ARE women. Eleanors38 Oct 2015 #62

And some say "gunners" are the ones always linking sex and guns. Brickbat Oct 2015 #65

Their is some artwork from prohibition that you can use to help! virginia mountainman Oct 2015 #154

Or my version.. X_Digger Oct 2015 #157

Tobacco had other markets to expand to underpants Oct 2015 #60

Problems: Campaigns of stigmata or lack of cool have gone on for years... Eleanors38 Oct 2015 #61

If people regularly fire their guns they do breathe a lot of lead. hunter Oct 2015 #128

I would welcome reading the peer reviewed studies and related scholarship branford Oct 2015 #131

This might be a place to start, acceptable to you... hunter Oct 2015 #132

Heh. Pretty funny. Prediction: In my lifetime, lead will be banned for all hunting... Eleanors38 Oct 2015 #135

Lead ought to be banned for all hunting. On ranges too. hunter Oct 2015 #136

Lead is already illegal in CA for big game.. Eleanors38 Oct 2015 #137

Nitrous oxide, by itself, is not flammable. beevul Oct 2015 #139

Okay, show me a nitrocellulose fired gun that can hit another planet! hunter Oct 2015 #143

A question way above your pay grade. beevul Oct 2015 #145

Above my pay grade? Really? My name is Bond. James Bond. hunter Oct 2015 #149

Yes. beevul Oct 2015 #150

You're kidding, right? hunter Oct 2015 #159

No, I'm not. beevul Oct 2015 #162

Because the same people who think guns are cool think "rolling coal" is cool tabasco Oct 2015 #66

"Thank You For Not Carrying" is a sign that s/b in every house and office. nt valerief Oct 2015 #67

The gungeon is already uncool ThoughtCriminal Oct 2015 #70

I've put the entire group on ignore Skittles Oct 2015 #75

The most telling line in the whole thing? GoneOffShore Oct 2015 #74

Very small compared to tobacco companies hack89 Oct 2015 #106

They're small compared to mcDonalds. N/T beevul Oct 2015 #140

Small compared to any tobacco company. Nt hack89 Oct 2015 #141

I think it's a fine idea. Be nice if someone ran a series of PSAs, too. Demit Oct 2015 #84

If you want to pay for it, go right ahead LittleBlue Oct 2015 #88

We made cigarettes unpopular because they kill people. That jwirr Oct 2015 #104

Eric Holder had this idea years ago. mwrguy Oct 2015 #109

i think that violence and disrespect culture should definitely be made uncool, to TheFrenchRazor Oct 2015 #120

Drunk driving is another good example Recursion Oct 2015 #121

Social pressure against drunk driving has been effective. hunter Oct 2015 #130

I concure.. virginia mountainman Oct 2015 #153

Great idea, especially this: raccoon Oct 2015 #125

It already is uncool, IMO. ecstatic Oct 2015 #146

Anything is worth a try, but I still see lots of people smoking. Vinca Oct 2015 #147