General Discussion

Matrosov

(1,098 posts)

166. My issue is with 'shooting sports' legitimizing firearms and shooting

Mon Aug 8, 2016, 09:47 PM

Aug 2016

Ah, yes, Olympic target shooters have never hurt anybody, eh? They're not the ones committing mass murder in places like Orlando, huh?

You're missing the point.

The fight against gun violence is as much as a cultural fight as one of legislation. The Olympics are an event with billions of people watching and paying attention to the news, and it would've been the perfect opportunity to take a stand against gun culture.

What do we expect when children can turn on the television and watch competitions in which lethal weapons are used, when guns and 'marksmanship' are glorified as legitimate and normal.

Maybe it wasn't an Olympic target shooter killing people in Orlando, but as long as we haven't reached a point where the majority of the populace has a strong disdain for anything having to do with firearms, we also can't hope to change the legislative landscape that allows this kind of mass murder to continue to happen.

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Why are shooting sports still allowed at the Olympics? [View all] Matrosov Aug 2016 OP

Well, it's skill. No one is shooting at live targets. stopbush Aug 2016 #1

How many deaths in Chicago, Mexico City, Rio from Matrosov Aug 2016 #4

How many deaths by auto accidents? stopbush Aug 2016 #10

Big difference Matrosov Aug 2016 #16

Like the killer did in Nice? stopbush Aug 2016 #21

How many deaths from drowning? whistler162 Aug 2016 #13

Winner! 😂 lol AgadorSparticus Aug 2016 #15

Well nearly all sports involve one person dominating another so when you get right down to it hollowdweller Aug 2016 #153

Many school field days have done just that. woodsprite Aug 2016 #191

Mexico City is pretty safe, actually... a la izquierda Aug 2016 #92

How many from Olympic target shooters? N/T beevul Aug 2016 #157

Gun violence has claimed many lives, Music Man Aug 2016 #2

MY OPINION. shooting sports in the olympics is pure crap trueblue2007 Aug 2016 #12

Ok, your opinion. Others have different opinions, including gun control advocates. RelativelyJones Aug 2016 #32

Well, in my opinion so is marathon running Drahthaardogs Aug 2016 #59

my opinion. so is nose picking. trueblue2007 Aug 2016 #77

Javelins kill people Act_of_Reparation Aug 2016 #148

Nose picking with Javelins definitely kills people. n/t CincyDem Aug 2016 #154

My opinon, I don't care about your opinion Travis_0004 Aug 2016 #91

I had a conversation where an individual minimized death from shooting loyalsister Aug 2016 #25

marksmanship is not expressly meant for the killing of humans, people still hunt for food Demonaut Aug 2016 #3

And the fact that the skill facilitates faster and easier killing is a coincidence? loyalsister Aug 2016 #26

Knife skills are taught in cooking school. I am outraged that culinary institutes glorify violence emulatorloo Aug 2016 #29

How often do you see chefs killing people in the movies loyalsister Aug 2016 #47

How often do you see movies of KNIFE MURDERERS! I can think of many, starting with Hitchcock's emulatorloo Aug 2016 #51

How many children do myou see using squirt knives loyalsister Aug 2016 #52

There are no "squirt knives". However, there are "disappearing dagger" toys emulatorloo Aug 2016 #55

This happened in my family loyalsister Aug 2016 #58

So very sorry to hear about your cousins. My heart goes out to them. emulatorloo Aug 2016 #62

"Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?" tblue37 Aug 2016 #74

I think the biathalon in the winter olympics is an amazing sport cali Aug 2016 #5

I thought it was silly until I watched it jberryhill Aug 2016 #63

I was close to trying out for the '84 biathalon. MohRokTah Aug 2016 #65

It's probably one of the hardest to perform, physically. SeattleVet Aug 2016 #95

And if you are a crappy shot, you ski a penalty lap! Eleanors38 Aug 2016 #135

It's also one of the few sports where men and women compete together SeattleVet Aug 2016 #143

Simple, shooting is not sarisataka Aug 2016 #6

The Marathon. whistler162 Aug 2016 #14

Fencing as well? Drahthaardogs Aug 2016 #69

You have a point. I will say that the olympics don't have the events most gun nuts find exciting -- Hoyt Aug 2016 #7

You mean... Puha Ekapi Aug 2016 #56

No, I mean yahoos who need a gun in their pants to go out, like Zman. Hoyt Aug 2016 #57

I am glad... Puha Ekapi Aug 2016 #70

One or two At HOME for hunting and the unlikely need for self-dense. Hoyt Aug 2016 #72

I don't hunt.... Puha Ekapi Aug 2016 #83

some of us do... discntnt_irny_srcsm Aug 2016 #87

Point is, you should leave your gunz at home like most people unless Hoyt Aug 2016 #98

Kind of difficult going to the range when you leave your gunz at home. n/t Waldorf Aug 2016 #109

Another pointy finger gunner reader. BTW, what do you practice at the range? Hoyt Aug 2016 #110

I enjoy shooting at targets. I find it a relaxing hobby and meet some nice people there. Waldorf Aug 2016 #111

Ain't that nice. Could you just fantasize about shooting for good of society? Hoyt Aug 2016 #112

No, I'd rather take my firearms to the range and shoot them. Besides, about 99.99% of them are not Waldorf Aug 2016 #116

Are you opposed to range practice? Marengo Aug 2016 #114

View it as part of sick habit, but depends on what you fantasize about when squeezing the trigger. Hoyt Aug 2016 #115

What is sick about it? Nothing. n/t Waldorf Aug 2016 #118

That is your minority opinion, shared only by gun fanciers. Hoyt Aug 2016 #119

Minority opinion? 80-100 million gun owners (fanciers as you call them) owning 350 firearms Waldorf Aug 2016 #121

Do the math -- 25 - 33% of population. That a minority. And of that, a lot just have an old gun Hoyt Aug 2016 #129

No, Hoyt. The minority opinion, is that target shooting is sick... beevul Aug 2016 #160

hitting my paper plate in the center Duckhunter935 Aug 2016 #120

Sometimes I wonder if he thinks everybody at the range is just practicing to snipe someone from Waldorf Aug 2016 #123

I know Duckhunter935 Aug 2016 #124

How else are hunters supposed to become efficient and accurate with their firearms? Marengo Aug 2016 #122

that is a great question Duckhunter935 Aug 2016 #125

I don't understand the antagonism against range practice. Begs the question as to which he... Marengo Aug 2016 #126

It's not rocket science or a major athletic feat. Christ, have you ever seen some of those yahoos Hoyt Aug 2016 #130

So, if I were to loan you an M1 rifle and take you to a John C Garand match, you would shoot... Marengo Aug 2016 #132

He can not posses a firearm. oneshooter Aug 2016 #140

Hoyt is a prohibited person? Has he confirmed this? Marengo Aug 2016 #141

He did claim to have been an armed robber in his earlier years. oneshooter Aug 2016 #144

Interesting, I've asked him directly in this thread. Marengo Aug 2016 #146

Hoyt, are you prohibited from possessing a firearm? Marengo Aug 2016 #142

do did your right to own firearms get taken away by the government? snooper2 Aug 2016 #158

No, its ideological voodoo, hoyt. beevul Aug 2016 #162

Hoyt, are you prohibited from possessing a firearm? Marengo Aug 2016 #200

What do you fantasize about whilst rubbing the barrel? jack_krass Aug 2016 #138

Too many gunners mean this when they talk about "range" practice. Hoyt Aug 2016 #128

So? What of it? Marengo Aug 2016 #133

Are only skinny people allowed to practice? TipTok Aug 2016 #145

Apparently, over-weight white males practice for only nefarious reasons. Marengo Aug 2016 #147

Actually, it's easy going to the range without a gun. But stupid! Eleanors38 Aug 2016 #136

And you should leave your speech at home. beevul Aug 2016 #159

Who hunts at home? Duckhunter935 Aug 2016 #86

Post removed Post removed Aug 2016 #97

yes, some of us are smart enough Duckhunter935 Aug 2016 #100

My point is, genius, you leave your guns at home until going hunting (I'm talking deer, etc.). Hoyt Aug 2016 #117

Do you keep those pics saved in a text file or you have to google search each time? snooper2 Aug 2016 #156

Because they are Sports MicaelS Aug 2016 #8

this, and its a very popular sporting class in general Amishman Aug 2016 #24

Then why do we send pro athletes. I would also argue, any "sport" you Exilednight Aug 2016 #165

It's one of the 9 events from the first modern Olympics for one thing. Heeeeers Johnny Aug 2016 #9

How many people die from choking on a Kleenex? Lint Head Aug 2016 #11

My firearms were invented to save lives. ileus Aug 2016 #31

Zimmerman, Dunn, etc., felt the same way about their gunz. Hoyt Aug 2016 #36

Read about the origins of the gun. Or any other weapon for Lint Head Aug 2016 #54

... Javaman Aug 2016 #196

Automatic rocks? SCantiGOP Aug 2016 #103

So what? beevul Aug 2016 #163

Humans... deathrind Aug 2016 #17

A lot of traditional events are rooted in the martial tradition. Yo_Mama Aug 2016 #18

Good post. The ancient games were based primarily on combat arts and implememts. Eleanors38 Aug 2016 #38

And many modern sports are more or less obvious proxies for our warlike tendencies bhikkhu Aug 2016 #85

Love your point!! You phrased that so well. Yo_Mama Aug 2016 #127

"channeling" warrior tendencies into games is practice by a rainbow of cultures. Eleanors38 Aug 2016 #134

Yep awoke_in_2003 Aug 2016 #88

First gold medal awarded to American shooter oneshooter Aug 2016 #19

The world doesn't share your narrow opinion. former9thward Aug 2016 #20

This ^^^^^^^^^^ LastLiberal in PalmSprings Aug 2016 #105

Thats too far jcgoldie Aug 2016 #22

Because the military has always been a major part of malaise Aug 2016 #23

Yes, the surface-to-air missile competition makes this painfully obvious emulatorloo Aug 2016 #33

Study the Olympic Movement before the corporatie bosses moved in malaise Aug 2016 #34

Yes I'm aware of the politicization of the olympics. 1936 for example. Still doesn't make Archery emulatorloo Aug 2016 #41

There are powerful and influential international sports associations malaise Aug 2016 #42

I never said you did. I used summer 1936 as an example of political manipulation of Olympics emulatorloo Aug 2016 #44

Shooting has been a part of the modern Olympics since the first one in 1896. NuclearDem Aug 2016 #48

My personal fave is the Indiscriminate Carpet-Bombing, but I hear that's being dropped... PoutrageFatigue Aug 2016 #161

Why wouldn't the shooting sports not be allowed? ileus Aug 2016 #27

Thanks! Was unaware that the US shooting team caused a brutal bloodbath in Rio today emulatorloo Aug 2016 #28

No, but her assault air rifle was confiscated. Dr. Strange Aug 2016 #37

... emulatorloo Aug 2016 #39

Congratulations Uponthegears Aug 2016 #30

Self defense is never evil. MicaelS Aug 2016 #64

The evil is Uponthegears Aug 2016 #66

Vice President Biden suggested people get a shotgun for home protection. ripcord Aug 2016 #73

I'd wager.... Puha Ekapi Aug 2016 #89

He knows enough to know that a shotgun is better than a handgun or rifle FrodosPet Aug 2016 #188

the biggest issue beergood Aug 2016 #201

"....get a shotgun for home protection" EX500rider Aug 2016 #204

The problem is with what that inaminate object represents to those who lust for it Matrosov Aug 2016 #170

Not to be flippant Uponthegears Aug 2016 #199

"a firearm represents power - the ability to control others" beevul Aug 2016 #203

"need and a right to posses a gun for the purpose of self-defense is evil." beergood Aug 2016 #202

No doubt some groups are more targeted than others Uponthegears Aug 2016 #213

Plenty of people will answer that question "yes" - the risk is worth it. Millions in fact seem to. jmg257 Aug 2016 #222

Why are boxing XemaSab Aug 2016 #35

OFFS! MohRokTah Aug 2016 #40

pretty much dlwickham Aug 2016 #80

Possibly the only truly appropriate response to the OP. NT pablo_marmol Aug 2016 #176

bit of a stretch DustyJoe Aug 2016 #43

I know several competition shooters, and some serious hunters. Mopar151 Aug 2016 #45

Oy-fucking-vey! TransitJohn Aug 2016 #46

Aw... come on. You're just stirrin' shit, ain't ya? Ain't ya? cherokeeprogressive Aug 2016 #49

Haha! Oh DU! Never change! N/T actslikeacarrot Aug 2016 #50

Not everybody with a gun is a gun nut, the gun nuts just give other people a very bad name Warpy Aug 2016 #53

Come on... Calculating Aug 2016 #60

I don't agree... tallahasseedem Aug 2016 #61

Oh geez... pipoman Aug 2016 #67

Just when DU hits turd-gazing level of stupidity, over the top it goes! AngryAmish Aug 2016 #68

Gun nut here! duncang Aug 2016 #71

I disagree. Kaleva Aug 2016 #75

Olympic sports related to the art of war. JonathanRackham Aug 2016 #76

As a rated expert marksman rogerashton Aug 2016 #78

For America liberal N proud Aug 2016 #79

I'm anti-gun but I sure prefer them relayerbob Aug 2016 #81

I have no problem with it in the Olympics rockfordfile Aug 2016 #82

Because they're combat skills. SusanCalvin Aug 2016 #84

I would argue for it being removed as not a real sport mythology Aug 2016 #90

The entire world disagrees with you. pipoman Aug 2016 #108

I'm adding my voice to the "shooting is a sport" side Bucky Aug 2016 #93

I agree! Seeking Serenity Aug 2016 #94

Can't have ballroom dancing. MicaelS Aug 2016 #194

... LostOne4Ever Aug 2016 #96

I'm beginning to think Abq_Sarah Aug 2016 #99

USA! USA! USA! El Supremo Aug 2016 #101

it is a valid sport... chillfactor Aug 2016 #102

This does nothing to help your cause GulfCoast66 Aug 2016 #104

Praying that this is trolling Loki Liesmith Aug 2016 #106

Well, it's a skill you see. flvegan Aug 2016 #107

lol n/t fishwax Aug 2016 #113

Because ... Straw Man Aug 2016 #131

+1,000.......and BRAVO. NT pablo_marmol Aug 2016 #177

Apparently we should replace it with hand wringing. Throd Aug 2016 #137

Is this satire? aikoaiko Aug 2016 #139

I was wondering that myself. Act_of_Reparation Aug 2016 #149

Ha ha ha.........perfect response. pablo_marmol Aug 2016 #151

Lies? Matrosov Aug 2016 #168

"If gun nuts wouldn't enable civilian gun ownership, those with criminal records........ pablo_marmol Aug 2016 #172

"That there Constutition... don't give you the right not to be shot by one." friendly_iconoclast Aug 2016 #183

"Lies?" Yes. Lies. And it seems that you can't avoid telling them. pablo_marmol Aug 2016 #187

Enabling? Straw Man Aug 2016 #189

"If guns nuts wouldn't enable civilian gun ownership............ EX500rider Aug 2016 #205

How am I making fun? Matrosov Aug 2016 #169

Oh my. Well then, carry on. aikoaiko Aug 2016 #190

You are living in a fantasy world.... MicaelS Aug 2016 #195

More kids, families and innocent people are being wiped out by alcohol consumption pault420 Aug 2016 #150

Because target shooting is a skill. It's also fun. hollowdweller Aug 2016 #152

Is your OP meant to be taken seriously or as satire? NaturalHigh Aug 2016 #155

This thread is now officially being mocked Calculating Aug 2016 #164

ARFCOM thinks anyone with an IQ above room temperature is an idiot Matrosov Aug 2016 #167

It could honestly be argued........ pablo_marmol Aug 2016 #173

My issue is with 'shooting sports' legitimizing firearms and shooting Matrosov Aug 2016 #166

Your "moral" dilemma w/regard to guns is no different than a fundie's "moral" dilemma with gays. pablo_marmol Aug 2016 #174

Exactly- see the Robert Bork quote in post #184. Your post brought it to mind. friendly_iconoclast Aug 2016 #185

Thanks for that. Hard to keep track....... pablo_marmol Aug 2016 #186

Your 'issue' is merely Robert Bork's theory of 'moral harm', applied to a different subject: friendly_iconoclast Aug 2016 #184

So do you want to ban archery, too? Odin2005 Aug 2016 #193

We've had World Wars and nobody thought of banning them.... RagAss Aug 2016 #171

"I hope this OP is a joke." pablo_marmol Aug 2016 #175

I would disagree Matrosov Aug 2016 #207

The irony is hilarious. MicaelS Aug 2016 #209

Not looking to disarm LEOs and MIL Matrosov Aug 2016 #216

Of course you would disagree. pablo_marmol Aug 2016 #211

Millions of deaths per year is a gross exageration. Binkie The Clown Aug 2016 #178

K�roly Tak�cs is one of the most inspiring competitors of the modern games LongtimeAZDem Aug 2016 #179

Think of target shooting as bowling with explosives. TXIRISHWOMAN Aug 2016 #180

Why is boxing still an Olympic "sport?" stopbush Aug 2016 #181

JFC romanic Aug 2016 #182

Are you fucking serious? Odin2005 Aug 2016 #192

Yeah, I'm fucking serious Matrosov Aug 2016 #206

So you think every Dem who owns a gun is a wingnut posing as a Dem? Odin2005 Aug 2016 #210

Sadly Matrosov Aug 2016 #214

I'm sure you are serious. Straw Man Aug 2016 #212

It's not unwinnable Matrosov Aug 2016 #215

The complete surrender of armed power to the state is analogous to the legalization... Marengo Aug 2016 #217

It absolutely is unwinnable. Straw Man Aug 2016 #219

Ahhhhhh, the Olympics... melm00se Aug 2016 #197

Why are sports in general allowed at the Olympics? Glassunion Aug 2016 #198

Too many countires, including the US, still place cudos on marksmanship programs and the like. jmg257 Aug 2016 #208

Many high schools used to have shooting teams Matrosov Aug 2016 #218

Not used to, do. sarisataka Aug 2016 #220

I was on my high school shooting team. LP2K12 Aug 2016 #221

Not just shooting teams teach guns are acceptable - millions grow up learning that at home. jmg257 Aug 2016 #223

Do you realize that the Olympics have always been a contest of martial skills? Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2016 #224

Sad, but true: LongtimeAZDem Aug 2016 #225