Barack Obama, "Greatest Gun Salesman in America"

[Atypical Liberal]

70. Well, you are just wrong.

Yes, in that I don't believe they constitute hobby. They are military/hunting activities that have been modified into a sporting event. They are about competition and not relaxation outside of an occupation. I for one take no joy in the infliction of harm upon others, the glorification of its means, or the practice thereof. Do you take joy in these things?

Absolutely! So do hundreds of thousands of other people!

You're just wrong on this.

Remember, a hobby does not have to be relaxing to be a hobby.

There are tens of thousands of people who like to dress up in armor and beat on each other with simulated weapons for fun! (http://www.sca.org) If the SCA doesn't count as a hobby, man I don't know what does. It is an absolute blast.

Lots and lots of people enjoy archery target shooting. I never cared for it because I hate walking downrange to retrieve arrows. But tons and tons of people enjoy it, and this is a weapon that was designed for killing.

Millions of people engage and compete in martial arts, and enjoy them immensely.

Countless people do historical reenacting as a hobby. These people often portray military scenarios from all reaches of history - even people who are usually known as the "bad guys".

Millions of people enjoy building model airplanes, ships, tanks and other instruments of war.

I think you are either reaching, or you need to seriously rethink your aversion to weapons. It is entirely possible to engage in a recreational activity with a weapon without secretly or otherwise be thinking about violence.

If you really think that every time I go target shooting with my shooting team that I am glorifying the means of violence, I don't know what to say, other than you are completely wrong.