Can I Play Devil's Advocate Here For A Minute?

[Initech]

Last edited Sat Jun 8, 2019, 01:35 AM - Edit history (3)

While I normally disagree with Trump on just about everything, I can't help but keep thinking about what he said about Americans viewing guns as a form of entertainment. I am going to break character and say that Trump is actually not wrong here. Many Americans actually do view guns as a form of entertainment.

And that's a huge part of the problem. Remember John Oliver's expose on the inner workings of NRA TV? They had entire shows dedicated to showing you how scenes from popular action movies were created. They literally think that if you give an average Joe a gun that he can be the next Dirty Harry or Rambo or John Wick. They even had shows geared toward women showing how you can accessorize your guns and that firing them emitted a "poof" of happiness.

In a country ruled by the gun, where people are quick to shoot first and ask questions later, I honestly have to say that Trump, as batshit fucking crazy as that Piers Morgan interview was, may have actually hit the nail on the head with this one.

If Americans view guns as a form of, what's to stop the never ending violence? No matter what scenario you can come up with to end mass shootings, it will be the wrong one. And the NRA designed that logic for a reason. You can arm teachers, you can have armed security guards, rooftop snipers you name it. People will still find ways to sneak weapons into places where they don't belong because in this country it's easy to get away with it. And people are stockpiling weapons for a number of reasons. Business. Hunting. Any number of reasons. But did we ever stop to think that maybe they're just fucking bored?

People listen to dangerous lunatics like Alex Jones and Michael Savage and Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity out of boredom, and that makes them actually fearful that someone is coming to take their guns away. Then repeat the cycle over and over 24/7.

That form of entertainment leads to fear. And every single mass shooting in the last 10 years has had one thing in common for all of them: fear. And fear isn't a trait that is inherited, it's learned. If we can start addressing this, maybe we can actually do something about the gun crisis.

[dchill]

1. Ahhhhhh, sweet poof of happiness.

At last I have found you!

[guillaumeb]

2. And the various NRA scenarios

all depend on people fantasizing that they are themselves action heroes.

If I am attacked, in this NRA scenario, I will pull out my gun and kill the bad guy.

And I will always hit my target.

Well said. Recommended.

[Initech]

13. Throwing guns at a gun problem isn't the answer.

Why is this building still burning? The kerosene isn't working! Get more!!

[Initech]

10. Oh yeah for sure!

Dissecting Trump is like dissecting a fat frog. You're not going to get the good stuff in the first hundred tries. You have to peel back the layers to find anything solid.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

22. It's the stopped clock analogy

it's gonna be right twice a day...…….

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

26. I was born ready for nice weekends!

How 'bout you?

[Initech]

32. Yeah fo sho!

[leanforward]

4. It will take decades.

In the first ban (10 years) on assault weapons, shooting rates had started trending down with regards to that type of weapon.

[Hoyt]

5. To some it's entertainment. To most, it's because they are racists, scared, and/or intimidators.

Poor reasons for being armed, especially in public.

[Turin_C3PO]

6. I'll admit that I used to shoot for fun.

Targets and cans and such. Of course I didn’t have weapons of war like the AR-15, but yeah, I would go out with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol and make an afternoon of it.

I don’t own guns anymore but there’s no doubt that many Americans are “entertained” by them.

[VOX]

7. Anyone who's fired a semi-auto-anything would be lying if they denied the huge rush it gives.

Entertainment? You bet, of the addictive variety. Firing a weapon at a range gives one an adrenaline high. I speak from experience, but no longer own any firearms, and feel relieved of that dangerous encumbrance.

There’s also a power-high, knowing than when carrying a weapon, one has the ability to visit death on anyone deemed a target.

Then there’s all the parts/accessories/nomenclature hunting-and-gathering, that’s also a hook for fanatics.

Threaten to take away a gun-lover’s object of addiction, they panic and lash out, as surely as any drug addict would, if you confiscated his preferred substance. So, yes, there IS fear, as in: “Don’t take away my rush, my high, my obsession that makes my shitty life bearable, the one thing that empowers me! 2nd Amendment! 2nd Amendment!”

[Skittles]

8. Trump is correct that guns are a form of entertainment in America

what is wrong is that repukes think there is nothing wrong with that

[MontanaMama]

9. I'm a trap and skeet shooter.

I’m good at it too. It’s a fun sport and not for everyone and I respect that. My first job at 15 years old was pulling and scoring at the local trap club. I got hooked and began to learn how to target shoot as a teenager. I gave it up for a while but got back into it in my 40’s. It is fair to say that shooting a shotgun in competition is a form of entertainment for me and lots of other people. I am not a gun nut. I’m sure there are some here on DU waiting to call me every name in the book. Go ahead...I’m expecting you.

[Vinca]

16. I haven't got a problem with that as long as it's done so the noise doesn't disturb people.

We live in a rural area and have a couple of neighbors who think Sunday afternoon is a good time to target shoot. Everyone else on the hill enjoys being outdoors and enjoying the sounds of nature until the idiots start playing Rambo. When dinosaurs roamed the earth I was a cop and we had to qualify with firearms a couple of times a year. The range was far out in the boonies and didn't bother anyone. That's how it should be.

[Hoyt]

28. A couple of shotguns like that are not a big deal. The tricked out ones

that give gunners a rush, and the pistols they tuck in their pants, are the issue.

[EX500rider]

33. So one of these shotguns is ok and the other is not for some reason?

[Hoyt]

35. Bottom two aren't for skeet. Do you have other two in your weapons cache?

[EX500rider]

36. No. The bottom one is more suited for home defense then skeet. A legitimate use. nt

[Hoyt]

37. "Legtimate?" If one honestly thinks they need that for home defense, they need

a mental health evaluation. If they have children, DFACS ought to pay them a visit too.

But we were talking skeet/trap shooting. You come up with one of your defense weapons.

[shanti]

12. He should know, as

both of his sons are gun humpers of the worst kind.

[patphil]

14. When I was a young man I owned an M1 carbine

I bought it by mail order from Montgomery Ward, a now defunct catalog sales outfit similar to Sears.
I enjoyed shooting it, but eventually I grew out of that.
I can see skeet, or target shooting, but getting a semi-automatic rifle just to hear it go bang, bang, bang over and over again is ridiculous.

The people who violently defend the right to have these weapons are not mature enough to have them in my opinion.

Patrick Phillips

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

15. Wasn't the direct question 'ASSAULT WEAPONS AT HOME'

Sure, there are loads of ranges here in Las Vegas that will let you come 'have fun' with an AR-15, etc.

That sounds logical.

But why do you need it in a crowded neighborhood under your bed?

[Initech]

18. Or like this guy?

Link to tweet

He obviously thinks guns are a form of entertainment judging by how poorly secured they are to his belt.

[oldsoftie]

19. Open carry is for suckers

First thing someone with bad intent would do is grab that one in back and theres not a damn thing the guy could do about it

[Initech]

20. Or it falls out of his pants and someone could grab it without him looking.

I think *THAT* would be a really scary scenario! And that easily could happen!

[aikoaiko]

17. I blame the Beatles -- Happiness is a Warm Gun

Happiness is a warm gun (bang, bang, shoot, shoot)

[keithbvadu2]

21. Point of view - the mirror

Last edited Fri Jun 7, 2019, 08:39 PM - Edit history (1)

[Initech]

23. Nice!

[Hoyt]

29. Pretty much it. Great post.

[debsy]

30. Hollywood action movies glorify guns.

There are so many movies where guns are central to the story line. I always wonder what would happen to the gun industry if Hollywood stopped using any guns in their movies.

[Locrian]

42. indeed

There are whole websites devoted to "what type of gun did X use in Y movie, tv show etc

We need to have this conversation. It's not just the NRA etc - it's a culture issue and we're all stupid about it.
Most of these guys (and yes mostly guys) see it as a way to be the "hero" not the bad guy.

That and wanting to live out the fantasys they see in the movies / tv etc - unrealistic and sanitized as they are.
Similar in a lot of ways to that cigarette advertising through tv / movies sold a boat load of cigarettes.

Add in fear, lack of belonging, lack of real power (economic or otherwise) - and you get a perfect market for guns.

[eppur_se_muova]

31. Even a blind nut can find a squirrel now and then. nt

[malaise]

34. He said assault rifles

not guns

[extvbroadcaster]

38. Sadly, he's correct

Some people view guns, like assault rifles, as fun to have and shoot. It is the culture of America, and it has not changed ever in my experience. We have a wild west attitude and there is no way out of it. Guns are everywhere and easy to obtain. And there are few controls on guns that have little use other than to kill people. Nobody has ever wanted to take your bird gun. Reasonable restrictions on assault weapons, extended magazines, silencers, gun shows - that is all anybody wants. But the gun lobby has people thinking the law is going to show up and take your .22 squirrel gun. Buckle up, the next mass shooting is on the way.

[Aussie105]

39. Guns are fun!

They make loud noises, and scare the Zombies!

Good for home defense (Zombies are coming!), good for target practise at the range, good for going out in the wilds and giving trees lead poisoning.

But what's up with police training?
Looks like their training is more like 'This here gun makes loud noises. If something scares you, just make the loud noise and the scary thing goes away.'

Some people seem to forget the loud noise is accompanied by flying metal. High speed, directional. On the target range, it makes a tiny hole in a paper target. On the human body, it has a different effect.

(Jeez, 12.5 years for killing an unarmed civilian because she scared you? Only in America!)

[LakeArenal]

40. Some gun owners are in awe of guns

The mechanics, the beauty of construction. Some gun collectors never shoot their guns.

[Tobin S.]

41. As the Beatles proclaimed:

"Happiness is a warm gun."

[gejohnston]

43. Why would anyone take

a comedian seriously when it comes to policy issues? He doesn't know anything and only parrots what the writers put in front of him. The writers write it to be funny, not a honest debate. I frankly don't give a rat's ass what this guy or Bill Mahar think, the latter is full of shit and stupid as fuck.

[Initech]

44. I'd trust Bill Maher or John Oliver before I trust Fox News.

Last Week Tonight is currently one of the best shows on TV, IMO.

[gejohnston]

45. I don't trust any of them

Take Mahar or Oliver away from the writers, they show themselves as the unintelligent and arrogant assholes that they are.