Hoodie Targets

Not sure if this has been posted, did not see the topic after a cursory search.

At least one manufacturer is selling silhouette targets with a hoodie depicted and in the target's hand is an item which seems to resemble a drink.

What do you think about it? Personally, I think its reprehensible behavior and those who are making these targets and purchasing them should be ashamed of themselves.

Agreed.

I don't think it's any worse than congressmen and supposedly clergy convicting someone as racist and a killer without a fair day in court, not to mention the left wingnut media!!

I dont see the big deal, it sounds like a "no shoot" target to me. Most of the people picture type targets come either/or, even with the same person in the pic. It forces you to actually think before you shoot when the target is presented.

I know a lot of ranges dont allow these type targets, but they really are the best ones to use if you want somewhat realistic practice.

I wonder if the anti-gunners are behind this to make our side look bad.

Update: They are no longer being sold, so reported on liberal and conservative media outlets.

No conspiracy here.

Just our side making ourselves look bad.

Sad, it was only a matter of time. Just adds fuel to the flame.

I dont see the big deal, it sounds like a "no shoot" target to me. Most of the people picture type targets come either/or, even with the same person in the pic. It forces you to actually think before you shoot when the target is presented.

I know a lot of ranges dont allow these type targets, but they really are the best ones to use if you want somewhat realistic practice.
What he said^^ heck there are tagets with women holding babies (no shoot) and bad guys in hoodies targets (shoot) long before the incident we shall not mention. This one in question just so happens to be an unarmed guy in a hoodie target (no shoot)

*Haven't seen THE target, but I have seen what I am thinking is similar*
It seems pretty distasteful to me.

I definitely think "human" targets are the best you can use for training, since if you have to use a gun, it's likely against another person, and it's hard to find the 10 ring on someone... But I think silhouettes and zombie targets (hate them all you want) are there to take the role of "human" targets. There's nothing personal about it. Like I said, I haven't seen the targets, but if they're the ones I'M thinking of, they're obviously aimed (no pun intended) at a group of people. Which crosses the line from impersonal to personal.

These targets were only being sold in Florida, BTW. I think that anyone trying to be an apologist for this behavior or equate it to a tactical boon is just kidding themselves, regular silh. are more than sufficient. These targets are not fantasy zombies or a generic mother with child, the are derived from one person (hoodie and drink in hand...come on!!).

Personally, I think its reprehensible behavior and those who are making these targets and purchasing them should be ashamed of themselves.

I disagree.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/report-trayvon-martin-gun-range-targets-were-sold-155301236.html

Here's the link; target came complete with crosshairs on chest of black hoodie, with Skittles and iced tea attached.

You could not possibly ask for worse press for the legal gun-owning community. No anti-gunner could ever dream up such a reprehensible, money-grubbing scheme.

Hmmmmm......I have no problem with it......faceless......or Bin laden targets or Dilinger targets used by the FBI.........OMO.

BTW, anyone here who thinks this is just some sort of new "no shoot" target is ignorant to the point of me quesitoning your right to responsibly carry a firearm.

A black hooded sweatshirt with skittles and an iced tea is commonly known as what Trayvon Martin was wearing when he was killed.

Add the crosshairs and it's not a "no-shoot" target. The common interpretation among reasonable and intelligemnt people is it is gun owners wanting to replicate the sight and feel of killing an unarmed black teenager.

It really is as simple and ugly as that.

Yes, the targets have been pulled. "Sold out in 2 days" says the businessman. Untold damage done to all responsible gun owners. Be prepared to have the water cooler or time clock conversation come Monday with your coworkers who know you shoot.

And to those conspiracy therosists who think "the antis" made this up, please return to Earth and breath air for a few minutes. Your own worst enemies are fellow firearms enthusiasts willing to try and make a dollar off of absolutely anything, incufding one of the most controversial cases of legal concealed carry in decades.

I don't really think this person is "one of us". I think he's just an opportunistic idiot. Look, there are people who used to sell racial profile silhouettes at gun shows (ie the guy at the White Supremacist table). Some people get a kick out of being asses, until they're called on it, then they run with their tail between their legs. That's what you see here.

Probably something manufactured by the media so they can continue to stoke the flames. Nothing sells like fear and hatred.

Just our side making ourselves look bad.

All too easy to do with the abundance of hot heads we have on our side going off half-cocked with too little real information.

How about targets with people wearing bandanas covering their nose and mouth like the bandits wore in the old Western movies? What about targets that look like people wearing 'raccoon' bandit masks that cover their eyes? Or the old stand by the ski mask? Or a Halloween mask when it is not Halloween?

I don't know about you but anyone prowling around on my property with their face covered becomes a target.

Everyone needs to lighten up, it's a paper target. It's like the people who say that a black silloute target is 'racist'. Let the city folk be overly PC and let the rest of us get on with our normal lives. Next thing PETA will be stepping in over a coyote or bear target because 'if we're shooting paper targets it must mean we're going to shoot the real thing.'
Sorry, just my 2 cents :D

I don't think it's any worse than congressmen and supposedly clergy convicting someone as racist and a killer without a fair day in court, not to mention the left wingnut media!!

You have a point of sorts, but there is no reason for our side to wallow in their pig-slop. What we have here is not a target but a provocation. It can only enflame emotions while serving no useful purpose. What it does do is give the gun control movement another stick to beat us with in the court of public opinion, as they go forth in an effort to get concealed weapon license and “stand your ground” statutes repealed.

It is well said that there is no cure for stupid, and to that you can add greed.

As I said...........have no problem with it.
Being Politically Correct hopefully isn't the issue here......so what....maybe they should manufacture wall paper depicting the NBPP intimidating voters outside the polling booth in PA holding clubs or maybe produce toilet paper with the $10,000.00 Reward Wanted Dead or Alive poster that was put out on Z....but thats OK........no Federal charges brought, not even in violation of the Rico Statute......so someone made a "Faceless Target"........calm it.

Sold out fast too........guess they were popular.

Well there is nothing wrong with hoodie targets, but this thread isn't about hoodie targets. It is about Trayvon Martin targets. I am not even sure they are targets, per se, but a sight picture through a scoped gun. I can't recall ever buying any targets with the scope and crosshair view already in place.

To be honest, when I first saw them, I assumed they were made as a form of protest, not that they were a hoodie target, but showing a generic likeness and snack choice of Trayvon Martin being targeted....sort of like all the folks showing up for protests wearing hoodies.

I wonder if the anti-gunners are behind this to make our side look bad.

Oh you mean like those really clever anti-gun people who seem to be able to blend seamlessly in with gun folks at gun shows who are always putting live rounds in the guns for sale so as to cause NDs? :rolleyes:

Come on! We do enough on our own. Just because might not reflect well on us does not mean that it is the result of a conspiracy against us. There isn't any reason to make such paranoid delusional claim unless you actually have some evidence.

It is unquestionably horribly bad taste. Anyone selling, or more especially buying them, are only helping the anti gunners cause, while angering, and rightly so, black Americans, many of whom are pro gun and on our side.

Pitiful if you ask me.

Personally, I think its reprehensible behavior and those who are making these targets and purchasing them should be ashamed of themselves.
I agree 100%.

Yeah I'd have to agree that particular target is completely wrong and makes us responsible gun owners look horrible.

It's about as smart as the whole zombie thing - both give us terrible press. When I got into guns I was shocked at the in-your-face attitude that some gun-owners have, something of a "hey look what we can do." People claim the 2A is practically God-given, but some boneheads seem to be trying to do things that only "confirm" what antis already think, that gun-owners are want-to-be killers who are just itching for human targets (the recent shootings involving survivalists only aids that view.) We're handing the antis more ammo to make us look bad to the general population - good job!

Gun owners who dismiss such things as a joke just don't get it - it's not up to you to decide whether what's shown up in the market is a bad idea, it's the anti crowd who votes and will consider it confirmation that gun owners are crazy people who shouldn't have guns.

FWIW, our range does not allow any human-likeness targets. Also FWIW, did you ever notice how red-paint paintballs aren't allowed? It's because THAT industry understands the consequences of how that would go over in the press -apparently we never got the memo on "just because you can do something doesn't make it smart."

But hey, it's capitalism; someone made some bucks and that's all seems to matter.

Like it or not, the 2A is walking on eggshells, why put something out there to make things worse?

I think its reprehensible behavior and those who are making these targets and purchasing them should be ashamed of themselves.

Exactly

When it first showed up on gunbroker and other sites it was pulled right away. It is such a low class attempt to make a buck at any cost to RKBA that the people producing them should be ignored out of business.

Not Cool.......................

Update: They are no longer being sold, so reported on liberal and conservative media outlets.

Maybe because they sold out of 'em? :evil:

I've seen much worse that go back to the '70s.

After clicking the link and seeing the target in question there is no doubt that it is NOT a normal hoodie target, it is no doubt that it is a play on the Zimmerman case.

After actually viewing it does anyone here still believe that there is nothing worong with that. Seperate yourself from your opinions on actual case for a minute and tell me how this is anything but a blackmark on gun owners and gives unnecessary fuel to the antis fire

After clicking the link and seeing the target in question there is no doubt that it is NOT a normal hoodie target, it is no doubt that it is a play on the Zimmerman case.


You don't think it looks like this guy?

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn215/THE_Fishslayer/EmperorPalpatine-300x285.jpg

Alright, just playing the devil's advocate here, since a lot of guys tend to get into a mindset, anyway.

Yes, it very well could be a tasteless joke or even an outright bitter stab at the whole thing, but does no one consider it may be seen as a political statement?

Not even anti-gun, just anti-idiot. I mean, if someone actually uses those at the range I go to, he wouldn't have time to real it out to the 20-yard line before the manager, the nearby police officers, and everyone else on the firing line would be walking him to the front door.

(Also, just as a note Also FWIW, did you ever notice how red-paint paintballs aren't allowed? It's because THAT industry understands the consequences of how that would go over in the press -apparently we never got the memo on "just because you can do something doesn't make it smart."
It's also because the dyes in red paintballs often stain, which would cause damage from both vandalism and to field owners' equipment. Gee-Eye-Joooooe... :p )

EDIT: Don't get me wrong, I believe it's tasteless even if it is a statement. But what one person sees as 'appropriately shocking', others might take a glimpse and make the first conclusion, or just have more sense.

No

It is the lowest form of tasteless profit.

Deleted.

Beyond tasteless. Shameful.

You don't think it looks like this guy?

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn215/THE_Fishslayer/EmperorPalpatine-300x285.jpg
Don't remember him holding a skittles candy wrapper in the movie.

Sorry but it is in horrible taste and I cannot imagine how anyone could argue otherwise

Maybe because they sold out of 'em? :evil:


Unfortunately, you are right, they did sell out of them, per reports. I don't think there will be a second run though.

Shoot the can out of the hoodie's hand, problem solved.

if you believe the drive-by medias spin that travon was an innocent child walking home who got murdered for just being black by a "white Hispanic" then yes its wrong and its disgusting
i dont believe that one bit tho, there tooo much info out there that says other wise. problem is you dont get that info from the media, you have to read about it on internet news sights or talk radio.

i see no problem with the poster. only wish i had one

if you believe the drive-by medias spin that travon was an innocent child walking home who got murdered for just being black by a "white Hispanic" then yes its wrong and its disgusting
i dont believe that one bit tho, there tooo much info out there that says other wise. problem is you dont get that info from the media, you have to read about it on internet news sights or talk radio.

i see no problem with the poster. only wish i had one

:rolleyes: Some people will believe just about anything if they like the message. Facts and reality be damned.

The problem with that target is that it makes the gun-owning community as a whole look bad. Why is that so hard to understand? We need to make ourselves look like normal, reasonable people if wish to keep our 2A rights. This kind of attitude does not help.

Tasteless...yes. Offensive...well that depends if you choose to be offended by tasteless things.

I don't.

I would buy some if I saw them, but I would not get them out to shoot them in the company of just anyone.

If shooting at black silhouette targets makes you racist, then apparently I discriminate horribly against crosshairs and bullseyes of all shapes and sizes.

All too easy to do with the abundance of hot heads we have on our side going off half-cocked with too little real information.
Otherwise known as the media and special interest groups (generally recognized by their initials).

The hoodie target is in exceptionally poor taste.

I have no idea regarding the financial situation of the people who dreamed this up and marketed it, but if I were in desperate financial straits and saw an opportunity to make money....well, desperation can make people do things we wouldn't normally do.

Or is desperation the condition that reveals who we really are?

I would never buy one or condone the use of one, but we do live in a country where marketing such a thing is lawful and the right to express one's views about it is guaranteed.

Being Politically Correct hopefully isn't the issue here

This is the most PC firearms forum I visit.

People claim the 2A is practically God-given

In case you did not have an opportunity to learn this in school, here is an excerpt from something Tom Jefferson wrote a while back.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

It is the lowest form of tasteless profit.

I've seen worse.

Very poor taste. No question.

Or is desperation the condition that reveals who we really are?

Are you familiar with the writings of Xiang Yu?

Anywho. I have seen series of targets: black male street clothes gun in hand to be alternated with black male street clothes gun in hand cop badge on belt; or, white female babe in arms to be alternated with white female sawedoff shotgun in arms. Shoot/don't shoot trainers. You shoot the black cop or white mommy you lose points. I suspect the same is with the hoodie and resembles a drink target. You mix up targets and present shoot/don't shoot situations.

At least one manufacturer is selling silhouette targets with a hoodie depicted and in the target's hand is an item which seems to resemble a drink.

... target came complete with crosshairs on chest of black hoodie, with Skittles and iced tea attached.

Are you all talking about the same target?

Much ado over nothing. Agree with AK103K #4 "seems to resemble a drink" sounds like "no shoot target". Attached Skittles and iced tea is something else entirely.

Just our side making ourselves look bad.

Everyone here who has took it to be a "shoot" target finds it reprehensible, which to me is our side making ourselves look overly sensitive.

ADDED: Besides, a real Trayvon Martin target would not be a picture of a guy in a hoodie walking around with skittles and tea; it would be a picture of a guy in a hoodie slamming your head into the sidewalk 'til it bleeds. "Guy in a hoodie walking around with skittles and tea" would be the don't shoot target.

I think the target is wrong and in poor taste but it's fair game. The press and the self appointed black leaders have prosecuted and put a bounty on Zimmerman's head. Something like this was bound to happen. Everyone is completely ignoring the other side of the story and pushing the "black victim" cause over the top. The one sided media and the likes of Sharpton are the cause of this. Someone has had enough and decided to make a statement and a few bucks doing so.
I don't think they would allow this target at my club and I wouldn't waste my money on it either.

Well, if the target displays "gangsta" behavior and gold "grillwork" on the teeth and then assaults you from behind as you walk away and tries to pound your head into the pavement then I'd say it might be fairly realistic.

Ok enough. It is tasteless and tactless. The case will be sorted out in court. Not THR.

I am honestly surprised at the number of members that think this is ok. Call me PC if you want, but to me it is about being a decent human being. And there is no comparison between an Osama target and this. Last time I check Trayvon Martn was not trying to kill everyone he could lay hands on. This is simply reprehensible.

The narrative below has been provided on the Zimmerman defense web cite ((http://gzlegalcase.com/index.php/press-releases) that discusses a capitalist's effort to profit from the tragidy:


Response to Gun Range Targets .

We have had numerous media requests asking us to respond to reports that an unidentified person has produced a gun range target meant to represent Trayvon Martin. We feel we must go on record as stating that we unequivocally find this appalling and disgusting in every regard. It is an insult to the Martin family, it inflames the already heated social tension surrounding the George Zimmerman case, and it represents an irresponsible approach to gun ownership. It is this type of hatred that will make it more difficult to try this case.
***

I have never seen a web cite put up for a person accused of murder but, apparently, the defense attorney believes this is a good idea. I think it is not.

Anyway, the hoodie range targets are in really bad taste. I hope I don't see many at my rifle range which is owned by NYS. Apparently, the first run of targets was sold out in a few days.

Yeah those are in terrible taste and if they were available at my local range I would definitely voice my opinion as such.

Yet another case of someone making a buck at the expense of all gun-owers. Hope he made enough money to make it worthwhile... but don't forget, it takes two, one to sell something stupid, and another to buy it.

Not cool.

Extremely bad taste

That's disgusting. The human race is doomed.

Extreme elements from each 'side' of this case have produced terribly distasteful "products" like this.

I don't see what there is to discuss, honestly.

I don't recall seeing out rage over Osama bin Laden targets.

^ Also in very poor taste, but it's tough to compare the two human beings as if they were the same.

Shooting at targets that are representations of specific human beings is not that "high road" in my opinion.

I have seen a few Barach Obama targets on occasion. This really does not bother me too much since it is a form of political expression....

Osama was a sworn enemy of the USA and he claimed responsibility for the attacks on 9/11 that killed 3,000 inocent people, so I am not offended by this either.

I don't recall seeing out rage over Osama bin Laden targets.

One was responsible for almost 3,000 deaths in a single day, one may or may not have been murdered. Big difference there.

(Although I believe that Zimmerman is innocent.)

I don't recall seeing out rage over Osama bin Laden targets. I don't recall Osama Bin Laden being 16yo, and I don't remember Trayvon attacking America.

My memory could be off, but if it isn't, that's a totally invalid comparison.




(I too believe Zimmermann to be innocent, but that doesn't make it ok to shoot at a target representing a kid.)

A quick search for "targets hostage" and I cannot find any that have other than white men as the Bad Guy?
I'm wondering why the outrage?

What?? What does white men on hostage targets have to do with this?

And if you really can't see what is wrong with the Trayvon targets, you're part of the problem.

It was a "hoodie" shaped solid black silhouette target, if it's the one I caught a glimpse of a few days ago. Very bad taste. As for Osama Bin Rottin', political target and mass murderer who would have cheerful sliced every one of our throats. Same as shooting at Hussien and Hitler targets.

I've always thought it creepy to shoot a target that is an actual picture of a human being, including Osama bin Laden. My local range sold them but I never bought them because I thought it might be sending the wrong message to my son.
The Martin targets are a terrible idea, and in poor taste. I haven't seen the at my range, and hope I never do.
Theres a great gun channel on you tube that caught a lot of flack for shooting a poster, that had a head shot of Justin Bieber on it. He was shooting it through the face....come on really?

kc, Where is the line? When is that line crossed? Identifying an enemy is sort of OK, like Hitler, Che, and generic people, too.
Stick with animal targets, bullseyes and such, forget people shaped silhouettes it doesn't matter what they represent.
My opinion.

The line is different for everyone, but I'd say:

Mass murderers, zombies, "generic" bad guys pointing guns at you or holding a hostage at gunpoint, OK

Targets intended to represent the likeness of an actual person, recently deceased or living, it doesn't matter, not okay.

Some of us don't shoot just as a hobby. Some of us go to the range to practice skills we would use in combat whether with the military or law enforcement. Human shaped silhouette targets are useful for both identifying what parts of the body to aim for, and also for training your mind to be OK with shooting at a person. It's not the most pleasant though, but for some of us, that's the name of the game because it's our job.

The paper shooting target in question had a red bullseye on a grey hoodie chest. There wasn't any "face" inside the hoodie to represent Trayvon, however, the arms and hands of the target held a packet of Skittles candy.

I assume people at my range would object to this target being used, but ...maybe not. It probably depends on whether any complaints are made to the range officer.



Anyway, it is in poor taste if you ask me.

kc, Where is the line? When is that line crossed?I find it odd that you need to ask in this situation whether they cross the line or not. That fact that you can't understand why this crosses the line is disappointing, at the very least.

. Quote:
kc, Where is the line? When is that line crossed?
I find it odd that you need to ask in this situation whether they cross the line or not. That fact that you can't understand why this crosses the line is disappointing, at the very least.


I think I understand what he's saying. Why is it ok to have certain people as targets, ie OBL, but not TM or a hoodied target? For everyone that put there disclaimer that they think Zimmerman was justified in shooting, then you have to preclude that Martin was just another criminal that was intent on murdering Zimmerman. So why is he not an acceptable target? Id like to know the number of people someone has to murder before being declared, ok to make a target out of their likeness?

I just want to make sure I'm lockstep with the morality police. Never know when I might just buy a target and it isn't PC.

The NRA is selling wool hoodies with concealed carry pockets. Is this in poor taste also? I vote YES. I would not buy these and I don't beleive it is a good idea for the NRA to sell these.

I don't object if they put up a "hoodie" target at my range. Will I shoot at it? ...probably not.

Would I shoot at a paper target of Obama or Osama? ....maybe, probably not.

Uncool. Even if TM turns out to be a turd (yet to be proven) he still is someone's family member, someone's loved one... someone's someone.

I know if my image were captured and turned into a target for Russians in the 80's or Taliban in the 90's, while their point of view as me being a valid target image would be understandable, it would still be an egregious affront to my family and also uncool.

Too personal, way too personal.

point to todd.

OBL, for his part, was disowned, repudiated, and buried in effigy- by over 100 members of his family. their way of saying that whatever part of him they ever loved, cherished, or valued was gone. show an OBL target to his family- they'll tell you that is NOT their son, brother, cousin, etc; he died a long time ago. they buried him in the saudi sand.

Hoodie targets- as political commentary or crass humor- are another thing. the heartlessness of this would be a hard thing for me to defend to the parents who remember Trayvon not just as a victim, but as a baby, a toddler, a kindergartener, one of their little ones who ate cheerios at the family breakfast table. even if he wasn't a great kid as a teenager, (which may/ may not be fair to say), he was a human being- and an american family's kid.

The Trayvon Martin targets are like Big Foot, much talked about but seldomn seen.

If they existed other than some creep's idea of a political cartoon posted on-line, "Sold out" is more likely an excuse for pulled off the market because everyone felt it was bad taste and all the reviews from all quarters were thumbs down.

I have not seen them in any venue I visit, but I have seen targets with a momma with baby to be mixed with gun moll with sawedoff targets, for don't shoot/shoot scenarios. My first read that mentioned hoodie targets sounded like a variation of the shoot/don't shoot targets, but quite frankly all I have seen is descriptions on the web. I am sure if I looked hard enough I could find something to be outraged over but whats the point of trolling through the muck for six legged toads to deplore? If I want to seek oddities, I'll look for mermaids.

Makes me wonder if the anti's or the ones's trying to lynch Zimmerman aren't behind this.