Cosmetic features of "assault weapons" made for children?

[2Ais4U]

there is a post at the democratic underground (its a great place to gather ammo for arguments with ignorant antis) about banning "assault weapons", yeah so nothing new your saying to yourself. what gets me is that some antis actually say "the features on assault weapons are designed to market the product to certain demographics, young people particular." So "assault weapons" are meant to be bought by children? how do people come up with this stuff

this is the rifle shown on the post.

now just what in this "evil thing" is there for kids

 

[Autolycus]

What is the argument they are making? You should not paraphrase it. And who really cares? All you are doing is trolling another forum. I have seen quite a few pro-gun people on those boards.

 

[PercyShelley]

Historically speaking, rifles got a lot shorter during the dawn of the assault rifle's existence on this planet, but that was more to simplify logistics; previously armies had issued long rifles and cavalry carbines, and it didn't take too long before logistics officers figured that everyone could get by with a short rifle. The increasingly mechanized nature of warfare also drove rifle lengths down so it would be less cumbersome to load and unload.

Those factors, combined with the Russian proclivity for putting irritatingly short stocks on all their weapons, conspired to make rifles short enough that children could use them, I suppose, if you're really reaching.

Really though, the increased use of child soldiers in the 20th century was more a result of decentralized, irregular warfare, not any innovation in equipment.

So, ignorant pontification at DU. Nothing (new) to see here folks, moving along.

 

[2Ais4U]

ok I got the exact quote, their argument is that "assault weapons" are made for children and should be banned for that "fact"

 

[PercyShelley]

A link to the thread in question would allow us all a round of good fun tearing the thing apart as it was written verbatim.

 

[2Ais4U]

http://www.democraticunderground.co...mesg&forum=118&topic_id=152327&mesg_id=152327
the 9th post down is the quote in question.

 

[Roswell 1847]

Lately some Airsoft models of assault rifles have been manufactured with "Hello kitty" and "My Pretty Pony" motifs for little girls. They are cute as can be.

Lots of Liberalistas can't tell the difference between real guns and toys.

 

[2Ais4U]

I have seen those. I may get my niece one for her upcoming birthday, but she is coming to the age where its time for her first .22

 

[Autolycus]

From Suspected link:The extra cosmetic details...

are designed to market the product to certain demographics, young people in particular.

In a sense if your talking about hello kitty rifles, I can agree with that. A child is more likely to be interested in a hello kitty rifle than an adult man or woman.

 

[Roswell 1847]

Assault Rifles aren't pretty to my eye, but some of the more radically tricked out raceguns are something else.
You'll find more colors and metal flake treatments than at a car show. Some very brilliant adnoizing as well.

The brightly coated pocket pistols I've seen are often in the same class as those Hello kitty airsoft guns, far too attractive to children and they could easily be mistaken for a toy if found in a drawer by a curious youngster.

 

[xsquidgator]

Couldn't help myself, I took a look around the link the DU and the topic. I was shocked that there were actually 3-4 people who knew something about firearms and ALL of their purposes (ie- not just sporting and collecting but self-defense also). I mean that in a good way, I was not expecting to see anything but the typical brady campaign hysteria.

 

[2Ais4U]

yeah, there are a few that are not your run of the mill ignorant antis.

 

[akodo]

they are wrong, no suprise

 

[hqmhqm]

In a sense if your talking about hello kitty rifles, I can agree with that. A child is more likely to be interested in a hello kitty rifle than an adult man or woman.

Speak for yourself!

 

[.cheese.]

I recognize a few of those screen-names as members either here or on other pro-gun forums.

 

[bluestarlizzard]

My Little Pony On A Rifle!!!!!!!!


WHERE? WHERE? I MUST HAVE ONE!

 

[2Ais4U]

go to Glamguns.com for a my little pony rifle.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Lately some Airsoft models of assault rifles have been manufactured with "Hello kitty" and "My Pretty Pony" motifs for little girls. They are cute as can be.

Link please? Unless you mean this Hello Kitty gun and this My Little Pony gun, in which case you've been duped as those aren't real or airsoft guns for sale. I would certainly love to see a link to such a gun meant for mass production that wasn't a hoax or a one-off custom.

Lots of Liberalistas can't tell the difference between real guns and toys.

*ahem*

 

[bluestarlizzard]

dang, thats expensive.

can i just have the magizine?

is it bad that i want all this stuff?
a carebear armored vest!!!!

ROFLOL

 

[wideym]

I want a Teddy Ruxpin SVD!

 

[wmeSha]

Perhaps EBRs aren't marketed to kids, but just for fun I took my 6-year-old daughter for her first visit to the gun shop. I told her to pick out the things that were interesting and I would show them to her.

The first thing she wanted to see was a revolver called "The Judge" but mostly she liked black rifles. That really surprised me, but most of the guns she's ever seen have been the (military) good guys on "Stargate SG-1." So, I'm not sure that means black rifles appeal to kids.

About a week later I asked her about it again. She said, "Yeah, but I want MINE to be pink!"

My favorite moment was when she spied at SW642 after holding The Judge. "Oh, look, a baby gun." I reminded her that baby guns are just as lethal as bigger guns.

 

[Hoppy590]

isnt that how they killed the Hamms bear and Joe camel... "the evil evil men are targeting children!" (despite the fact its completely illegal for children to buy any of these things. enforcement, not regulation)

 

[AlaskaErik]

Ah yes, the DUmmies. I am well acquainted with these politically, emotionally and socially stunted imbeciles.

 

[AlaskaErik]

Here is another brilliant observation from that same thread on DU....

Those cosmetic details have purposes....
Fiberglass stocks are lighter and more weather-resistant than wood.

 

[SG Merc]

That really surprised me, but most of the guns she's ever seen have been the (military) good guys on "Stargate SG-1." So, I'm not sure that means black rifles appeal to kids.

Good to know there's some other folks around here who watch SG!

My thoughts on all of this is that the author of the original paraphrased comment is obviously making a statement that cannot be backed up with any evidence (i.e. that military weapons are being designed to have specific visual appeals).

But, what is true (although not at all what the author stated) is that the more exotic a firearm looks the more likely it will be to be used in the entertainment industry (TV/Films/Games) therefor generating an allure among the target audience.

So it's conceivable to say that some "young people" are drawn to firearms because of the media they've been exposed to (surely some people on this very board). What's not justified however, is making the judgment that it's a bad thing for this to happen. After all, young people are drawn to fancy cars in the same fashion.