Gun and pregnancy pictures rile some.

[griz]

If guns were photographed then shown in shots reflecting a more everyday sort of atmosphere, rather than movie violence, or news violence, then maybe this would help make people more accepting of them.

If he had the gun holstered and they were doing ordinary things I would agree with you. But a pic of him aiming the gun at the viewer is not "everyday". I think it's fine that they want to challenge the perception of mothers to be being passive, but don't pretend to be surprised at the reaction.

 

[GRB]

him aiming the gun at the viewer is not "everyday

You misunderstood me. Not every photo that gets published has to show an everyday event. Then again, this photo does show something that is an everyday occrence, the willingness of a husband to protect his wife and unborn child. It should be an everyday event that a husnband is willing to go so far to do so, that he is expected to go so far to do so, and that it is seen as acceptable for hi to go so far and do so. That is one of the things I get from this pic.
All the best,
Glenn B

 

[griz]

I guess we look at it differently. I see your point and appreciate the desire to make guns less offensive to the unarmed people. I hope you see my point that an anti would not be swayed by a picture of someone pointing a gun at them.

 

[M99M12]

I get the pic, and I know where it comes from, and good on you. But I sure bet and believe the sheeple got a leetle bit ranged up.
Keep on 'em.

 

[armedcitizen]

Right message, wrong forum.

Personally, it was your wife's uncovered belly that gave me the heebie geebies!

 

[GRB]

Griz,

the point I was making about everyday situational pics of guns and people making guns more acceptable did not refer necessarily to this picture. I think that was poorly stated by me, so let me clarify it. In the future such a picture as the one in question would be more acceptable as would guns, to the antis of today, if more pics of normal life including guns were shown in the mainstream media now.

The pic in question is undoubtedly PROVACATIVE, INTELLECTUALLY STMIULATING, CONTROVERSIAL but could be viewed as something that would not invoke nonsensical fear or the urge to barf if gun pictures seen over the years had typically been those showing normal life and guns. I would use less controversial pics to get the message across to begin with; therefore, I would not start off using this pic to make anti-gunners more friendly toward guns. Then again shock value with a good story line might just do that for some.

Anti-gunners seemingly are appalled by this picture because they are anti-gunners, not because the gun is pointed at anyone. The radical anti-gunners hate guns and the people who use them. They will make everything they can of such a picture to show the evils of the gun owner.

There is no gun really pointed at the viewer just a picture of one. It should not be intimidating to anyone who views it, although it certainly does and should evoke emotion and thought - but the thought should wind up being rational even if affected by emotion. I rather think they are most appalled at the sight of a pretty pregnant woman being held by the fiend with the gun (just how I figure they see it - I think both the wife and the hubby are nice). Funny how many of the same people who find this offensive will eagerly pay over $50 for a family of four to go to the latest shootem up Terminator movie, and suck down a coke and popcorn while watching people get blown to smithereens but, they flip out like they are in dire fear of their lives because of this fine piece of stimulating photography. That is all it is really a photograph, we cannot even be certain it is a real gun that was used in the picture. So while I understand that people were offended by this picture and, while I understand that they may be afraid of guns or something they see in this picture, I do not understand why. If they are rational adults it befuddles me.

As for your point, sure I appreciate that. I usually appreciate anyone's point of view whether or not I agree with it or they with me. That is what makes for fine discussion.
Thanks

Glenn B

 

[Talon]

Sorry I'm just now gettin' to this, but thought I'd chime in with MY first reaction. The first thing that went through my head was the fact that it looked like trapperjohn had taken a hostage.

I don't think that's the vision you were goin' for there john!

 

[River Wraith]

If she was a hostage, she looks like she is enjoying it. Congratulations on the beautiful family.

 

[autumn_faune]

I AM a hostage!

My heart is held hostage by my husband's love, and I love every minute of it!

(I know it's not what you meant, but it's very true)

 

[Omni04]

interesting debates going on... Id love to join in but i hate highjacking (or helping to highjack) threads! Congrats on the family though i hope you hold true to your word about teaching her firearm saftey and how to defend herself!

 

[c_yeager]

I find the compostion of this picture kind of odd. We have a smiling pregnant lady (with what appears to be a HUGE baby) and a man with a gun aiming at what I imagine to be a threat. Even if we say the guy is aiming at a target it still is a strange composition because now we have a man aiming a gun next to a woman with no hearing protection showing.

It also makes me a bit nervous to think of people shooting around late term pregnancies simply because the fetus is floating in what amounts to a sack full of liquid and can't wear hearing protection. The mother's body is going to do VERY little to muffle the sound of gunfire (if it doesnt actually amplify it).

 

[TechBrute]

I’m sorry that some were offended by some of the pictures.

Why are you sorry? By starting out your reply with an apology, you infer wrongdoing. I MIGHT go so far as to say that my pictures were not intended to offend, but I wouldn't apologize for someone cowering at the sight of a picture on the internet.

 

[thorn726]

sheeeeeesh!

you know i am mad about the photo too- but not at all like these people, how utterly ridiculous.

my only complaint is isn't a gun really really loud - TOO LOUD for a baby!

i wouldnt want a gun going off next to a pregnant lady either for the same reason (ok i guess that is pushing it)

anyway how silly. sure the one with guy pointing the gun might be a bit much for a traumatized crime victim, otherwise it's just interesting photography.

not exactly what you send out as a greeting though, you have to take into account how it is being viewed. the pregnant lady hardly has any meaning in the shot , nothing to get upset about there, everyone is smiling anyway.

not sometihng to get all hyper about , but maybe a "hey what's up with that? you mad at me or somethin?"

 

[ojibweindian]

Trapper

Good pics of a lovely family! For those upset at the pics, lighten up or take your meds.

 

[griz]

Hello Glenn,
Despite our disagreement over the amount of intimidation inherent in a picture of a gun pointed at you, it sounds as if we aren’t that far apart. I too would like to see guns portrayed as part of normal behavior, not just in gun magazines and personal pictures, but on screen and in print. Cars kill way more people every year than guns, yet they are accepted as a normal part of society by almost everyone. Why? Because people see the utility and ordinariness of them constantly. If they watched a TV show that was NOT about guns, and the characters were seen with a holstered gun, or cleaning a revolver with the same casualness you see when a character is cooking dinner, they would slowly become more accepting of the place of guns in our society.

How to go about it is another matter. My suggestion for a starting point is the schools. Maybe it’s possible to elect school board members who would actively attack the foolish school policies that demonize guns. It baffles me how we got to the point that a picture of a gun is forbidden in school, but never the less that trend has to be reversed.

I still percieve a picture of a gun pointed at me as an implied threat, but it has been a pleasure discussing this with you. Till next time, Griz

 

[MikeIsaj]

TrapperJohn;
You asked for an opinion and got mine. I appreciate your intelligent responses, it shows that the impression I got of you from the photos is inaccurate. I wish you and your family well.

Werewolf;
I hope your repeatedly insults and attacks on me have boosted your ego and made you feel like a better man. If that's what you need to get you through the day, I have broad shoulders.

For the rest of you who disagreed with me, name calling and belittling what you don't understand or agree with is a childish response. If you can't argue your point without attacking, you need to spend some more time thinking before you reply. I don't personally care what you think of me. I don't know you and don't care what people I don't know, think about me. What bothers me is what closed minded pro-gunners do to the rights and freedoms I cherish and have taken up arms to defend. Every time you open your mouths or type at a keyboard, the anti-gunners get more evidence that we are a bunch of whackos.

You need to convince people that you have a point and are right. You don't do that with name calling, bluster and swagger. You do that with solid facts and polite logic based disagreement.

 

[pax]

<moderator hat on>

If you have a personal difficulty with another member, please take it to PM.

</moderator hat off>

TrapperJohn & Autumn Faune ~

Congratulations on your adorable baby!

I think the explanation/apologia you posted on your site about the pictures was perfect. It explained what you were doing while keeping a friendly but no-nonsense tone.

I agree with whomever said (back on page #1 of this thread) that the composition was a little startling because Autumn is a little too happy & relaxed compared to Trapper's body language and expression. However, with a caption explaining what's going on, it's a great photo. Very thought provoking.

pax

 

[Otisimo]

1st impression.

Nutjob.


I am as progun as it gets and that was my first impression. Nothing to do with you, since I don't know you.

Posting pics of your family on the internet is not great opsec either.

This is not the image we need to present to the opposition.

 

[TechBrute]

1st impression.

Nutjob.

Wow. 3 weeks and 64 posts in, you haven't quite figured out THE HIGH ROAD yet. I would have thought after Yeager's thread you'd have figured out how to keep your foot out of your mouth, but I'm obviously mistaken. :banghead:

 

[Otisimo]

Read my post.

I presume that Trapper hung it out there for critique.

I said it was MY FIRST IMPRESSION.

I also said I know nothing of the thread starter or his Nutjobness or lack there of.

In fact, I will clarify here that his sentiment of protecting his bride and baby with all means necessary is not only appropriate but admirable, especially in this day and age.

To my point, if this was called The Tender Road, or The Delicate Road, or the Let's Concur With Each Other Road, I would have handled it differently.

The fact is we are in a conflict with those who would attempt to take away God given rights and should not give them ammunition to use against us like your signature line.

 

[Daemon688]

When two people having clearly opposite views, the symbolic meaning of a mother carrying a weapon can really mean two things (no matter how screwed up the other side is)

To me a mother with a gun is symbolizes "I will defend my family"

To another person "Look it's a crazy lady with a GUN! And she's pregnant! What a reckless parent!"

 

[c_yeager]

In response to the initial post of this thread I don't find all the responses that you recieved to be unreasonable. The first one which read

My daughter was nearby, and frankly, I find that image disturbing in its implied violence. Perhaps a warning would be in order?

isnt an unreasonable response by any means. I don't think a warning is necessary but, even i can't deny that there is a certain implication of violence. From the perspective of the viewer a firearm is pointed at them, there can't be any denial that it implies violence. Now, wether violence in that context is wrong or not is up to the individual. I personally don't have a problem with it, but I also understand that others might.

 

[odysseus]

Look it's the Net - you are going to have a lot of different people looking at and even manipulating those pictures - and even captured by search engine bots and archived all over the world. It's a very public forum. So you have some misguided, troubled people respond. It's to be expected! Just look at the reaction here it has brought, and we are all (to make a point here), playing on the same team.

...my only reaction: sometimes a little invisibility might be a good thing. 'Course that's personal opinion here. Congrats and best wishes for your new family member.