Owen Sparks
member
- Joined
- May 27, 2007
- Messages
- 4,523
Inanimate objects have no capacity for volition, either good or evil. Objects can however, become very powerful symbols that trigger emotions in some people. There is a technique used in hypnosis called anchoring where the hypnotist gets the subject to associate strong feelings, either positive or negative, with a symbol of some sort. Then later on he can get the subject back in that state of mind by using the symbol or "firing the anchor". Think of Pavlov's dog who was conditioned to associate a bell ringing with dinner. Bells have nothing to do with food but in the dogs mind it did. Watch a good trial lawyer work a jury. If he can't get a judgment based on the facts he will go straight for the emotions. A phrase like "The Children" is a prime example. It bypasses the critical factor in some people and they reflexively respond with emotions of dread and fear of anything that might harm a child. Throw that phrase into an argument at the right time, like when the jury is being shown "exhibit A" and from then on some people will experience negative feelings every time they see exhibit A and they wont even know why! This is exactly how many people become anti-gun. They have seen guns presented in negative ways by TV, movies and the news for so long that a gun has become a symbol for crime and violence. If you are the emotional sort, an old Mauser could very easily become a very powerful symbol that brings up negative feelings associated with the Holocaust. It is not a far stretch for some people to project these feelings onto ALL guns. So NO, there is not a gun I would not own because of its past misuse because I understand on a logical level that it is just a thing. I also understand the quirk of human behavior that causes some people to attach fear and loathing to things.