Strange Thought about Anti-Gun Mindset

[Officers'Wife]

Hi Loomis,

I think anytime in history when people build large cities, the city dwellers eventually become terrified of weapons and start to imagine themselves superior to those that would contemplate self defense.

I think you are far closer to the truth of the problem.

Selena

 

[Nolo]

I hate blanket statements. Effectiveness depends on situation and terrain. In a situation where you have say twenty or thirty armed hostiles and you must depend on stealth for your survival, the bow, the javelin or the knife is far superior. Again quoting my late uncle, there are no useless weapons, only fighters without imagination.

It's not that there aren't niches where bows excel, but you can always tell what has clear superiority by what is used.
Firearms are used, unilaterally, in warfare.
Bows are not.
There are VERY small counter-examples (SEALS using bows in Vietnam).
Blanket statements have their uses.
Bows are effective weapons.
Firearms are SIGNIFICANTLY more effective weapons, in general.
The problem that I had with the original statement was not that bows are NEVER better than firearms, because that's not true. It was that, if you take the entire range of ability, firearms come out on top in nearly every area of construction, counter to the statement.
Bows win hands-down, no matter the situation in one area, though:
Ease of construction (without infrastructure).

 

[Blofeld]

People (you know the ones) buy fake silencers for P22 pistols. The chunk of aluminum serves one purpose: make my P22 look sinister.

People Duracoat EBRs into happy colors. Periwinkle and lavender AK: less sinister.

Small wiry guy with a 3.75" Benchmade, a solid stance, and some scarring on his forearms: harmless looking but deadly.

Tall thin guy with a trench coat and an officially liscensed Highlander katana:deadly looking but harmless.

Fireworks exploding in the sky: pretty.

Fireworks in a box next to your drunk brother in law trying desperately to light his cigarette: scary.

 

[OOOXOOO]

I belive they ban guns because they are effective.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

Psychology 101 (My theory anyway)

I find that the most hard core "Anti's" have very hard set positions on things that are the result pure emotion and/or the lack of understanding about guns & other things. They are very emotional and can not rationally explain thier positions and will not engage in any conversation about them (Or truely listen to what you are saying, they may be willing to repeat what they "KNOW"). It is 100% emotion. They are not logical people, thats why logic (History, Stastics, FACTS) do not register, effect, or sway them. If you can disprove something, they will just keep repeating thier position, constantly rephrase it, or shut down in a fit of anger/frustration.

If it is about the boom, its about the emotional impact of the boom. And their resulting confusion, because it is foreign to them, and they are not interested in learning about it. Your friend in being willing to go shooting is likely not one of the above (IE, showed a willingnes to discuss, engage)

 

[tigre]

They are not logical people, thats why logic (History, Stastics, FACTS) do not register, effect, or sway them.

The funny thing is, they can be very logical about other subjects, but have a sort of cognitive dissonance on this particular subject. There are lots of intelligent people who just have funny ideas about one thing or another and there's not much point in arguing. A few of my coworkers are serious antis, and have admitted to being afraid of guns. Not people with guns, but guns themselves. These people are scientists, who know very well how statistics can be manipulated and understand lots of complicated things, but are scared of a chunk of metal that can be used to poke holes in things. It is absolutely emotional, and probably influenced by the media to a large extent, but people can be very intelligent and still have certain areas where they just won't listen.

 

[ragtopdog]

There is no doubt that I would not pick up my colt saa .45 first, but if I had no choice a bow would be just fine. Ever see what a broadhead can do? Sometimes I get to thinking if the SHTF, what in the long run would I rather have? Ii'll take my bow and be real quiet and keep my eyes open. Try one some day. If you like guns you will like bows.