The're scared.....

[Manco]

They should be.

Only criminals and the government, but that's redundant.

Her reminder to me after she heard about my hobby: "Don't shoot anybody", with a smile on her face.

Even a guy in a ski mask who just kicked in your front door?

One theory I've seen is that seeing others who are prepared reminds them of danger and the fact that they themselves are not prepared.

Yes, most certainly being in denial plays a major role in their way of thinking and their view of the world around them. In many cases this denial extends to completely and repeatedly ignoring plain facts and sound reasoning against their mindset. :banghead:

People who are unfamiliar with guns are often afraid of guns. I know this because I was once a person that did not own guns and I was afraid of guns until I became familiar. That's why it's important to take out newbies to the range to break the ice.

The stuff about alpha dogs and weak minded people is garbage. I know people who don't own guns who are tough as nails.

The issue is not necessarily inherent weakness, as people weren't born any tougher in the past--it's indoctrination in falsehoods and ignorance that makes people behave as they do today, whether this more generally (apart from firearms) involves weak or dependent behavior or not. And the alarming lack of critical thinking skills in the general population compounds the effect of ignorance--it's bad enough that they don't see, and it doesn't help that they're not even looking on their own (eyes wide shut, as it were).

 

[BigBore44]

Every post on this topic is correct in its own right. We are viewed as "Alpha Dogs" by some. People are weaker today than 60 years ago (due to technology enabling us to be so). We need to and understand "them" and they "us". Question is do either really want to? Or is it more effective to just call them sissies and them call us crazy gun toting lunatics. Neither side wins that one because neither is founded in entire truth. It's just a way to stereotype them and us. And last I checked we are all individuals. We won't change all their minds. Just try to change one. "The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step".

The entire debate from the left is not ignorance, as far as the government is concerned, it's about power and control. And they play it well by demonizing us and our firearms and scaring people into believing we are bad people and guns are the tool of satan. The "weak" in this country still have a voice. And the more scared of us they become, the louder their voices will be.

And remember, socialism can never take hold when there are millions of FREE people with guns. The left doesn't fear the gun. It fears the power that the gun gives the man or woman...and the masses. The more power we have, the less they have. We just have to be more greedy than the socialists.

 

[Grassman]

Every post on this topic is correct in its own right. We are viewed as "Alpha Dogs" by some. People are weaker today than 60 years ago (due to technology enabling us to be so). We need to and understand "them" and they "us". Question is do either really want to? Or is it more effective to just call them sissies and them call us crazy gun toting lunatics. Neither side wins that one because neither is founded in entire truth. It's just a way to stereotype them and us. And last I checked we are all individuals. We won't change all their minds. Just try to change one. "The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step".

The entire debate from the left is not ignorance, as far as the government is concerned, it's about power and control. And they play it well by demonizing us and our firearms and scaring people into believing we are bad people and guns are the tool of satan. The "weak" in this country still have a voice. And the more scared of us they become, the louder their voices will be.

And remember, socialism can never take hold when there are millions of FREE people with guns. The left doesn't fear the gun. It fears the power that the gun gives the man or woman...and the masses. The more power we have, the less they have. We just have to be more greedy than the socialists.

Well said.

 

[12131]

People who are unfamiliar with guns are often afraid of guns. I know this because I was once a person that did not own guns and I was afraid of guns until I became familiar. That's why it's important to take out newbies to the range to break the ice.

The stuff about alpha dogs and weak minded people is garbage. I know people who don't own guns who are tough as nails.

Couldn't agree with you more. Every point you made is true.

 

[1911Tuner]

My 2% of a buck...

While I know there are a good many people who are gun phobic...mainly because of a lack of knowledge and understanding...I've come to the conclusion that the self-reliant man is envied rather than feared. They know in their hearts that, left to their own resources, they will discover that they don't have any...and they despise the ones who do.

They're uncomfortable with the presence of a man who can, in the words of HankII: "I can skin a buck and I can run a trot line and a country boy can survive." because he represents all that they are not.

They watch him repair his own car and set his own chain-link fencing...and because they can't do that...on a deep level, they resent him for being able to do what they feel that they can't or would never attempt. They prefer to bring him down to their level than aspire to rise to his. To summon help the way that they must because it makes them feel better about themselves.

They know that, in the event of a home invasion, they'd have to deal with the problem until the police come rolling up to their rescue, and they resent their gun-savvy neighbor because he has a skill that they aren't willing to acquire for one reason or another.

I've seen this in other ways. The former high school classmate who goes on to college and earns a comfortable living as a dentist or a doctor or an engineer is envied and despised by the guy who was once his pal, but who now works 60 hours a week at a low-paying job just to be able to eat and keep the lights turned on. He hates him for his success...even though he had the same opportunity but made the wrong choice.

The truly fearful...the ones who are literally paralyzed with fright at the mere sight of a gun...are to be pitied rather than hated.

 

[Andreas]

Shadow 7D
Kinda
most are apathetic and 'have no use' for guns, and TV says they are dangerous

these are the same people who have banned Peanut butter sandwiches....

What you need to be scared of is that they are useful idiots to those who wish to secure their power.

What's funny is that many (those younger than 30 or so at least)) are great fans of video games that feature firearms. Sometimes it can be a good basis for coversation (I have a friend from Montreal whose gun experience is limited to games. We have very interesting conversations on the subject). Other times they're just as afraid of them as anyone else who has never handled a firearm. It's unfortunate...

 

[Sav .250]

I think you're pretty much dead wrong.

A good number of us here on THR live a life of ease and would be pretty "soft" in your eyes.

Your diatribe is little more than typical internet chest-thumping. Alpha dogs? Give me a freakin' break.

The 3rd sentence in your comments ...................Like it. From a Vet by the way!

 

[AlexanderA]

readyeddy wrote:

People who are unfamiliar with guns are often afraid of guns.

People who are familiar with guns should be "afraid" of them too. I've been around guns practically my whole life, and I've become more respectful of their capabilities for harm as time goes by. This "fear" is the bedrock of gun safety. Let's face it -- if guns were totally benign there wouldn't be much purpose in having them. Show me someone who's completely unafraid of guns and I'll show you an accident or a misuse waiting to happen.

 

[Grassman]

readyeddy wrote:



People who are familiar with guns should be "afraid" of them too. I've been around guns practically my whole life, and I've become more respectful of their capabilities for harm as time goes by. This "fear" is the bedrock of gun safety. Let's face it -- if guns were totally benign there wouldn't be much purpose in having them. Show me someone who's completely unafraid of guns and I'll show you an accident or a misuse waiting to happen.

Although I agree, I wouldn't use the word "afraid", its more of "respect" the guns ability.

 

[J-Bar]

This essay on why liberals should be pro-2A has been posted in other threads on here, but it includes some more careful consideration of why your generally left leaning, anti-gun person is coming from.

Excellent!

Thanks for the link.

 

[browneu]

I'd definitely call them ignorant. I don't think these people can live comfortably without some form of government control.

People move out of the Columbus into what they believe is their dream home in the country. They buy a little land and quickly learn they're out of their element.

Brother in law had new neighbors last winter. The following spring we begin to shoot clays and target shoot rifles. Most neighbors come over to shoot except the new ones. They call the sheriff. Not liking the sheriffs reply they have their house up for sale. Unfortunately they paid too much and the house is still for sale.

I've had new neighbors complain about the smell. I didn't know what they're talking about until I realized they're complaining about the farmers cows.

I have many other stories but don't want to drift too far off topic.

My point is people are ignorant of guns and true freedom. If anything they fear another person's freedom ad its something they can't control.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Old Dog]

The original post is exactly the type of commentary that I would NEVER want anyone with no experience of firearms or perhaps someone on the fence about RKBA reading.

Talk about alienating people. This type of posturing plays up to the stereotype held by our opposition of the American gun-owner -- loudmouth, brutish cammo-clad country music-listening chest-pounder proclaiming his superiority over the "sheeple" by virture of the fact that he owns guns and knows how to use them ... Sheesh.

AlexanderA's first post in the thread was good:

Sorry, I can't relate to the original post. I'm with Jorg on this.

We don't serve the cause of gun rights by dividing the world into the superior "Alpha" "us" and the inferior, frightened "them." This is the worst form of stereotyping and bigotry.

I've got some leftover cammies I wear when I mow the lawn; I can fish, trap, hunt, skin a rabbit or a buck, I listen to country music a lot, and I do own a gun or two ... I'm a veteran of a couple combat deployments, seen some stuff in my day, but I ain't no "Alpha dog." I've got a lot of friends with a lotta guns, but I've got some friends with no guns -- they don't have guns not 'cause they're scared of guns or scared of people with guns, and I'd never insult them by suggesting such -- they've simply not (yet) felt the desire or need to pick up guns -- I'm workin' on 'em, but I'm not gonna sway them to my way of thinking by labeling them as soft (they're not) or scared (they're not).

In fact, re-reading the original post, I'm almost insulted. We rail, moan, bitch and whine when we get stereotyped by anti-gun folk, and here we are now? Perpetuating stereotypes?

 

[12131]

Although I agree, I wouldn't use the word "afraid", its more of "respect" the guns ability.

Absolutely correct! How can someone who is familiar with guns (aka, tools) and be "afraid" of them? That just makes zero logical sense.

 

[pseudonymity]

A good number of us here on THR live a life of ease and would be pretty "soft" in your eyes.

I find this to be one of the greatest ironies of modern life - now that we have eliminated so many ways to die, the few that are left get so much more attention.

Even a hundred years ago, people cared for their lives as much as we do today, but since they were surrounded by risk their entire lives, they could not focus on just a few risks like we can today. If you lived in a world without antibiotics, vaccines or surgery; worked in factory where it was common for somebody to die due to an accident and accepted the fact that one of three children died before they reached eight years old, being killed by a gun would seem like a foolish thing to worry about.

Now that most people fixate on just a few risks, they give each one more weight. You can reduce your disease risk of course, and you can drive carefully, but you have to eat and most people feel they must drive. So for a hoplophobe, that leaves violence as a risk they think they can mitigate. Of course, there risk assessment is wildly inaccurate, but seeing guns banned or restricted feels like they really reduced their overall risk.

 

[Certaindeaf]

If you want to scare someone, perhaps know/learn how to spell "they're". boo!

 

[alfon99]

I've figured out that many anti-gunners are just scared of people that have guns. I understand that many are just power hungry freaks (such as many of the higher level politicians calling for repressive gun control). But many of your everyday people are simply scared. And there's a reason for it....

We've become such a soft society. People no longer kill their own meat, few raise their own crops. The daily reality for everyday Americans is a life of ease. Sure, you have to work, but do you have to break your ass on the farm to make the simple bills? Look around, see all the fat bodies walking out of the many fast food restaurants. Few of our citizens have had to face the in-your-face rigors of war. Many of us know only soft living, far too many.

And that leads to weak minds, weak fortitude. They fear the strong, self-reliant man or woman with a gun. For the most part, my gun owning pals are hard working people who understand life's realities. Many anti-gunner are scared of such armed people. They're projecting. They're scared. And you know what that tells me? We've already won. We're the Alpha dogs; they're the whiny little yappers. Keep your heads up, make yourselves heard and keep moving forward. In the end, we can only come out ahead.

You're right... I drink milk from a cow I milk by myself, I raise my own crops, I hunt my own meat, and I own guns. I totally agree with you.

 

[blaisenguns]

And that leads to weak minds, weak fortitude. They fear the strong, self-reliant man or woman with a gun. For the most part, my gun owning pals are hard working people who understand life's realities. Many anti-gunner are scared of such armed people. They're projecting. They're scared. And you know what that tells me? We've already won. We're the Alpha dogs; they're the whiny little yappers. Keep your heads up, make yourselves heard and keep moving forward. In the end, we can only come out ahead.

I agree with you that our society is soft, and about being "Alpha Dogs" but we have not won anything yet. Just like in the "Walking Dead" we can still be swallowed up by the "hoard" of ignorant people trying to do good.

 

[Old Dog]

Why do you guys keep repeating this drivel?

And that leads to weak minds, weak fortitude. They fear the strong, self-reliant man or woman with a gun.

I seriously doubt this. Plenty of strong, self-reliant men and women out there who enjoy much in the way of personal and professional success who do not have guns.

One's ownership of a gun, even with knowledge of its use, no more makes one the "alpha dog" than a wolf's possession of sharp teeth and claws coupled with the ability to kill and chew lesser creatures makes him the pack's alpha male.

 

[J-Bar]

The alpha is not the toughest or meanest, the alpha is the smartest and is protected by the meanest and toughest for the preservation of the pack. Think Don Corleone versus Luca Brazzi.

 

[Certaindeaf]

The alpha is not the toughest or meanest, the alpha is the smartest and is protected by the meanest and toughest for the preservation of the pack. Think Don Corleone versus Luca Brazzi.

Oh you crooner!?

 

[psyopspec]

Occasionally I'll refer an anti-gun friend to this board for the level of discussion it provides. Threads like this make me rethink the wisdom of that move.

 

[Gordon_Freeman]

I think Archangel14 makes some great points. I have to agree with him.

 

[1911Tuner]

I seriously doubt this. Plenty of strong, self-reliant men and women out there who enjoy much in the way of personal and professional success who do not have guns.

Take those same strong, self-reliant people out of their comfort zone...unarmed and broken down on a lonesome highway at O-Dark-30...stir in a couple of characters that could have been stunt doubles in "Deliverance" and that self-assurance would evaporate like a drop of water on a hot stove.

 

[Grunt]

I was dove hunting on our family farm when a "neighbor" who lives roughly 850 yards away called the police about my father and I "firing in the air randomly, like terrorists"... I kid you not.

County LE arrived, and after talking with us and making sure everything was safe and in order, she went to the complainants residence. When the homeowner opened the door for the officer, she said he went pale white. The first thing out of his mouth was asking her to remove her sidearm and leave it in her patrol car because it scared him....

So what's it like having those kind of people as neighbord? I suppose it was a couple weeks ago, I was out in my frint yard playing with my Enfield musket when my neighbor that just built a house out here drove by. He sees my targets set up so turns around, comes back and we spent about an hour chatting about shooting. Nope, no calls to county about "terrorists shooting randomly into the air" here.

 

[JERRY]

some people simply do not have the common sense God gave them (or whom ever hands it out they missed the boat); because of this they are scared of their own shadows.