Why do they call people gun nuts?

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jeepmor

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As a person who gets into any hobby I pursue, why is it that now that I'm pursuing the hobby of firearms do I suddenly become labelled a gunnie, gun nut or the like?

I enjoy the technical challenge of becoming a proficient shooter. I like the technical challenges that were posed to me by my 10mm Witness and the processes it took to make it a reliable firearm. And I also enjoy the process of reloading. I have no ill intentions towards anyone or anything, (except maybe some Columbia ground squirrels and paper with Bullseyes on them) but somehow my friends have now labelled me as a gun nut because I would rather turn my conversation topics to firearms rather than entertaining everyone elses predisposition to talk (aka whine) about work.

I can go on for hours about my jeep, my home improvement projects and a myriad of other non-work topics, but when I talk about guns, people slap a label on me. Is it their insecurity with the second amendment rights or are they simply to "simple" to decouple firearms from criminal activity?

jeepmor
 
I think it comes down to unfamiliarity with the subject (firearms), which in turn, leads them to be afraid or standoffish of the topic.

The term "gun nut" is used by so many these days, it seems to have become all to common with the uninformed.

I'm with you on this one jeep, I have the same problem.
 
Yep, I have been called a "gun nut" or a "gun fanatic". How is it, that when you won't miss a pro football game you are labeled a "fan" but if you won't miss a gun show or frquent the gun ranges regularly you are labeled a "fanatic"? Both are derived from the same root word. What is the difference?
 
you should try not to take it personally,Im a gun nut but i know people who are fishing nuts,hunting nuts and photography nuts. Its all in the way you react to being called a gun nut that makes it a good thing or a bad thing.Personally i take it as a compliment.:D
 
It's because hoplophobes have an irrational fear of guns and think they are nothing more than tools of evil, therefore anyone who has interest in them must be crazy.
We call anti-gun people names too :)
 
It seems that anyone who has any knowledge of firearms is a "gun nut" .. fortunately I was in the Marines so I have somewhat of an "excuse" for my knowledge.
 
You say "gun nut" like it's a bad thing. :D
It's certainly easier to spell than "firearms afficianado" ;)
...simply to "simple" to decouple firearms from criminal activity?
Click to expand...
Bingo. Most are simply too simple to recognize responsible, legal action by something that either frightens them or something they do not understand nor wish to understand. They can be educated if one chooses to spend one's time thus. The really bad ones are those that know the difference and still preach disarmament as their gospel. Anti Gun Nuts who ARE nuts if they think that criminals will obey their desires and laws ridding the law abiding of any one particular tool.

So when a friend or acquaintence calls you a "gun nut", smile and say "I prefer to be known as a student of marksmanship along the lines of Thomas Jefferson's thoughts, thank you."
 
If you're talking about anti-gun people, it's simple childish immaturity.

They can NEVER hold their own in a debate with a knowledgeable gun owner, or even a knowledgeable NON-gun owner, so usually seconds into any "conversation", it's "gun nut", etc.

I'm ESPECIALLY amused when British anti-gunners (the MOST ignorant of all) start gibbering "train spotting!" in response to any factual rebuttal (especially one backed up with citations). It's their way of admitting that not only do they not have facts on their side, but that facts simply DON'T MATTER to them.
 
Wow some chips on shoulders imho. Gun "nut" is like car "nut" film "nut" sports "nut" etc. etc. Only hurts people with sensitive skin. Cowboy up! ;)
 
I did not state I was offended folks

I'm not offended by being called a "gun nut" and did not mean to imply I was. I actually like it, but what I don't like is that I'm now treated differently by folks because I now enjoy the firearms hobby and like to discuss it. None of my other pursuits have given this type of reaction from people is all.

I'm just trying to get at the root of the reaction of others. It seems to be much like politics or religion, people have a view and that's that. Not many want their views changed or are even willing to embrace conversation with views that oppose theirs and potentially shatter their perspective as irrational. I see this gun issue as much the same from a psychological point of view. People have their dispositions and refuse to change them, even when factual data against erodes their rationale, they simply throw up barriers and start namecalling to deviate from the topic. It's a defense mechanism. Me, on the other hand, actually enjoy being enlightened to new information that will change my perspective on the world. :D

Don't get me wrong, I like being labelled a gun nut, just like I like being a jeep nut, snowboarding nut, home improvement nut, etc. I enjoy jumping into a hobby with both feet. If you're going to do something, don't be half a%%ed about it, get into it, submerse yourself and go for it. That's how I do darn near every hobby or job I take on.

jeepmor
 
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Gun 'nut.'
Gear 'head.'
Horse 'people.'

I shoot so I am a 'gun nut.' I restore antique sports cars so I am a 'gear head.' I used to ride horses so I was a 'horse person.' I don't see any of the terms in a negative light.

Kevin
 
It wasn't you, Jeepmor, it was some of the whiny replies your query generated. Guns are basically a polarizing issue today, whether we like it or not. There is nothing wrong with guns nor liking them. My forbears were all first class mechanics and machinists. My same love for machinery manifested itself in stuff that launches bullets. So sorry if that gives some heartburn. It's no better or no worse than any "nut" dom. YMMV :evil:
 
i have a story for you, me and one of my brothers were talking about guns one time and he comes out and says assault weapons should be banned, i asked why he says no one need to hunt with 30 rds or just shoot one their is no point. I was appauled. i replied the reason is a gun is a tool that happens to put a smile on some peoples faces when they shoot, like me. I dont see the need to go trophy hunting but you put a pk with 100rds in my hand i will be smiling for a week. people refer to us as gun nuts because they do not have the same feeling when they dum p off 30 rds or hell most of them never even fired a gun to feel the power it releases. It is like hopping in a nascar race and doing 200 mph. the feeling of the power and the realization of the precision is the rush. I can have fun using a damn nail gun. Shooting happens to be a very fun thing for me to do i am responsible when i shoot and i dont go mowing down a family of six groundhogs, now why shouldnt i be allowed to enjoy these tools. It is because of fear that these people cringe over guns. The given fact is if someone invaded their home with you in it and you had a gun you would now be their best friend whether the gun is legal or not. All these anti gun people will be that way unbtil they realized they lost a loved one because they could not defend themselves. It is hippocracy at its finest.
One more thing if anyone thinks citizens do not need to own guns then they should realize that if they lived in our colonial times we would still be british owned how does that grab you anti gun people. I say if you never see the need to fight for anything then you might as well be dead already.
"those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither liberty nor safety-Ben franklin

visit www.mudguns.com and register to voice your opinion, review some guns or even purchase one from a responsible dealer in your area.
 
I am a gun nut,
A Horse person,
a Dance-aholic,
a Motor-head (motorcycle rider),
a Papist
and a Square Dance Freak.

Oh, yeah, having been born 15 miles from Green Bay, I must be a Cheesehead too.

so?
 
Gun nuts unite

I wonder what type of reaction I would have received from a web board like, say the Democratic Underground or the like...haha. It is my mechanical background that pulled me towards pasttime as a hobby rather than simply purchasing a firearm for home protection while it slowly fills with dust or lint in a bedroom drawer or nightstand.

Thanks for the input folks. I guess the difference is only that this is a polarizing issue for many Americans. As far as the rest of the world, they have mostly handed over those rights and claim to be better off as a society for it. I have to disagree with this statement, but many on the other side of the fence from myself won't.

I think most of you will agree with me in that we have no intention of giving up our RKBA. Not me, too much fun.

jeepmor
 
Come on now... Gun nut isn't too bad. They did manage to use two 3 letters words. And someday they'll make it to 4, or maybe even beyond. You just have to be patient. You can't expect too much right away. :evil:
 
Once upon a time, withing the fraternity of shooters and hunters, we generally were referred to--and referred to ourselves as "gun bugs".

When the arguments of gun control became serious in the middle and late 1960s and during the Congressional debates over the Gun Control Act of 1968, the anti-gun people substituted name-calling for rational thought.

To denigrate one's opponent is common. The "Hun" of WW I. The Japanese were "Japs" or "Nips" in WW II. In Korea, the enemy were "Gooks".

And we're "gun nuts".

Slogans don't require thought, nor does name-calling...

Art
 
Interesting back story (i go by gunbug on most every other forum).

It's propaganda, plain and simple. Sure its just a name, but its often used in a derogatory manner, in the same way Jesus Freak is.

We have failed to leave up to the challenge--we call the other folks "anti-gun". Bah, lame. I'm calling them "Pro-Terrrorist"--because terrorists like to strike the unarmed, the civilians that can't fight back. Those bastages took over planes--one of the most secure areas in the modern US. No coincidence they were unarmed.

The violence policy center is another example of good propaganda--sounds better to the people that dont pay attention than handgun control inc or whatever it used to be. Maybe the NRA should become "American Protecting Freedom"?
 
what a compliment

I've been called a gun nut before I even owned a gun. I think it is the whole outdoorsman / survival attitude combined with drooling every time guns come up. It is in my blood. I had to beg my parents to let me have "cap guns" as a kid and spent just about every afternoon that I could shooting my bb/pellet rifle in the back yard after about age 13. The outdoors/survival and guns just happen to be some of my passions in life. What a compliment for people to recognize my skills!
 
But the irony of this situation is that these leftist name-callers invariably claim to be paragons of tolerance who won't tolerate any intolerance on our part. Yet they insist that we must tolerate their intolerance. Now that's funny. I don't care who ya are.:D
 
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