____twoism

If I would own a gun, I would own this 1




I would go all cod1/UO on their asses and rifle all them shady persons down!

I'm Dutch so I was only allowed to have this one (but it was fun):




I liked reading this thread on the difference between Europeans and Americans. There seem to be two opinions on guns, the gun lovers and gun haters (how obvious) or the US and European perspective (and yes it's generalizing I know). Maybe the large difference in viewing point is caused by the association we have with guns? Europeans only see guns in criminal or violent activities, in the US it is probably just an object most people see regularly with different people on different occassions... it's just an ordinary object(?). Therefore Americans lack the negative association with violence which Europeans have... Plausible or just nonsense?

As said before, I'm Dutch, so you can probably figure out in which corner I am.

Aesthetics wrote:Was a bit amazed when I saw this topic as it doesn't match with the image I have of you. I guess it's because weapons are illegal here and I only see 1 purpose for a weapon, which is killing. Americans must have a totally different perception regarding weapons, right? I don't mean to generalize as there are also people here who have a gun for protection/hunting, but as far as I'm aware those are very rare. Given this topic, the replies and what I already knew about the weapon law, it seems like it's normal to have a gun in the USA. Which is a disgrace in my opinion.

To answer the question: No, I'm not a gun owner

This is exactly how I feel about it.
I really don't understand why weapons are legal, en drugs are illegal in the US.

rik0000 wrote: in the US it is probably just an object most people see regularly with different people on different occassions... it's just an ordinary object(?). Therefore Americans lack the negative association with violence which Europeans have... Plausible or just nonsense?

I obviously cannot speak for any Europeans. Here, in my experience, something like this is as common and as bland as a toaster oven :



I have no negative associations whatsoever, and do not expect, without being naive, somone to use a hunting rifle against me as anyone would not expect being stabbed to death with a #2 pencil. Yes something dangerous comes flying out of there, but I would not put my head under a truck's wheel.

USA is so diverse though. It is obvious that where there is no use, as in an paranoiac urban environment, handguns are a menace, imaginations run wild and opinions run negative. You see this in the media references in this thread, absurd images from films etc.. Rifles associated with psychosis--reality is bent. I think military applications should stay out of this debate.

Well, not to get all paranoid on your asses, but strict gun control is usually employed by the shadiest of governments when they are about to pull the rug out from under the people. It's a precursor to every holocaust. The U.S has enough angry rednecks that they know better than to outlaw guns completely.

Also, people forget that just because normal citizens aren't allowed to carry guns in a certain area, it doesn't make them safer at all. Criminals will still get their hands on them because, well, they are criminals, so the only people holding guns are people using them for sketchy reasons. Armed robbery has never been easier and hilarity ensues.

Of course, Massachusetts has this stupid law where if you find someone who has broken into your house, and even if they are swinging an axe at you, you cannot shoot them unless you are completely cornered and otherwise helpless. The funny thing is, it's better to kill the intruder in a situation like this because if they survive the gun shot, they might even be able to sue you! Only in America...

rik0000 wrote:I liked reading this thread on the difference between Europeans and Americans. There seem to be two opinions on guns, the gun lovers and gun haters (how obvious) or the US and European perspective (and yes it's generalizing I know). Maybe the large difference in viewing point is caused by the association we have with guns? Europeans only see guns in criminal or violent activities, in the US it is probably just an object most people see regularly with different people on different occassions... it's just an ordinary object(?). Therefore Americans lack the negative association with violence which Europeans have... Plausible or just nonsense?

As said before, I'm Dutch, so you can probably figure out in which corner I am.

There's a few reasons. But it isn't really Americans vs Europeans because you'll find just as many Americans who also are against or ignorant of guns, that's why it's such a big deal here.

Anyways I'm sure you know about the Colonial America time period and the militia functions. If not read about "minutemen". Well a lot of people still like to hearken back to that tradition to support our right to bear arms. Sorry guys but there's no marauding indians or Brits to defend your city/town against these days.

That goes in hand with the 2nd Amendment, that's obvious. But I don't think it applies well in modern times. NRA fanatics would argue otherwise "if they take away that, what would be next?" Which is a legitimate concern imo.

Many people in rural areas still hunt for meat. Mostly deer, which are overcrowding anyways. Sport shooting is a legitimate hobby, but slightly taboo since guns in general are somewhat controversial.

Spaghetti Western movies from the 50s-60s kind of glorified the gun for baby boomers. Rap music obviously has it's effects on urban black kids concerning guns.

They are very hard to regulate because if you want something bad enough well...you can get it. Strict regulations only seem to make it more difficult for legitimate people to get guns.

If you've got some time read the wiki article called "gun culture".

i'm with cole, but i really dont have the energy that he has when it comes to this sort of shit. this thread is depressing me.

there are MANY americans that hate firearms, and the idea of them. i know everyone has this view of americans as loud and violent. i love that this board spans the entire globe. i think it's so cool. so when a new member joins from the USA, is this how we are immediately perceived? i know it must be easy for everyone to hate the USA, but please dont generalize. just because there is a choice to own a gun in this country, doesnt mean that everyone wants to! try to remember where the hippie movement started in the first place.

i've only seen an actual gun in person twice, and i dont see the appeal. i will never own a gun. unless of course there is a nuclear holocaust and i am left to wander the wasteland, foraging for food and fending off super mutants, which i'd say is highly plausible at this point.

oh dear, the disavowed has unwittingly created a monster

Joebot Kill wrote:there are MANY americans that hate firearms, and the idea of them. i know everyone has this view of americans as loud and violent. i love that this board spans the entire globe. i think it's so cool. so when a new member joins from the USA, is this how we are immediately perceived? i know it must be easy for everyone to hate the USA, but please dont generalize. just because there is a choice to own a gun in this country, doesnt mean that everyone wants to! try to remember where the hippie movement started in the first place.

My bad... sorry for accusing all Americans to be gun lovers.....

Nonetheless, as far as I can see, most people in this thread in favor do come from the US and most non-americans seem to be against. I was only wondering for the reason behind it, wasn't meant as bashing americans.... (will check out the things you mentioned, Vexille, thanks....)

People can say things all day, but when it comes down to it everything is situational.. I can't honestly say if I would or wouldn't use a gun to defend myself - I haven't had to make that decision yet.

guns don't kill people, rappers do.

^^^^Yer girlfriend is a minger (etc) ^^^^

Eddie Izzard - "The National Rifle Association says, 'Guns don't kill people. People do'........ But I think the gun helps."

Joebot Kill wrote:i'm with cole, but i really dont have the energy that he has when it comes to this sort of shit. this thread is depressing me.

there are MANY americans that hate firearms, and the idea of them. i know everyone has this view of americans as loud and violent. i love that this board spans the entire globe. i think it's so cool. so when a new member joins from the USA, is this how we are immediately perceived? i know it must be easy for everyone to hate the USA, but please dont generalize. just because there is a choice to own a gun in this country, doesnt mean that everyone wants to! try to remember where the hippie movement started in the first place.

i've only seen an actual gun in person twice, and i dont see the appeal. i will never own a gun. unless of course there is a nuclear holocaust and i am left to wander the wasteland, foraging for food and fending off super mutants, which i'd say is highly plausible at this point.

Pussy!!!


I kid. I kid.

A moving car is just as dangerous as a loaded gun.

Chuck Beckles wrote:

Joebot Kill wrote:i'm with cole, but i really dont have the energy that he has when it comes to this sort of shit. this thread is depressing me.

there are MANY americans that hate firearms, and the idea of them. i know everyone has this view of americans as loud and violent. i love that this board spans the entire globe. i think it's so cool. so when a new member joins from the USA, is this how we are immediately perceived? i know it must be easy for everyone to hate the USA, but please dont generalize. just because there is a choice to own a gun in this country, doesnt mean that everyone wants to! try to remember where the hippie movement started in the first place.

i've only seen an actual gun in person twice, and i dont see the appeal. i will never own a gun. unless of course there is a nuclear holocaust and i am left to wander the wasteland, foraging for food and fending off super mutants, which i'd say is highly plausible at this point.

Pussy!!!


I kid. I kid.

hahaha.... yeah thats me!

But yeah, just to reiterate, people from outside America seem to have a very big misconception about Americans. I've read a lot of Holier Than Thou posts on many forums from Brits and Australians that seem to think that all of America is like the deep South. Not at all! It's ironic because they always talk about Americans being ignorant/stupid. America is a large and diverse country, it has it's good points and its bad points, but being able to own a gun isn't a bad thing at all.

I mean seriously, going to the shooting range is pretty fun. Y'all niggas be missin out.

Letz take em out Chuck. theze Yoopean niggaz be triflin word is born.

hahahaha. well said guys! its true though. this country is so large its hard not to be divided on MANY things. i mean when you think about it theres the pacific northwest, new england, west coast, east coast, midwest, south east, south west and the great lakes region. all of those are kind of their own territories with pretty big cultural differences. i had a professor that has traveled the world and he once told me that the biggest culture shock he had ever experienced wasnt going over to the UK or anything. it was actually going from the east coast to the west coast!

Wow this thread has blown up!

Well I understand all that's been said, and even though I'll be making my purchase next month I just want to say that I'm not crazy or credulous or paranoid - you can all sleep well, especially those of you in Europe b/c I don't have a lot of money and won't be coming out there to visit for quite a while

It's just um..... I must protect my family. That's really all there is to it.

I was going to launch into an argument too about the total impossibility of legislating a market out of existence (see America's prohibition or our current drug 'war' for examples) and that legally prohibiting firearms only keeps them out of the hands of law-abiding citizens who wouldn't be shooting up Virginia Tech or Hollywood anyway....

But then I've realized reading this thread that really the subject is more emotional than anything else. People who are scared of them, people who aren't. People who understand them, people who don't.

Really it's sort of like discussing religion in a weird way.. you might be able to launch rock solid arguments but it won't matter because the issue is usually approached emotionally...

So this has been fun - but does anybody here have experience with shotguns? Makes models etc?