[quote]squating_bear wrote:
[quote]pushharder wrote:
[quote]Makavali wrote:
I would like a firearm, but I’m not too keen on some of the people I’ve met having access to them.
What do?[/quote]
All the more reason for you to have one.[/quote]
Interesting.
I was thinking some on what kamui said
[quote]kamui wrote:
To be fair, if fearing some inanimate objects is irrational, loving them is surely irrational too.
for the same reason.
[/quote]
At first I was like ‘damn, he’s got a point’
Then I was like ‘no - actually, he’s underplaying it. Love is a way stronger word than fear… that’s borderline crazy’
How can this be, I’m on the wrong side!!
I think it is how people visualize it. Visualize someone else with a gun, especially someone you don’t trust ------> fear
Visualize yourself with a gun --------> no fear
Visualize both ---------> it almost makes sense to fall in love with an inanimate object…
that’s almost as easy as falling in love with ‘freedom’ or ‘life’ or something awesome
[/quote]
I think there are a few different things here you are lumping together.
First, fear of guns for many people I’ve met is very simply exactly that. I have friends that will avert their eyes at the sight of a gun. Who won’t touch a gun even if it’s unloaded and disassembled. People who literally stress out know that there is a gun in the house. These are the same people making the rules that get kids suspended for making there hands in the shape of a gun and going “pew pew pew.” These are the same people that tried to make that def kid change his name because the it resembled making a gun shape.
On the other side there is a distinction between loving guns and loving the power they provide. That could go either way. I like guns, I got excited when my brother recently bought an AR15. BUT I felt nothing as strong as the heart pounding fear I’ve seen people show around weapons. I greatly value their power. I’m a protector. I joined the fire department. I get all the training I can (medical, rescue,est.). For me and many others, carrying is a part of that. It is the ability to protect, not just yourself, but others. Hell, the only weapon i owned was a bolt action .22 until after I got married. I simply never felt the need until there was someone else I loved and felt the need to be able to protect. Now I own several handguns, and shotgun strategically placed around the house. I also carry everywhere I’m legally allowed to.
I love being a firefighter too. EVEN though being one is a risk, not just to myself, but others. Lack of competence as a firefighter can get people killed. Same with carrying a weapon.
So, no, in my case, the love and fear of guns are not equivalent things.