Chicks and guns
But what I don’t like is the assumption that owning a gun means you are either a. setting yourself up for getting shot or b. a dangerous idiot.
I know owning a gun is dangerous, but so is getting in a car, or sharpening kitchen knives.
What bothers me the most about my choice is talking to non-gun owners.
I keep hearing the same things over and over and over again. They don’t want to sound prudish by saying guns are bad but they want to know why you are doing it and have dozens of reasons as to why you shouldn’t.
And most of those reasons are, uhm, factually deficient.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hey! Let’s start a meme!
Reasons why you shouldn’t buy an automobile because it could be dangerous / ‘bad’ ….
– People could be run over by an unattended vehicle.
– People could be run over by an attended vehicle.
– It pollutes – both in manufacture, usage, and disposal.
– Elements within it are toxic (oil, anti-freeze, battery acid).
– Most are underused for their size.
– Crashes can kill the occupants.
– Passengers have no control over the operation.
– They can catch fire in the garage while unattended.
– The exhaust can kill in an enclosed space.
… any more?
February 4th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I have found that the “seatbelt theory of concealed carry” works quite well when talking to non-gun owners. I came up with it while talking to my mother about getting my permit:
Me: I’m getting my carry permit.
Mom: Dear God why?
Me: Because I might need it.
Mom: Where are you going that you might get shot? If you’re scared enough that you think you are going to need a gun, then you should just avoid going there.
Me: Do you wear your seatbelt?
Mom: Well, yeah, of course?
Me: Why? Do you go out thinking “hey I’m going to t-bone somebody on the way to work this morning”? If you really think you’re going to be in an accident, then maybe you should stay home.
She doesn’t argue anymore. The other one I like is from someone at arfcom:
“Why do you have a fire extinguisher when you have a fire department to protect you?”
February 4th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
“Why do you have a fire extinguisher when you have a fire department to protect you?”
For the same reason that people have 911 on speed dial, to make you feel like you’re safe. Take this from a retired Fireman, at least 90% of the people who have fire extinguishers in their home aint got a clue as to how to use them.
February 4th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Jon, you should add “because criminals could steal them” or “kids might think they’re cool.”