Posted on 08/01/2008 5:25:25 AM PDT by marktwain
Clive Crook's blog: I went to my first gun show recently - part of my ongoing remedial education in American cultural literacy, which my (American) wife has lately taken in hand - and I have been turning the experience over in my mind these past few days. As a Brit, of course, I was conditioned to expect that the first time I saw an unholstered pistol would be when a mugger stuck one in my face. That is how it works in a civilised country. So for me it was passing strange to see many hundreds of pistols - not to mention shotguns, assault rifles, armour-piercing bullets, laser-sighting attachments and all manner of other lethal weaponry - arrayed for the delectation of ordinary citizens. They let me pick up a gun, for heaven's sake!
A few moments inside the exhibition hall, I was still puzzling over the perfunctory security check at the door - "Are you carrying firearms?" "No, but why would that be a problem?" - when I gaped as a rotund and cheerful old gentleman with a white beard walked past me to the exit, with what looked like an ArmaLite and attached bayonet slung casually over his shoulder. (I was pleased to see that the trigger was secured by a plastic tie. Dangerous otherwise.) Trade was brisk. The Supreme Court had just overturned DC's de facto prohibition on handguns, upholding the Second Amendment as an individual rather than collective right.
Though a Brit, as I say, I did not bring the default attitude of many Europeans (or East Coast liberals - same thing) to the event. I am by no means an instinctive gun controller. It is not obvious to me what is wrong with the argument that says: "The criminals already have guns; gun control disarms the rest of us." I don't know how many times I have heard that view sneered at, or laughed at, or pointed to as an infallible marker of stupidity. But I haven't ever heard it seriously confronted, let alone refuted. Thought experiment: would I feel safer walking around Washington at night if the district allowed "concealed carry", so that some fraction of law-abiding citizens on the street would be armed, or would I feel more at risk? Answer: safer. I don't say this settles the matter: I'm not sure what I think about gun control, and the seeming resistance in some quarters to any and all forms of regulation is ridiculous. But why is this not a legitimate consideration?
I don't think the Democratic nominee would have felt at home with this crowd. I heard several references to Comrade Obama and saw one button (which I coveted) that said: "I am a BITTER gun-owner." They seemed to me an affable, friendly and very courteous bunch (well, you would be, wouldn't you?). I don't think you could mix with the show's visitors for more than five minutes without thinking it was nonsense to attribute their interest in guns to bitterness or disappointment or some form of social pathology.
But of course there is a political dimension. Aside from other motivations - sport, self-defence - the gun-show universe is about pride, self-reliance and resentment at being bossed around. Distinctively American traits, wouldn't you say? Best in moderation, no doubt - but, still, where would the country be without those attitudes? I may get thrown out of Georgetown for this, but I say good for them
What's wrong with ‘comrade Obama’, he is a Communist after all. Ever hear him talk feverishly and passionately about American freedom and liberty. Say use the same tone as he uses when trying to tear down America. I thought so.
Carolyn
What?!!
Civilized country???????????? Just cause he’s a Brit does not give hem the right to look down his nose at the country that kept England fom having to speak GERMAN not once but twice, he shows a lot of gall!!!!!!!!!!!
Clive’s daddy never took him hunting or to the range...
Relax - he’s just expressing an ironic thought. Britain’s “civility” has led it to disarm all but its burgeoning criminal class, who grow ever more emboldened as citizens are relieved of any reasonable means of self defense, up to and including sporks.
So for whose delectation should they be arrayed??? The Ruling Oligarchy???
And if "ordinary citizens" should not be allowed access to such things, who should be--the Ruling Oligarchy???
Leftists--and "ordinary citizens" who have been overwhelmed by the Decadence--take it for granted that some oligarchy or despot will rule over them and control them. Individual liberty, individual responsibility, self-reliance, and freedom are alien concepts to them. This is how far the West has descended toward the hell-hole Orwell described in 1984.
These people take it as normal circumstances that "ordinary citizens" will be ruled and controlled.
"They let me pick up a gun, for heaven's sake!"
Who are "They", for heaven's sake??? The Ruling Oligarchy??? Those-Who-Know-Better-Than-You-Do??? Your Superiors???
What if "They" should turn out to be the likes of Adolf Hitler??? Joe Stalin??? Idi Amin??? Pol Pot???
It's downright scary how some people automatically surrender to any authority other than themselves.
“Thought experiment: would I feel safer walking around Washington at night if the district allowed “concealed carry”, so that some fraction of law-abiding citizens on the street would be armed, or would I feel more at risk? Answer: safer.”
It would have been nice to explore the next logical question, as to “why” you would feel safer.
- An armed person might be able to come to your defense, if you weren’t carrying,
and
- THE CRIMINALS ARE LESS LIKELY TO BOTHER PEOPLE, WHEN THEY KNOW YOU MIGHT BE ARMED!!!
Why is it that I read this I hear a British accent? Anyway, education and an open mind are a beautiful thing.
Well, the Brit starts off a little jello-brained, but by the end is making some sense.
Good for him for thinking about it, instead of reacting on emotion.
I think you just don’t appreciate irony. Relax, that is good English humor!
It’s dry Brit humor. Can be hard to spot unless you’ve been around it a lot. He’s actually mocking “civilised” countries that have disarmed all but their criminals. An American would have put civilized in quotes to make the same point.
Someone needs to invite the fellow out shooting. I think he would enjoy it!
>>Aside from other motivations - sport, self-defence - the gun-show universe is about pride, self-reliance and resentment at being bossed around. Distinctively American traits, wouldn’t you say?<<
......, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.” ..........it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Thomas Jefferson, 1776.
I suspect his (American) wife has already seen to that.
But can you imagine the Culture Shock he must have experienced going from "Guns are Bad" culture to the "Guns are Great, and fun too" culture. Sounds like he's making the adjustment nicely.
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