So you think you know the 2nd Amendment

[puglogic]

No, they aren't ill. They are just different from you. Fun to label and dehumanize people though, isn't it?

Oh, not dehumanizing at all....they're very human, just a breed of human I find icky.

I knew a man who collected instruments of torture. He found them fascinating. I know another person who was arrested for the most alarming collection of child pornography imaginable. A family member loves to salivate over the bloodiest battles in history, as though the only thing that happened on those fields was brilliant strategy. These people share a common trait with gun fanatics: they are able to completely see past the immense human suffering caused by the object of their love and affection, as though it simply doesn't exist. That breed of human is simply scary to me {shrug}

It's my personal belief that the majority of politically active gun lovers -- as opposed to people who happen to own a gun -- have a fearful, dangerous and rather scary worldview, and I'm sick of being asked to see it as normal behavior in a civilized society. It isn't.

We can't stuff this genie back in the bottle, but we can call a spade a spade. Stop pretending the adoration and collection of lethal weapons is something to be respected. It's really just strange and sad.

[Yossarian]

That breed of human is simply scary to me

Baloney. The people I see at my gub club are some of the most caring and respectful people I have ever met.

[Rogar]

It's my personal belief that the majority of politically active gun lovers -- as opposed to people who happen to own a gun -- have a fearful, dangerous and rather scary worldview, and I'm sick of being asked to see it as normal behavior in a civilized society. It isn't.

With the exception of Bae and a probable small handful of others, I think the obsession probably stems from an unjustified paranoia fueled by the media and peer groups.

I believe in psychology that there is the concept that we create a self image and then construct a reality that is designed to protect our self image. Such as might be the case with a conservative political self image, and then a constructed reality that global warming is not real or man caused that would then conform to the self image concept. I think radical gun advocates suffer a similar self delusion.

[iris lily]

With the exception of Bae and a probable small handful of others, I think the obsession probably stems from an unjustified paranoia fueled by the media and peer groups.

These gun control conversations almost always come down to this: bae & others on this forum, a very small number, are reasonable humans but those out there in gun totin' land are crazed jerks.

I don't buy it.

[Alan]

I believe in psychology that there is the concept that we create a self image and then construct a reality that is designed to protect our self image.

And anyone who doesn't adhere to that constructed reality is simply delusional?

[Rogar]

And anyone who doesn't adhere to that constructed reality is simply delusional?

I guess it depends on whether the reality is based on fact and rational thought, or whether it is bent to conform to the image of self.

[Alan]

I guess it depends on whether the reality is based on fact and rational thought, or whether it is bent to conform to the image of self.

So which basis are you using to declare so many groups of people delusional?

[Rogar]

So which basis are you using to declare so many groups of people delusional?

I have tried to swear off any gun debates after the last futile 26+ page debate. I would like to bow out of this one and will only add this.

Cold hearted orb
That rules the night
Removes the colours
From our sight
Red is gray and
Yellow white
But we decide
Which is right
And
Which is an Illusion

[creaker]

No, they aren't ill. They are just different from you. Fun to label and dehumanize people though, isn't it?

This is where posturing breaks down any possibility of discussion. Of course not all people who own guns are mentally ill. But of course not all who own guns are not mentally ill.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I don't need to be told that crazed jerks exists, when rage outbroke in my home growing up you took cover or you ran, no guns whatsoever, but random objects would hit the air .... I believe enough in the human *capacity* for crazy thank you very much (though I'll never even emotionally understand premeditated murder). I just think the odds of seeing any at the movie theater or church or a school is absurd and yes that paranoia is driving the conversation all over (why should I think that media whipped hysteria should only influence one side, riddle me that). I definitely think it does drive some of gun culture. I also think it's the exact same thing that drives the belief that we need armed guards everywhere now. It drives mass incarceration and law and order legistlation. It drives the fear of terrorism, the TSA, a decades plus worth of unnecessary war (ok um it is very far from the *only* thing that drives that, economics drives that, it's just what got the masses buy out on it).

I knew a man who collected instruments of torture. He found them fascinating

I see a bright career in government somewhere for him, with room for advancement, he's rationally economical, probably one of the few jobs left with a pension!

I have tried to swear off any gun debates after the last futile 26+ page debate. I would like to bow out of this one and will only add this.

oh you've been infinitely calm and reasonable, you always are in these political debates. Just ha, way above this crazed fray.