Great piece, thank you. I learned about guns and shooting the same way you did, and spent way more time cleaning and assembling guns than shooting them
In my family we have had two suicides by handguns and, though she does not talk about, I am aware that my birth father held a gun to my mothers head. She was 17. I have never understood the ease with which people dismiss the true purpose of their weapons.
There was a piece I read just the other day, which also puts into perspective the real identity politics of the rabid gun fanatics, although we never discuss them, in real detail-but we should.
The article stated that the 2nd Amendment tribe and the gun nuts who go to the NRA things, and rallies are all white men, who are clinging to their guns and their 'way of life' in a desperate attempt to delay the inevitable diminished status of their 'race' and their power.
That's why the NRA and the gun lobby is so popular-it's geared to white males who would love to turn back the clock.
That's why you'll never see a black man at any NRA events or gun shows-they know their enemies and they're not stupid enough to step into a trap.
It's all about white identity and power. Guns were made by white guys, for defending white people.
I should know. My father helped produce the M-60 machine gun back in the 60's. He knew what guns were made for-killing people and he never owned one once he was out of the Army. He didn't think much of people owning guns, mostly because they often too stupid to use one. He'd be shocked at what's happened since 1990, when he died.
I was held at gunpoint by a drunk Prosecutor/DA with my younger sister on his lap. Being children of an alcoholic mother (who owned the bar), we already knew how to “manage” this man by not escalating emotions, staying calm, etc. We were 12 and 9, respectively. His name was Getman of Lewis County, NY, Jan. 1, 1970. He never faced any repercussions. Later, he spotted me on the ski slope and ran me over. Why? Because it was my job to help clean up the bar that morning, and he was still there, helping himself to drinks he didn’t pay for. I kicked him out of the bar. Entitled White people like that are the reason this democracy is failing....oh, and he was a a Republican...
When Chris and Luke were old enough to learn to shoot, probably around the same age as you and Frank were when your dad sent you to NRA-sponsored gun safety classes on post, Frank took them to the Issac Walton League, rather than the NRA. The reason? "The NRA isn't what it was. And I will not expose my boys to what it's become."
While you were at the range, I was at the bowling alley setting pins with an antiquated manual system, dodging bowling balls from confused bowlers while in the pit.
Fired my first weapon at ROTC Summer Camp, Ft. Reilly, KS. Got good with the M-14.
I think my Dad was done with weapons after his WWII experience. As a senior officer he wore his CIB proudly.
Lucian: What a piece of writing, man. I have a .22, a 3030 Model 94 Winchester and a Mossberg shotgun at our SW Oregon ranch (The one I've invited you and Tracy to in SW Oregon if you're ever West). How DID guns as tools that's rarely used even in rural places turn into lifestyle accessories?
I am trying to imagine how we can swing the pendulum back. I’m having a hard time because it’s like trying to close Pandora’s Box or put toothpaste back in the tube. But maybe it could be done with extremely restrictive gun and ammunition control laws. I just don’t see any passing in my lifetime. And I’m 54.
Great piece, thank you. I learned about guns and shooting the same way you did, and spent way more time cleaning and assembling guns than shooting them
In my family we have had two suicides by handguns and, though she does not talk about, I am aware that my birth father held a gun to my mothers head. She was 17. I have never understood the ease with which people dismiss the true purpose of their weapons.
Dead on! Keep the heat on.
There was a piece I read just the other day, which also puts into perspective the real identity politics of the rabid gun fanatics, although we never discuss them, in real detail-but we should.
The article stated that the 2nd Amendment tribe and the gun nuts who go to the NRA things, and rallies are all white men, who are clinging to their guns and their 'way of life' in a desperate attempt to delay the inevitable diminished status of their 'race' and their power.
That's why the NRA and the gun lobby is so popular-it's geared to white males who would love to turn back the clock.
That's why you'll never see a black man at any NRA events or gun shows-they know their enemies and they're not stupid enough to step into a trap.
It's all about white identity and power. Guns were made by white guys, for defending white people.
I should know. My father helped produce the M-60 machine gun back in the 60's. He knew what guns were made for-killing people and he never owned one once he was out of the Army. He didn't think much of people owning guns, mostly because they often too stupid to use one. He'd be shocked at what's happened since 1990, when he died.
Thanks for this, Mary. I would have liked your dad.
I think he would have liked you, too!
I was held at gunpoint by a drunk Prosecutor/DA with my younger sister on his lap. Being children of an alcoholic mother (who owned the bar), we already knew how to “manage” this man by not escalating emotions, staying calm, etc. We were 12 and 9, respectively. His name was Getman of Lewis County, NY, Jan. 1, 1970. He never faced any repercussions. Later, he spotted me on the ski slope and ran me over. Why? Because it was my job to help clean up the bar that morning, and he was still there, helping himself to drinks he didn’t pay for. I kicked him out of the bar. Entitled White people like that are the reason this democracy is failing....oh, and he was a a Republican...
When Chris and Luke were old enough to learn to shoot, probably around the same age as you and Frank were when your dad sent you to NRA-sponsored gun safety classes on post, Frank took them to the Issac Walton League, rather than the NRA. The reason? "The NRA isn't what it was. And I will not expose my boys to what it's become."
While you were at the range, I was at the bowling alley setting pins with an antiquated manual system, dodging bowling balls from confused bowlers while in the pit.
Fired my first weapon at ROTC Summer Camp, Ft. Reilly, KS. Got good with the M-14.
I think my Dad was done with weapons after his WWII experience. As a senior officer he wore his CIB proudly.
Lucian: What a piece of writing, man. I have a .22, a 3030 Model 94 Winchester and a Mossberg shotgun at our SW Oregon ranch (The one I've invited you and Tracy to in SW Oregon if you're ever West). How DID guns as tools that's rarely used even in rural places turn into lifestyle accessories?
I am trying to imagine how we can swing the pendulum back. I’m having a hard time because it’s like trying to close Pandora’s Box or put toothpaste back in the tube. But maybe it could be done with extremely restrictive gun and ammunition control laws. I just don’t see any passing in my lifetime. And I’m 54.