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Anti-Rights Idiocy

So I was reading through my Google alerts and I ran across this steaming pile of anti-rights idiocy. It was an amazing piece of gun control, replete with plenty of Bush Derangement Syndrome, dire warnings about global warming, and even something about the Illuminati taking over the World Bank or something.

In short, totally nucking futs. It was so nutty I just deleted it and went on.

However, one thing stuck out at me that I wanted to bring up here. Namely the blaming of the gun industry for gun violence. This putz made the statement that it was the gun industry that was pushing their products onto unsuspecting youths and causing the violent crime we had. It's a charge I've heard a million times.

If the gun industry is pushing their products, they're not doing a great job. Granted, I don't drive "in da hood" much, but I doubt you're going to see signs like this.

Seriously. How many thugs do you think know the names of any gun manufacturers outside of Glock and S&W? How many gang bangers could define what a 1911 is? Do you think that a random sampling of Crips and Bloods would reveal a high degree of knowledge of CZ's latest offerings in their 75 line?

Or is it common in the gang world to peruse through the latest Field & Stream?

The only industries actively "pushing" guns are Hollywood and their entirely overly-fantastic and highly unrealistic portrayal of guns and the thug-rapper music scene.

I have a feeling that most gangstas aren't concerned with the safety features of the Ruger Mark II line. They're not concerned about checkered coco bolo grips, trigger pulls, or hexagonal rifling. All they care about is a gun going bang when they pull the trigger. So, why would the gun industry put so much effort into these kinds of things if their goal was to push violence?

Face it, the gun manufacturers do not cater to thugs. How do you advertise to someone who generally steals instead of buys? "Thinking of a Home Invasion? Make sure you only steal the best - Para Ordinance".

If the gun industry is to blame for pushing their wares, they're doing a piss poor job if you ask me.

posted @ 10/30/2007 11:36:45 AM

Comments

triticale says:

on 10/30/2007 3:50:05 PM

I drive in the 'hood nearly every day. We live on the edge; a location which, altho uptrending, raises the eyebrows of my wee wifey's black coworkers. I have never seen such a billboard. I've never even seen any more conventional firearms advertising in the magazines such as XXL which are prevalent in the groceries around here.

Altho the report is third hand, I believe the blog commenter who reported recently that an urban gun store was burglarizedd and only 9MM handguns were taken because the 'bangers were too dependent on hype to see any value in .45s.

Steve says:

on 10/30/2007 4:38:01 PM

Unfortunately, anything they can try to portray as a "big" industry is blamed for stuff, regardless of the lack of merit of the argument.

That's a hilarious pic, btw.

Breda says:

on 10/30/2007 6:44:44 PM

To tell the truth would be considered racism.

Matt says:

on 10/31/2007 9:13:00 AM

They're pushing their wares just not to the segment a non-gun owner would understand. They're pushing to people like us. People who want to spend money on guns. Especially enthusiasts who will happily add another gun or enhance one they already have. Just look at the aftermarket segment for AR-15 parts.

Somehow I don't think the Crips in da hood are dropping 800+ dollars retail for a Kimber. They might have a Kimber but I'm pretty sure it was sold as fenced goods for a lot less than the person who owned it spent.

Funny thing is, the gun industry in terms of dollar amount isn't that big. Well under a billion dollars per year. Most small arms makers in the USA are small-to-medium in size. Big industry indeed.

Molon Labe says:

on 10/31/2007 10:50:15 AM

It's just the nature of the beast. This is from the VPC's web page:

"The primary goal of the National Rifle Association's Eddie Eagle program is not to safeguard children, but to protect the interests of the NRA and the firearms industry by making guns more acceptable to children and youth. The Eddie Eagle program employs strategies similar to those utilized by America's tobacco industry—from youth "educational" programs that are in fact marketing tools to the use of appealing cartoon characters that aim to put a friendly face on a hazardous product. The hoped-for result is new customers for the industry and new members for the NRA."

I nearly "mussed my draws" when I read this statement. On one hand you hear from the anti-rights campaign that pro-gun advocates do not care about safety. Then they chastize their safety programs.

They really are crazy aren't they??

kaveman says:

on 10/31/2007 12:10:21 PM

I disagree with all you safetyophobes. I was brought up right by my parents, said please and thankyou, ate my veggies and did volunteer work on the weekends.

Then one day, while at a friends' house, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed some magazine/newspaper thingie called "Shotgun News." Within 3 days, I bought 4 guns and went on a rampage. Cappin' li'l ol' ladies, coppers, puppy dogs just to hear 'em scream.
Thru no fault of my own, I became a raving mad lunatic; rapin' , killin', stealin was daily bidness. It was the advertisments on the cover of that magazine that makes me do it, I'm powerless to change my behavior, the advertisement was that strong.

That's all for now, gotta go score some smack and stand on the street corner and look like a badass.

DirtCrashr says:

on 10/31/2007 1:23:29 PM

The picture is wrong, his pants are up way too high.

Robb Allen says:

on 10/31/2007 1:24:58 PM

Sorry. Must be one of those East Coast / West Coast things.

BobG says:

on 10/31/2007 2:26:54 PM

The sign is incomplete; at the bottom it should say:

"Noamsane?"

Sharp as a Marble says:

on 11/2/2007 2:17:40 PM

This guy must not read