The Way of the Gun generation?

[DVRacer]

I went to a squadron reunion this year on base. What struck me as I spoke with the young sailors was what their world view is. Most of them were 1-3 years old when September 11th happened and have never known peace time. Think about that these (hate to say kids because it shows my age) grew up in a world that has always had the U.S. in a shooting war. All there formative years watching news stories of casualties and firefights and yes video games the most popular like Call of Duty. They are “The Way of The Gun” generation they see violence as normal. I don’t hide the fact I own many firearms but I don’t think I look at them the same way the younger ones do. Most wars in our history have been 0-5 years with generally peace afterward and an understanding how devastatingly horrific war is. I’m kinda rambling about my thoughts but I really worry what are the consequences of a war that spans so many years? Reflectively what have we done to these kids?

[zipplewrath]

1. We are a violent society

Yes these young people have only known a country at war. But that historically isn't all that common. Try to find 20 year periods in this country when we weren't at war and you'll have trouble. It's not that it's never happened, but we're at war more than we're not.

We are a country, a society, a culture that views violence as the primary solution to conflict. Look at our movies and our TV shows. We have a hugely distorted view of what violence can achieve, and what the consequences of violence is.

I once heard a sociologist make the case the in US culture, our western expansion (wild west) was comparable to the "middle ages" of European culture. The upshot of that is that now that puts US culture basically in the 1700-1800 time frame of western Europe. We're talking Napoleon, the 100 years war, the French Revolution...

[DVRacer]

3. Thank you for that

Now I have another period of history to deep dive into. I have skimmed through that before but not with the thoughts I have now. I have children 21,19 and 12 all males my concerns about what I see are shaped by them. I come from a multi-generational military family and have steered them away from joining so far. The ramifications of what we have done I believe will haunt us. I agree the philosophy of violence is not new but the capability to inflict it have changed the paradigm. I am close to changing my point of view of the second amendment but it’s history is difficult to ignore. I’m just having a difficult time balancing the scale.

[zipplewrath]

4. A country made by war

"A Country Made by War" by Geoffery Perret. It's a non-academically oriented history of America's conflicts and the interaction with American society. A pretty good read although a really old book.

[Act_of_Reparation]

14. No, we're not.

Overall, we're fairly middle of the road in assaults per capita. The trouble is those assaults can easily become fatal when a gun is involved.

[Hoyt]

2. I have a hard time calling what we are doing in the Middle East a "war."

It's an unnecessary invasion, wielding our power for greed, and another act of killing Muslims, Asians, etc., because we can. Same can be said of North Korea.

We've done it to our kids since Vietnam, but I think a lot of people who join today's military are into violence in the first place. Not sure how we change that. But, I am sure we need to do something about guns which enable folks to kill to many people in a minute or two.

[DVRacer]

5. Ah Hoyt

You are one of my favorite discussion partners when it comes to firearms. I have always appreciated your respectful behavior towards me. Sincerely thank you for that. As I wrote in another response my view on that is tipping towards a different stance.

Back to the discussion at hand. I have come to view what we are doing in the ME as nothing short of empire building. It hasn’t really been about security from terrorists if it ever was in a long time. It reminds me now more of when Robert Mac commissioned the report that led to the Pentagon Papers. We are killing kids to save face and show we don’t retreat. What I can’t understand is how the powers that be can’t see it. Of course the military contractors are making so damn much money maybe the ultimate reason.

[Marengo]

6. Looks like you forgot to question the OP's state of mind and behavior offensive to civilized

Society. Perhaps you have forgotten stating here on DU that you believe possessing more than a couple of firearms is irrational and an affront to civilized society?

[Hoyt]

7. Thanks for your comment, Marengo. Always good to have gun-fanciers comment on these tragedies.

[Marengo]

9. No, I'm commenting on your history of suggesting those who own more than a couple of guns...

Are lacking in mental clarity and an affront to civilized society. Strangely such commentary is absent here despite the OP’s admission of owning many firearms. Why is that?

[DVRacer]

10. Because of our history

And I hope not to speak out turn here, our mutual respect for each other over the years. I do come from a background that has involved firearms nearly all my life. A profile of myself would lend most to say if anyone owns a firearm that’s the person who should own them.

I respect Hoyt and his perspective period.

[Marengo]

11. Hoyt, in his own words, has no respect for anyone who possesses more than a couple firearms.

He regards such an individual as irrational and engaging in a practice which is a threat to civilized society. Whatever “respect” you believe he’s granting you is a sham.

[LanternWaste]

8. You seem enamored by your own irrelevance in the discussion.

I get it... I pretend to be relevant too, especially when it's merely covering up grade school petulance.

[Marengo]

12. LMAO! So speaketh the epitome of irrelevancy

Off to the land of wind and ghosts with you!

[USALiberal]

13. Most mass shooters obtain the gun legally. Not sure how to stop it. Nt