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Comatose Sphagetti

(836 posts)
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 11:48 AM Jan 2013

Drove by a gun store last night

It was packed. Packed with men who look just like me... middle-aged, overweight, and out of shape.

All hoping their SHTF fantasy comes true so they can fearlessly lead the way and be the hero. Praying they get the opportunity to kill someone. It's this mindset - grandiose, delusional, paranoid, insane - that confounds me.

Answer me this - If the dreaded 'Gubment' does come for their weapons, how are people who look just like me going to confront a well trained army of highly motivated, highly trained 20-somethings? Not to mention tanks, A-10 Warthogs, etc? The last time I looked, Warthogs were nowhere to be found at Bass Pro.

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Drove by a gun store last night (Original Post) Comatose Sphagetti Jan 2013 OP
Well yeah, but you can't go out in a blaze of glory if you don't have an AR-15. Scuba Jan 2013 #1
How dare you insult our lean, mean, credit card wieldin' shoppin' machines BeyondGeography Jan 2013 #2
There's a fine specimen of American manhood. The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2013 #3
Weekend Warrior baby geomon666 Jan 2013 #6
The anti-hangover glasses are there to reinforce your confidence BeyondGeography Jan 2013 #7
Looks like an adult-size eight-year-old, all dressed up in his little cowboys-and-indians costume calimary Jan 2013 #53
His Batman costume is still at the cleaners. FSogol Jan 2013 #93
I love the earpiece that's not plugged into anything rbixby Jan 2013 #10
I thought that was something growing out of his ear canal. TheCowsCameHome Jan 2013 #16
... RKP5637 Jan 2013 #82
The white earpiece wire is plugged into Jenoch Jan 2013 #62
I Wonder How Much This Guy In This Picture Spent To Outfit Himself?..... global1 Jan 2013 #13
This guy probably crapped himself because he couldn't hold it back while taking off all that gear. Erose999 Jan 2013 #14
Yes they do... loose wheel Jan 2013 #18
Well all this guys doing is attending a Rand Paul rally. A misspelled sign is really the only Erose999 Jan 2013 #19
Someone should have stood next to him with a sign that says: Hassin Bin Sober Jan 2013 #86
Nice ad hominem attack. Bake Jan 2013 #89
LOL. We can't "hominem attack" on DU Rand Paul fan flakes who show up... Hassin Bin Sober Jan 2013 #91
Sure we can. I do it all the time. Bake Jan 2013 #92
Sorry but... Hassin Bin Sober Jan 2013 #96
Defending them may sound foolish... LanternWaste Jan 2013 #99
Welcome to DU, loose wheel! calimary Jan 2013 #54
...an that's just what he wears to bed. TheCowsCameHome Jan 2013 #17
The real life Politicalboi Jan 2013 #27
Why Play War When You Can Fight in A Real War? Yavin4 Jan 2013 #38
Yeah, no kidding. And all the guns 'n' ammo you can eat. calimary Jan 2013 #55
Listening to "The Archies" on that little ear thing. NYC_SKP Jan 2013 #65
How many are just hoping to make a quick $1000 profit by flipping it? Recursion Jan 2013 #4
Yep, flip it to anyone with a fistful of cash WITHOUT A background check. "Responsible gun owners." Hoyt Jan 2013 #101
... HappyMe Jan 2013 #5
If.. LiberalEsque01 Jan 2013 #8
20 little coffins lined up and you call politicians "hair-trigger" for wanting gun control? Hekate Jan 2013 #22
You're really overpaid for some really stupid posting lunatica Jan 2013 #24
They're been showed the door. ellisonz Jan 2013 #31
Welcome to DU, LiberalEsque01! calimary Jan 2013 #56
What, exactly, does being overweight do to inhibit marksmanship? dmallind Jan 2013 #9
You never saw Canadian Bacon? snooper2 Jan 2013 #12
What, exactly, does being overweight do to inhibit marksmanship? Comatose Sphagetti Jan 2013 #15
yup, there is a reason most people in the army and young and lean Victor_c3 Jan 2013 #35
Welcome to DU, Comatose Sphagetti! calimary Jan 2013 #57
Anecdotal Evidence... Ian David Jan 2013 #80
It also makes you an easier target, right? FSogol Jan 2013 #95
Imagine a gun nutters playground where all the gun nutters can get together and shoot each other Fresh_Start Jan 2013 #11
You claim gun owners and possible gun owners regjoe Jan 2013 #20
Point is, some people DO want a war Tsiyu Jan 2013 #25
Being in an actual war yellerpup Jan 2013 #33
yup Victor_c3 Jan 2013 #37
Welcome home! yellerpup Jan 2013 #39
thanks Victor_c3 Jan 2013 #41
Give yourself all the time you need to find balance. yellerpup Jan 2013 #42
Talking helps nadinbrzezinski Jan 2013 #90
Man, what an experience! Thank you for your service, and your sacrifice! calimary Jan 2013 #59
some look like they have had too many beers, sodas, and snacks already klyon Jan 2013 #66
Yeah, no kidding! calimary Jan 2013 #68
Agree 100% regjoe Jan 2013 #70
I agree to a point regjoe Jan 2013 #69
I'm a gun owner Tsiyu Jan 2013 #76
Please. Shadowflash Jan 2013 #28
THEY are not the ones that worry most people regjoe Jan 2013 #72
If you think Shadowflash Jan 2013 #75
"how come nobody was shot?" ellisonz Jan 2013 #32
No need to regjoe Jan 2013 #73
thought current rhetoric was that only good guys with guns can kill bad guys with guns... LanternWaste Jan 2013 #100
Welcome to DU, regjoe! calimary Jan 2013 #58
They did it during the Civil War. LiberalFighter Jan 2013 #78
"how come nobody was shot"? barbtries Jan 2013 #104
Drove by one here the other day. hobbit709 Jan 2013 #21
That's even scarier!!! Bay Boy Jan 2013 #34
Welcome to DU, Bay Boy! calimary Jan 2013 #61
Sunday morning? GeorgeGist Jan 2013 #47
Probably sold out of all the in-demand stuff NickB79 Jan 2013 #83
can we take a look at this... Locrian Jan 2013 #23
I can't believe the amount of AMMO I've seen being purchased at the local JoePhilly Jan 2013 #26
It's not unlike Bay Boy Jan 2013 #40
why don't they serve their country in Afganistan? samsingh Jan 2013 #29
Drive by psycological anylasys carries a lot of rrneck Jan 2013 #30
Remember what happened the last time or two the US forces pulled triggers aimed at civilians? OneTenthofOnePercent Jan 2013 #36
I heard a sage once say, Comatose Sphagetti Jan 2013 #46
Got to be prepared for when Yeager unleashes his fearsome counterattack! MightyMopar Jan 2013 #51
What happened when Michigan Militia nut jobs got arrested? Robb Jan 2013 #71
I'm thinking of selling one of my AR's ileus Jan 2013 #43
I tend to agree, and my family shoots... Volaris Jan 2013 #44
exactly how much firepower is a U.S. Marine rifle squad onethatcares Jan 2013 #45
I heard on the news that gun sales have increased since the Sandy Hook Massacre. Lady Freedom Returns Jan 2013 #48
Well, I bought an M5 tank near a gun store the other day. Hayabusa Jan 2013 #49
How could you tell what the patrons looked like obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #50
Well lit store, large plate-glass windows, stopped at a stop light. Comatose Sphagetti Jan 2013 #52
"Praying they get the opportunity to kill someone." flvegan Jan 2013 #60
My opinion Comatose Sphagetti Jan 2013 #64
And your opinion is based on what FACTS?? Bake Jan 2013 #88
Someone literally said it.. Fumesucker Jan 2013 #74
Cool story, bro. NYC_SKP Jan 2013 #63
It's the Jungian Shadow. Odin2005 Jan 2013 #67
This country must surely look like a bunch of damn fools to the rest of the world. n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #77
That certainly explains why people in every other country of the world former9thward Jan 2013 #79
That's true, but we can still look like a bunch of fools. n/t RKP5637 Jan 2013 #81
That certainly explains why they come here for the idiotic gun debate and first class American Excep LanternWaste Jan 2013 #103
The Government could take care of them avebury Jan 2013 #84
My issue with that, is what if I live next door to that "well placed" attack? Glassunion Jan 2013 #87
The observation of the fitness of the average American is spot-on NickB79 Jan 2013 #85
In an unthreatening manner, you will carry your weapons to the friendly soldiers tabasco Jan 2013 #94
You underestimate firearm owners... LP2K12 Jan 2013 #97
"That's why reform matters." Hassin Bin Sober Jan 2013 #98
It doesn't matter. CommoFreq Jan 2013 #102
It's 22 time more likely that they will kill themselves... Walk away Jan 2013 #105
warthogs patriots Jan 2013 #106
So you identify with the Afghan Taliban? CJCRANE Jan 2013 #107
Taliban patriots Jan 2013 #108

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,582 posts)
3. There's a fine specimen of American manhood.
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 11:54 AM
Jan 2013

I feel ever so much safer knowing he's armed and ready to protect the Republic.

calimary

(81,091 posts)
53. Looks like an adult-size eight-year-old, all dressed up in his little cowboys-and-indians costume
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 01:01 AM
Jan 2013

lookin' like a TOUGH GUY!

rbixby

(1,140 posts)
10. I love the earpiece that's not plugged into anything
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 12:10 PM
Jan 2013

Makes you look super badass when you prove that the only voice you're listening to is the one inside your head.

 

Jenoch

(7,720 posts)
62. The white earpiece wire is plugged into
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 01:52 AM
Jan 2013

a black wire which is probably plugged into an mp3 player, the generic kind, not an actual iPod.

global1

(25,220 posts)
13. I Wonder How Much This Guy In This Picture Spent To Outfit Himself?.....
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 12:32 PM
Jan 2013

Seems to me like a lot of spent money is represented in this pic.

Erose999

(5,624 posts)
14. This guy probably crapped himself because he couldn't hold it back while taking off all that gear.
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 12:34 PM
Jan 2013

The irony is that most GI's carry the least equipment they can safely get away with, right? I mean why dress up in all that crap if you didn't need it. This guy has obviously never read any Tim O' Brien.
 

loose wheel

(112 posts)
18. Yes they do...
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 01:49 PM
Jan 2013

And he is still lighter in the equipment department than them. For starters that is a military surpus "flak" jacket without SAPI plate inputs. It is far lighter than modern body armor, and it won't stop that first round.

I only see one extra magazine of ammunition, compared to the average soldier who patrols with about 600 rounds of ammunition. He also would be carrying something heavy on his back depending on his job and payload. He could be carrying counter-IED equipment, a radio, or the extra tools needed for his mission. On average, a US infantry soldier is carrying an extra 90 lbs, as I ssuspect this guy is, but they can take their extra pounds off.

Also , that guy isn't wearing a stage III armor helmet.

Other than all that, yeah he's a real threat.

Erose999

(5,624 posts)
19. Well all this guys doing is attending a Rand Paul rally. A misspelled sign is really the only
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 02:00 PM
Jan 2013

tactical equipment necessary for that objective.

Bake

(21,977 posts)
89. Nice ad hominem attack.
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 03:00 PM
Jan 2013

But I'm sure you have personal knowledge of facts about the size of his member?

Bake

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,311 posts)
91. LOL. We can't "hominem attack" on DU Rand Paul fan flakes who show up...
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 04:28 PM
Jan 2013

....to political demonstrations with guns? Who knew. Or was that you? If so, I, um, apologize

BTW, my comment was about the size of his generous gut.

Bake

(21,977 posts)
92. Sure we can. I do it all the time.
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 04:44 PM
Jan 2013

But we ought to try to keep it focused on their behavior (if not their observable appearance), not their package size. Otherwise we sound as foolish as they look.

Bake

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,311 posts)
96. Sorry but...
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 05:01 PM
Jan 2013

His behavior and his appearance are linked in this tragedy of a display.

I usually stay away from "fat jokes" on DU. But come on. At some point, you have to tell yourself you will "water the tree of liberty" by maybe driving a truck towing the "water buffalo" (no pun) or working in the mess kitchen.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
99. Defending them may sound foolish...
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 05:16 PM
Jan 2013

I think only defending them sounds foolish... everything else is pretty much dead-on.

calimary

(81,091 posts)
54. Welcome to DU, loose wheel!
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 01:05 AM
Jan 2013

Glad you're here. Interesting observations. I would guess our gallant warrior has probably never served.

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
4. How many are just hoping to make a quick $1000 profit by flipping it?
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 11:55 AM
Jan 2013

I think there's a lot of that going on too.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
101. Yep, flip it to anyone with a fistful of cash WITHOUT A background check. "Responsible gun owners."
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 05:30 PM
Jan 2013
 

LiberalEsque01

(13 posts)
8. If..
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 11:57 AM
Jan 2013

If some politicians weren't so 'hair-trigger', as one might say, to jump on the banning bandwagon then you wouldn't have buying panics.

Hekate

(90,538 posts)
22. 20 little coffins lined up and you call politicians "hair-trigger" for wanting gun control?
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 02:12 PM
Jan 2013

Politicians don't want a ban -- they are too cowardly to go that far. But they will finally have to listen to the vast majority of the US population and rein in the sheer madness that is going on.

Enjoy your stay, bud.

Hekate

calimary

(81,091 posts)
56. Welcome to DU, LiberalEsque01!
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 01:09 AM
Jan 2013

Good to have you with us! If we'd been on this slow 'n' steady for the last couple of decades, and not allowed the NRA and its goon friends to intimidate and menace us into silence and acquiescence, panic buying might not have been such an issue.

Steady pressure. Steady pressure.

dmallind

(10,437 posts)
9. What, exactly, does being overweight do to inhibit marksmanship?
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 12:05 PM
Jan 2013

It's a routine truism on DU that fat people are somehow less capable with guns than lean folks. There is absolutely no reason to suspect this is so. I don't think the idea is being able to run marathons. I think it's the scoffing crowd who have the absurd fantasies here that using guns somehow necessitates being able to carry on a two-day mountain assault with 65lb packs. In reality unless your fingers are too fat to fit through a trigger guard, your weight has bugger all to do with how much skill and effectiveness you can bring to bear with firearms.

As far as silly Red Dawn fantasies go, here again the error seems to be on the side of those who see uselessness and adiposity linked. The Afghans have been holding off armed forces quite well. While no doubt most Afghan peasants are wiry coves in fact, can anybody point out which tactics of theirs requires great aerobic fitness? They are not exactly sprinting miles and then outrunning drones that respond are they?

Comatose Sphagetti

(836 posts)
15. What, exactly, does being overweight do to inhibit marksmanship?
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 12:39 PM
Jan 2013

Nothing.

Being overweight does, however, limit your ability to run, jump, react, respond, repel, climb, .......

Victor_c3

(3,557 posts)
35. yup, there is a reason most people in the army and young and lean
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 03:31 PM
Jan 2013

When you are required to run and sprint from position to position then fire well-aimed shot, steady breath makes all the difference.

I don't know how many of you guys have military experience, but we used to do "stress shooting" exercises where we'd run and get ourselves worn out physically then shoot. I never did it too much, but it was a bitch.

Ian David

(69,059 posts)
80. Anecdotal Evidence...
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 01:47 PM
Jan 2013

Meet your 2012 U.S. Olympic Shooting Team Medalists: Vincent Hancock (gold), Kim Rhode (gold), Jamie Gray (gold) and Matt Emmons (bronze). Congratulations to the medalists and the entire team for an excellent showing in London!
http://summergames.uxadditives.com/facebook/meet-your-2012-us-olympic-shooting-team-medalists-vincent-hancock-gold-55670/

Not exactly overweight.

Fresh_Start

(11,330 posts)
11. Imagine a gun nutters playground where all the gun nutters can get together and shoot each other
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 12:11 PM
Jan 2013

of course most of them will miss
but it might wake up a few of them to the insanity of their fantasy

 

regjoe

(206 posts)
20. You claim gun owners and possible gun owners
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 02:08 PM
Jan 2013

are "praying they get the opportunity to kill someone," but they are the ones suffering from delusion and paranoia? Answer me this: With that mindset and all those evil guns and evil ammo around, how come nobody was shot?


On the off chance that you are serious, I will answer your questions.

IF the government were to come for the weapons, its biggest hurdles would be:

ALOT of the soldiers, especially the Guard and Reserve, would not be willing to go against their fellow Americans. IF you believe our soldiers would be "highly motivated" to kill their neighbors, you are mistaken. You can fantasize about soldiers being brain dead drones who have to do what ordered, but that is not the reality of the situation.
Age doesn't mean jack. For every "highly trained" 20 something, there is a formerly "highly trained" 30, 40 and 50 something.
The fighting would not be on a battlefield, it would be guerrilla style. Ambushes. Hit and run. Tanks and planes are only useful IF you know where your target is.
The geography also plays a HUGE factor. We do NOT have enough combat troops to control a mass revolt. The government would be fighting them on their "turf" and they know their "turf" better than anyone else.
I could go on and on.

Point is, it's not as easy as some of you unrealistically believe it is.

Tsiyu

(18,186 posts)
25. Point is, some people DO want a war
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 02:40 PM
Jan 2013


The peace they enjoy in the US is not "doing it" for them. They want a more armed peace. They want to be ready for elephants, alien life forms and Communists. Of course, they have never known "real war." They are like children playing in the woods, picturing the dead falling down easily when they point their sticks.

They want what they want, like heroin addicts and Nigerian e-mail scammers and Zombies.

It's this fatal flaw in humans , where nearly every empty man wants to be king and have all he desires.

The gun, he believes, makes him king.

The more guns, the taller that throne.

Then you have the "community" gun nut, believing himself the 'savior" of his neighbors. He looks down on all of them, and picks the lazy way of making himself valuable to them by virtue of his superior firepower, yet they are supposed to look up to his godlike prowess with a firearm. And actually trust this pompous ass.

Interesting characters, strange ass times....






yellerpup

(12,252 posts)
33. Being in an actual war
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 03:22 PM
Jan 2013

is known to cure these delusional wannabes provided the war doesn't kill them. So much fantasy, so little knowledge. If they want to fight and kill people, they should be first in line at the draft board.

Victor_c3

(3,557 posts)
37. yup
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 03:38 PM
Jan 2013

It was funny (kind of) how, before our first firefight how the guys in my platoon were itching to see some combat. I personally wasn't looking forward to the possibility, but that is a different topic. On 18 June 2004 my platoon was thrown into a firefight that ended up lasting nearly 24 hours. Without getting into the gory details, that fight stopped everyone in my platoon from wishing for combat again!

That was a crazy week for us. On the 20th we were on a patrol and hit an IED and got into another (very brief) firefight, the 22nd we were given a new vehicle and hit another IED, and on the 24th we were involved in a 14 hour firefight in downtown Baqubah. crazy crazy.

yellerpup

(12,252 posts)
39. Welcome home!
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 04:01 PM
Jan 2013

Hard to imagine fighting for your life for a solid 24 hours, survive, then go back and do it day after day. I can't understand why some seem willing to recreate a war here and kill their own people in the name of freedom. One crazy week? Dude--one crazy week? I bet you were there for longer.

Victor_c3

(3,557 posts)
41. thanks
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 04:26 PM
Jan 2013

Yup, I did 13 months, however most of my time wasn't that crazy. We probably saw something about once a week or two. Most of the time it was an IED or a random sniper shot or a single person throwing a grenade at you and those situations were over as fast as they started. I can't really talk like I had it rough. I got lucky and only did one rotation to the middle east in the 5.5 years that I was active duty. When I got out in 2007, most people had done two or three stints.


Trust me, it wears you down and beats you. I didn't realize how worn down and beaten I was until I got out of the Army. Being around fellow Soldiers who had been through stuff like I experienced really helped a lot. Getting out and suddenly being away from the Army environment and trying to make it as a civilian was very hard and continues to be a struggle. Fortunately I got myself into the VA and I'm a regular there.

As was mentioned before, I don't get why anyone would want to play war or watch war movies or read war books....

yellerpup

(12,252 posts)
42. Give yourself all the time you need to find balance.
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 04:38 PM
Jan 2013

My cousin was a clerk in Cu Chi (1968), he came home and got into college and at some point he found out about all the VietCong tunnels under his camp. Freaked completely for a couple of months, but managed to get himself back together. He still has nightmares though. The only glory in war is coming out alive and that would be miracle enough for me! Take care of yourself and we'll try to rustle up a dream job for you soon!

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
90. Talking helps
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 03:09 PM
Jan 2013

The problem is 98% think they know, when they know jack.

Welcome home, and we have a vets forum here.

calimary

(81,091 posts)
59. Man, what an experience! Thank you for your service, and your sacrifice!
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 01:24 AM
Jan 2013

I've never served in the military, myself, but it always seemed to me that the very same people who saber-rattle and can't wait to charge the light brigade have never seen any action like that, never lived through it - that is, if they're among the lucky ones, never lost anything or anyone or any body part to it. Real easy to roar for war when you're sitting in that big comfy chair at home, on the other side of the planet from the war zone, in front of your flat screen TV in the nice air conditioning and quiet suburban streets, with all the beer or soda and snacks you want.

Reminds me of "All Quiet on the Western Front." Strong, strapping young men all rarin' to go and see combat, only to find themselves plunged into the most horrifying, blood-soaked, pain-filled nightmare they ever thought they could imagine.

klyon

(1,697 posts)
66. some look like they have had too many beers, sodas, and snacks already
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 01:58 PM
Jan 2013

the sugar high could kill you
If people really saw what war looked like they would be too sick and afraid to go.

calimary

(81,091 posts)
68. Yeah, no kidding!
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 11:31 PM
Jan 2013

They have no idea! Their idea of war is to shoot shoot shoot, kill kill kill, and then hit reset, and everything's all fine and dandy again.

"Blaze of glory" and all that. And they have NO clue how much that "blaze of glory" stuff HURTS - when REAL LIVE flesh and blood and bone is involved! Hell, I've never served, never even been close to warfare, but even an unexperienced, unenlisted, civilian dunce like me knows that.

 

regjoe

(206 posts)
69. I agree to a point
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 10:45 AM
Jan 2013

Yes, a few people who own guns are like you say, but the vast majority of gun owners, especially the "community" gun owner, do not fall into this line of thinking.
The majority of gun owners don't sit around dreaming of armed conflict with the government, it's time we stop treating them like they do.

Tsiyu

(18,186 posts)
76. I'm a gun owner
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 01:15 PM
Jan 2013


I know that ALL gun owners do not believe this.


However, I have no need of a dozen assault rifles or 30 round magazines. Those who are purchasing these types of weapons ARE often deluded and believe they will have to use them in an armageddon type near future.

Read some of their blogs, forums, etc. These are very paranoid, frightened, and potentially violent freaks. JUST LIKE YEAGER.

They are planning for masive hordes to start wandering in their neighborhoods at our nation's imminent financial collapse. These are the types who vote to end all social programs, because their solution to poverty and hunger is to KILL THE POOR.







Shadowflash

(1,536 posts)
28. Please.
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 03:01 PM
Jan 2013

There would be no fighting.

These so called 'survivalists' would pee their pants and throw their hands into the air if the government could ever come for their weapons. They are great at looking tough when there is no chance of them being called out to put up or shut up but when the rubber hit the road they would fold like cheap suits.

 

regjoe

(206 posts)
72. THEY are not the ones that worry most people
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 11:04 AM
Jan 2013

It is the average regular citizen who is forced to choose sides, that is the wildcard.
I don't believe it would happen either, I was just giving some facts to counter the government "gunships" will take care of everything rhetoric.

Shadowflash

(1,536 posts)
75. If you think
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 01:13 PM
Jan 2013

that the amount of people it would require to take up arms in this country, to replace our current government with some backward, redneck, teabilly theocracy, would actually do so, I would suggest you're kidding yourself.

This would be a very small amount of idiots who would be less akin to Clint Eastwood and Sly Stallone, as they see themselves, and more like this guy --



ellisonz

(27,711 posts)
32. "how come nobody was shot?"
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 03:11 PM
Jan 2013

Yet. You should check out the figures on self-inflicted gun injuries...

 

regjoe

(206 posts)
73. No need to
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 11:08 AM
Jan 2013

The current rhetoric is that more guns equals more deaths and that everyone who wants or owns a semi-automatic weapon has a secret desire to kill kill kill.
IF any of that were true, gun shops and gun shows would be battlefields.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
100. thought current rhetoric was that only good guys with guns can kill bad guys with guns...
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 05:28 PM
Jan 2013

I thought current rhetoric was that only good guys with guns can kill bad guys with guns...

barbtries

(28,761 posts)
104. "how come nobody was shot"?
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 05:39 PM
Jan 2013
http://bobbiblogger.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/700-number-of-gun-deaths-since-the-newtown-shooting/

700 just since Newtown. and that was yesterday.

nobody was shot?!

ETA: by the way, this is just the number of gun DEATHS. the number of people shot is greater by how much i don't know.

nobody was shot. how can you say that.

Bay Boy

(1,689 posts)
34. That's even scarier!!!
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 03:28 PM
Jan 2013

That means they are out in the woods running maneuvers!
(that's not any whackier of an idea than what the OP figures a full parking lot means)

calimary

(81,091 posts)
61. Welcome to DU, Bay Boy!
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 01:31 AM
Jan 2013

Good to have you join us! The whole thing rather scares me. I find that yen for the biggest big-ass guns on the block - to be just a wee bit UNSETTLING!!!!! Not to mention off-putting and confusing as hell. I just don't get it.

NickB79

(19,224 posts)
83. Probably sold out of all the in-demand stuff
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 02:16 PM
Jan 2013

The shelves are pretty bare here in MN, and have been for the past couple of weeks.

Locrian

(4,522 posts)
23. can we take a look at this...
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 02:12 PM
Jan 2013

Like a lot of things that are "marketed" to us ? This is just another fear based buying ploy by gun (and accessory) manufacturers. If not directly, they sure benefit. The mechanism is the same - fear and then the desire to 'solve' it by buying something.

Some people may be able to see thru the 'logic' of it - akin to dressing like your favorite superhero sans the dangerous 'toy' - but it's similar in nature. And it's going to work on a large segment of the population - just like normal advertising does. Add in the 24/7 glorification of the 'hero with a gun' on almost ALL tv/movie/games and what do you expect?

BTW - I don't lump all people who are 'into' guns for target, hunting, etc. But I do suspect that a lot of this is 'good old' market dynamics.


Maybe making it more "uncool" and less accepted (cough, movies, tv, etc) like we did with cigarettes would help a tiny bit? In any case, I think keeping the pressure up from people fed up with the statistics is at least some counterbalance.


(disclaimer: not a gun nut, I support restrictions, yadda yadda etc....)

JoePhilly

(27,787 posts)
26. I can't believe the amount of AMMO I've seen being purchased at the local
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 02:50 PM
Jan 2013

Dick's Sporting Good store.

I've been going to this store for years ... occasionally, but rarely, I'd see some one buying ammo.

Now, its every single time I go. I was there the other day picking up some Softball gear for my daughter.

Both of the guys in front of me in line had a large stack of Ammo.

Initially, I thought they were together. But then the one pushes his ammo to the side of the cashier table, says "I'll be right back", and then turns and goes back towards the corner of the store that has the weapons and ammo. Apparently he forgot something.

The other guys pays and leaves. Then I pay. I see the guy drive away.

The one guy (the one who paid and left) was pretty old, the other one (who forgot something), well ... he looked like you (based on your description I mean) and, well, he looked like me too.

These shootings are great for the gun industry's bottom line.

Bay Boy

(1,689 posts)
40. It's not unlike
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 04:19 PM
Jan 2013

when people hear that the price of oil is taking a hike. Everyone goes to top off their tank
at the gas station.

Currently people are figuring ammo prices will go up by a large amount or that
certain types won't be available.

 

OneTenthofOnePercent

(6,268 posts)
36. Remember what happened the last time or two the US forces pulled triggers aimed at civilians?
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 03:35 PM
Jan 2013

Kent State, as one example. It was a fucking public uproar. And shit, we get upset when our own government launch drone strikes against PAKISTAN.

A)What the hell do you think will happen if the government openly executes strikes on US soil?
B) Do you really think that governemnet authorize bombings and attacks against a bunch of douches just because they have some rifles?

Actually, it's kind of fucked up you'd fantasize about our own armed forces doing that, to be honest.

Robb

(39,665 posts)
71. What happened when Michigan Militia nut jobs got arrested?
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 10:57 AM
Jan 2013

Who exactly do you think wept for them? How much hesitation do you think a targeteer would have when told to stick a missile on their front door?

ileus

(15,396 posts)
43. I'm thinking of selling one of my AR's
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 04:43 PM
Jan 2013

to finance a new dirtbike.

what these goobers are paying for AR's is crazy. We'd be crazy not to let go of one or two now (and keep one or two in the safe)

Volaris

(10,266 posts)
44. I tend to agree, and my family shoots...
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 05:11 PM
Jan 2013

but every one of us will admit that if ANYONE is going to take those guns from our "Cold, Dead Hands." it will sure as hell be Armed and Armoured Federal Agents who are under orders not to give a shit if were dead or not lol

onethatcares

(16,161 posts)
45. exactly how much firepower is a U.S. Marine rifle squad
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 06:12 PM
Jan 2013

able to lay down after they've been shot at first?

and before the gunship comes in.

I don't believe in taking away everyones guns but I'm really worried about the idiot that has
6000 rounds of ammo that can go through the walls of my home from his living room.

Lady Freedom Returns

(14,120 posts)
48. I heard on the news that gun sales have increased since the Sandy Hook Massacre.
Fri Jan 11, 2013, 11:50 PM
Jan 2013

There are people out there that thinks the government will ban many types of guns and they want to get them now.

Hayabusa

(2,135 posts)
49. Well, I bought an M5 tank near a gun store the other day.
Sat Jan 12, 2013, 12:27 AM
Jan 2013

Said tank was also about an inch long and made entirely of metal and resin... A local game store is next to a gun shop in a small strip mall. I've joked to myself that in the store you may be able to buy an AR-15 or an AK clone, but thanks to Osprey I can read all about 'em for much less money.

Fumesucker

(45,851 posts)
74. Someone literally said it..
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 11:11 AM
Jan 2013
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/09/keith-ratliff-fpsrussia-dead_n_2439284.html

Authorities found multiple weapons at the scene of the crime, some manufactured by Ratliff himself, WSBTV reports. Investigators have not identified a motive.

Ratliff worked mostly behind the scenes to produce videos for the YouTube channel FPSRussia, a site dedicated to showcasing high-power firearms. FPSRussia -- which commands nearly 3.5 million subscribers and has generated over 500 million page views -- is one of the top 10 channels ranked on YouTube.

In addition to his contributions to FPSRussia, Ratliff also worked for FPS Industries, a company focussing on "product development and testing for hard use firearms shooters," according to its website. FPS Industries is located in Carnesville, Ga.

Ratliff was known as an outspoken gun advocate. In a message posted to Twitter on Aug 11, 2012, he wrote: "I went to the movies with my pistol in my pocket the whole time I was praying that somebody would try to pull a Batman!"

former9thward

(31,930 posts)
79. That certainly explains why people in every other country of the world
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 01:18 PM
Jan 2013

are battling to emigrate here. Very few going the other way.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
103. That certainly explains why they come here for the idiotic gun debate and first class American Excep
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 05:36 PM
Jan 2013

Right. That certainly explains why they come here for the idiotic gun debate and first class American Exceptionalism...

six of one, half a dozen of the other... both rather idiotic.

Glassunion

(10,201 posts)
87. My issue with that, is what if I live next door to that "well placed" attack?
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 02:31 PM
Jan 2013

Or is that my fault for living next to some idiot?

NickB79

(19,224 posts)
85. The observation of the fitness of the average American is spot-on
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 02:20 PM
Jan 2013

I've thought the same thing before: if the people prepping for SHTF situations were serious, the first thing they'd do is start eating as healthy as possible, learn how to grow a big-ass garden, and start running 10 miles a day.

Instead, they seem to think they can stockpile enough guns, ammo and cans of ravioli and camp out in their living rooms while the mobs kill each other, then somehow emerge and rule the flaming rubble.

 

tabasco

(22,974 posts)
94. In an unthreatening manner, you will carry your weapons to the friendly soldiers
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 04:47 PM
Jan 2013

and say "thank you for not blowing me up."

LP2K12

(885 posts)
97. You underestimate firearm owners...
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 05:06 PM
Jan 2013

Yes, some are overweight, middle-aged men.

However, some... like me, are mid-20's, military veterans.

OMGZ, the gubnet haz tankz and wurthogz?

Yep, we have tanks, planes, and armored vehicles in Afghanistan as well.

Guess what. My best friend was inside an up-armored vehicle and was KIA by an IED. A primitive IED.

Don't underestimate the minds of those who want or need to cause destruction. It can happen. They may not win, but they wont surrender easily.

That's why reform matters.

Meh, this argument doesn't matter anyone because no one wants to listen to anyone else.

Walk away

(9,494 posts)
105. It's 22 time more likely that they will kill themselves...
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 05:39 PM
Jan 2013

or their family before they would need it to protect themselves from a stranger. So, let's hope evolution takes care of the problem before the government needs to knock on any doors.

CJCRANE

(18,184 posts)
107. So you identify with the Afghan Taliban?
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 05:58 PM
Jan 2013

It's a strange world where the RW have come full circle, from being vehemently against the taliban, to identifying with them.

 

patriots

(7 posts)
108. Taliban
Mon Jan 14, 2013, 06:15 PM
Jan 2013

um no i do not identify or support them i was merely stating that they didnt have access to all these superior weapons

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