VegasGeorge
11-23-2008, 01:06 PM
We are all familiar with the expression, "gun nuts." But what does it mean?
In the first place, two very different meanings, or interpretations are obvious.
Leftist, gun ban proponents use the term as a derisive invective. They wish to label everyone who owns a gun or supports the 2nd Amendment as a dangerous insane person obsessed with violence. For them, guns equal violence, and nuts equals insane.
But, gun owners often use the expression themselves. For example, I participate in an off road vehicle forum which has a topic area especially for the shooters in the group. We refer to this sub group as the "Gun Nuts." In this case, I think the designation is more to poke fun at the lefties than for any other reason. But, it illustrates a very different attitude toward the meaning of the expression.
So, what exactly is a "gun nut?" I don't profess to know. But, I think it might be interesting to line out a few possibilities:
1. There are what I call ordinary gun owners. These are folks who own one or more guns, but don't think of themselves as a collector or enthusiast. They may want a gun to carry for self defense, or keep one in the house for defense, or they may just take a gun or two to the range every now and then to have fun shooting. These are very typical gun owners, and I fall into this category.
2. There are the hunters. These folks are a lot like the first group, only they enjoy the additional use of hunting with their guns.
3. Then there are the competition shooters. These folks use their guns as a focal point for social activity, and as a hobby interest. This involves them in a deeper level of gun lore, with a lot more interest in the technical aspects of their equipment and methods.
4. Now we come to the collectors. Guns are as collectible as any other item, and more so than many. Guns have a rich history and have been manufactured in many shapes and sizes, so they have become a field of study in their own right. Collectors enjoy both the acquisition of guns and the academic aspect of learning about them. Serious collectors gather socially, and to trade.
5. Here are the obsessive gun interest types. These folks seems to have "guns on the brain." They are always talking about guns. Many of them don't even have a gun, or wouldn't qualify to legally possess one. Often they speak of guns in wild and fanciful ways, and are always asking about your guns. You can find these folks hanging around smaller gun shops and at every gun show that comes to town. They seem harmless, but creepy. Fortunately, there aren't many of them.
6. There are the bad boy gunners. These are the gun owners who openly express their appreciation of the dark side of carrying and using a gun. They seem to relish the thought of finding themselves in a situation that would justify the use of their gun. They choose weapons and ammo based on their perception of over kill potential, and tend to swagger a bit too much for my taste. I think most of them are just blowhards, and I wouldn't want them backing me up in a fight.
7. Criminals will always have guns. But, they don't seem to care much about them. They use whatever gun is handy, and use them as disposables. They buy them cheap, or steal them, and toss them. Even though they are technically gun owners and users, they really have no interest in their guns, per se. When was the last time you heard about a criminal cleaning his gun, or getting a nice new set of grips for it? Doesn't happen.
So, where does the "gun nuts" description rightfully kick in? Have I missed some categories that need to be added to the list?
In the first place, two very different meanings, or interpretations are obvious.
Leftist, gun ban proponents use the term as a derisive invective. They wish to label everyone who owns a gun or supports the 2nd Amendment as a dangerous insane person obsessed with violence. For them, guns equal violence, and nuts equals insane.
But, gun owners often use the expression themselves. For example, I participate in an off road vehicle forum which has a topic area especially for the shooters in the group. We refer to this sub group as the "Gun Nuts." In this case, I think the designation is more to poke fun at the lefties than for any other reason. But, it illustrates a very different attitude toward the meaning of the expression.
So, what exactly is a "gun nut?" I don't profess to know. But, I think it might be interesting to line out a few possibilities:
1. There are what I call ordinary gun owners. These are folks who own one or more guns, but don't think of themselves as a collector or enthusiast. They may want a gun to carry for self defense, or keep one in the house for defense, or they may just take a gun or two to the range every now and then to have fun shooting. These are very typical gun owners, and I fall into this category.
2. There are the hunters. These folks are a lot like the first group, only they enjoy the additional use of hunting with their guns.
3. Then there are the competition shooters. These folks use their guns as a focal point for social activity, and as a hobby interest. This involves them in a deeper level of gun lore, with a lot more interest in the technical aspects of their equipment and methods.
4. Now we come to the collectors. Guns are as collectible as any other item, and more so than many. Guns have a rich history and have been manufactured in many shapes and sizes, so they have become a field of study in their own right. Collectors enjoy both the acquisition of guns and the academic aspect of learning about them. Serious collectors gather socially, and to trade.
5. Here are the obsessive gun interest types. These folks seems to have "guns on the brain." They are always talking about guns. Many of them don't even have a gun, or wouldn't qualify to legally possess one. Often they speak of guns in wild and fanciful ways, and are always asking about your guns. You can find these folks hanging around smaller gun shops and at every gun show that comes to town. They seem harmless, but creepy. Fortunately, there aren't many of them.
6. There are the bad boy gunners. These are the gun owners who openly express their appreciation of the dark side of carrying and using a gun. They seem to relish the thought of finding themselves in a situation that would justify the use of their gun. They choose weapons and ammo based on their perception of over kill potential, and tend to swagger a bit too much for my taste. I think most of them are just blowhards, and I wouldn't want them backing me up in a fight.
7. Criminals will always have guns. But, they don't seem to care much about them. They use whatever gun is handy, and use them as disposables. They buy them cheap, or steal them, and toss them. Even though they are technically gun owners and users, they really have no interest in their guns, per se. When was the last time you heard about a criminal cleaning his gun, or getting a nice new set of grips for it? Doesn't happen.
So, where does the "gun nuts" description rightfully kick in? Have I missed some categories that need to be added to the list?