The Newtown Ct shooting A dark day in our history

[cdmech]

Sometimes I wonder if the gun industry itself is doing us an extreme disservice. The more the anti-gun folks scream about "military-style assault" weapons, the more folks push back with sometimes seemingly in your face "tactical gear" and such. I've been amazed at the way firearms are being marketed lately. Almost like the next logical step in your video gaming. Bleeding zombie targets, zombie ammo, one commercial played on the radio for a local gun shop has a dad threatening his daughter's boyfriend with a shotgun. I know, funny stereotype and all, but really? At my local gun range, the people that buy into all this hype scare me, and certainely don't advertise for us well as they blast away at people silhouettes and zombies on the 100yd rifle range with their new "black ops" AR15's. Did you notice in the news the police have been questioning folks at the gun ranges to see if the shooter had been practicing for his mass murder there? I've even seen zombie targets that look like our President. People think its a joke, I don't.
Marc

[Shadowsix]

Originally Posted by cdmech

Sometimes I wonder if the gun industry itself is doing us an extreme disservice. The more the anti-gun folks scream about "military-style assault" weapons, the more folks push back with sometimes seemingly in your face "tactical gear" and such. I've been amazed at the way firearms are being marketed lately. Almost like the next logical step in your video gaming. Bleeding zombie targets, zombie ammo, one commercial played on the radio for a local gun shop has a dad threatening his daughter's boyfriend with a shotgun. I know, funny stereotype and all, but really? At my local gun range, the people that buy into all this hype scare me, and certainely don't advertise for us well as they blast away at people silhouettes and zombies on the 100yd rifle range with their new "black ops" AR15's. Did you notice in the news the police have been questioning folks at the gun ranges to see if the shooter had been practicing for his mass murder there? I've even seen zombie targets that look like our President. People think its a joke, I don't.
Marc

Very true! I have never gotten the whole zombie targets & shotgun ammo thing. When I go to the range to shoot my shotgun it's to either do trap or skeet. I too have seen these bleeding zombie torsos, zombie paper targets, and exploding targets and figure it's video games and other entertainment media (movies, films) that is driving this and wonder a little about those who get into guns & shooting for that reason.

[cdmech]

Originally Posted by Shadowsix

Very true! I too have seen these bleeding zombie torsos, zombie paper targets, and exploding targets and figure it's video games and other entertainment media (movies, films) that is driving this and wonder a little about those who get into guns & shooting for that reason.

I guess what I mean is that it feels like the reasons people buy guns has changed. ALLOT of people are buying "black" guns ONLY because the media is hyping up that they are evil and noone except law enforcement should have them. People are buying guns because they hate being told what they can and can't do. And the gun industry is capitalizing on this attitude to sell guns. I'm generalizing of course, but that's what is striking me lately. Awhile back someone posted a picture from the 1950's of the Los Angeles High School Shooting team practicing in the hallways of their school. Everyone commented that that would never happen again. But I was thinking about that picture. Nicely dressed boys with white shirts and ties, girls with skirts and blouses shooting wood stocked 22's at round discs. With some exceptions, that's not what is being advertised today. If it doesnt look like your going to go blast away at Resident Evil nobody is interested. Maybe that's why the liberals don't like us.
Marc

[lew1]

Originally Posted by cdmech

I guess what I mean is that it feels like the reasons people buy guns has changed. ALLOT of people are buying "black" guns ONLY because the media is hyping up that they are evil and noone except law enforcement should have them. People are buying guns because they hate being told what they can and can't do. And the gun industry is capitalizing on this attitude to sell guns. I'm generalizing of course, but that's what is striking me lately. Awhile back someone posted a picture from the 1950's of the Los Angeles High School Shooting team practicing in the hallways of their school. Everyone commented that that would never happen again. But I was thinking about that picture. Nicely dressed boys with white shirts and ties, girls with skirts and blouses shooting wood stocked 22's at round discs. With some exceptions, that's not what is being advertised today. If it doesnt look like your going to go blast away at Resident Evil nobody is interested. Maybe that's why the liberals don't like us.
Marc

You are seeing capitalism at work. People like what they cannot have or are afraid that they will not be able to have and the gun companies taking to that cue have played to that.

As to the 1950's I remember being at my high school, attending a festival "in the school building" and winning a raffle where I had a choice between a 22 rifle and a 22 pistol. I won and picked the rifle.

That does not happen any more.

Then our physical ed instructor was a marine sergeant from the local recruiting station. Somehow, some place he was able to get a supply of M1 Garands. And we used them in the PT exercises in the school yard next to the Catholic Cathedral. 12, 13, 14 and 15 year (the age of all the students) old boys practicing close order drill, etc with the rifles. We even stripped the rifles. And none of us hurt our thumbs.

When we were 15 and seniors he let us attach the bayonets and practice some fancy drills with them.

We all wore dress pants, shirts and ties.

Our parents did not object, the priests did not object, the bishop did not object, the people walking on the street did not object.

The above is in the same time frame as the instance you cited.

I doubt if such would be seen today.