Support NeoGAF

[CrankyJay]

Isn't this a different discussion. Supervised use of firearms at a young age is completely different than screwing around with an unlocked gun cabinet.

Well...no. Isn't locking up a gun part of gun safety? And supposedly they're teaching these children gun safety at this event.

 

[scar tissue]

Meanwhile, in the USA...

Oh gun nuts, you so crazy. Morons like this make people who legitimately want a gun for home defense look bad.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Celebrating Jesus' birthday with killin' weapons seems like an appropriate message.

What does Jesus have to do with Santa?

The kid has his trigger finger in the right place. And his little thumbs are probably too short to flip the selector switch

Actually yeah that is good trigger discipline.

 

[eznark]

Meanwhile, in the USA...

Oh gun nuts, you so crazy. Morons like this make people who legitimately want a gun for home defense look bad.

How?

 

[KHarvey16]

How?

Used to be that a mini gun on a tripod in the foyer didn't get so many panicked looks. Now these people come along and ruin everything. Jerks.

 

[JetBlackPanda]

I have a few handguns and rifles and stuff but this just seems bizarre.

I was born and raised in the valley in Arizona so nothing surprises me anymore, the poster earlier who said it was Satan's asshole is right on.

I moved away in 2003 and every time I go back I get a reminder how bananas that place is.

 

[JABEE]

Well...no. Isn't locking up a gun part of gun safety? And supposedly they're teaching these children gun safety at this event.

They aren't teaching the parents gun safety. Your problem with this is the glorification of firearms. Negligently leaving a gun cabinet unlocked is not good, but how is that something the children should have to worry about at a Christmas event. That's the responsibility of adults to lock away firearms from children which is completely different from the notion of glorifying firearms.

 

[eznark]

Used to be that a mini gun on a tripod in the foyer didn't get so many panicked looks. Now these people come along and ruin everything. Jerks.

I'm just curious why this is so much more outrageous than a wild west themed photograph with six shooters and a Gatling gun on a wagon??

How does a few people taking novelty photos make anyone or anything look bad?

 

[ReBurn]

This is true...at least in my case. I had a whole cache of toy weaponry but don't own any as an adult.

I own lots of toy weaponry as an adult. Nerf guns are like the best thing ever.

 

[scar tissue]

How?

Families can choose to pose with other firearms, ranging from pistols to modified AR15s.

They also get a chance to test out the machine guns.

They also get a chance to test out the machine guns.

get a chance to test out the machine guns.

a chance to test out the machine guns.

Families [...] test out the machine guns.

You're telling me this isn't crazy? Because it sure as hell looks like it.

 

[ChiTownBuffalo]

I'm just curious why this is so much more outrageous than a wild west themed photograph with six shooters and a Gatling gun on a wagon??

How does a few people taking novelty photos make anyone or anything look bad?

Cosplaying and furries are more disturbing than those photos.

 

[JetBlackPanda]

I'm just curious why this is so much more outrageous than a wild west themed photograph with six shooters and a Gatling gun on a wagon??

How does a few people taking novelty photos make anyone or anything look bad?

it's weird as hell, there is no denying that. I agree with you though, who gives a shit? I think the issue here is people who are anti gun can't fathom children holding them in the first place, toss in Santa and its a funny farm to them.

I would not let my kids take pics with Santa like this, no way in hell.

however who am I to tell someone what to do if what they are doing is within the law.

 

[KHarvey16]

I'm just curious why this is so much more outrageous than a wild west themed photograph with six shooters and a Gatling gun on a wagon??

How does a few people taking novelty photos make anyone or anything look bad?

That was my point! The photos don't relate to reality in that way, so I too miss the connection between a kid holding an AR with Santa and a shotgun in Dad's closet. I think it stems from the inability or unwillingness of many to even accept that there are differences among firearms.

 

[CrankyJay]

They aren't teaching the parents gun safety. Your problem with this is the glorification of firearms. Negligently leaving a gun cabinet unlocked is not good, but how is that something the children should have to worry about at a Christmas event. That's the responsibility of adults to lock away firearms from children which is completely different from the notion of glorifying firearms.

Well now I'm conflating the two. Deal with it.

 

[I H8 Memes]

 

[SmokyDave]

You're telling me this isn't crazy? Because it sure as hell looks like it.

Cultural differences man. It looks crazy to us but to Americans it's no different to the kids posing with a car or an animal.

Easiest way to 'get it' is to realise you'll never get it.

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

You're telling me this isn't crazy? Because it sure as hell looks like it.

So.. ban machine guns? Because you don't like them or what is going on exactly here in this post?

 

[CrankyJay]

it's weird as hell, there is no denying that. I agree with you though, who gives a shit? I think the issue here is people who are anti gun can't fathom children holding them in the first place, toss in Santa and its a funny farm to them.

I would not let my kids take pics with Santa like this, no way in hell.

however who am I to tell someone what to do if what they are doing is within the law.

Hey, I feel the same...it's within the law, and I don't expect anything to be done here, but if people are so worried about their gun rights being stripped away, stop doing things that call attention to you.

It doesn't matter if they are doing things legally or safely, but if anti-gun people in large cities see this and disagree they will probably vote in favor of tougher gun control laws.

 

[cajunator]

No big deal. Most kids here have held some sort of firearm by the time they are 7.

 

[Pand]

I guess this is just a gun club looking for publicity, because there just isn't any reason to do something like this. There's no sane, logical train of thought that would make someone come to the conclusion that this should be happening. It's just petty posturing, coming from people who like their precious shiny guns so much that they feel the need to involve kids into their pathetic political grandstanding.

It's not even so much the kids posing with guns that pisses me off, though that's a start, it's that they're combining it with Santa. There's no reason the two should be combined. Go find some other way to draw attention to your cause.

 

[Guerrillas in the Mist]

Feck me, there's some shocking weapon handling skills on display in that video. I mean, I know he's 5, but come on.

 

[eznark]

You're telling me this isn't crazy? Because it sure as hell looks like it.

I personally don't think it's the least bit crazy. We let the 8 year old ring bearer fire a few rounds with an AR when the groomsmen (or whatever the male part of the wedding party is called) when we went out the day before my wedding. Fun, competitive and educational. Good thing for kids to learn.

it's weird as hell, there is no denying that.

To you, maybe. Posting on a video game message board is statistically significantly more "weird" (if defined as outside the normal actions) than firing a rifle.

 

[JetBlackPanda]

Hey, I feel the same...it's within the law, and I don't expect anything to be done here, but if people are so worried about their gun rights being stripped away, stop doing things that call attention to you.

yes I agree, while I am pro gun and have a few, I don't get the mindset by most gun owners to plaster stickers all over the car "I don't call 911 I call Smith and Wesson" or take pictures with Santa?? all this does if further drive a wedge between you and the people that are afraid or anti gun.

 

[scar tissue]

So.. ban machine guns? Because you don't like them or what is going on exactly here in this post?

What? It's not about machine guns, it's about the idea that trying out guns is a fun family friendly pastime.
While I think shooting guns might be interesting and would give it a try if invited to do so, I certainly don't think kids should do it.

And for the record, yes, I don't think you need a god damn machine gun to protect yourself. A hand- or shotgun is sufficient for self defense, unless the Russian army invades or something. So yeah, machine guns should be banned. I can't believe I'm having this discussion.

Edit: Can't believe I missed your avatar. Joke poster?

 

[IamMattFox]

These are probably super classy Christmas pictures.

 

[Mest30]

I guess so, but at the same time it's glorifying firearms to impressionable young children.

Police officers and, to a lesser extent, people in the service, do the same thing. Think back to your DARE days. I know most kids in my class wanted to know about the gun the cop had than anything else.

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

Hey, I feel the same...it's within the law, and I don't expect anything to be done here, but if people are so worried about their gun rights being stripped away, stop doing things that call attention to you.

It doesn't matter if they are doing things legally or safely, but if anti-gun people in large cities see this and disagree they will probably vote in favor of tougher gun control laws.

Cool, let's take away people's rights because we don't understand their ways or simply if we disagree. Especially if we don't even live near them and can impose our will from afar. Very popular behavior as odd as it seems. I especially love the beginning of the comment, it "doesn't matter if they are doing things... safely". What?? So by using them lawfully, they incur more legal restrictions? Nice.

What? It's not about machine guns, it's about the idea that trying out guns is a fun family friendly pastime.
While I think shooting guns might be interesting and would give it a try if invited to do so, I certainly don't think kids should do it.

And? So how old is a "kid"? At what point do you dictate that a father can't shoot a rifle (or whatever) with his son because you decree it to be some sort of unreasonable past time to fire weaponry. I mean really?

And for the record, yes, I don't think you need a god damn machine gun to protect yourself. A hand- or shotgun is sufficient for self defense, unless the Russian army invades or something. So yeah, machine guns should be banned. I can't believe I'm having this discussion.

Edit: Can't believe I missed your avatar. Joke poster?

It doesn't matter what *you* think *Bob* needs to protect Bob.

Well, at the very least I know now what is "sufficient" to protect myself, thanks to your enlightenment.

 

[morningbus]

What a travesty.

That Santa is so lame.

It's not even a Real Beard Santa. They might as well have a fucking plastic gun while they are at it.

If you're going to do this shit: do it right.

 

[Oppo]

Cosplaying and furries are more disturbing than those photos.

Are they?

 

[ReBurn]

What? It's not about machine guns, it's about the idea that trying out guns is a fun family friendly pastime.
While I think shooting guns might be interesting and would give it a try if invited to do so, I certainly don't think kids should do it.

And for the record, yes, I don't think you need a god damn machine gun to protect yourself. A hand- or shotgun is sufficient for self defense, unless the Russian army invades or something. So yeah, machine guns should be banned. I can't believe I'm having this discussion.

There are families that shoot guns as a pastime. Around here there are lots of places that offer courses on gun safety and proper use. They also have indoor shooting ranges so that allow you to try out different firearms in a controlled environment.

I don't think there's anything inherently bad about guns or gun ownership. Like you, I think it's silly to assume that a private citizen would feel they need a machine gun or any other automatic weapon for self defense. Much like drug laws, I'm not sure what good banning them would do or how such laws are even effectively enforced in a proactive way.

 

[JABEE]

Are they?

Cultural Differences.

 

[Gaborn]

Well are the guns loaded with the safeties off? No?

I don't see the problem. Some parents want to raise their kids around firearms and firearms safety, At least they are at a range where that shit is enforced and promoted in stead of somoe random backyard.

Bingo.

Sensationalist non-story. Oh no, they're holding unloaded guns!

 

[scar tissue]

It doesn't matter what *you* think *Bob* needs to protect Bob.

Well, at the very least I know now what is "sufficient" to protect myself, thanks to your enlightenment.

hahaha oh wow

How about you buy a heavy machine gun and start stockpiling on hand grenades, and don't forget the flame thrower. Why not throw in a tactical nuke while you're at it?
Because who knows when The Man will come to take away you rights, amirite?
A gun nut with a prescription (?) for Xanax...this can only end well

 

[BattleMonkey]

The parents of these kids are going to have them shooting loaded guns soon anyways, don't see big deal of the pics other than looking tacky

 

[Harry Dresden]

So there are people out there who would turn down the chance to saw a truck in half with a GAU-17?

 

[Orayn]

These will make great additions to the various websites that collect awkward family photos.

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

hahaha oh wow

How about you buy a heavy machine gun and start stockpiling on hand grenades, and don't forget the flame thrower. Why not throw in a tactical nuke while you're at it?
Because who knows when The Man will come to take away you rights, amirite?
A gun nut with a prescription (?) for Xanax...this can only end well

Nice, exaggeration and personal attacks. Keep keepin' on.

 

[jaxword]

These are probably super classy Christmas pictures.

They embody the spirit of Christmas and of Christ's message of peace and love.

 

[computers putin']

So maybe santa really will give me that m16 I wanted for Christmas.......

 

[morningbus]

Peace (through superior fire power) & Love (to death).

 

[ReBurn]

They embody the spirit of Christmas and of Christ's message of peace and love.

I'll ask Jesus about that when I go to the mall. Even though I'll probably have to wait in line to sit on his lap, it will be worth it to get his opinion on this.

 

[scar tissue]

Nice, exaggeration and personal attacks. Keep keepin' on.

If you think people should be allowed to have machine guns, it's reasonable to assume that you think that flamers and grenades should be allowed too.
And who are you to tell me I can't have a flamer if you can have your machine gun? Hypocrite.
So tell me: where would YOU draw the line?
Assault rifle, LMG, HMG, grenades, high caliber sniper rifles...?

 

[shuri]

They should put pictures of people who got gunned down by such heavy weapons. You know, so that the kids feels they must be responsible!

 

[jaxword]

Peace (through superior fire power) & Love (to death).

 

[astroturfing]

i'm used to seeing this kind of obscene gun fetishism imagery from desperation ridden places like Palestine or Somalia, but some peaceful and wealthy American state?

i don't get it.

 

[ClassyPenguin]

So there are people out there who would turn down the chance to saw a truck in half with a GAU-17?

yes. They are all in the OWS thread.

 

[Vyer]

.

hahahahaha well it looked as sad as it sounded

 

[VALIS]

I just console myself with the fact that it will be these families' children who find dad's gun in the closet one day and accidentally shoot the old man while he's on the toilet. Won't be my kids.

 

[TheLastCandle]

I demand Santa attach a minigun to his sleigh after reading this thread. Also, the good children get gifts, but the bad children now get ARMED GRENADES in their stockings.

Merry Christmas!

 

[ClassyPenguin]

I just console myself with the fact that it will be these families' children who find dad's gun in the closet one day and accidentally shoot the old man while he's on the toilet. Won't be my kids.

wow dude, wow