The American love of guns?

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Canada also used to be a frontier, did it not?

How come Canadians are not so enamoured with firearms?

Canada still has lots of guns, but hunting weapons, not handguns.

When the US was establishing its national myth of being a frontier nation, Canada was establishing its national myth of being a bastion of the British Empire.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

Dan Carlin captured it well with his line "Americans never got over the closing of the frontier."

The United States national myth is wrapped around it being a nation of "frontier people."

Ever since the frontier closed - i.e. the middle of the country was declared to be fully settled and no longer wilderness, Americans have struggled with the idea of how to be a "frontier people" without a frontier.

It's like the samurai: during the warring states period, identifying a samurai - a warrior - was straightforward: if you fought in wars, you were a warrior. But then in the period of protracted peace, they needed some other way for the samurai - who had become civil servants, basically - to express their identity as warriors, so they decided what it meant to do government bookkeeping "like a warrior" or take meeting minutes "like a warrior" and then did that.

We see a similar thing in the US. On the actual frontier, people didn't need to signal that they were frontierspeople; they were because they lived on the literal frontier.

... but today with no frontier, Americans who identify with that "frontier mentality" have tried to figure out what it means to hang out in their suburban house "like a frontiersperson," how to commute to their desk job in an office "like a frontiersperson," etc., etc.

The result is a sort of cosplay involving things like guns and pickup trucks.

I would disagree with this assessment. The suburban homesteaders, from my experience, is generally against guns. Perhaps a 410 to protect their backyard chickens.

However, your suburban MAGAs have been indoctrinated into the fearful world of upcoming neighbor aggression and spend loads of money on conceal carry classes, licenses, and specially designed handbags for the lady's gun. I don't worry too much though. My friend that has several of those handbags can never seem to find anything in it.

I feel like both of these are true or have truths in them.

 

[Eddi]

As the corporations have robbed and humiliated the American people more and more thoroughly and effectively over the last 50 years, they have driven the American male, in particular, into a situation of humiliating servitude and powerlessness. Many men's wives can find jobs before they can. And they often can make more money. Many women see no need for a man at all. They can be their own bread-winner. Or get divorced and raise their kids on their own with a job and the X's child support. Or with no job and welfare. And so on.

There are endless ways and examples of how the American male has been increasingly diminished and rendered superfluous as an important and respected social entity. And this loss has had a deep and damaging psychological effect on a lot of men. Leaving many American men feeling weak, and powerless, and disrespected.

And angry.

And resentful. And looking to reclaim their 'rightful place' back on the top of the social power pyramid. And that's where the guns become an thing. Those guns are a totem for that respect, and power, and righteous anger. Feeling experiences that a lot of American men are yearning for. So they like to buy those guns, and to practice shooting them, and to feel that feeling of power, and control, and respect. And feeling the comradery with the other men doing the same. And perhaps to imagine using that power against some 'bad guy' that might choose to threaten or 'disrespect their domain'.

You get the idea.

Guns give a lot of American males the sense of power and autonomy and authority, back, that modern capitalism has taken away from them. Unfortunately, when we so greatly increase the number of guns that are out there, we also greatly increase the likelihood that they will be abused and that people will die as a result. And so those guns are being abused and many people are dying as a result.

So, basically willy extensions?

 

[PureX]

So, basically willy extensions?

Sadly, it's far deeper than that. If it were just about sexual prowess, the desire to rape might be running rampant. But not murder. And rape is a lot more difficult to pull off. Unfortunately, it's about power, and respect, in the world that is not giving men much of either. But is instead giving them a very, very easy access to a means of exercising the ultimate power ... over life and death. And that leads to much worse consequences.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

As the corporations have robbed and humiliated the American people more and more thoroughly and effectively over the last 50 years, they have driven the American male, in particular, into a situation of humiliating servitude and powerlessness. Many men's wives can find jobs before they can. And they often can make more money. Many women see no need for a man at all. They can be their own bread-winner. Or get divorced and raise their kids on their own with a job and the X's child support. Or with no job and welfare. And so on.

There are endless ways and examples of how the American male has been increasingly diminished and rendered superfluous as an important and respected social entity. And this loss has had a deep and damaging psychological effect on a lot of men. Leaving many American men feeling weak, and powerless, and disrespected.

And angry.

And resentful. And looking to reclaim their 'rightful place' back on the top of the social power pyramid. And that's where the guns become an thing. Those guns are a totem for that respect, and power, and righteous anger. Feeling experiences that a lot of American men are yearning for. So they like to buy those guns, and to practice shooting them, and to feel that feeling of power, and control, and respect. And feeling the comradery with the other men doing the same. And perhaps to imagine using that power against some 'bad guy' that might choose to threaten or 'disrespect their domain'.

You get the idea.

Guns give a lot of American males the sense of power and autonomy and authority, back, that modern capitalism has taken away from them. Unfortunately, when we so greatly increase the number of guns that are out there, we also greatly increase the likelihood that they will be abused and that people will die as a result. And so those guns are being abused and many people are dying as a result.

Yeah, I find it hard to pin this on capitalism, especially today when it's so much easier for anyone to start a business. Plus where was this feeling when we had far more jobs that allowed people to raise a family on one income? He was providing for his family, which is what tends to matter to a lot of guys.
And how does capitalism do this but other systems don't? Fuedalism was far more repressive and humiliating. Stalinism was a dump. Maoism under Xi has people protesting with blank signs. The Kims you have to have a state approved look. And of course beinf enslaved by invading force is infinitely way worse on all measurements than Capitalism.
I'm no fan of Capitalism but lets keep things in perspective. The modern American male doesn't even work as much as they did in the past before weekends and overtime and all those modern protections and goodies.

 

[Secret Chief]

Yeah, I find it hard to pin this on capitalism, especially today when it's so much easier for anyone to start a business. Plus where was this feeling when we had far more jobs that allowed people to raise a family on one income? He was providing for his family, which is what tends to matter to a lot of guys.
And how does capitalism do this but other systems don't? Fuedalism was far more repressive and humiliating. Stalinism was a dump. Maoism under Xi has people protesting with blank signs. The Kims you have to have a state approved look. And of course beinf enslaved by invading force is infinitely way worse on all measurements than Capitalism.
I'm no fan of Capitalism but lets keep things in perspective. The modern American male doesn't even work as much as they did in the past before weekends and overtime and all those modern protections and goodies.

The world is awash with capitalism but it's only the US that has more guns than people and a monthly mass shooting at a school.

 

[Vinayaka]

Canada also used to be a frontier, did it not?

How come Canadians are not so enamoured with firearms?

Some Canadians are, but for sure it's not as rampant. I grew up around guns on the family farm. For Dad, it was a carryover from hunting for survival. The venison in the fall was quite a lot of food.

I'm not sure why it didn't go strong like in our neighbour to the south, but I suspect it was government controls. On handguns, for sure.

The 'why' part is interesting.

 

[Vinayaka]

As the corporations have robbed and humiliated the American people more and more thoroughly and effectively over the last 50 years, they have driven the American male, in particular, into a situation of humiliating servitude and powerlessness. Many men's wives can find jobs before they can. And they often can make more money. Many women see no need for a man at all. They can be their own bread-winner. Or get divorced and raise their kids on their own with a job and the X's child support. Or with no job and welfare. And so on.

There are endless ways and examples of how the American male has been increasingly diminished and rendered superfluous as an important and respected social entity. And this loss has had a deep and damaging psychological effect on a lot of men. Leaving many American men feeling weak, and powerless, and disrespected.

And angry.

And resentful. And looking to reclaim their 'rightful place' back on the top of the social power pyramid. And that's where the guns become an thing. Those guns are a totem for that respect, and power, and righteous anger. Feeling experiences that a lot of American men are yearning for. So they like to buy those guns, and to practice shooting them, and to feel that feeling of power, and control, and respect. And feeling the comradery with the other men doing the same. And perhaps to imagine using that power against some 'bad guy' that might choose to threaten or 'disrespect their domain'.

You get the idea.

Guns give a lot of American males the sense of power and autonomy and authority, back, that modern capitalism has taken away from them. Unfortunately, when we so greatly increase the number of guns that are out there, we also greatly increase the likelihood that they will be abused and that people will die as a result. And so those guns are being abused and many people are dying as a result.

Thank you for attempting to answer the OP's question. I concur with most of it.

 

[Revoltingest]

Why?

I don't get it

Interesting.
Fun.
Useful.

 

[Secret Chief]

Today's mass shooting.

- Four dead and dozens hurt in Alabama mass shooting

 

[PureX]

The world is awash with capitalism but it's only the US that has more guns than people and a monthly mass shooting at a school.

Our inability to restrain the greed, stupidity, and selfishness that capitalism rewards is why we have so many guns in the U.S.,. And why we cannot implement any sort of reasonable control over the sale of them. You want to see just how fully the capitalists control the government and the minds of the people in the U.S., just watch what happens when a politician dares to suggest limiting the sale of guns, the price of drugs, the size of corporate conglomerates, their ability to bribe politicians, their ability to steal our information and use it to lie to us through constant target advertising that none of us wants, and on and on and on. NOTHING can ever stand in the way of maximizing corporate profits in this country. Certainly not more dead children murdered at their school desks. And if not that, then what ever could?

And still many of us wail and cry at the very suggestion that we should reign in capitalist greed, selfishness, and stupidity, or that we should limit the number of hand guns, or that we should demand that our government stand up to the capitalists and start acting on OUR behalf. Because capitalism didn't just corrupt our government, it corrupted us, as well. To the core.

 

[Vinayaka]

Our inability to restrain the greed, stupidity, and selfishness that capitalism rewards is why we have so many guns in the U.S.,. And why we cannot implement any sort of reasonable control over the sale of them. You want to see just how fully the capitalists control the government and the minds of the people in the U.S., just watch what happens when a politician dares to suggest limiting the sale of guns, the price of drugs, the size of corporate conglomerates, their ability to bribe politicians, their ability to steal our information and use it to lie to us through constant target advertising that none of us wants, and on and on and on. NOTHING can ever stand in the way of maximizing corporate profits in this country. Certainly not more dead children murdered at their school desks. And if not that, then what ever could?

And still many of us wail and cry at the very suggestion that we should reign in capitalist greed, selfishness, and stupidity, or that we should limit the number of hand guns, or that we should demand that our government stand up to the capitalists and start acting on OUR behalf. Because capitalism didn't just corrupt our government, it corrupted us, as well. To the core.

Lobby groups wield a ton of power.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Yeah, I find it hard to pin this on capitalism, especially today when it's so much easier for anyone to start a business. Plus where was this feeling when we had far more jobs that allowed people to raise a family on one income? He was providing for his family, which is what tends to matter to a lot of guys.
And how does capitalism do this but other systems don't? Fuedalism was far more repressive and humiliating. Stalinism was a dump. Maoism under Xi has people protesting with blank signs. The Kims you have to have a state approved look. And of course beinf enslaved by invading force is infinitely way worse on all measurements than Capitalism.
I'm no fan of Capitalism but lets keep things in perspective. The modern American male doesn't even work as much as they did in the past before weekends and overtime and all those modern protections and goodies.

Easy or easier to start a business? Are you kidding me?

 

[PureX]

Lobby groups wield a ton of power.

They wield a ton of money. And that buys them the political will.

"To hell with murdered school children, the gun lobby just paid for my new swimming pool!" And millions of Americans think to themselves, "Yeah! That's the man I want making the decisions!"

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Easy or easier to start a business? Are you kidding me?

Yeah, you don't even need a physical building (unless it's absolutely necessary) or to carry any products on hand anymore. Mine are a mix of stuff of I carry and stuff that gets ordered and printed on demand. And it's great because in past times such a business would be very difficult to do as I'd have to get catalogue subscriptions, I'd have to get all my products made upfront to carry, phone calls, letters, publishers, manufacturers and critiquing things in the horror genre would be very difficult to get the different games, movies, literature, pictures and other mediums horror has graced. But because it's today I can start a blog and promote in many different ways, when I have a 3d and circuit board printer I'll be able to make things as I sell them and have no manufacturer in the middle raising cost/prices, there is media of all types and genres at the click of a few buttons and only had to go to the post office for shipping. And I can get to the physical store for bigger things once I'm more established and already pulling in money to offset the surge in overhead a physical building brings.

 

[an anarchist]

Why?

I don't get it

I started playing Call of Duty when I was five and also my Dad showed me a bunch of war movies when I was a wee lad.

Media has a big part in it. I think it is intentional to desensitize kids to guns and violence.

I’ve been in violent situations now, so I don’t carry anymore. Better to be without a gun personally. Though, I wish I did carry because I fear for my life when I go out. That’s another point. It’s dangerous, and a man gotta feel like he can protect himself and his family; a gun gives him that sense of security.

 

[an anarchist]

Why?

I don't get it

People bring firearms to work (we aren’t supposed to obviously) but in the age of mass shooters and gang violence, I never blame my coworkers. I just let them know if their strap is showing so they can conceal it better. I always felt better when I knew one of my coworkers was armed. Without that, all we can do is run in the case of a mass shooting.

When I was night shift cashier, I always carried. I dealt with tweakers and gangsters all hopped up on drugs on the regular. Screw that “no firearms at work” rule.

Can you start seeing why people feel the need for guns? The guns are here to stay, and I ain’t finna be a sitting duck

 

[an anarchist]

The guns are here to stay, and I ain’t finna be a sitting duck

Except I choose to because I don’t trust myself with a gun. So I take my chances as a sitting duck, which is cause for much stress. My boyfriend is unwilling to carry either, so we both are resigned to run in the case of a shooting. Idk if I would run, I feel like I might attack the shooter regardless if I have a gun or not, so I’d prefer to have a gun if I’d defend myself anyways. But I got anger issues so no gun for me.

 

[RestlessSoul]

I grew up with TV shows like this.

The Rifleman would always get the bad guys, who also typically had guns of their own. So, the underlying theme of all of these shows is that, there are bad guys with guns, so good guys have to have guns and be better at using them than the bad guys.

So, in the end, the good guy wins, and that's what makes America great.

I was brought up on those shows too. Every kid in England in the 1960s was obsessed with cowboys and Indians, but we never thought real life was like that.

Sometimes we played pirates instead, but no one I know ever tried to rob a ship. And I grew up near the docks (actually, the dockers did do a fair bit of robbing, but not with cutlasses).

 

[PureX]

Although all these impressions are very understandable, the facts do not bear them out.

The facts are that having a gun either on you or in your household significantly increases the likelihood that you or someone you care about will be injured or killed BY THAT GUN. While the likelihood of you ever actually using that gun to defend yourself or others from some external threat is extremely slight.

Every time someone buys a gun for security reason, they are actually decreasing their own security. But you absolutely cannot get people to recognize this.