New post on *Think Tank of One*
<https://thinktankofone.com/?author=1> *Gun-Owners and the Roots of Hoplophobia* <https://thinktankofone.com/2017/07/10/hoplophobia-bias-bigotry/> by *John Thompson* <https://thinktankofone.com/?author=1> <https://thinktankofone.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/M400.jpg> My semi-automatic "assault weapon"... as if. · John C. Thompson 10th July, 2017. “Hoplophobia” is the fear of arms and arms-bearers, and is among the list of phobias listed by Oxford’s definitive dictionary of the English language. Phobias are irrational fears (which is why “Islamophobia” is a nonsense word), and Hoplophobia is a common condition these days. The modern scourge of Hoplophobia is normally directed towards firearms and particularly towards civilian gun owners; which argues that is also an expression of political/class bigotry, particularly in the United States. It also may be directed against Americans generally; so far as firearms go the United States is a singular society with more guns than people. There is not much that can be done for some phobias – this writer is a bit of an acrophobic and knows his dislike of being above the 12th floor is not a rational fear, it’s just something to be endured. Nor are all phobias a disorder; we might all think ourselves to be herpetophobic if confronted with a Black Mamba or a large crocodile… but caution and apprehension is fully justified in such situations. Left by themselves, most reptiles are harmless enough. Firearms, when left alone are utterly inert, so logically, most Hoplophobia is directed to gun-owners themselves. More particularly, it seems directed to preconceived stereotypes of gun-owners. Of course, when looking for stereotypes, it usually isn’t too difficult to find an example that fits your preconception. Drop into a gun club and there will be plenty of conservative-ish, over-weight middle-aged white males (such as me), who are also middle-class, blue-collar types from suburban and rural environments (not me). For those prepared to howl about patriarchal-white-privilege-reactionaries, there is a lot of ammunition in that ‘typical’ gun club. Of course, for those looking for their typical stereotypes, they may overlook a lot of other members of the club. The presence of a lot of women might surprise them, the shooting sports are one arena where women can hold their own against men on identical standards of expectation. There are a lot of young people – particularly those who are rejecting the values of the WEIRDies (White, educated, Industrialized, Rich Democrats, but basically urban progressive post-modernist boomers). Of course, gun-owners have their stereotypes too. Worse for their WEIRDies are those ungrateful newcomers who came from societies with strict gun-control laws as a back-stop to totalitarian governments. Like it or not, arms in the hands of citizens have been a feature of Western civilization going back to the edge of history. Gun-owners strongly but quietly continue this tradition and many new comers keenly embrace it. For some unimaginable reason, too many of today’s legislators and bureaucrats seem to have a problem with this tradition. This dislike only validates the needs for a healthy and well-practiced shooting culture among the citizenry -- one might also point out that there seems to be correlation between firearms ownership and high standards of individual rights. Generally, as a Canadian, I can see more diversity (and equality) on the firing line of my gun-club than I did the last time the local chapter of Antifa gathered to shriek at somebody. Oh yes, and the members of my gun-club are much more collegial and affable. ********************* If you like this blog, feel free to share it. 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