• zarkanian@sh.itjust.works
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    9 days ago

    If I had to kill somebody, I’d be scarred for life. Even if it was clearly in self defense.

    Yet I’ve talked to gun owners who fantasize about getting the drop on a burglar and shooting them dead or something like that. I don’t know if they’re actually that bloodthirsty or just delusional, but either way it’s pretty disturbing.

    • Crikeste@lemm.ee
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      9 days ago

      It’s both.

      Our systems have taught them that criminals are worthless disgusting inhuman animals who deserve death, and they’ve never considered the trauma associated with killing someone.

      Plenty of veterans lives are ruined by shit like that, and they signed up for it. A little basement dwelling incel couldn’t even comprehend the trauma.

      And let’s not forget the statistics of the people who break into your house. It’s likely someone you know. Are you prepared to shoot your friend?

    • BeMoreCareful@lemmy.world
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      9 days ago

      I think it’s the marketing. Everything has to me monetized or giggified and it’s hard for us to just do stuff for no good reason (like collect and/or shoot guns). We’ve got to justify by protecting ou family from the zombie apocalypse or crime waves or something.

      I think a lot of it is whistling in the dark as well. Our powerlessness coupled with hyper individualism and lack of social support makes for some pretty uncomfortable truths.

      Plus the grab bag of racism and misdirected class fear.

    • brygphilomena@lemmy.world
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      9 days ago

      Oh same. I’ve talked with friends about conceal carry. We all agree it would be the scariest thing possible to actually need to use it. We’ll pretty much want to exhaust all other options including running the fuck away first.

      We couldn’t imagine the idea of actually living with having murdered someone. I know I’d pretty much immediately end up in therapy to help process it.

    • Demdaru@lemmy.world
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      9 days ago

      I do get what you are saying, and may offer some pov. I do not perceive anyone who breaks into my house as human, simply because I am aware of how weak I am. Not a gun owner, but if I am in kitchen, trust me I am grabbing a knife - anything to level the playing field - and setting myself on fight rather than flight.

      But it’s mostly fear and adrenaline. If something happened, I have no doubt I would go for it to secure mine and my partner security. How much of a wreck I’d be later remains to be seen, though for sure it would hit me hard.

      Honestly, not much difference between that and chihuahua. Fight to kill out of fear.

      • MajorHavoc@programming.dev
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        9 days ago

        Honestly, not much difference between that and chihuahua. Fight to kill out of fear.

        Yeah. Everyone has a right to pursue a safe place to be.

        If someone or something puts me in an unsafe enough position, I might have to go through them instead of around them to get to safety.

        There’s no shame in that. It’s also nothing to be proud of. It just is.

        • nomous@lemmy.world
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          9 days ago

          I’ve had two different very realistic dreams (years ago) where I shot someone and both of them were terrifying. It’s not something I’d look forward to. It’d definitely ruin my week if not my entire month.

          • MajorHavoc@programming.dev
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            9 days ago

            Yeah. Absolutely. Even having been robbed a few times really messed with my head. I would hate to have to live with worse.

            But I still figure people have a right to seek a safe place to be, and cornered people have a right to use violence, to reach a safe place.

            I’ll allow there might even be other times when violence might be moral, since life can get pretty complex, but I hope to live my life without having to make that call.

            But I believe that when cornered is the only time a human can use violence with a totally free conscience.

            It’s why Sun Tzu advised we always give even our worst enemy an escape route. It’s much better to not have to fight at all, than to have to win a fight with a desperate enemy.

    • kworpy@lemm.ee
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      9 days ago

      I wouldn’t mind having to kill anyone. It would definitely give me joy and excitement although I don’t actively hope I’ll get to use my gun.