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Dealing With Hoplophobia |
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Gregory Morris, 10/12/08 12:10:34 pm |
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New Jovian Thunderbolt discusses. I can understand why he is disheartened by the mindless fear he witnesses in the world. However, consider that for any problem, the solution generally lies in breaking it down to its simplest components. In this case, defining the types of hoplophobes, and how to handle each one. In my short experience, I have found that there are roughly two types of hoplophobes.
The first, and most common kind, tend to be intelligent, but since they've never been forced to question the "guns are bad" mythology pushed by the media, they simply don't know any better. These are the ones you need to take to the range with you. Type-1 hoplophobes can be reasoned with, and even if they never own a gun or even a pocket knife, they can decide, intellectually and philosophically, that weapons do not act of their own accord. They can reasonably shift from "guns are bad" to "criminals with guns are bad" to simply "criminals are bad". They can be cured.
The other type of hoplophobe need their irrational fear to deal with life. They are the ones truly affected with a mental disability, bordering on an illness. They cling to their absurd fears because it is the only possible way to find reconciliation with their pessimistic world-view. These are the ones who project their own violent fantasies onto others, which forces them to fear anyone who would own a weapon.
I discussed a range trip with a Type-2 Hoplophobe a while back. This one happened to have a relative who had taken their own life with a rifle. In this case, it would seem that she found it easier to blame the death of their loved one on the rifle, rather than confront reality. If the rifle hadn't been there, he'd still be alive, right? This erroneous train of thought inexorably leads to a belief that the mere presence of a gun increases the chance of violence.
This type of hoplophobe conditioned herself to fear inanimate objects. Even after receiving a thorough safety briefing, and firing a handgun, she could not separate her misguided philosophy from reality.
As I've said, Type-2 hoplophobia is chronic.
Type-1 can almost always be cured with logic, good information and real-life, hands-on experience. |
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