Since Trump’s election, gun groups catering to progressives and people of color report a surge in interest as they look to defend themselves in a country that, to them, feels increasingly unstable.

  • nondescripthandle@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    20 hours ago

    Every american should be familiar with how guns work because we have to live in a country with more guns than people. Imagine if you’ve never drove, been inside, or even seen a real car your entire life then one day you have to cross a NYC street. Its hard to be safe without the right knowledge.

    • 1985MustangCobra@lemmy.ca
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      19 hours ago

      Every american should be familiar with how guns work

      anddd that’s why i don’t goto the USA

      • ameancow@lemmy.world
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        11 hours ago

        You can be performatively afraid of something you will likely never have an issue with for no other reason than a thing existing, that’s fine and your prerogative.

        But most people here already know you are far less likely to even have issues with entry into the US or with the people who live here than even media is making it out. Millions of people from all continents pass in and out of the US daily. You’re in far more danger being a grade-school or high-school student in the US than a foreign traveler or visitor.


        To the kiddoes who get down this far, there are 500 million citizens in the US and murder is still rare enough that it makes the news. Not always, but often. While other countries have less violent crime, broadly our whole world is at an all-time low in violence despite what your local for-profit media company wants you to think. Yes, the US has woefully outdated gun laws, but our primary problem here is fear. The same fear that makes you think the US is a violent wasteland of shootouts on every corner, that’s the same fear that makes people here cling to guns. You’re not hurting me by whinging that you will “never set foot in the US” I literally do not care, so ask yourself who you’re performing for, and if you’re just needlessly adding to the narratives of fear, and why it makes you feel good to do so. Who do you want to feel bad and why?

        • Credibly_Human@lemmy.world
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          6 hours ago

          Yeah nah bud. You’re arresting people trying to leave your country, tourists are getting roughed up, and violence from the government is increasing.

          I think your tourism deserves to decrease and you deserve to sleep in the bed you’ve made.

          • ameancow@lemmy.world
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            6 hours ago

            I agree 100% with everything you wrote here, and none of it has anything to do with the exchange I had with the other user.

            Except for this:

            you

            I am not my government.

            • Credibly_Human@lemmy.world
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              6 hours ago

              You was speaking in countr terms as was the your before it.

              Even still, its like, there is no “we only support the non fascists” from a foreign perspective when it comes to tourism unfortunately.

              I mean there is a little bit when it comes to trade, like trading with blue states, but like, its all very intertwined to where youll be funding the fascist regime.

          • ameancow@lemmy.world
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            19 hours ago

            I get the sentiment but most countries on Earth have armed citizens. You have effectively negated yourself from traveling across much of Asia, much of Africa, South America and several prominent European nations where citizens are armed.

            No country is “safe” and you will live in misery and fear if you deny yourself the ability to travel and have new experiences because some people may or may not own weapons.

              • ameancow@lemmy.world
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                15 hours ago

                I’ve been all over the world, people carry guns. People shoot in the air to celebrate, people keep guns on their mantles, people keep guns to defend against predators, people carry guns because there are vast, vast areas of Earth that are not patrolled by police. Are these bad people?

                It’s pretty bigoted to look down on these people for the circumstances and regions they live, but yeah go ahead and lecture someone for being an American.

                edit: i can clearly see by your moderation history that I shan’t be investing a shred of mental energy your way. Go ahead and troll into the void, I won’t see it.

                • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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                  15 hours ago

                  Please take your gun apologia somewhere else.

                  The number one killer of children in America.

                  The answer is yes, you are a bad person for promoting this nonsense.

                  • 5in1K@lemmy.zip
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                    17 hours ago

                    Canadians citizens are allowed to have guns. Not to the extent the US is but still have firearms.

      • krooklochurm@lemmy.ca
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        19 hours ago

        There are so, so many other great reasons too.

        To be clear your reason is a great reason. There are just so many others, too.

      • Xella@lemmy.world
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        17 hours ago

        Not much you can do when most people in the country already own guns. If someone points a gun at you, you’ll be wishing you had your own. This is mostly an American problem though and we’re fucked. At this point we all need guns because those psychotic fucks are coming for us daily. With how things are progressing so fast I’m just waiting for the day they show up at my door for voting Democrat in a Republican state. I’ve got my guns and I won’t go down easily.

          • Xella@lemmy.world
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            12 hours ago

            I’d love to never have to own a gun. When I was 5 years old a woman put a loaded gun in my face and cocked it to threaten my parents. It’s not a fantasy, it’s a fucking NIGHTMARE. So yes, my fears are a mental illness. Thanks.

            • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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              12 hours ago

              You are just one of many living in this nightmare. You know what it is like to jump for cover everytime someone shoots a gun in an urban setting? Millions of Americans get to experience this psychological abuse everyday.

              I am sorry to hear your horrible experience. I have lost several people in my life to gun violence. I know women who were raped at gun point. I have had multiple guns shoved in my face growing up. Fuck guns and everyone who defends this shit show.

              • Xella@lemmy.world
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                11 hours ago

                Lol I know exactly what it’s like to jump for cover every time someone shoots a gun, I still have to fight that instinct. There were bullet holes in the front door of my family home and on the side of the house. I was taught to lay on the ground every time we heard gun shots. When I held my first gun 5 years ago I was trembling and crying from fear of the damn thing. I LIVED THROUGH ALL OF THIS. I cannot and will not defend gun culture. When nearly the entire population has them and is willing to use them against you at a moments notice, you don’t have much of a choice. Since I am a woman, and as you pointed out I am at risk, I have more need than a man to conceal carry.

                The point I’m trying to make is bitch all you want about guns in America. Call us morons for having guns, it doesn’t matter. Bitching won’t change anything. Someone has to take all the guns away before a change can be made and I’m willing to bet that’ll never happen in our lifetime. We’ll continue to be terrorized until our deaths. Might as well defend yourself if you can.

                • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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                  11 hours ago

                  I wholeheartedly agree with everything including defending yourself. I do not agree with arming yourself, but that is just because your more likely to be injured.

          • frog_brawler@lemmy.world
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            13 hours ago

            Must be nice to go through life never having to worry about your personal safety. Fuck you and your privilege.

            • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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              12 hours ago

              I am not a childlike, hence why I know guns are not the solution to your imaginary problems.

              • frog_brawler@lemmy.world
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                12 hours ago

                I didn’t say you were childlike. Use your eyes. Read again. I said you are privileged.

                What’s the solution to a political party using firearms as leverage in a country that puts firearms in its governing document.

                I absolutely LOVE reading these wildly naive takes. Go for it!

                • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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                  12 hours ago

                  I implied you were childlike.

                  I love people who have no clue about the destruction and violence gun culture has caused us. This learned helplessness you have developed is impressive.

                  • frog_brawler@lemmy.world
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                    11 hours ago

                    What is the solution?

                    You’re quite astute and coming off like a pedantic piece of shit that doesn’t answer questions, but what (if anything) is your actual solution?

              • mean_bean279@lemmy.world
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                9 hours ago

                A fascist government takeover is imaginary? Fuck give me whatever glue you’re sniffing so I can be as dumb and ignorant as you.

                • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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                  8 hours ago

                  Fascists thrive on violence, so if your suggesting that as a solution then you are playing right into their hands.

                  • mean_bean279@lemmy.world
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                    7 hours ago

                    They don’t thrive on it. They create it. You being weak and submissive to their desires and thinking it makes you right isn’t the win you think it is.

      • bitjunkie@lemmy.world
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        13 hours ago

        I’m not sure how you’re getting that out of what they posted. Reads more “know thine enemy” than power fantasy to me.

        • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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          12 hours ago

          If know thine enemy is code for living in an oppressive gun nut culture where we lose around fifty thousand Americans to gun violence every year, then sure.

          Number one killer of children in the US and the best we can muster is, “You have got to be familiar with guns because we are surrounded by them.” This is the definition of pathetic resignation.

          • bitjunkie@lemmy.world
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            12 hours ago

            Sorry I forgot that I can just wiggle my nose and make it go away. It’s the reality of the situation, like it or not.

            • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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              11 hours ago

              Dealing with our problems isn’t easy. I guess we can just go back ignoring it. Cheers!

              • bitjunkie@lemmy.world
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                10 hours ago

                You can acknowledge present reality while also trying to change it. They’re not mutually exclusive.

                • Doomsider@lemmy.world
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                  9 hours ago

                  No one can actually acknowledge what is happening though. Our entire society in the US is in denial.

                  • PowerCrazy@lemmy.ml
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                    6 hours ago

                    Yea car-centric society and the boot-licker liberals who support it are indeed the enemy of all people.