Swastikas and Semi-automatics: What's Wrong With Gun Show Culture
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
by Meg White
Last weekend alone, there were at least 44 separate gun shows in this country. After reading up on the historic increase in gun purchases after the election of Barack Obama as well as articles linking Nazi and Klan propaganda with gun show offerings, I had a few questions on my mind.
This weekend, how many guns were purchased out of hate? This weekend, how many relics of human beings' persecutory past were purchased in an attempt to revive such hatred?
Timothy McVeigh himself sold The Turner Diaries, a novel written by a neo-Nazi leader that was labeled the "Bible of the racist right" by the FBI, at gun shows before he carried out the Oklahoma City Bombing attacks.
Should private gun show organizers allow people to sell Nazi and Confederate paraphernalia at these events? The question is debated fiercely, even within the gun show community as evidenced in this extremely long thread on the subject.
The thing is, the context of a sale makes an incredible difference.
Case in point: I decided, along with maybe 63 percent of long-haired, bespectacled brunettes in this country, to go as Gov. Sarah Palin for Halloween this year. I cobbled together most of the costume myself, but there were two essential accessories that I just couldn't fake: a flag pin and a McCain/Palin 2008 pin.
Though it would have been much easier to buy the pins through the McCain/Palin Web site, I was not going to be using these items for the purpose for which they were meant. I found a third party Web site with no affiliation with the campaign, and purchased them there. I may have ended up paying more and wasting a little extra time, but I felt better about the transaction.
Likewise, lovers of history should not buy war regalia at gun shows. The people who sell these items at gun shows are not antiques salesmen. They will use your money to spread hate.
Similarly, a gun enthusiast shouldn't buy firearms from a neo-Nazi or Klansman. Who knows what that gun has been used for, and who knows what people like that will do with your money?
You don't see other groups selling gear that promotes their lifestyles alongside guns at these shows. What would happen if Satan worshippers or the New Black Panther Party tried to set up tables at a gun show selling T-shirts, regalia and books promoting their lifestyles alongside their arsenal for sale?
Another important issue is provenance. If a badge or helmet or flag has been preserved for posterity from the Civil War or World War II, it is indeed something of historical value. But replicas and reprints need not apply. These are simply attempts to monetize the hatred both that fueled the violence of these wars and that continues to fuel racist and anti-Semitic behavior.
Clearly, not all gun owners are neo-Nazis or Klansmen. They are protected by the same rights to free speech that allow me to write these words. But by giving these people a seat at the table of the gun show culture, organizers are allowing them to associate discriminatory beliefs with gun owners.
Furthermore, by purchasing anything from such people, no matter what it is, one strengthens their resolve. If gun owners want to paint themselves as decent, law-abiding citizens, they should make this important distinction.
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
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It is unsubstantiated, but
Idiots
One reason
What buying frenzy?
Good comment, Henk
I'd guess about half of gun owners and gun show attendees are Democrats [more of whom are vets than it seems are the GOPers], but we tend to keep politics to ourselves when around the NRA-types and rabid Righties.
Sure regret now that I passed up a really nice 9mm Mauser broomhandle w/ proof marks for $800. :·)
Gun nuts
and why the private gun show
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