As Shane would say, a gun is a tool. Like a reciprocating saw, a hammer, or a backhoe.

Paul-Cincy on December 22, 2012 at 4:05 PM

I will say that this is part of how it “makes” masculinity, though. Men like tools because it enables them to do things. Firearms allow you to do: hunting, defense, breaking things. Saws and hammers help you build things. Guns help you take care of your woman/family/community.

[...]The whole look of your web site is fantastic, let well as the content material![...]…

If you look at places like Texas, the fastest growing demographic of gun ownership is black females who are arming themselves at a greater rate than any other segment of the population.

crosspatch on December 22, 2012 at 5:23 PM

My bet would be not just black females, but females generally would be the fastest growing demographic, as a percentage.

Ah, the knucklehead credo of American conservatism.

lostmotherland on December 22, 2012 at 5:25 PM

^^^ lonely communist with low self esteem.

JeffWeimer on December 22, 2012 at 3:28 PM

I do own a firearm…and I ‘ain’t no’ male!

The problem with Waldman’s premise is that the statistics do not back up what he is saying. If you look at places like Texas, the fastest growing demographic of gun ownership is black females who are arming themselves at a greater rate than any other segment of the population.

crosspatch on December 22, 2012 at 5:23 PM

True black women here are getting concealed weapon permits at a pretty brisk clip, but at best, PolitiFact rates the claim of “fastest growing segment” as only half-true. Unfortunately, the Texas Department of Public Safety counts Hispanics (40% of Tejas’ population!) as “white”, so naturally black women applying for CC permits at DPS are only compared to white men, white women, and “other”.

Sometimes people think far too much

Ah, the knucklehead credo of American conservatism.