Write A Paper Analyzing One Of The Articles We Have Read Thus Far In Our Textbook. “Shooting Guns: It's Rather Fun, Actually"
How Does Popular Culture Stereotype You?
Reading “Shooting Guns: It's Rather Fun, Actually" by DK exposes one to the reality that indeed, guns do not kill people; it is people that kill people. The article overrides popular stereotypes about American gun culture in Europe by discussing how outsiders believe the widespread use and acceptance of guns in the US results from an obsession with guns and that guns harm people. The author uses several examples to defend the usefulness of guns such as family outing activities and careful instructions to users. DK also points out the prevalence of gun violence in poor neighborhoods with little gun ownership rather than in suburban areas, thereby overriding the notion that access to guns causes gun violence. The idea that shooting guns is a safe family event overrides popular stereotypes about guns such as the negative impacts of access to guns and gun abuse that make ownership and use of guns unpopular among Europeans.
In the Article, DK mentions how guns are used to create fun. The author writes, “In the range, people fired guns gleefully at targets” (DK 544). The author observes that gun shooting is a fun family exercise for a day out and does not find any faults in taking part in the event. DK further mentions that some of the people taking part in the gun exercise were white males of middle-aged while others were people of color rather than the belief that it is only whites who are obsessed with guns. The author further states that minors and learners are heavily supervised and instructed on how to use guns to avoid hurting themselves or others. From the observation at the range, DK concludes that he finds no faults in gun use.
Also, the author argues that easy access to guns is a necessity rather than a danger to Americans. DK writes, “And what Europeans-and Liberal Americans-often do not realize is that these deadly weapons are also an accessible, affordable, and interesting hobby for millions of people” (DK 543). DK explains that the stereotype is short-sighted, given that it does not consider that guns are a hobby for some Americans, and they enjoy shooting as a leisure activity. Some people find it thrilling to use guns in gun ranges where they practice aiming at dummies. Such people may even engage in competitions against other gun enthusiasts, making the leisure activity more enjoyable in the process. By stereotyping Americans and their gun culture, popular culture does not consider the enjoyment Americans derive from shooting guns and the fact that they do not use guns for other activities that could hurt others.
DK also mentions that easy access to guns does not translate to more harm from guns. The author writes, “The most dangerous neighborhoods for gun violence in America are in poor cities, not in the suburban areas where most gun owners live” (DK 544). According to DK, most of the suicides taking place in the US occur indoors and not in public spaces. Besides, given the extremely low ratio of people involved with gun violence against the high American population, it is uncommon to know someone involved in gun-related violence. DK concludes by calling out Americans like Michael Bloomberg who advocate for a restriction on guns and are guarded by people with guns and argues that taking away the liberty of the general American population from the advice of people like Bloomberg creates double standards.
Conclusively, using guns in family outing events overrides the negative stereotype regarding easy access and gun abuse that unpopularize gun ownership among Europeans. The article advises that instead of judging the American gun culture, outsiders should understand the reasoning behind the widespread American ownership of guns and how gun ownership improves the quality of life of the people involved. Despite the wins of gun ownership, guns are misused by criminals and mentally unstable individuals, resulting in shootouts experienced annually. American laws should look for ways of addressing the misuse of guns in society to save lives and help change the perspectives of outsiders.
