Interesting Thread on Community Board

[DutchsMommy]

I guess my post did come off a bit stereotypical...I should have qualified that I was suprised, in general, how different the gun mentality is for a fairly large percentage of the posters. I guess if you use the general membership of the boards as representative of the population and it's varying viewpoints, there are still a large number of American posters who's views on carrying a concealed weapon are very foreign to the way I, and I believe a larger proportion of the Canadian population, view gun ownership rights. Sure there are Canadians who would have different views on gun control and carrying weapons, the right to 'bear arms' as it were. I just feel that for the majority of Canadians, the idea of carrying around a weapon for a purpose other than hunting is quite foreign.

And, just to continue with my stereotyping and push the envelope further, it occured to me that a larger proportion of those posters defending their right to bear arms in many situations are from the Southern States. So, 'gun-toting backwoods hick' comes to mind. Let the polite debate (we dont throw flames up here in Canada ) begin!

 

[MineMail]

You can't conduct a country-wide survey based on one thread that some people (myself included) didn't even bother to read, nonetheless post.

There's no way to say "Oh, it's THAT PART of the US that advocates guns."

There are people on both sides in every city, state, and town. There's no "great divider" such as geography (north/south), location (urban/rural) or economics (poor/rich)

Stereotypes aren't "one size fits all."

 

[DutchsMommy]

You can't conduct a country-wide survey based on one thread that some people (myself included) didn't even bother to read, nonetheless post.

There's no way to say "Oh, it's THAT PART of the US that advocates guns."

There are people on both sides in every city, state, and town. There's no "great divider" such as geography (north/south), location (urban/rural) or economics (poor/rich)

Stereotypes aren't "one size fits all."

Well, that's the beauty of the internet - no need to base comments on things like facts of course!! So, everyone can make generalities (sp?) and spout their opinions with no recourse. It is an interesting topic that folks will definately agree to disagree on.

 

[rhiannon]

Well, as an American who lives in Canada, I'm glad to see lots of people speak up about how often Canadians stereotype Americans, or seem to think they are on some high horse above the U.S. (despite loving to travel to the U.S., go see our movies, watch our t.v., etc.) Don't get me wrong -- I love Canada, but I get sick of it.
As for gun control, I grew up in New York state, and work in Michigan (we live on the border). My family and I were HORRIFIED last year when we traveled to Ky. and saw an older man walk up to the cashier at Denny's to pay his bill with a gun in a holster!!! Not even hidden. I didn't feel comfortable, and I'm no baby, having gone to university and worked in Detroit!
I do agree, I think guns tend to be more accepted in the south, though not by everyone -- that would be a stereotype.
One thing I can say -- since moving to Canada, I've had my car stolen from in front of my house in a very nice neighborhood twice, and my neighbors have resorted to chaining down there flowerpots so they're not stolen. Never had that happen in the good 'ol U.S.A.

 

[LSmith]

Well, as an American who lives in Canada, I'm glad to see lots of people speak up about how often Canadians stereotype Americans, or seem to think they are on some high horse above the U.S. (despite loving to travel to the U.S., go see our movies, watch our t.v., etc.) Don't get me wrong -- I love Canada, but I get sick of it.
As for gun control, I grew up in New York state, and work in Michigan (we live on the border). My family and I were HORRIFIED last year when we traveled to Ky. and saw an older man walk up to the cashier at Denny's to pay his bill with a gun in a holster!!! Not even hidden. I didn't feel comfortable, and I'm no baby, having gone to university and worked in Detroit!
I do agree, I think guns tend to be more accepted in the south, though not by everyone -- that would be a stereotype.
One thing I can say -- since moving to Canada, I've had my car stolen from in front of my house in a very nice neighborhood twice, and my neighbors have resorted to chaining down there flowerpots so they're not stolen. Never had that happen in the good 'ol U.S.A.

Yes, bashing Americans is a sport of a particular brand of Canadians. I am Canadian, born and raised but I cringe at the holier than thou attitude of some (especially from this board). I chalk it up to uneducated, redneck prejudice (and they think their not but who thinks that they are??) but still I am embarrassed. The same people who are now just finding out that in 39 states it is legal to carry a concealed firearm think they know everything there is to know about the United States.

I've always thought that at least Americans are taught about their own country first. I've never met an American that didn't know the 50 states, every freakin' president, all of the history of the US, etc.

What I would love to see is a test. Canadians on Canadian politics, history and geography and Americans on the American politics, history and geography. I'm willing to put money on the Americans.

I've been to 33 states (some many times over) and 9 provinces (some many times over). I certainly don't think I'm an expert on either country. The more I know, the more I don't know.

I think for me to debate the gun laws in the US is just a waste of my time considering I'm Canadian.

I think the time to stop the American bashing is now.

 

[Ham Ham]

Not bashing all Americans, but we are allowed to have a debate about where we feel carrying weapons are apropriate. Don't understand how I can't carry a leatherman multi-tool into Walt Dinsey World but a someone think semi-automatic pistol on their hip is required.

As for some opinions posted here.

A resident of San Francisco will gernerally have a different view on this issue opposed to a remote rural resident of Maine.

Areas where hunting is popular will have more proponents for guns and more liberal views on where and when it is appropriate to have around.

I do not participate in hunting. But I can see the need and interest for these folks to have rifles.

Not of the same opinion when it comes to hand guns & machine guns and why folks feel the need to carry these around.

 

[declansdad]

And FURTHER MORE, when are people going to wake up and realize it's all about STARBUCKS and Tim Hortons waters down their coffee?

Maybe I should start another thread or two.

They are both just so so coffee shops. It's really all about The Second Cup.

Well, as an American who lives in Canada, I'm glad to see lots of people speak up about how often Canadians stereotype Americans, or seem to think they are on some high horse above the U.S. (despite loving to travel to the U.S., go see our movies, watch our t.v., etc.)

Many of those movies and TV shows are shot in Canada. Just sayin'

Y
I've always thought that at least Americans are taught about their own country first. I've never met an American that didn't know the 50 states, every freakin' president, all of the history of the US, etc.

I have, they didn't know A) Maine was a state, or B) if they did know they didn't where is was.

 

[HappieMommie]

I thought this was picture-worthy when I saw it in the Mall of America this summer...

 

[Ham Ham]

Speaking of the MOA.

TLC had a special last week featuring the Mall Cops of MOA.

One of the featured events in the hour special was an appearance by Demi Lovato.

 

[LSmith]

Speaking of the MOA.

TLC had a special last week featuring the Mall Cops of MOA.

One of the featured events in the hour special was an appearance by Demi Lovato.

Secret crush?

 

[MineMail]

A resident of San Francisco will gernerally have a different view on this issue opposed to a remote rural resident of Maine.

Areas where hunting is popular will have more proponents for guns and more liberal views on where and when it is appropriate to have around.

I do not participate in hunting. But I can see the need and interest for these folks to have rifles.

Not of the same opinion when it comes to hand guns & machine guns and why folks feel the need to carry these around.

As I said before, it's not a "rural vs. urban" division on gun laws. People in the city often have guns because they believe every drug addict/mugger has one, so they need their own gun to defend themselves. Too many sad stories about kids who were shot by friends who found daddy's gun and the neighbor who was blown away after an argument with the family next door got out of hand. To me, it's a really bad idea: there's too much stress and fear in an urban setting.

I can absolutely see it in an urban setting, especially if cattle or livestock are on their property and might attract predators. I have no problem with hunters as long as they don't waste the game they've killed.

However, hunting will only be a fair sport when Bambi learns to shoot back at the hunters, lol.

Interestingly enough, the hunting population is also divided: many agree with me that using an automatic rifle for hunting is a myth. If you put that much ammo into game, it's worthless for eating. Yet, other hunters insist it's needed in case they're attacked by a large predator. I refuse to buy into that story; I think the supporters are thrilled by the idea of being able to 'blow away' a person or animal like they're in a Rambo movie. Just mho.

 

[Ham Ham]

No crush just trying to include a Disney angle in my post.

The interesting thing about the Demi appearance was that the children were better behaved than some of the adults