4 ms·

Fair enough. The point is, the risk is so low compared to other risks we take daily as to be irrational and totally inconsequential. Avoiding gun shows for fea

Fair enough. The point is, the risk is so low compared to other risks we take daily as to be irrational and totally inconsequential. Avoiding gun shows for fear of getting shot is like avoiding skyscrapers because of a terrorist attack, avoiding commercial airlines out fear of a crash, or avoiding swimming in the ocean because of sharks. All of these are statistically irrational. I am really just trying to get people to be honest with themselves here. The real reason they avoid gun shows is they simply don't like guns or the cultures that surround them. That is totally fine, more power to them. But stating the risk of being shot is at best a show of ignorance regarding the subject and at worst a canard to make their preference/bias/distaste seem more rational.

jacquesm 10y ago
The specific question was what would make one uncomfortable at a gun show and I answered that question. To now see that equated with 'avoiding gun shows for fear of getting shot' is utterly unfair. The statistic being what they are I'm no more inclined to visit a gun show than I'm about to visit a church when there is a mass or to visit a convention on tattoos, I have zero connection to guns, religion or tattoos. That said I do know how to shoot but feel that America's love affair with weapons isn't helping at all, fortunately there is an ocean between there and here.
- gnarbarian 10y ago
  I am reiterating this in the most respectful way possible. Do not ascribe any nasty tone to this as I assure you there is none. Your statement which started this whole statistical discussion was: "I'm not comfortable around a bunch of amateurs carrying and messing around with weapons. Professionals make enough mistakes with firearms, gunshows are a bad spot to be." Had you said, "I just don't like guns", "I am not interested in guns", or "I can't stand the atmosphere/people/politics at gun shows or gun shops". That would have been the end of the discussion. That's an opinion you are of course free to have. Since your statement implied you are not comfortable at gun shows because you perceive shows to be dangerous, I looked at the stats as generously as possible and determined the risk to be negligible. Then in the comment directly above to which you just replied I said: "I am really just trying to get people to be honest with themselves here. The real reason they avoid gun shows is they simply don't like guns or the cultures that surround them. That is totally fine, more power to them. But stating the risk of being shot is at best a show of ignorance regarding the subject and at worst a canard to make their preference/bias/distaste seem more rational." In other words, I understand that you have no interest in going to a gun show because you are not interested in guns and that is totally fine. Which is why you should have just said that instead of lobbing that silly canard my way. But it is bizarre for you to tell me that I was being unfair for directly addressing and then refuting the rationality of your stated reason for not feeling comfortable at gun shows.
  - jacquesm 10y ago
    I can be both not interested in guns, and not be comfortable around amateurs handling weapons (in any setting). The question was about the latter, not about the former.
    - gnarbarian 10y ago
      Of course you can, But that doesn't change the fact only one of those opinions is defensible. If someone were to say they don't feel comfortable around Scottish people because they commit more crime. I'm sure you would (rightly) have an issue with that and agree that it is indefensible.

jacquesm 10y ago

The specific question was what would make one uncomfortable at a gun show and I answered that question. To now see that equated with 'avoiding gun shows for fear of getting shot' is utterly unfair. The statistic being what they are I'm no more inclined to visit a gun show than I'm about to visit a church when there is a mass or to visit a convention on tattoos, I have zero connection to guns, religion or tattoos. That said I do know how to shoot but feel that America's love affair with weapons isn't helping at all, fortunately there is an ocean between there and here.

gnarbarian 10y ago
I am reiterating this in the most respectful way possible. Do not ascribe any nasty tone to this as I assure you there is none. Your statement which started this whole statistical discussion was: "I'm not comfortable around a bunch of amateurs carrying and messing around with weapons. Professionals make enough mistakes with firearms, gunshows are a bad spot to be." Had you said, "I just don't like guns", "I am not interested in guns", or "I can't stand the atmosphere/people/politics at gun shows or gun shops". That would have been the end of the discussion. That's an opinion you are of course free to have. Since your statement implied you are not comfortable at gun shows because you perceive shows to be dangerous, I looked at the stats as generously as possible and determined the risk to be negligible. Then in the comment directly above to which you just replied I said: "I am really just trying to get people to be honest with themselves here. The real reason they avoid gun shows is they simply don't like guns or the cultures that surround them. That is totally fine, more power to them. But stating the risk of being shot is at best a show of ignorance regarding the subject and at worst a canard to make their preference/bias/distaste seem more rational." In other words, I understand that you have no interest in going to a gun show because you are not interested in guns and that is totally fine. Which is why you should have just said that instead of lobbing that silly canard my way. But it is bizarre for you to tell me that I was being unfair for directly addressing and then refuting the rationality of your stated reason for not feeling comfortable at gun shows.
- jacquesm 10y ago
  I can be both not interested in guns, and not be comfortable around amateurs handling weapons (in any setting). The question was about the latter, not about the former.
  - gnarbarian 10y ago
    Of course you can, But that doesn't change the fact only one of those opinions is defensible. If someone were to say they don't feel comfortable around Scottish people because they commit more crime. I'm sure you would (rightly) have an issue with that and agree that it is indefensible.