Thursday, August 14, 2014

No Guns

A few weekends ago we went to art openings with my parents.

One gallery was packed full of people.

There was one artist's work that were objects like guns, popsicles, and ice cream cones. I'm not sure what the connection to the pieces were. I was trying to watch the boys, and didn't read their artist statement. With object art one could argue if it's art, or not. There is not a ton of creative thought in just an object that already exists. There isn't a lot of thought in a still life, or nude painting either.

The definition of art is so complex.

What is art to you?

I had the boys stand in front of the gun, and pose.


I didn't think too much about the pose. Seriously the boys love the old Lone Ranger shows (which has guns in it), Mica had a pop gun, and they both have Nerf guns.

Before we left my mom said, "Don't put that picture on Facebook Alissa!"

Out of respect for my mom I didn't put the image on Facebook. I blogged about it though.

Is it bad that I had children pose like they are holding guns in front of a gun? Am I sending them the wrong message? I didn't think too much about it when I did it. I don't think they thought much about it either.

I'm not pro just anyone having a gun. At the same time to me if someone wanted to cause violence they could  with a sword, a knife, or make their own bomb.

To me guns are similar to Pit Bulls. People blame them for society's violence problems. Pit Bulls can be great dogs. They are protectors. We had them as kids, and they gave us sled rides, and I slept on their bellies in the sun. If the wrong owner trains a Pit Bull to fight, and treats them badly - watch out. Guns just like Pit bulls can be used for protection, or they can be used in a negative way.  

10 comments:

Catch My Words said...

More often than not, guns end up harming someone. My high school French teacher's son accidentally shot her daughter. Some people don't even need to have them in the house.

I don't know what it is about boys, but they gravitate toward guns. When my son was little, I decided I didn't want him to have a toy gun; so, he picked up sticks and shouted, "Bang! Bang!" I eventually bought him a Nerf gun.

http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/

Ai Sakura said...

I think it's all in terms of context. Kids need to understand there's good and bad in everything, and how to use it properly. Even medicine when used wrongly can kill.

Ai @ Sakura Haruka

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I don't allow my boys to have toy guns. That's my choice, and I don't mind what other parents do - that's their choice! I worked juvenile probation for 5 years and saw way too many kids hurt by playing with guns. I just want mine to understand that guns are never toys. It's a bit extreme, but it's one of those things I feel strongly about :-)

Harry Flashman said...

A gun is an inanimate object. No more, no less. They should never be available to children, unless the child is old enough to be responsible and is under the direct supervision of an adult who is intelligent enough to be responsible. Posing under a picture of an M1911 is about as innocuous an activity as one could imagine. Doing so is no more apt to make a child murderous than posing in front of Michael Angelo's "David" would make one homosexual. Having been a kid in the 1950's, I had toy guns from the get go, but I have yet to commit any murderous or depraved acts.

mail4rosey said...

My son has toy guns, including Nerf guns. He loves them and we don't think much of it either. If he didn't have a toy gun, he'd still turn things into a gun (my mop, for instance ;) ). I don't let him take guns to the park though, or any public place for that matter, because I know some parents are very bothered by them.

Unknown said...

Your boys look like they are really enjoying the cultural things a little to much :)

Theresa Mahoney said...

I have pictures of Allison and my niece and nephew shooting a B B gun. I didn't share those because I didn't want to hear the negativity that would come from sharing them. I see nothing wrong with responsible gun ownership. It's not my place to criticize those who do or do not own or use a gun.

Eat To Live said...

We grew up with a gun or guns in our house. They stood in the corner of my parents bedroom and we knew we had better not touch them. I think kids should know about guns... touch them feel them and know how dangerous they can be.

Masshole Mommy said...

My kids have toy guns and I think as long as they know the dangers of real guns, that is what is important.

~ Noelle said...

broxton has a couple toy guns now.. but it took until last year for me to let him have them...
long story on that... but - we talk to him about issues with guns all the time

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