Article Regarding: Guns (an Essay By Stephen King)

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What is so hard to grasp? He started off in “GUNS” with some commons sense in the piece, but quickly moved to why the NRA and guns were evil. King has glorified violence and tragedy in his books to make money, which one can't deny. His profits (or whatever you want to call them) from the sale of “GUNS” was going to the Brady Foundation, which is all about Gun Control. I don’t understand the idea that some might have a problem with the profits of King’s work going to such an organization, is so hard to comprehend, especially since he has made so much money off the subject in his books.
Perhaps you need to reread my comment. I didn't say I couldn't grasp people disagreeing with it; I said I don't understand why people went to EXTREMES about it. Kind of like you're doing.
 

DiO'Bolic

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Perhaps you need to reread my comment. I didn't say I couldn't grasp people disagreeing with it; I said I don't understand why people went to EXTREMES about it. Kind of like you're doing.
I guess one person’s EXTREME is another’s affront to the US Constitution.

Some take greater issue with affronts against the Second Amendment, while other’s take greater issue with affronts against the First Amendment.
 

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I guess one person’s EXTREME is another’s affront to the US Constitution.

Some take greater issue with affronts against the Second Amendment, while other’s take greater issue with affronts against the First Amendment.
And to some the ridiculousness of the interpretation of the Second Amendment is taken is an affront when innocent people are being killed because they are unwilling to allow even the slightest protections to be put in place.
 

M&P15

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. :smile2: Personally I don't see why his writing should make a difference with any group as the majority of it is fictional and the characters aren't always a direct representation of him or his ideologies.

I agree totally. I think if this was the case I'd prefer Koontz because I heard somewhere that his political beliefs are more in line with mine but dang it .....he's just not quite as good as Stephen King. (I'll bet no one here disagrees with me on that)

That people get their panties in a wad because of something he wrote just doesn't make sense to me. That even extends to the Guns essay, though. He had an opinion which he voiced and if someone reads it and then agrees with it or decides it's not to their liking is their right to do so but to take it to the extremes that some did, I have a hard time wrapping my head around.

I think it is just human.

Would you be able to in good conscience, support an actor or musician you used to love if they came out against something you felt very strongly about and financially supported those groups? Something like abortion or gay marriage?

I guess some are better than others at separating the singer from the song, especially when they agree with them.

Whether right or wrong, people on all sides generally think that those in political opposition are actually causing damage to the country they love. That's why it's so hard to find civility.

Take a look at Jenny McCarthy. it seems to me that she may have influenced a lot of anti-vaxxers and by doing so, endangered all of us, and why? Does she have any real expertise? No, but she does have an audience.

Oh well, I still like Stephen King books and still think Ted Nugent is an idiot who makes lousy music. Of course I always did LOL
 
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M&P15

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I guess one person’s EXTREME is another’s affront to the US Constitution.
I always found it funny that the buzz word "extreme" is used to label those who like things they way they are and not those who constantly demand radical transformation.

It's just a weaponized word we all ought to quit using.
 

DiO'Bolic

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And to some the ridiculousness of the interpretation of the Second Amendment is taken is an affront when innocent people are being killed because they are unwilling to allow even the slightest protections to be put in place.
And some would consider that EXTREME also, being as there are lots of protections and regulations already in place.
 

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I agree totally. I think if this was the case I'd prefer Koontz because I heard somewhere that his political beliefs are more in line with mine but dang it .....he's just not quite as good as Stephen King. (I'll bet no one here disagrees with me on that)



I think it is just human.

Would you be able to in good conscience support an actor or musician you used to love if they came out against something you felt very strongly about and financially supported those groups? Something like abortion or gay marriage?

I guess some are better than others at separating the singer from the song, especially when they agree with them.

Whether right or wrong, people on all sides generally think that those in political opposition are actually causing damage to the country they love. That's why it's so hard to find civility.

Take a look at Jenny McCarthy. it seems to me that she may have influenced a lot of anti-vaxxers and by doing so, endangered all of us, and why? Does she have any real expertise? No, but she does have an audience.

Oh well, I still like Stephen King books and still think Ted Nugent is an idiot who makes lousy music. Of course I always did LOL
I don't have a problem with either abortion or gay marriage so those wouldn't be hot buttons for me. There are companies I won't support because of their bringing their owners' personal views into the workplace but I do it on a personal level. I wouldn't go to their web sites and post nasty comments about them. That's the difference I'm trying to voice here, i.e. the level of vitriol that was directed at him because of his views.
 

M&P15

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I don't have a problem with either abortion or gay marriage so those wouldn't be hot buttons for me. There are companies I won't support because of their bringing their owners' personal views into the workplace but I do it on a personal level. I wouldn't go to their web sites and post nasty comments about them. That's the difference I'm trying to voice here, i.e. the level of vitriol that was directed at him because of his views.
I understand what you mean but hey, everyone thinks everyone else is "entitled to my opinion."
 

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I understand what you mean but hey, everyone thinks everyone else is "entitled to my opinion."
Agreed. If there was a little more agreeing to disagree, the world would be a lot less stressful place to live in.
 

M&P15

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Not nearly enough as it keeps happening in many instances when it needn't have when it could have been prevented with more in place.

This might be the whole issue. So many of us don't think these things would have been prevented with any of the proposed measures.
 

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This might be the whole issue. So many of us don't think these things would have been prevented with any of the proposed measures.
And that to me is the problem. Just my opinion. And perhaps the numerous other countries that have them in place and have much lower incidents of violent deaths.
 
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DiO'Bolic

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I don't have a problem with either abortion or gay marriage so those wouldn't be hot buttons for me. There are companies I won't support because of their bringing their owners' personal views into the workplace but I do it on a personal level. I wouldn't go to their web sites and post nasty comments about them. That's the difference I'm trying to voice here, i.e. the level of vitriol that was directed at him because of his views.
What better place to go then the source? And you keep focusing on his views, but there is a second part to the uproar, that I already mentioned gave some greater issue.
 

M&P15

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I don't have a problem with either abortion or gay marriage so those wouldn't be hot buttons for me. There are companies I won't support because of their bringing their owners' personal views into the workplace but I do it on a personal level. I wouldn't go to their web sites and post nasty comments about them. That's the difference I'm trying to voice here, i.e. the level of vitriol that was directed at him because of his views.

I think you are seeing the dilemma conservative King fans face, and why they can get so upset. They love Stephen king and then find out he is nothing like them and might even hold them in contempt.

They don't want to turn their back on someone who is such a part of their lives, but they can't help but feel conflicted so I guess they lash out.

You end up coming to terms with it. Me, by just saying I don't care what he thinks about guns, he's a writer not a criminologist, but what a writer!!!
 
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hossenpepper

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Someone was asking why it seems more progressive people tend to flock to SK's writing. I don't think it's just SK. It's writers in general. more educated people tend to be readers and stats show more educated people tend to be more progressive or centrists. Not espousing an endorsement of anything, it's just what research shows as to why this is the case with the political spectrum. Obviously, that's not 100%, but in general I've found it to be true for any group that follows an author closely.

Also, the notion that SK shouldn't express an opinion on guns and gun violence because he's put some in his books is a bit silly, frankly. He writes about society. Are guns and gun violence not part of that? Should he also keep his mouth shut about dogs because he made money off Cujo? Or any of the other topics he's made the center of a story? And if one who makes their living from guns has an opinion, should they also keep quiet and with hold that opinion?

The idea he shouldn't talk about guns because he made money from stories that had gun violence in them is a very illogical point.
 

DiO'Bolic

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You got me on that one. Shouldn't have used the word "right" as it implies permission needing to be given. A**holes are protected by the First Amendment to voice their opinions just as much as the next person. ;)
LOL. Look what some here have said about me and called me. Do you think they're right to disabuse me personally to such an extent? ;)
 

hossenpepper

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And to add, that's also saying that SK's stories ENDORSE violence, and as such, it is hypocritical for him to opine on this topic. I've never felt that was the case. In fact, his stories are terrifying because he makes it clear how horrific violence is. He is not in any way, a supporter of violence. Which is the crux of such an opinion.