March 14, 2004
Shooting sports vs video games
News from Scotland:
A senior minister has been condemned for suggesting that it is preferable for children to be taught to use shotguns and rifles rather than to play video games.Reasonable people may disagree about gun regulation, but it seems things in the UK have tipped pretty far into irrationality if such remarks provoke outrage. I do recall reading about the difficulties faced in recent years by the British Olympic shooting teams; this puts their travails into perspective.Speaking on Friday, the eve of the eighth anniversary of the Dunblane massacre, rural affairs minister Alun Michael said learning to use guns for clay-pigeon shooting or vermin control on farms promoted discipline and responsibility among young people.
Last week Patrick Mercer, the Conservative homeland security spokesman, sparked calls for his resignation when he made similar comments.
Note that this is not a simple European vs American divide. The UK is in a class of its own when it comes to its urban vs rural divisions: one just doesn't seem to find anything parallel on the Continent to the British hostility to hunting, let alone (legal) shooting sports.
Posted by David on March 14, 2004 2:12 PM
I'm under the impression this is especially true in Scotland and Wales. While all of the UK can be classed as 'on the left', when the meter is applied to Scotland and Wales it pegs MUCH farther to the left.
Among the post modern left, guns are the ultimate in reactionary paraphenelia. Only the state may use force. Ever. Even defending yourself when attacked on the street borders on a crime. Much better to be beaten to death and be cannonized as a 'victim', which among the left is the equivalent of attaining sainthood.
Posted by: Michael Hiteshew on March 14, 2004 8:44 PM
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