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General Discussion

Isoldeblue

(1,135 posts) Sat Jan 19, 2013, 10:29 PM Jan 2013

Can guns be an addiction? [View all]

Listening to the visceral reactions from those that oppose any sort of gun reform, makes me wonder if their intense response is from an addiction to guns. Much the same as cigs, alcohol or drugs. It's as if these people can't get enough guns to own and then still want bigger, better and more powerful.

While I hear some say it's their freedoms that they don't want to lose, it sounds somewhat hollow to me.... I think it's just a handy excuse to use, to keep all their "toys".

What are your thoughts on this?

27 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Can guns be an addiction? [View all] Isoldeblue Jan 2013 OP

I think guns can be like Pokemon cards. ZombieHorde Jan 2013 #1

Consider the comparison though.... Isoldeblue Jan 2013 #10

This one very good reason for the CDC to get involved! MightyMopar Jan 2013 #2

Would you consider Jay Leno 'addicted to cars' ? PoliticAverse Jan 2013 #3

Absolutely, yes. I don't mean that in a bad way........... Isoldeblue Jan 2013 #6

"Collecting items can trigger obsessive-compulsive disorder" PoliticAverse Jan 2013 #9

But can you see a difference in people's reaction, feeling threatened with losing their guns... Isoldeblue Jan 2013 #11

They've been a habit and cultural attribute, in some places, compare urban/rural, elleng Jan 2013 #4

With the caveat that I have no psychology expertise, it would seem to me that petronius Jan 2013 #5

I disagree Isoldeblue Jan 2013 #13

Dialogue is great. But when you're coming up with clinical explanations for petronius Jan 2013 #17

Anyone Isoldeblue Jan 2013 #19

Addiction is a clinical thing, and not trivial petronius Jan 2013 #20

That is not what I meant at all Isoldeblue Jan 2013 #21

Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, because I do agree with President Clinton, and petronius Jan 2013 #24

Kinda like that. moondust Jan 2013 #7

YES YES YES Robyn66 Jan 2013 #8

Possibly. Maybe we can put them in rehabilitation facilities and turn them into decent people. nt Comrade_McKenzie Jan 2013 #12

Yes. Anything can be. Especially when adreniline is involved. morningfog Jan 2013 #14

I've seen people completely obsessed with their gun collections - so yes. tjwash Jan 2013 #15

Nnnnnnope cherokeeprogressive Jan 2013 #16

Of course. Like any other item people may covet... jmg257 Jan 2013 #18

They can definitely be an obsession. Incitatus Jan 2013 #22

Yes. I also believe that many NRA apologists show many signs of mental illness and madinmaryland Jan 2013 #23

Ah, the beauty of psychology: Anyone can play the game, and the loser gets punished righteously. Eleanors38 Jan 2013 #25

I think fear can be an addiction. nt Nay Jan 2013 #26

Post removed Post removed Feb 2013 #27