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petronius

(26,580 posts)
20. Addiction is a clinical thing, and not trivial
Sun Jan 20, 2013, 12:39 AM
Jan 2013

If you only meant it in a casual and colloquial sense, you'll be insulting people to no purpose. But if you wonder whether true psychological addiction to firearms occurs at a rate sufficient to influence the national discussion, then my best guess is 'no', and I've seen no evidence to suggest otherwise.

I agree with you that an open and honest discussion about why people might choose to own and use firearms, and why they might resent/resist new gun control measures is of value. But I think that your approach it - basically suggesting that 'gun love' has its roots in illness - is counterproductive...

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
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