Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/02/27

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: [Leica] more gun portraits (let me know if you get tired of this)
From: mrvolvo at cableone.net (Randy Holst)
Date: Mon Feb 27 08:35:41 2006
References: <7629EB4795F39146A4D2ECC655CD68EA0747D790@asc02.asc.upenn.edu>

Luggers,

I can't stand it any more.  I've got to comment on this subject; not on 
the photographic technique, but on the nature of the subject matter.  If 
the photographer's intent was to paint a disturbing picture, he's done a 
good job.  Most of the people in these pictures give me the creeps.

Last year, I retired after 25 years as a police officer and crime scene 
investigator on the largest department in my state.  Much of my on duty 
time was spent photographing the aftermath of firearms related injuries 
and deaths, and I'm really glad I don't have to do it any more.  The 
overwhelming majority of these incidents were needless, senseless, and 
had nothing to do with self defense.

The effect of television, drug and gang cultures, and even urban legend 
has given many people in this country the idea that they really need a 
firearm for personal defense.  In a perfect world, this would make 
sense.  (But in a perfect world, you wouldn't need to worry about self 
defense.)  In the real world, the fact is that 99% of off-range 
discharges of "defense" firearms are accidents, suicides and homicides 
(in that order), the vast majority involving family, friends, or 
innocent bystanders.  Why?  Because people are basically stupid and 
irresponsible when it comes to guns.  Even the Vice President of the 
United States can't even follow basic firearm safety.  Taking a hunter 
safety course doesn't qualify a person for use of a personal defense gun 
any more than a driver's license qualifies that same person for NASCAR.

When you look at the photos of people and their guns, know that 
eventually some of them will injure or kill a family member they had 
intended to protect, long before they shoot a real "bad guy".  It's a 
fact, and it's scary.

Randy Holst
Boise, Idaho

In reply to: Message from KCassidy at asc.upenn.edu (Kyle Cassidy) ([Leica] more gun portraits (let me know if you get tired of this))