The A-Team!

[Geeeyejo]

Came home from work yesterday and my son and friend were playing commandos. Took a few when I had the chance - my guy is in the white T-shirt.

[holly1230_11]

kind of disturbing if you ask me.

[Geeeyejo]

Actually boys have been playing "guns" as far back as my distant childhood and even way before that I would assume. It is as natural as lion cubs "play fighting" to express their developing masculinity. Perhaps I should confiscate the offending plastic weapons (with bright orange safety barrels) and give them a few Barbies to play with... Quite franklly, I am happy that my son exhibits normal "male behavior", he will be supervised to ensure that he does not turn into a serial killer or other sociopath...

[Geeeyejo]

Here's another with a few insurgent, ragged individuals held for questioning...

[Dante King]

Right ON!

[Markus]

As far as I am concerned: this forum is about (Canon) pictures.
Now for example, I hate to see a crocodile catch some cute antilope, or whatever, but if it is a good picture, it can be posted here, I think.
Political correctness is not relevant.
Also there are lot's of pics shown here, from people proud of something (kids, dogs, etc). Nothing wrong with that either, or?
Just my two cents...

[Andy_T]

Actually boys have been playing "guns" as far back as my distant childhood and even way before that I would assume.

I agree with that.
Have you seen the movie 'Bowling for Columbine'?
There are a lot of kids in the US who don't have to put up with cheap fake weapons, but rather have access to the real thing.
*That* is disturbing to me.

Best regards,
Andy

[D Boone]

Please stop with the politics, or I will be forced to start posting some REAL gun photos. My daughter is due in 2 weeks and she already has her first gun on the wall. As a US Citizen, its my RIGHT, protected by my CONSTITUTION. If you live in a country that confiscated your guns to make you safer, I feel sorry for you. Leave this guy alone. His kids are NORMAL!!!

[Steve Parr]

My friends and I used to play with toy guns when we were about the same age as the lads in the picture above.

None of us have ever ended up in a clock tower with a scope...

Steve

[Cash--]

As far as I am concerned: this forum is about (Canon) pictures.
Now for example, I hate to see a crocodile catch some cute antilope, or whatever, but if it is a good picture, it can be posted here, I think.
Political correctness is not relevant.
Also there are lot's of pics shown here, from people proud of something (kids, dogs, etc). Nothing wrong with that either, or?
Just my two cents...


quoted for truth!

Btw, those were some cute pics.

[Andy_T]

D Boone,

First of all ... congratulations on the upcoming birth of your daughter!

I hope that you will wait, however, with handing the gun over to her until she is old enough to know what to do with it and stable enough to be entrusted with it.

I certainly wouldn't allow my 2-year-old anywhere near my (locked) guns within the next 10 years.
Instead, he will certainly get a toy gun as soon as he is old enough to understand how you can play with that :D

But that's not so much politics for me, in my opinion, but rather common sense :rolleyes:

Best regards,
Andy

[D Boone]

Andy, my guns are locked also. Her's is too. It just happens to be out on display. On a side note, none of mine or my fathers ever were. I was instilled at a very young age with respect. Respect for other people, animals, nature, and firearms at a very, very early age. The problem with guns in our country is less a problem with guns and more a problem with parents. I think the same way with cars. If someone posted a pick of a 16 year old with their new car, It would make me cringe, but I wouldn't post such insults to the parent. I am perhaps overly sensitive to certain critiques of peoples posts that I think are fine posts. As this is an internationaly diverse crowd, I understand the differing views, and understand that a rural, southern guy from North Carolina, can come off as having a world view that is particularly narrow. Fortunatly it is not, I just feel like sometimes that people from different countries come down particularly hard on any post which contains a firearm. Things which in this country do not carry the same stigma that a lot of european countries associate with them. Sorry, just a sore nerve in there some where...

[Andy_T]

I see that we agree on this one to a very large extent :D

Best regards,
Andy

[stoneylonesome]

Those are good shots, and in my opinion, based on the comments, this is what photograpy and a good photo is all about, to stir up emotions, feelings and good open debate, so in that regard GOOD JOB. I too agree with D. Boone. born and brought up with them taught at a very early age to respect them for the TOOL that they are and to always respect people and nature as a whole...

[Geeeyejo]

Thanks for all the feedback and support! Actually, I posted the pics because I liked them - not to make a political statement!
Regards,
Gee

[Ballen Photo]

Nice catches! Makes me wonder if that's how I looked when I was a kid playing with my friends. :shock:
-Bruce

[drisley]

As a US Citizen, its my RIGHT, protected by my CONSTITUTION. If you live in a country that confiscated your guns to make you safer, I feel sorry for you.
:lol: Watch Bowling For Columbine. :lol:

[norcal99]

Nice catches! Makes me wonder if that's how I looked when I was a kid playing with my friends. :shock:
-Bruce

<-- 21 and still plays with airsoft rifles :lol:

Great photos nonetheless!

[stoneylonesome]

:lol: Watch Bowling For Columbine. :lol:

pack of lies like everything he produces..

[Ballen Photo]

pack of lies like everything he produces..

SURELY you wouldn't suggest there might be propaganda or someones personal agenda written into a movie script? :lol: :lol: :lol:
-Bruce

[holly1230_11]

wow - i didn't mean to get so many people with their panties all tied in a bunch over my comment. it had nothing to do with your son or your photography skills. this is a forum where people put their comments...i put my comment and i do think its' disturbing...and that's my opinion. you can also have yours.

[aam1234]

Gee, noticed a big change from your P&S photos to your new toy (10D). DSLR's are cool aren't they.

[drisley]

pack of lies like everything he produces..
Keep telling yourself that.
The numbers don't lie. The looser the gun control in a country, the more murders.
The number of murders due to handguns in the US absoluetly DWARF those in other countries. It's a hard statistical fact. Americans and their "it's my right to own a gun" really makes the rest of the world laugh. I mean, their are cities in the US where it's illegal NOT to own a handgun, even if you are blind!
I might add though that the pictures of the kids with toy guns is not disturbing to me though. I too grew up playing with toy guns.

[DocFrankenstein]

their are cities in the US where it's illegal NOT to own a handgun, even if you are blind!
Yeah... and there's ONE city like that in the US.

They used to be the second highest murder capital in the USA...

Guess how many murder have been committed there since 1992?

One. With a steak knife.

If columbine school was located in texas... or if there was at least one kid per class packing heat... the number of dead kids in that accident would have been minimal.

[stoneylonesome]

Keep telling yourself that.
The numbers don't lie. The looser the gun control in a country, the more murders.
The number of murders due to handguns in the US absoluetly DWARF those in other countries. It's a hard statistical fact. Americans and their "it's my right to own a gun" really makes the rest of the world laugh. I mean, their are cities in the US where it's illegal NOT to own a handgun, even if you are blind!
I might add though that the pictures of the kids with toy guns is not disturbing to me though. I too grew up playing with toy guns.

An excerpt from an aticle just written by John Lott
"More generally, though, it is strange that Rand points to one case as evidence that deterrence doesn't work. In the book, The Bias Against Guns, Bill Landes of the University of Chicago Law School and I examine multiple-victim public shootings in the United States from 1977 to 1999 and find that when states passed right-to-carry laws, these attacks fell by 60 percent. Deaths and injuries from multiple-victim public shootings fell on average by 78 percent."

John Lott is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and the author of The Bias Against Guns (Regnery 2003) and More Guns, Less Crime (University of Chicago Press 2000).

This really isn't the place for this discusion, It does prove my point how powerful a photo can be, we are all intitled to our opinions and to voice them, But remember "figures don't lie, but liars figure" :lol: :lol:

[DocFrankenstein]

In reply to the actual thread:
I was hoping it was an AR-15 receiver as a bday present :(

I don't know which I prefer more - toy guns, and kids playing war and shooting each other playfully... Or real guns, respect for them and ability, skill and knowledge to handle them... if a situation arises.

Cheers

[Geeeyejo]

Thanks AAM1234 - the DSLR certainly is inspiring me more and allowing me to get better quality crops and certainly better focused indoor shots! Glad to see this post inspired some intelligent discussion on the topic too!

[D Boone]

Keep telling yourself that.
The numbers don't lie. The looser the gun control in a country, the more murders.
The number of murders due to handguns in the US absoluetly DWARF those in other countries. It's a hard statistical fact. Americans and their "it's my right to own a gun" really makes the rest of the world laugh. I mean, their are cities in the US where it's illegal NOT to own a handgun, even if you are blind!
I might add though that the pictures of the kids with toy guns is not disturbing to me though. I too grew up playing with toy guns.


I personally don't care if they laugh, their country didn't inshrine their right to one in a founding document.

I doubt there are many laws on the books forbidding a blind man from owning a car either, however if he drives that car in a public place, he would/could problably be arrested for public endangerment at the very least. Much like if he discharged the firearm he might own?!?

[Woten]

I like how you were able to capture their determination. They are truly focused kids. Great shots!!!

[HJMinard]

"Those who would sacrifice a little freedom for temporal safety deserve neither to be safe or free.” - Benjamin Franklin

[Geeeyejo]

I like how you were able to capture their determination. They are truly focused kids. Great shots!!!

Thanks Woten - This is one instance where a "posed" shot worked for me. Often the kids put on the "say cheese" smile and I end up with a nearly identical pic to the previous 100!
Regards,
Gee

[karusel]

Forgive me to skip reading the 'I have a right to own a flamethrower and a 17 rounds
per second automatic to protect myself from people who own a flamethrower and a 17 rounds per second automatic' vs. 'guns don't kill, triggerhappy stupid people who were allowed to own guns kill' debate.

I disagree for the shots to be disturbing, kids just play, were you never a kid, holly?

Anywho, I can't really comment on the photos, as they obviously have no major artistic value, but the kid in hte white T-shirt reminds me of Private Gomer Pyle from Full Metal Jacket. :D

[mattg]

I have a thought here... since this site is to post photos, advice and to enjoy common pleasure of photography we all share... why don't we all stick to the purpose of this site and not get hung up on personal political opinions. Whats next, religion, sexual preference, who's favorite color is better. I too have a stong opinion about politics, religion, etc. but would prefer this site to be a happy place!

Well that's my 2.5 cents... Have a great day.

Matt

[Geeeyejo]

Forgive me to skip reading the 'I have a right to own a flamethrower and a 17 rounds
per second automatic to protect myself from people who own a flamethrower and a 17 rounds per second automatic' vs. 'guns don't kill, triggerhappy stupid people who were allowed to own guns kill' debate.

I disagree for the shots to be disturbing, kids just play, were you never a kid, holly?

Anywho, I can't really comment on the photos, as they obviously have no major artistic value, but the kid in hte white T-shirt reminds me of Private Gomer Pyle from Full Metal Jacket. :D

Gee, thanks Karusel for the "Double Dis"
After reviewing the shots in your gallery, I see how qualified you are to comment on artistic value - I am humbled in your presence - NOT. As for my son resembling a mentally deranged, Stanley Kubric character - not very nice, and certainly not a good way to make friends in my world...

[HJMinard]

Forgive me to skip reading the 'I have a right to own a flamethrower and a 17 rounds per second automatic to protect myself from people who own a flamethrower and a 17 rounds per second automatic' vs. 'guns don't kill, triggerhappy stupid people who were allowed to own guns kill' debate.

Edit: Nevermind (if you don't have anything nice to say ...)

[CyberDyneSystems]

Politics and Gun ownership rights are not subjects for this forum or thread

If you wish to debate such topics please take it elsewhere.

I'm sure all Geeyeejo wanted to do was post some nice pics of his kids.

Thank you for understanding

[karusel]

As for the double dis, I was just being honest and direct :o... no need to return fire this way (pun unintended), I think. I really wouldn't mind sharp and possibly 'dissing' critique of my shots, but not drive-by payback style.

As for the Stanley Kubrick, obviously I meant the visual, not any other similarity - the forementioned private is the first image that popped into my mind after seeing the first photo in this thread.

Er.. I'll shut up now. :(

[Geeeyejo]

Karusel,

Ok- it was a bit of a knee jerk reaction on my part - actually did like some of the "shots" in your gallery. Just don't go beating on my son with bars of soap in sweatsocks... :lol:
Peace

[karusel]

soap in sweatsocks...

Good one! :D

Agreed.

Also, I admit I was out of the line (slightly), sorry.

[poke]

Good to see kids doing something they enjoy other than watching TV, or playing video games.