Stupid BUTT-UGLY gun got me in trouble with loved one...

*fracka fracka fracka*

So it started this morning when I was at the grocery store with my cousin. Not an anti, but not a 'pro' either, kinda neutral in the whole gun thing. I saw the latest issue of (IIRC) Combat Handguns. There was definitely a "tacticooled-up" S&W M&P TRR8 on the cover with some kind of scope/sight on top and a light under the barrel.

But underneath it was some kind of autoloader with a dark finish - but the handle and triggerguard had some kind of strange textured brown or red finish to it.

So I goes up to her and show her and say, "Isn't that the ugliest gun you ever laid eyes on?"

She says "I don't think ANY guns are pretty."

It takes me a good while to form a reply which I thought would be kinda humorous, and I sent it to her via email. I pointed out that, as a straight man, I'm not too interested in the looks of a certain actor she likes - BUT I do have to admit that said actor is good-looking.

Apparently something was lost in translation, or I hit a nerve, she just e-ripped me a new orifice about how it's not a valid comparison.

I think it's the latter, like she thinks that I think she's obsessive in her fandom - which ISN'T the case. But this kinda hurt:

If you think it's a valid argument (clearly you do) to compare my fan-ness to your being a rabid gun enthusiast, knock yourself out.

Click to expand...

Hey, what can I say though? Is it a BAD thing to be a rabid gun enthusiast?

We'll both get over it, I'm sure. Just wanted to share, I feel like there's a laugh to be had in here somewhere.

...Plus, I kinda want someone who's seen the book to tell me WHO made that other gun on the cover of that mag, I'm considering forwarding this to them and telling them the trouble that their durn ugly shootin' iron got me in!

ETA - I *want* a TRR8, but it was pretty ugly in that configuration too. Though I didn't hold that against the Smith, I knew it could be remedied with a toning-down of the add-ons!

Oh believe me, I understand it takes MORE than blood to make "family."

But, this spat aside, she's probably one of my best friends.

She can be QUITE thin-skinned, and like I said I think I've hit a nerve with her. Let's just say that there ARE some crazy fangirls out there, and I suppose she thinks I'm lumping her in with 'em.

In other words, I think it may just be more about HER than ME.

I also guess that since (per her preferences) we almost never talk about guns, I might have erred on how she really stands with them.

I mean, she has one herself in case of a break-in - albeit a small .22 revolver. Forget talking to her about buying something more effective, I'd be willing to give or at least LOAN her something of mine, but she shuts me out if I start talking about it. Long before I can get to the part where I say she needs something that'll knock someone DOWN, not probably kill him several days later from an infection!

(Yes, I know, it's better than nothing - but only if it does not give a FALSE sense of security as I fear it might...)

We shot together, once. Sometime between July and September of 2001. My old Taurus Model 94 .22. I've offered to let her do it again, but no dice.

Honestly, and depressingly, I think the only reason she did the first time was because she felt sorry for me because my mother was dying of cancer.

^^^ LOL, great point! But then again, I doubt I'll ever be able to own EVERY gun I'm enthused about.

BTW, the actor is none other than David Tennant - "Doctor Who."

(I was loath to post it at first, but in the unlikely event she follows me around the 'net, my moniker and that snip from her email would be enough for her to figure it out anyway... )

I dunno - in this new series, I wonder if the Sonic Screwdriver isn't limited only by the Doctor's imagination? (like the GL power ring) "Open the door, setting 57! Reattach that barbed wire, setting 2,453!"

Anyway, we talked again yesterday and she's over what I said. And I'm over her calling me rabid, now that I know that SHE didn't mean it in a negative way.

She did reiterate that she's just uncomfortable talking about guns. While I understand her not liking the more "serious" subjects of armed self-defense, I wouldn't have thought that a remark over the total lack of visual appeal of one would disturb her...

Honestly, I never realized it was THAT bad. Of course, she's never shown much interest when I talk about a new acquisition or even have some pics mixed in with other pics (mainly for insurance purposes, really!)...

But nor does she show any interest in the latest news of awesome Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, or of the latest happenings in 'The Phantom' comic book, or other things I like and she don't.

I've not noticed that her reactions to gun things being any more 'extreme' than the "yeah, that's nice, whatever" vibe when it's not something she cares for.

(As opposed to something else she does not like to think about and I do, the concept of 'emergency preparedness... )

Hmm, hmm, and hmm.

Well, for the time being she's not mad and me and I'm not mad at her, that'll do for now.