The Creative Community Takes on Gun Violence

[SecularMotion]

Earlier this month, I joined dozens of my colleagues in the creative community to take a stand against the gun violence that has insidiously become routine in the United States.

We are actors and artists, but we are American citizens first. We have a role to play and a responsibility to do more to prevent these tragedies. We are anxious to do our part to galvanize more Americans and find ways to help in the effort for sensible reforms. Our new Creative Council is part of Everytown and you can see a list of members and read about our organizing principles right here.

We're acting now because, for too long, the gun debate in this country has focused on choosing a side: pro-gun or anti-gun. That is simply a false choice. We respect the Second Amendment but keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of convicted criminals, terrorists, domestic abusers, stalkers and dangerous people isn't anti-gun; it's pro-common sense.

The ways that we reduced auto fatalities can serve as a model for how we can reduce gun violence.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julianne-moore/the-creative-community-ta_b_8409060.html

[ileus]

1. Bloomie bought some more supporters I see.

[friendly_iconoclast]

11. Doubtful they were bought, this is merely celebrity slacktivism

[SCantiGOP]

2. Completely sensible position

How can anyone - unless their livelihood depends on the sale of weapons and ammunition - disagree?

[Straw Man]

4. Completely hypocritical position ...

... from those among them whose livelihood depends on the glorification of gun violence in their movies.



http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Julianne_Moore

Everybody agrees that the violence is deplorable -- even those whose "livelihood depends on the sale of weapons and ammunition." What they disagree on is how to reduce the violence.

[SCantiGOP]

9. What???

Talk about irony. You might want to look up the definition of a "straw man."

[friendly_iconoclast]

10. Ms. Moore has indeed derived income from portrayals of gun violence...

...and there is no mention of her renouncing such roles

[Straw Man]

14. I think it's pretty clear.

Talk about irony. You might want to look up the definition of a "straw man."

A straw man is a common form of argument and is an informal fallacy based on giving the impression of refuting an opponent's argument, while actually refuting an argument which was not advanced by that opponent.

-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man

Nope. I don't see where I've done that. Perhaps you could point it out.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

15. And in the spririt of...

...the group which created such gems as "heat seeking bullets" and "shoulder thing that goes up" just accept any terminology offered along with an implied "you know what I mean".

[Silicosys4]

17. I can easily disagree.

I earn a living as a glass blower, and I consider myself as an artist. I even have an Arts degree, as well as one in science. I have considerable experience in the vocal arts, having sung in college level choirs extensively.
I do consider myself to be an artistic person, and my parents, particularly my mother, helped to actively encourage an interest in whatever artistic endeavors that interested me.
I also have a considerable gun collection, which was another hobby that my parents introduced me to and encouraged me to pursue if it interested me.

I find this position taken by the author, that firearms and an appreciation for and practice of arts are mutually exclusive, to be naive and smacks of an assumed air of superiority.

Firearms in themselves can be a work of art, if made with extreme attention to detail, innovation, and execution. Many artists, myself included, wish they were in the same artistic league as a finely engraved custom European shotgun or double rifle, which can easily exceed $100k. I wish I could command that kind of price for my work, and those guns are worth it.

So no, art and guns aren't mutually exclusive.

[gejohnston]

18. One of my high school teachers was a transplant from NYC

the only gun he ever saw was the one his brother carried on "the job". His wife was from rural PA. His neighbor was a custom gunsmith. During a class discussion, someone asked what it was like for him living in Wyoming, where most people own guns. His answer was something like, "through out history, man has put most of his artistic talent in two things. Religious buildings and personal weapons, or to be more modern, his churches and guns."

[Duckhunter935]

3. Lets see if they stop

Participating in movies that have gun violence involved.

[petronius]

7. They don't have to stop, they just have to make sure that their protagonists all

model 'good' behavior. For example, when Action Hero encounters a situation where a firearm is necessary*, s/he will head down to the local police department to apply for a permit-to-purchase, provide three letters of reference and a report of psychiatric fitness from an approved professional, take an intensive training course during the 30-45 days in which the local authorities are conducting a thorough background check, purchase a gun safe and trigger lock, inform the neighbors and the parents of children's friends that they are now a 'gun household,' research the history and social responsibility characteristics of their chosen firearm manufacturer and licensed dealer, insist on a personalized 'smart' gun, and wait 10 business days (as a cooling off period) before taking possession.

Movies will be a tad bit more boring, but at least a responsible message will be sent!

* Obviously, the main character will have also have several conversations in which it is made clear that a gun is never really necessary, but whatever is happening in the movie is a super-special mega-unusual case.

[Duckhunter935]

8. Sounds like a good plan

[Eleanors38]

5. Reese Witherspoon appears on cover of latest "Garden & Gun."

[virginia mountainman]

6. I really get a kick out of the anti's tag line...

We respect the 2nd Amendment BUT...............

Wonder how they would react too....

We respect the 1st Amendment BUT.....

The hypocrisy is powerful with them..

[beevul]

13. Ahh yes, the infamous 'second amendment but'...N/T

[DonP]

16. "Everything before 'but' is Bullshit ..."

One of my grown son's favorite expressions and surprisingly accurate for this and so many other statements.

[friendly_iconoclast]

12. Her views should be given the same weight as those of Ted Nugent- none