Tube City Almanac

April 25, 2011

You'll Get a Bang Out of It!

Category: Cartoons, Commentary/Editorial, Sarcastic? Moi? || By

© 2011 Jason Togyer for Tube City Almanac


I guess I'm the only one who finds it ironic that the National Rifle Association convention (featuring "Acres of Guns and Gear," according to the billboards) is being held once again in Pittsburgh, in the shadow of the Hill District, and adjacent to the North Side --- two neighborhoods devastated by gun violence.

Of course, you know, the real problem is that the police and prosecutors aren't enforcing the existing gun laws.

You've seen Pennsylvania's existing gun laws, haven't you? They're written by leprechauns on the sides of unicorns.

Speaking of irony, someone was raving to me recently about the elaborate, by-invitation-only gun bashes held at the Braddock Volunteer Fire Department, which --- if my correspondent can be believed --- include shapely gun-toting female models, showing off their equipment, so to speak.

Now, I don't have any first-hand information, because I've never had a ticket to a gun bash. I'm lucky if I can wrangle admission to the church fish fry. But personally, I've always thought that one of the main problems plaguing Braddock has been "not enough guns."

Seriously, having a gun bash in a poverty-stricken Mon Valley borough is kind of like holding a brick-throwing contest next to a window factory, isn't it?

And if "an armed society is a polite society," then I guess those aren't "drive-by shootings," they're merely "motorized differences of opinion." Hand me my Glock, ma, and a 31-round clip! I'm going to a polite exchange of ideas!

. . .

Opinions expressed at Tube City Almanac are those of the authors, and not necessarily those of Tube City Community Media Inc. or its directors. Responsible replies are welcome.

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Feedback on “You'll Get a Bang Out of It!”

I am an occasional attendee of that unique area institution, the gun bash. The last one I went to raised money for the West Mifflin Lions. These events are always well-attended, with a diverse crowd that has a mix of men, woman, veterans, fire fighters and law enforcement, educators, as well as local political leaders.

My state representative (and yours too) usually attends and hands out sighting targets, gun locks and firearms safety literature. I suspect he knows what he’s doing. He’s an avid hunter and hasn’t blown a toe off yet.

The rumors you’ve heard about young ladies selling tickets of chance are positively true. I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t mention the more matronly women who also ply the hall, engaging in the same activity.

If you’re lucky enough to win a firearm, a background check is done right there and if you don’t pass, you receive nothing. And at the gun bash, an important functional element is always missing – ammunition.

Whatever your opinion on it, gun culture is indeed alive and well around here. I personally would only become concerned if that M-55 155 mm self-propelled howitzer parked in front of Anthony Arms on Lebanon Church Road becomes one of the raffle items.

Take care! Let me know if you ever want to attend one of these things.
Sgt. Mike - April 26, 2011



I have no problem with gun bashes, and I am a gun owner. A gun bash, in principle, is really no different than a craft show, or a model train sale, or a radio “hamfest,” all of which I’ve attended. They are legal products, being sold and swapped among enthusiasts and buffs.

(And the larger ham radio trade shows — including Dayton Hamvention, which I will be attending again this year — have booth babes.)

I just can’t help finding the idea of holding a gun bash in Braddock ironic. That’s kind of a “sending coal to Newcastle” situation, isn’t it?

And thanks for the invite. I’m thinking about putting in a bid on that Howitzer myself. I’ve got rabbits under my front porch and nothing else has worked.
Webmaster - April 26, 2011



I think we can find some find humor or irony in the billboards because the media has convinced us that “guns are bad”....and to see those signs in a “bad” area IS kind of silly. Then again, those areas tend to be where many people travel through to get to the better areas…so maybe its just marketing.

To quote the old cliche – “Guns dont kill people….people kill people.”

Aren’t the “gun bashes in Braddock” specific events held in order to raise funds and support for various folks, like the firefighters?

These are not events where gang-bangers are invited. They are for legitimate people interested in firearms whether for hobby, protection or both.

Whether owning a gun improves ones safety or not is whole other topic of debate.

But why is a gun show in Braddock any more dangerous or ironic than having legal bars or liquor stores there?

Does any depressed town need more drunks stumbling around?

I am less worried about the gun bashes and more concerned about things like parking lots outside of bars … you aren’t supposed to drink and drive, why have a parking lot??

That to me, is more ironic and more of a concern than citizens looking at and possibly legally buying firearms at a gun show.

I would be curious to see what the numbers look like when comparing the number of people accidentally killed or injured by legitimately owned firearms used by their owners versus those people killed or injured by people drinking and driving.
Shadango - April 26, 2011



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