NEWS & COMMENTARY What's this thing about guns?



Why all those guns? Finally someone has done the nitty-gritty research to reveal what we have been thinking.



Here at the Beaufort Observer we have a software system that tells us which articles we post are most popular. We know how many people go to our Home Page. We know how many of those then click on a specific article to read more than what is just on the Home Page. We also know how much time readers spend on the target page (the full article that was clicked on from the Home Page. We also know where the reader goes when they leave that article (whether they click on links within the article).



Based on these data we can say one thing for sure. Readers of the Beaufort Observer like guns. In fact, they like gun stories more than they do anything else. And if you are interested, the second most popular articles are those about Sarah Palin. Then, of course, Obama comes in third. But lest you be tempted to think that it is just the readership of the Beaufort Observer that likes guns (and Palin), read on.



Frank Miniter, writing in Forbes has drilled down into the statistics of guns in America and what he has found is most interesting.



No, the reason for the surge in gun sales in recent months is not Barack Obama. To be sure the fear that he will somehow abolish the right to purchase, own or use a weapon is real for millions of people. But what Miniter discovered in the numbers is that the popularity of guns--ownership and use--began before Obama was elected president.



What you will also find in the article is that a major driving force behind the popularity of guns Is not so much fear (protection), although that is a big reason, but rather people enjoy shooting as a sport. As Miniter found out, shooting is one of the most popular Boy Scout merit badges and has been for years.



Several things can be said about the data Miniter uncovered. One of those things other than what we have already mentioned is that there is probably some validity to the oft-attributed statement of a high ranking Japanese official who is reported to have said shortly after Pearl Harbor "Japan must not attempt to invade the American homeland. There are way too many Americans who own guns for that idea to succeed." Whether that is exactly what he said or not gets lost in the translation and over the years, but the point remains as salient today as ever.



The idea that Americans enjoy shooting also speaks to the oft-asked question "why would anyone need an assault rifle?" The answer is in the numbers. They are fun to shoot. It is a sport. Don't knock it unless you've tried it. Try it and you make like it. There goes another AR 15 sale.



We know from tracking the reading interest of our readers that guns and gun stories resonate with many people. We also know they are very concerned about protecting their right to keep and bear arms. And for the gun phobics we would suggest that none of our readers has ever killed another person with a gun or even shot at another person.



And another thing that this article speaks to is the Politics of Guns. Not only do millions of Americans own guns and enjoy shooting them, they also "vote Guns." Take note Mr. and Mrs. Solon. The next time you are called upon to vote to taking guns away from people because some nut used a gun to kill somebody, remember if you vote to do so it would be like voted to take cars away from people because they kill so many people. Do so only at your political peril.



to read the Forbes story. Why all those guns? Finally someone has done the nitty-gritty research to reveal what we have been thinking.Here at thewe have a software system that tells us which articles we post are most popular. We know how many people go to our Home Page. We know how many of those then click on a specific article to read more than what is just on the Home Page. We also know how much time readers spend on the target page (the full article that was clicked on from the Home Page. We also know where the reader goes when they leave that article (whether they click on links within the article).Based on these data we can say one thing for sure. Readers of thelike guns. In fact, they like gun stories more than they do anything else. And if you are interested, the second most popular articles are those about Sarah Palin. Then, of course, Obama comes in third. But lest you be tempted to think that it is just the readership of thethat likes guns (and Palin), read on.Frank Miniter, writing inhas drilled down into the statistics of guns in America and what he has found is most interesting.No, the reason for the surge in gun sales in recent months is not Barack Obama. To be sure the fear that he will somehow abolish the right to purchase, own or use a weapon is real for millions of people. But what Miniter discovered in the numbers is that the popularity of guns--ownership and use--began before Obama was elected president.What you will also find in the article is that a major driving force behind the popularity of guns Is not so much fear (protection), although that is a big reason, but rather people enjoy shooting as a sport. As Miniter found out, shooting is one of the most popular Boy Scout merit badges and has been for years.Several things can be said about the data Miniter uncovered. One of those things other than what we have already mentioned is that there is probably some validity to the oft-attributed statement of a high ranking Japanese official who is reported to have said shortly after Pearl Harbor "Japan must not attempt to invade the American homeland. There are way too many Americans who own guns for that idea to succeed." Whether that is exactly what he said or not gets lost in the translation and over the years, but the point remains as salient today as ever.The idea that Americans enjoy shooting also speaks to the oft-asked question "why would anyone need an assault rifle?" The answer is in the numbers. They are fun to shoot. It is a sport. Don't knock it unless you've tried it. Try it and you make like it. There goes another AR 15 sale.We know from tracking the reading interest of our readers that guns and gun stories resonate with many people. We also know they are very concerned about protecting their right to keep and bear arms. And for the gun phobics we would suggest that none of our readers has ever killed another person with a gun or even shot at another person.And another thing that this article speaks to is the Politics of Guns. Not only do millions of Americans own guns and enjoy shooting them, they also "vote Guns." Take note Mr. and Mrs. Solon. The next time you are called upon to vote to taking guns away from people because some nut used a gun to kill somebody, remember if you vote to do so it would be like voted to take cars away from people because they kill so many people. Do so only at your political peril. Click here to read thestory.

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