Gun
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==Killing sprees== | ==Killing sprees== | ||
| − | Guns are associated with atrocities because they | + | Guns are associated with atrocities because they are so often used in them. Mass atrocities are sometimes mistakenly called "killing sprees." According to criminologists James Allen Fox and Jack Levin<ref>"Multiple Homicides: Patterns of Serial and Mass Killing." ''Crime and Justice''. Vol. 23 (1998): 407-455]</ref>the term "spree killing" identifies events that fall neither into the categories of serial killing nor mass atrocity. Thus the 1959 killings of the Clutter family of four in Holcomb, Kansas by Richard "Dick" Hickock and Perry Smith were described in press accounts as a "killing spree." When the numbers of victims climb beyond the single digits and a political rather than criminal motive is evident then the event is normally called an atrocity. Unless of course one wants to diminish the horror of the event. The term "spree" connotes irresponsibility rather than rational intention. As in a "shopping spree." Curiously, some of the English language news coverage of the atrocity committed by [[Anders Behring Breivik]] uses the term "killing spree." |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 07:51, 28 February 2013
“”Just in case they don't see the light, I suggest we take their guns away before they come in.
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| —"Jim Bowie" in Comanche Territory |
A gun is a device for launching projectiles at targets one wishes to damage, injure, or kill. They come in all lengths and calibers, with projectiles made of many materials, for various purposes. Three principal uses for the gun are war, hunting, and target shooting. Two less-known uses are to fortify against masculine insecurity, and to defend one's loved ones against marauding criminals.
Killing sprees
Guns are associated with atrocities because they are so often used in them. Mass atrocities are sometimes mistakenly called "killing sprees." According to criminologists James Allen Fox and Jack Levin[1]the term "spree killing" identifies events that fall neither into the categories of serial killing nor mass atrocity. Thus the 1959 killings of the Clutter family of four in Holcomb, Kansas by Richard "Dick" Hickock and Perry Smith were described in press accounts as a "killing spree." When the numbers of victims climb beyond the single digits and a political rather than criminal motive is evident then the event is normally called an atrocity. Unless of course one wants to diminish the horror of the event. The term "spree" connotes irresponsibility rather than rational intention. As in a "shopping spree." Curiously, some of the English language news coverage of the atrocity committed by Anders Behring Breivik uses the term "killing spree."
See also
- National Rifle Association
- Gun control
- Ted Nugent
- Charlton Heston
- Dick Cheney
- Bowling for Columbine
- Largely defensive weapon of gun
Footnotes
- ↑ "Multiple Homicides: Patterns of Serial and Mass Killing." Crime and Justice. Vol. 23 (1998): 407-455]