Scientists Confirm: Guns are Manly

guns.com ^ | 25 April, 2012 | dabneybailey

[marktwain]

UCLA anthropologists found that test subjects holding a handgun are significantly more terrifying than people holding tools or other objects. Are you surprised?

During the experiment, scientists asked men to hold an object, ranging from hand guns and water guns to saws and paint brushes. The anthropologist took a photograph of each hand and showed them to 600 test subjects, who were then asked to guess the approximate height and strength of the person holding the object.

Their answers confirmed what we knew all along: people who hold guns are more intimidating. On average, test subjects guessed that men with pistols were 17% taller and stronger than the weakest subject, the man holding a caulking gun (we would've guessed water gun).

The anthropologists suggest that this is a result of primordial psychology that judges the threat level of strangers based on their physical stature. As it turns out, a man holding a spear or a shotgun is more threatening than a man holding a fluffy bunny or nothing at all. Did we really need lab coats and government grants to come to this conclusion?

We find these results particularly interesting in the context of the gun debate. After all, one of the primary arguments for gun access is that criminals will be more hesitant to break the law if they think that their targets are packing heat. Thank you, UCLA, for giving scientific validity to an argument that we all already knew was correct.

[DarthVader]

bmfl

[katana]

What if I am holding a broadsword? Or a battle ax? Pike? Angry wolverine? I think I’d enjoy walking into the conference room of this overfed and overpaid “study group” with any of these to observe whether the effect on their bowel control was less severe than if I walked in carrying a Glock.

[Dead Corpse]

It's like swimming against the tide some days, but we both 100% sure it will be worth it.

The older two have a younger sister... 6 months. It'll be a while before we see what her firearms preferences are. ;-)

[wastedyears]

I used to make tanks while in shopping carts with my mom. Ah, to be 6 years old again...

[CodeJockey]

Manly? I beg to differ.

[MARKUSPRIME]

She likes long barrels. :)

[Oztrich Boy]

As it turns out, a man holding a spear or a shotgun is more threatening than a man holding a fluffy bunny

That makes no sense. To hold something you first have to pick it up. Anyone can pick up a spear or a shotgun, but to pick up a fluffy bunny you have to be badass.

[TheOldLady]

Boop the Bank Robber’s Nose!

Don’t Let Him Get Away With It!

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[ExSoldier]

Bookmark

[Rio]

I'm not so sure...

[Travis McGee]

I believe that could be Ranya Bardiwell.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Yum...Hannie Caulder. Here's a non-nonsense business pic...

[Joe Brower]

GMTA, Trav. $:-) When Hollywood comes knocking wanting to do a movie, give 'em her picture.

[DuncanWaring]

[GailA]

Ladies have been carrying guns since the days of Queen Victoria, muff guns. They may have only had 1 round, but when traveling from parties with thousands of pounds worth of jewels you needed protection

[GailA]

My grandson is gun and bow crazy. But he knows NOT to touch them unless Dad is with him to supervise as he is only 10. Great eye for the target too. He has a small compound bow now, as soon as he can use a regular one he will inherit his grand dad’s. It is waiting in the closet for him, arrows included.

The 2 boys want the larger stuff once I am done with them. As I live in Memphis that will be a LONG time.