# Oh noes! The statue has a gun! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 6, 2007, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009 "2007-04-06T17:47:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/1 "2007-04-06T17:47:23Z")
Look, I can understand how folks in Littleton, Colorado might be a little sensitive to depictions of weaponry. But even so, a sane person ought to recognize that a Navy SEAL is a different sort of person than a trenchcoat killer, and that if you put up a statue memorializing him, he just might be toting his rifle. [After all,](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Minute_Man.JPG)[it isn’t as if](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:The_Three_Soldiers.jpg)[we haven’t done it](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Korean_War_Memorial_82490561.jpg)[before.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:USMC_War_Memorial_Night.jpg) [Link.](http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_5604793) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/2 "2007-04-06T18:05:43Z")
The guy was over there to fight and kill people. It’s a little schizoid to ask that he hold a child or something, as if it’s only the gun that sends the message that he was doing something violent. Given that they’re being unrealistic, however, can’t the community decide what it wants in a statue? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/3 "2007-04-06T18:10:09Z")
Beyond saying it doesn’t like a particularly good piece of sculpture, I’ve no objection, though I can understand that some do. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/4 "2007-04-06T18:11:39Z")
The community did decide. They decided they wanted the statue to look like the picture, more or less. That didn’t stop a lot of people from bellyaching about it, though. And I just have to wonder what they think when they visit the wonderful monuments around here? There surely is no shortage of weaponry. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/5 "2007-04-06T18:14:20Z")
These are the same idiots who don’t like the Star Spangled Banner for its lyrics about bombs bursting in air. They seem to think that if we never show a gun, then maybe war will end everywhere and we can all sit down and share an organic vegitarian meal in peace and harmony. This guy is a local hero, picked up the Navy Cross, and was fighting in Afghanistan (a combat area that is not nearly as controversial as Iraq). Honor him. Hold a peace rally in front of the statue and talk about how you don’t want any MORE favorite sons to die. They would be more powerful co-opting the statue than fighting it. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/6 "2007-04-06T18:14:25Z")
I walked past [this statue with a gun](http://www.flickr.com/photos/75905404@N00/356699680/) each day on my way to and from primary school. (It was just around the corner from the back of the school). I don’t think it did me any lasting damage, or taught me that I should bring a gun to school to use on my classmates. ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/7 "2007-04-06T18:31:46Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] It’s a little **schizoid** to ask that he hold a child… [/QUOTE] ~—\> :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/8 "2007-04-06T18:54:53Z")
Over-reacting, yes, but let’s keep this in perspective (emphasis added): > [@](#): > > “There’s no middle ground here, and that’s unfortunate,” said Emily Cassidy, one of a handful of Littleton parents who say the statue with the gun should not be near three schools and two playgrounds at the southeast corner of South Lowell Boulevard and West Berry Avenue. On any given issue, you’re going to have a “handful” of folks who take what seems like an odd view. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/9 "2007-04-06T19:04:50Z")
I don’t think they should erect that statue. Not because of the gun though; I just think it looks crappy. The sculptor says he used the last picture of the Navy SEAL, but it looks awkward and off balance compared to the original. The statue looks like it is squatting to pinch a loaf, and both hands are oddly proportioned. I hope they didn’t pay much for it. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/10 "2007-04-06T19:11:18Z")
When “Vaquero” by the late Luis Jiminez was placed in Moody Park, some complained. [This picture doesn’t do it justice.](http://www.houstontx.gov/municipalart/vaquero.html) Wasn’t this an insult to the Chicano community? A rowdy shooting off his pistol in a park where–on rare occasions–gunfire had been heard! Then, we discovered that the leader of the protest disliked Ben Reyes, the local _politico_ responsible for acquiring the piece. He was a powerful man & had enemies. (Ben was later caught in an FBI sting & served some time.) But the statue’s still there. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/11 "2007-04-06T19:40:45Z")
Why is the person in the article saying there is “no middle ground”? Couldn’t they have him holding half a gun? Or a maybe a dull knife? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/12 "2007-04-06T19:47:16Z")
[QUOTE=Revtim] Why is the person in the article saying there is “no middle ground”? Couldn’t they have him holding half a gun? Or a maybe a dull knife? [/QUOTE] Man, what are we supposed to use? Harsh language? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/13 "2007-04-06T19:50:33Z")
Well, it’s about time someone made the effort to disarm statues of military heroes. There’s just too much violence in the world. For a good example we can look to our Canadian neighbours, who are being shielded by their government from having to witness [pillow fight violence](http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/04/05/bc.bba.bluejays.ad.ap/) on TV. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/14 "2007-04-06T19:52:04Z")
[QUOTE=Giles] I walked past [this statue with a gun](http://www.flickr.com/photos/75905404@N00/356699680/) each day on my way to and from primary school. (It was just around the corner from the back of the school). I don’t think it did me any lasting damage, or taught me that I should bring a gun to school to use on my classmates. [/QUOTE] Oh sweet lord, warn us with a “NSFW” or something. That was disturbing, and I just hope no children click on that link. Won’t someone think of the [children](http://new.photos.yahoo.com/donegalbob/album/576460762318827783/photo/294928803179453400/52) ? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/15 "2007-04-06T20:33:32Z")
[QUOTE=Revtim] Or a maybe a dull knife? [/QUOTE] And the severed head of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/16 "2007-04-06T20:47:34Z")
[QUOTE=Revtim] Why is the person in the article saying there is “no middle ground”? Couldn’t they have him holding half a gun? Or a maybe a dull knife? [/QUOTE] They could make sure the gun isn’t loaded. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2007, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/17 "2007-04-06T21:08:51Z")
[QUOTE=Will Repair] ~—\> :dubious: [/QUOTE] Incoherently trying to have it both ways: we want to honor the bravery he showed in serving and dying in Afghanistan, but guns are bad, so we’ll have him holding a little kid, like he went over to Afghanistan to give out hugs. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2007, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/18 "2007-04-07T04:40:34Z")
Some people are offended by art that has guns. Some people are offended by art that has religious symbols. Some people are offended by art that has nudity. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2007, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/19 "2007-04-07T04:49:08Z")
[QUOTE=Little Nemo] Some people are offended by art that has guns. Some people are offended by art that has religious symbols. Some people are offended by art that has nudity. [/QUOTE] Yeah, and some art looks like the guy our county hires to pick off only the most recalcitrant of prairie dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Taber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@Taber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taber)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2007, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009/20 "2007-04-07T05:20:26Z")
[QUOTE=Little Nemo] Some people are offended by art that has guns. Some people are offended by art that has religious symbols. Some people are offended by art that has nudity. [/QUOTE] Some people call me the gangster of love [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-noes-the-statue-has-a-gun/399009.md?page=2)