Up to our necks in arms

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 1, 2000

From Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture, by Michael Bellesiles, to be published in September by Knopf. Bellesiles cites research suggesting Americans were largely indifferent to gun ownership until the Civil War. The decision to allow soldiers to keep their weapons after the war, he says, transformed the gun from a tool to a perceived necessity -- a difference in perception that drives the gun debate even today. --MIKE WILSON

By the end of the 20th century, any American could acquire a private arsenal, consisting of an astonishing array of weapons. The .700 Nitro Express is so powerful that the "recoil from it will actually make your brain bounce off your skull." When fired, the Browning M2 .50-caliber rifle -- a sniper's rifle known to kill at 2,500 yards -- can cause permanent hearing loss to unprotected ears. Navegar Inc. describes its TEC-DC9, used to deadly effect at Columbine High School, as a "high spirited . . . fun gun." The Henry Company proclaims its .22 rifle "The perfect Christmas present."

He's the NRA A proud gun owner respects our right to bear arms. He also wants you to respect your gun.

Also available are a wide range of accessories to embellish the gun culture, from lasergrips that place "a high-density red dot where the bullet will strike," to a replica of the Derringer that killed Abraham Lincoln, to a bulletproof leather jacket. Supposedly, none of these items conveys any lethal intent. As one advertisement boldly proclaims: "Just for fun. 10 shots in 2 seconds." What could be more fun than that?

Obviously, sexy women with guns. The variety of calendars available is impressive, including "Guns 'n' Babes" and the "Hunting & Fishing Lingerie Calendar." As the advertisement for G. Gordon Liddy's 1999 Stacked and Packed Calendar asks, "Where do you mix lingerie and guns?" The answer says it all: "Only in America!"

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