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Susanne Oberhauser-Hirschoff
Nuernberg
Germany

Project Coordinator / Manager, SUSE Linux Products GmbH

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Spread the word on the "Pink Gun Law" petition

Actually it's not my idea. But I find it brilliant:

and I can't put it into better words than the petitioners of this petition, open for signing until Feb 28:

WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO:
Require that all Civilian Firearms be Painted Pink
Regulation of specific types of guns may be well- intentioned, but until we confront the underlying psychological and social issues that feed the violence, these laws will have little effect. The fact is that in America, guns have become potent cultural symbols of machismo, masculinity and power.

Therefore, we propose that every civilian firearm in America be painted a shade of bright pink over no less than 90% of their exposed surface areas.

We believe this simple act will fundamentally change the dynamic of American gun culture while still passing Constitutional scrutiny. All will be free to legally buy guns-just so long as they are Fabulous.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/require-all-civilian-firearms-be-painted-pink/YfFtRGVL

please discuss here, sign there...

Related Talks:

Topics: Male violence gun control

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Kimberly Devine
- +1
Feb 10 2013: At this point I think any and all ideas should be considered to somehow make a change in the culture of America that feeds gun violence. Your suggestion is constitutional and would hopefully make some of the "cowboys" out there think twice about carrying around a gun.
Don Anderson 20+
- 0
Feb 7 2013: Considering obesity kills far more people per week then those killed by guns per year, you should be trying to have ugly green dye added to all sugars and fats.
(Actually it is my idea, But I find it in no way to be brilliant or to be taken seriously) ;)

http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html
at 02:12 / 21:53
- Susanne Oberhauser-Hirschoff
  - +1
  TED Translator
  
  Feb 8 2013: LOL should you change your mind let me know :)
  
  I see just be one little glitch in the comparison:
  
  A guy with an obesity problem on the street is sad but it's his problem.
  
  A guy with a gun problem on the street is a threat to you, to me, to all of us.
Gail . 50+
- +1
Feb 7 2013: I see the problem with guns as being culturally systemic. When the commonly held worldview changes to something less destructive, the topic of guns, which is now a distraction, will have entirely different content.
Random Chance 30+
- +1
Feb 7 2013: Guns represent protection to me, not as you put it:
" guns have become potent cultural symbols of machismo, masculinity and power."

They represent that there still is a modicum of freedom from tyranny in the country.
But only a modicum. When freedoms are gone, I will make sure my gun isn't.

That isn't being "macho", "masculine" or "power for the sake of power".
It is being smart, rational, sober, serious and not lying to myself about what is going on.

Do not speak for me.
You do not speak for me.
- Susanne Oberhauser-Hirschoff
  - 0
  TED Translator
  
  Feb 7 2013: As I said, pink guns support the second amendment, which essentially is what you're talking about: the right to bear guns. To protect you and to prevent tyranny.
  
  Or would you say that a gun, once painted pink, will no longer protect you?
  
  For the case that freedoms are gone, and a tyranny is in place, freedom of speech is gone, freedom of education is gone and freedom of religion is gone, I'm pretty sure The Underground (TM) won't care about gun laws (anymore).
  
  So the key question in the America of today is not tyranny, it's protection.
  
  And the question is: will a pink gun protect you?
Krisztián Pintér 200+
- 0
TED Translator

Feb 6 2013: can i have purple gun please?
Barry Palmer 50+
- 0
Feb 6 2013: This is the kind of thinking that might actually lead to progress. The problem in the USA is the culture which leads to the behavior, not the guns, which are just tools. Pink guns might change the culture. I think this is worth a try.
John Penn
- 0
Feb 6 2013: It's clever, but could backfire. It could just "re-brand" the color pink as being "bad-ass".
Alan Russell
- 0
Feb 6 2013: It's an interesting idea, but pink handguns aren't any safer: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013302040072.
- Susanne Oberhauser-Hirschoff
  - 0
  TED Translator
  
  Feb 6 2013: Ouch. Indeed, they are still weapons. Which preserves the Second Amendment, which makes the Pink Gun Law constitutional.
  
  I'm not sure whether in a very sad way, this horrible incident might even support the point: Will those with little self esteem regard pink guns as something for kids, not for "grownups"? And thus have less interest in this kind of "toys"? And find less lethal toys as appropriate way to express "greatness"?
- Susanne Oberhauser-Hirschoff
  - 0
  TED Translator
  
  Feb 7 2013: Alan, I was thinking more about this horrible incident.
  
  I think the problem there was that the gun was in reach of children. It had little to nothing to do with the color of the gun. An unsecured, real weapon must not be in reach of children, ever.
  
  So I'd be interested in your opinion whether an obligatory pink look has the potential to make guns less attractive to "the right people", i.e. those who don't handle them appropriately?
  - Alan Russell
    
    0
    Feb 7 2013: I think the color of the gun made it more attractive to the kids, but no gun--regardless of color or any other feature-- should ever be where children can get it.
    
    I'm not sure a desperate criminal would worry too much about what his gun looked like. For most everyone else, there should be no objections to pink guns..
Linda Taylor 50+
- +1
Feb 6 2013: OK, the fact that I have always wanted a pink AR-15 this sounds like fun to me!

The precedence is already set. Many ranges will paint their practice guns a specific color so instructors and staff know when a weapon is not of their issue. In closed ranges, specific permission must be obtained to bring in a weapon that is not issued by the range and typically the guns in those ranges are also painted. So if all legal issue guns were painted pink, law enforcement would know which ones were not legal. At least until the bad guys buy some pink spray paint...

Maybe some fragrance scented gunpowder?? Vanilla?? Lavender?? Hmmmm
- Susanne Oberhauser-Hirschoff
  - 0
  TED Translator
  
  Feb 6 2013: a pink AR-15 like this one :) ?
  http://momocrats.com/2013/01/30/moms-like-ar-15s-really/
  
  You're describing an interesting use of color in ranges.
  
  I'm not sure that was what the petitioners had in mind though. I think it's not about making illegal guns 'visible'. I think it was about some attitude around weapons.
  
  Weapons should be a sports utility, and a last resort tool in self defense and protection. Neither of these uses needs a marked status symbol, symbolizing power, control, superiority. Those who abuse weapons brag about with them.
  
  Now. Rambo with this one: http://www.andreahasler.com/ongoing/untitled
  
  Shooting ranges and hunting and biathlon work great with pink guns. Self defence, too. Bragging? Identify yourself with that pink monster? Less so, that's the plan :)
  - Linda Taylor 50+
    
    0
    Feb 6 2013: That's the one! I want the Hello Kitty issued AR! I have shoes and a bag to match :)
    
    The Rambo is a little too Dolly Parton for me but it would work in certain situations. But the bling would hurt my hand after an afternoon at the range.
    
    I doubt simple color will change bad guy attitude. Interesting Idea but I really doubt it. I think the pink stereotype will change before bad guys wont use guns.
    
    Real working guns are not pretty. Real people who work with guns don't brag about them. (Maybe about themselves but it is never the gun that is important.)
    - Susanne Oberhauser-Hirschoff
      
      +1
      
      TED Translator
      
      Feb 6 2013: That's exactly the point: Real people who work with guns don't brag about them!
      
      People who *work* with guns exist in any country. They most of the time really are careful with the gun, with access to it, they know how harmful it can be. They usually are responsible gun owners. To them, the color doesn't matter. It's a tool, for a purpose.
      
      The core idea is the others: Will weapons loose appeal to them, if they loose the martial appearance?
Elizabeth Gu 30+
- 0
Feb 6 2013: Wow...fascinating.....lol
Hmm...
And....with some gold stars and bleeping buttons.
All those in favor, say "Aye".

Aye..! :)
(although thinking of the way people have treated guns kind of makes me sick about painting guns with pink color...)
Krisztián Pintér 200+
- 0
TED Translator

Feb 6 2013: cute :)
reine des violettes
- 0
Feb 6 2013: it would be really interesting to see what happened...but I don't think it would ever happen, just as most men wouldn't have their Ferrari etc etc painted pink.
and what about a soft 'baby' pink rather than a bright pink?
babies are very vulnerable, and dependent...
- Susanne Oberhauser-Hirschoff
  - 0
  TED Translator
  
  Feb 6 2013: A google image search for both "pink ferrari" and "pink gun" is quite revealing :)
  
  I agree with you that the tone of pink (or other colors of a floral, light, friendly palette) merits discussion. I'd allow floral patterns of a certain predefined palette. That would also give sports guns something fashionable. Not only for the women in biathlon.
  
  Biathlon is about the mix of intense high pulse skiing and calm low pulse shooting that makes the very special challenge of this sport. The color of the device really doesn't matter.
  
  Or Hunting. Hunters I know tell me it's about the quiet, the waiting, and then later about the great taste. It's not about bragging about the cool gun. So as long as the color of the gun does not give the hunter away, who cares about the color?
  
  Contrast that with guns owned to mark strength. The Godfather screwing a pink silencer onto a pink pistol? Nah.
  
  So for that area it's a change.
  
  And looking at the google image result for pink guns, I fear the palette and the rules need to be tightly controlled. It _is_ possible to have aggressive looking pink guns :D

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