Salon Op-Ed: America Has Too Many ‘Neils’ – White Guys in A Near Constant State of Fear

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Salon Op-Ed: America Has Too Many ‘Neils’ - White Guys in A Near Constant State of Fear
(Photo: Everytown for Gun Safety)

Joe Hayden, a journalism professor at the University of Memphis, wrote a commentary piece for Salon.com recently that fretted over the prevalence of “Neils” in society.  

Who is Neil?  Well, in the parlance of a 2015 Harvard Study, he is a “Super Gun Owner.” 

Or, as Hayden explains, “I once lived next door to a guy in Memphis who owned more than a hundred firearms, some of which were strewn around his two-bedroom house and even lying on the kitchen counter. I saw them when he asked me to come over one afternoon to help him move his 700-pound gun safe.”

Hayden maintains that “Neil” was a “nice guy” but he had two big dogs, one of which he couldn’t control, and that Hayden worried between all the guns and the dogs, Neil might get someone hurt.  

“The fact is, there are a lot of Neils in America — white guys in a near-constant state of fear about their personal safety,” Hayden continued.  “And rather than being merely pitiful, guys like Neil are actually dangerous.”

Hayden breaks down the Neil archetype even more: 

They’re the hyper-armed neighbors with itchy trigger fingers, who are convinced they’ll be the victims of a home invasion; who treat any Black or brown person as an imminent threat; who see foreign terrorists behind every bush; who believe the government is trying to poison them, plant a chip inside them, or take away their hunting rifles; who think that crime is far worse than it is and on the verge of spilling into outright anarchy.  

Hayden concludes by saying Neils should be chastised through mockery and ridicule for their “bad behavior,” but because their fear and anxiety make them “dangerous” and “unstable,” one should approach with caution.  

I’ll agree with Hayden insofar as, what we call, “mall ninjas” exist.  We’ve all heard stories of the bro who buys a tactical vest, a SEAL Team SOG Knife and a bug-out bag and, suddenly, starts acting like he’s a Tier-1 commando.  He is the same guy who initially spends all his money on gear and none of it on training.  

But I’d also argue that as a community, we do a pretty good job of policing our own and calling out these dudes for their cosplay.  The result, I think, is a lot these guys dial back the bravado and begin to take gun ownership seriously.  That is, fewer hours playing “Call Of Duty” or “Grand Theft Auto,” and more time under the posthumous tutelage of Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper.  

Where this transition really manifests itself is at the range.  Considerate and careful instruction from ROs and fellow shooters goes a long way to ironing out the bad habits of the overzealous newbie.  “Neil” soon recognizes that it is mastery of the unsexy parts of shooting that make one a “badass,” things like stance, grip, target acquisition, trigger control, breathing — all stuff that has zero to do with tacticool fashion and the latest and greatest hardware.  

What I’m getting at is these guys aren’t the threat Hayden makes them out to be.  Most grow out of the mall ninja phase.  Most become upstanding citizens because the prevailing ethos of the 2A community is one of personal responsibility.  Those who buck this norm and continually act irresponsibly are abruptly ostracized. Or in extreme instances, they become candidates for the Darwin award.

SEE ALSO: Gun Talk Radio Celebrating 25 Years with Commemorative Custom Ruger 10mm 1911

Our collective tolerance for chuckleheads is very low because it has to be.  The future of our right to keep and bear arms depends on us keeping our house in order.  Bad optics leads to bad policymaking.

To this end, we know that media types, celebrities, and politicians love to point to the White mall ninja as the rule and not the exception.  In fact, that was the purpose of Hayden’s commentary, to paint all gun owners as trigger-happy scaredy cats.  It’s an effective tactic that the anti-gun machine uses to disparage gun owners in the minds of the non-gun-owning public.  But anyone the least bit familiar with the gun community knows that’s not the case.  

Even the numbers bear this out.  The notion that we are a monolith of racist, xenophobic, sexist White males is total B.S.  Does Hayden know, for example, that forty-six percent of new gun owners since Jan. 2019 are women, according to the 2021 National Firearms Survey?  That’s roughly 3.5 million new gun-owning gals!  

Gun purchases by minorities also skyrocketed over that same period.  Purchases by African Americans jumped 56 percent in 2020 from 2019, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry trade association.  Not to mention the fact that the biggest pro-gun voice on social media for the past decade is a gentleman by the name of Colion Noir.  Spoiler alert: He isn’t White!  

What’s driving the jump in sales is quite simple.  People of all colors and sexes want autonomy over their personal safety.  They’ve recognized that the government is not always gonna be there in their time of need.  

During the George Floyd riots — I mean, the “mostly peaceful protests” — when all hell was breaking loose, cops were overwhelmed with calls, and response times ballooned from good guys with guns being minutes away to hours away.  People witnessed this and many did a gut-check: Am I adequately prepared for such a situation?  Can I competently defend myself and my family?

Clearly, in the wake of the unmitigated chaos, millions thought they needed to improve their personal defense posture.  And while this may come with some growing pains, empowering people to embrace fundamental rights is never going to result in the wholesale destruction of the Republic, despite what gun controllers maintain. 

What will, however, lead to our demise is tyranny.  Our Founders and Framers knew this, that’s why we have a 2A in our Constitution.  Many on the Left, and I bet Hayden is among them, chuckle at the thought of our government breaking bad.  Like, it’s a total impossibility in this day and age.  Apart from totally ignoring all of history (MKUltra, Japanese internment camps, Tuskeegee Experiment, Extraconstitutional surveillance of citizens), they aren’t paying attention.

Why does the CDC believe it has the power to issue eviction moratoriums.  Why does the ATF believe it has the power to criminalize lawfully owned gun parts and accessories?  Why does the Biden Administration believe it has the power to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations and tests for private businesses?  

Point is, a small band of wily mall ninjas are not a grave danger to this country, especially when compared to the relative threat we face from unchecked bureaucratic authoritarianism. 

Put another way, if there ever comes a time in our future when certain Americans are forced to board a train for “noncompliance,” it won’t be because a few wannabe Rambos were able to buy firearms.  It’ll be because functionaries of the Left convinced enough people to sacrifice their personal rights and freedoms at the altar of public safety.

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  • Tony P. October 21, 2021, 12:07 pm

    “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
    Benjamin Franklin

    • Tony P. October 21, 2021, 12:14 pm

      “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.”
      Proverbs 21:31

  • Ej harbet October 5, 2021, 9:41 am

    First off I wonder how professor fearless would fare if people like us didn’t discourage lawlessness?
    Second is ive had the question asked of medway do you go armed? what are you afraid of? My answer is “not much”

  • Marc September 26, 2021, 3:57 pm

    Memphis Journalism Professor, “I’m gonna attack you to prove that nobody is out to get you!”
    Regular gun owner replies, “Ok…Neil.”

  • GOAT September 26, 2021, 2:24 am

    Good grief, another article about the evil white man with guns. Personally I think his entire article is total BS, and if true where does the Constitution limit you to the number of guns you own? I know people who have a large amount of guns and have never fired one of them, They just like collecting them. Does this make them some evil white mall ninja?

  • John a Boutwell September 25, 2021, 7:27 pm

    Most avid gun owners know that there will not be any one there to save you when the SHTF. Personal safety is your own responsibility and only a fool will leave that up to a 911 call.

  • John L September 25, 2021, 1:17 pm

    Admittedly, I couldn’t stomach the entire article. But what I did read seemed devoid of any valid statistics or data. Therefore, this clown merely published his non-expert opinion based upon an interaction with one neighbor.

    That, sadly, is what has become of American journalism. Puff pieces masquerading as hard news.

  • paul I'll call you what I want/1st Amendment September 25, 2021, 8:47 am

    for those who agree with the article please keep in mind……
    being an aggressor towards a gun owner is not a good idea
    holding a weapon makes you a hypocrite
    going at a “safe bet” makes you a bully
    and if you want to be a hero than go after a car jacker, drug dealer, gang member, active shooter (bad guy), or some one assaulting another person

  • dit September 24, 2021, 6:58 pm

    Joe Hayden claims to be a journalism professor. Perhaps he should stay in his lane. First, he sees one man and extrapolates there are thousands of them. Where’s your data? Did you do any research, or did you just do this to compensate for your lack of man parts to feel macho by verbally analyzing one person and extrapolating for an entire gender? Journalism doesn’t exist anymore. It is just people making things up and posting them looking for approval from like minded losers, who then say that is proof it is true. The only thing true here is he has no man parts and he no longer has a profession. Journalism is laughably and dishonorably dead.

  • sfvshooter September 24, 2021, 5:57 pm

    Author fails to put two and two together.

    The reason why so many people of color are buying firearms is because “Neils’ have become emboldened since the rise of Trump and have no qualms displaying their hate for people of color, LGBTQ, women, etc.

    You go on any firearm board and you see “Neils” posting about how society is falling apart and they’re getting ready for a reckoning.

    A demagogue like Trump preyed upon “Neils” worst fears and look at the results. Neils storming the capitol and refusing vaccines even though it may save their lives.

    • Shanz September 25, 2021, 5:28 pm

      Did you see all those Trump supporters last summer wearing black face? Billions of dollars of destruction, statues being torn down, dozens of police officers being killed or injured.
      Yup totally nothing but white Trump supporters going door to door just looking for blood.
      Oh and most of the African American community is unvaccinated so thought you should know.

      • Duncan Dungey November 25, 2022, 7:03 pm

        “Oh and most of the African American community is unvaccinated so thought you should know.” And you became an expert on the African American community vaccination rate when?

    • John a Boutwell September 25, 2021, 7:18 pm

      Nope, many real Americans are just tired of the results of the liberal bullshit soiling this country.

    • Kane September 26, 2021, 12:05 am

      Define “Neils” and then give the top three national examples which support your silly theories. Thanks in advance for the laugh.

    • Ej harbet October 5, 2021, 9:45 am

      Another wokeaine addict.

  • TINVOWOOT September 24, 2021, 5:31 pm

    While the Salon writer may be another run of the mill soy infused leftist, this response reads like a junior high school student wrote it. The author has no concept of composing a persuasive argument. GunsAmerica is the worst gun website on the internet. Sad.

  • Ej harbet September 24, 2021, 3:37 pm

    Wgaf about what salon thinks?
    Just come at us and see what happens.im old cranky and tired of waiting but I don’t initiate force so
    Make my fkkn day

  • James Spangler September 24, 2021, 3:25 pm

    Salon is still in print?? I quit taking anything they print as truthful and newsworthy after they printed a story about how much Ann Hathaway loved anal sex. Obviously nothing has changed…

  • FREEDOMwillREIGN September 24, 2021, 2:00 pm

    First OFF to all you LEFTTURD TUTU WEARING ANTI EVERYTHING WHINY CRYBABY DRAMA GOD BUSYBODY NOSY CAN’T MIND YOUR OWN FING BUSINESS BRAIN DEAD HUMAN GIVEN government JOB TITLED WORSHIPING ANUS SUCKING KOOL-AID LAPPING HUMAN CONTROLLED OWNED SHEEPLE SLAVE COWARDS,
    “WE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT OWNED BY “ANY” HUMAN, PERIOD” OUR GOD GIVEN NATURAL BORN RIGHTS ARE NOT UP NOR WILL THEY EVER BE UP FOR DEBATE NOR DOES “ANY” HUMAN HAVE A SAY IN THE MATTER, PERIOD.
    Second, If you don’t like GUNS DON’T BUY ONE, If YOU CAN’T HANDLE OTHERS FREEDOM and RIGHTS STAY IN YOUR SAFE SPACE CRY CLOSETS or GET THE F OUT OF AMERICA, Plenty of OTHER COUNTRIES that are set up to your DREAMLAND UTOPIAS like CHINA or NORTH KOREA, If you don’t want to move MIND YOUR OWN FING BUSINESS and SHUT YOUR FAT MOUTHS. YOU LEFTTURDS have the FREEDOM and RIGHT to OWN WHATEVER YOU WANT, WE HAVE THE FREEDOM and RIGHT TO OWN WHATEVER WE WANT, WHAT YOU COWARDS DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO IS TO TRY AND TAKE OTHERS RIGHTS AWAY BECAUSE YOU DON’T LIKE OR AGREE WITH SOMETHING. OUR FREEDOMS DO NOT END WHERE YOUR FEELINGS BEGIN. If you want to live as a HUMAN CONTROLLED OWNED SHEEPLE SLAVE COWARD, that is YOUR CHOICE, BUT THE REST OF US DO NOT HAVE TO CONFORM TO YOUR COWARDISM.
    YOUR FREEDOM ENDS AT YOUR PROPERTY LINE, SO REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOU THINK YOU CAN CONTROL OTHERS.

    • Armed and Dangerous September 24, 2021, 7:18 pm

      Gee FREEDOMwillREIGN”, don’t be so shy. Say what you really mean. Love it! LOL

    • swimmer September 25, 2021, 12:13 am

      Interesting perspective but could you explain it again in a little more detail?

  • Bob W September 24, 2021, 12:46 pm

    I agree that most gun owners like myself are not crazy wannabe Rambos. They’re actually really nice, sane people. I’m an Army vet so been there done that. I will also agree that our government has screwed up more than I like to admit but let’s get the shit straight. To blame left wing crazy’s on our problems is nothing more then B S. Right now the biggest threat to our security are domestic terrorist, or as some assholes call them, patriots. They are fucking traitors, plain and simple and even though left wing dems do some crazy shit let’s not forget that republicans took away more of our rights than anyone else, all in the name of national security. Just think Bush Cheney after 9/11. So now why don’t we cut the bullshit and start getting along. I’m game.

    • Armed and Dangerous September 24, 2021, 7:26 pm

      You may be on to something Bob. The domestic terrorists however are the left. Think BLM and Antifa. It’s not the gun owners or those we refer to as patriots. Trump said there were good people on both sides in Charlottesville. He was demonized for that. The protest was not the KKK or white supremists, it was people protesting the removing of Confederate statues. The were good people. The anti protesters (BLM and Antifa were there looking for trouble. Yes, I do blame the Republicans for not having the backbone to stand up for what’s right. I blame the Democrats for everything else.

    • Shanz September 24, 2021, 9:26 pm

      Bull shit. This guys a commy. Thanks for your Biden vote asshole.

  • KEN September 24, 2021, 12:42 pm

    I usually see and read good articles on goa, but this guy (the news editor of goa) is a total idiot for writing this garbage! As others have posted before me in regards for guns being laid out and safe being moved. A 700lb safe is heavy enough, but loaded adds alot more weight (guns, ammo, mags and whatever else might be in there). Was this article (trash) written too provoke and get certain replies?

  • Old Scribe September 24, 2021, 11:19 am

    Anything printed in “Salon”; a LIEberal website BTW, is garbage. I don’t believe anything that “Professor” Hayden said. He is a “Professor” after all and a flaming anti-gun Lieberal to boot. I have a collection of guns, I attend the range regularly and associate will all sorts of gun owners. Nobody is a “Neil” like that “Prof” is yapping about. He’s more of a “Karen” that would rat someone out to the cops if he saw them with a plastic squirt gun. I once asked a local cop where I used to live what was the best weapon for home defense, a pistol a rifle or a shotgun. He said something like “A baseball bat. You could get hurt.” I dismissed him as an idiot. I carry concealed because a cop is too heavy. Stay safe out there, Patriots.

  • Big Al 45 September 24, 2021, 11:14 am

    The man wrote an Op-Ed for ‘Salon’, so right off the bat we can fully call into question ANY standards for ‘Journalism’.
    No?
    Read more of Salon, and you will see what I mean. The lean so far Left it’s a miracle they haven’t fallen over.
    I wouldn’t give credence to anything in that Rag Mag

  • JD September 24, 2021, 11:07 am

    The guns laying on the countertops were probably taken out of the 700 lb safe so it wouldn’t be a 1000 lb safe.

  • VAP8RI0 September 24, 2021, 10:37 am

    Most firearms owners I know and interact with are responsible and respectful of the rights granted by God and our Fathers of Liberty, most especially the Second Amendment. I like my brethren, pray that I will never need to focus my shooting skills in an effort to end another’s life.

    However, in today’s America, I must confess there are many bonified threats against we the people that seriously concern me more so than ever before in my six decade lifetime. Antifa, BLM, communist sympathizers, weaponinzed government agencies, sellout politicians and the mumbling, bumbling senile occupant in the White House with his sycophants all pose a direct or indirect threat to at least half the citizens of this nation and to the very existence of America as it was designed to be.

    Faced with the self-realization that by the esteemed professor’s definition; I must be a “Neil”. But, I pose this question; is my assessment of our corroding national condition not true or in any way, an inaccurate observation? I think the Founding Fathers would be in tears to know that their experiment was successful for millennia, only to be destroyed by a generation of “woke” communists using the freedoms they guaranteed to destroy it.

    • MAHA September 24, 2021, 5:07 pm

      VAP8RI0–I agree completely with your observation.
      another “Neil.”

  • Kane September 24, 2021, 10:36 am

    I do NOT buy Haden’s story. If you ask someone to help you move a 700 pound gun safe then the chances are that you know each other well and share basic common values and are more than a mere next door neighbor in Memphis. Journalists have been known to fabricate stories to advance an agenda sprinkling details that might at first seem convincing but on second glance undermine the story.

    If Hayden was in the house strictly to move a safe then how would he know what “strewn around his two-bedroom house”? Really, some gun owner who also owns a gun safe places his firearms on a “kitchen counter” where water could destroy a gun and theft would render a costly gun safe useless?

    Also, terms like “Karen” and “Neils” are becoming common while messages like “end racism” are being advanced an Orwellian fashion. Would using names such as Mookie and Pookie being hung on stereotypically loud, emotional and hard to understand Blacks be consistant with “ending racism”? Then why are “Karen” and “Neil” OK?

    Hayden clearly has an anti-2A agenda and uses racist tactics that others will give a pass too because they really do NOT care about treating all people fairly. It is also very likely that Hayden is a muck raking liar.

    • saran wrappe September 24, 2021, 12:37 pm

      I had the same thoughts as you, but today I’m lazy and didnt want to write as much as you did. You win.

    • srsquidizen September 24, 2021, 2:15 pm

      How about “Haydens” as a stereotype name for liberal academics who make their living fabricating and disseminating left-wing BS?

  • C J September 24, 2021, 10:24 am

    The white Neils are the dangerous ones, but the black neighborhoods have the most shootings? Yeah, right.

    • Armed and Dangerous September 24, 2021, 7:32 pm

      BINGO! CJ

  • Dean September 24, 2021, 10:14 am

    I’m not sure how others rock ,but any time my gun safe changes locations , you’ll find my guns laying around. News bulletin idiots, only really stupid people move a gun safe full! It not only adds more weight but it’s hell on your guns and equipment in it. What an idiot🇺🇸

  • Lumberjack September 24, 2021, 10:14 am

    Did this genius ever consider how heavy that safe would have been if he had all of his guns in it? “Neil” was making it moveable by emptying it.

    The fact is, there are a lot of Francis’s in America — white elitist journalists in a near-constant state of hate for their own race and disregard for their and others personal safety. Rather than being merely pitiful, guys like Hayden are the most dangerous predators that walk the earth.

    They’re the Steno pad-armed hermits who see white atrocities everywhere; who are convinced that whites should pay for the “crimes of their ancestors;” who treat any white person as an imminent threat; who see illegal aliens as angels in disguise; who trust the government explicitly and believe that more government is the answer to every problem; who think that more gun control is the answer to every problem from drunk driving to potholes; and who think that Chicago’s “gun problem” would be solved with just a few more laws. They’re also anti-American socialists with the goal of destroying or dismantling everything that made and makes America great – including allowing babies life, traditional marriage, the church, the military, voting integrity, our jurisprudence system, the pledge, the flag, and many more. When you Hayden and his ilk coming, run away, unless he’s only needing to borrow a tampon.

  • Mr Martin J Bordson September 24, 2021, 10:13 am

    This is why some of us have firearms,

    Actual headline from local newspaper

    Elderly Ohio Woman Fatally Shoots Suspect Attacking Her Husband
    by Max Slowik

    The intruder, identified as 21-year-old Keyarra Tompkins, was killed after fighting with the homeowner’s 72-year old husband.

    Any more dumb questions?????

  • John Kramer September 24, 2021, 9:47 am

    Why are you quoting garbage from Salon?

    For every Neil are three liberal Squeals.

  • Ringo Lapua September 24, 2021, 9:44 am

    It’s an undeclared war including civilized people of ALL RACES versus ignorant people of ALL RACES including those like this author who is prejudiced against white people in general. If white people were intent on violence against black people, there would be very few black people left in this country today.

  • Carl F Schnackel September 24, 2021, 9:41 am

    Wow. Another liberal who believes that he should have the right to dictate how someone else should live. We NEVER see that (heavy with sarcasm). I was raised with guns because my father was a big game hunter. Then I spent ten years in the military. Guns are just “tools” that can be used for good or evil. The problem is that democrats firmly believe that law abiding people should not be allowed to own them — completely ignoring the fact that “gun free zones” are the most dangerous places in the country. Why else would there be an average of 50 shootings every weekend in Chicago? Instead of going after the criminals, Douche Bag Biden’s big plan is to go after gun stores, when less than 3% of guns involved in crime are bought legally. Liberal logic at work.

  • Terry Johnson September 24, 2021, 9:40 am

    His description of a Neil, perfectly describes the police. I had a liberal from California ask me why I thought I had the need for a gun. I told her, ” because the police do”. She said “yeah, because they come in contact with dangerous people every day”. I told her, “you mean the same people on the streets we come in contact with every day?” A couple of weeks later, she bought a gun.

    • a11four1 September 24, 2021, 10:16 am

      Brilliant. Exposure to reality, percentages and facts opens a lot of liberal minds. A very liberal sister poohoos about everything I send or tell her, “I never read those, I just ignore them…”.
      Gawd forbid that someone might view from a different perspective.

  • krinkov545 September 24, 2021, 9:30 am

    Joe Hayden is the lefty dipsheep that can’t meme or deride & ridicule successfully. Because they are deranged delusional and simply plain stupid.

  • Don September 24, 2021, 9:20 am

    Maybe the guy had guns all over his counter because he was trying to make his gun safe lighter before he asked his neighbor to help him move it?

  • Somebody else September 24, 2021, 9:15 am

    This article in Saloon (sp?) Is right in line with the “narrative” vilifying guns and their owners. Nothing new to see here. We know who they are and what they do. As long as the media is Pravda this is what you get. Push back at every opportunity especially one on one with the uninformed. Nicely and logically.

    • Chuck Carollo September 24, 2021, 10:26 am

      Could you imagine not having emptied the gun safe before moving it? Not only unnecessary weight but also your pristine collection would be banged up and probably set to fall out the first time you opened the door to the gun safe.

      Another example of jumping to conclusions when you are obviously ignorant to the subject.

      • John Lloyd Scharf September 24, 2021, 12:04 pm

        Chuck, that was the first thing I thought of. IF you have a 700 pound safe, you do not want to add another 400 pounds of arms and ammo to the mix; so you would empty it out. I have a bad back, so I think of those things first.

        Regarding firearms out, every firearm I have is locked up OR under armed guard. I am always armed 24/7/365 and have been since soon after I retired in 2006 from corrections in a prison.

        I did not seek a medical retirement, but would have been forced into one for my back, had I not been retirement age. I rarely considered using lethal force, even though I had been involved in judicious and prudent use of force many times in my career.

        I became armed because I can no longer restrain a 280 felon and would use tactics more lethal than a sidearm. Everyone I live with is sane, has a clean criminal record, and a concealed handgun license.

        At this point, if you are so qualified, you should be armed at all times for public safety and national security. That includes little old 70 year old ladies who need a cane to steady their walk. We did not live this long lacking good judgement, common sense, and prudent behavior to have our life ended by someone without those features of character.

  • Nicholas September 24, 2021, 9:09 am

    Another reason to re-vitalize the constitutional Militia that is a requirement of our fundamental law, and the instrument the Founders established as the ultimate power to enforce the law and protect all our rights.
    Of course, with militia enrollment there would be both weapons and tactical training.
    The question I have hear is for the pro-2nd community in general that should be obvious. There are the “Neils” out there, but what do you call those who absolutely refuse to read the clearly written requirements of the Constitution and the Bill of Right’s?
    The Constitution clearly commands that there be Militia “to execute the Laws of the Union…”, and it is only that authority with such power. It cannot be taken, changed, or re-assigned without an amendment. Yet, we’ve fallen for the completely erroneous non-sense that “Troops *** of War” promulgated under a different section of the Constitution can be granted that power. Perhaps it is ignorance? Perhaps it is ambivalence? From the resistance that I’ve heard from so-called pro-2nd people, over the years, I’ve concluded that it is an aversion to truth coupled with an inexplicable desire for self-immolation.

    • Shanz September 24, 2021, 9:35 pm

      I would be very interested to see GOA do an article on this. Shouldn’t we at least talk about it?

  • ET1USN September 24, 2021, 8:59 am

    Now who’s the racist? I not afraid, I’m prepared.

  • Real America September 24, 2021, 8:23 am

    The problem isn’t to many Neils, it’s to many “NELLY” like the author.
    Nelly being defined as the limp wristed, nosey neighbor scared of his own shadow

  • Michael Scott McIntosh September 24, 2021, 8:09 am

    I too open carry everywhere and IDGAF what these Karen’s think. I like that it makes be people be polite which for the last almost 2 years has been the majority of my experience. COME AND TAKE IT.

  • shrugger September 24, 2021, 8:07 am

    The Salon article tells us more about it’s author than it does Neil.

  • Michael Scott McIntosh September 24, 2021, 8:00 am

    What part of shall not be infringed does the author have a problem with? Why doesn’t he talk about the Tyrones and Debron’s that are responsible for MASSIVE gun violence in cities like Chicago? I don’t fear ANYTHING I am just prepared and trained to be aware and ready to defend myself, my property, my family, my friends and innocent bystanders should the need ever arise. I really DGAF what some professor thinks and especially a professor of journalism, which is effectively dead to me in Amerika. In short Fck you!

  • Singleshotcajun September 24, 2021, 7:59 am

    Extra points for proper use of the word Gentlemen. It seems most folks do not know the definition of the word anymore. Example typical news story, “ The Gentleman continued to behead people until police arrived”.

  • Parker September 24, 2021, 7:48 am

    I think you’re missing the point… Hayden isn’t attacking a small slice of the 2A community (your mall ninja types), he is attacking all of us, even the more “reasonably minded” of us who own firearms (and who practice reasonably) for self defense. He states that we shouldn’t fear (1) home invasions (2) crime in the streets or (3) tyrannical government, or (4) the government taking away our “hunting rifles.” Those are not core attributes of mall ninjas… that’s most everyone in the 2A community, more or less… at least those of us who own firearms for self-defense.

    I agree that tactfully policing our own through the methods you described is an effective, and important, way of maintaining the integrity of the 2A, but we as a community need to do a better job of articulating why those aforementioned threats are real and serious enough to justify owning semi-automatic weapons. If all mall-ninjas went away, the left would still be targeting our rights for the reasons I explained above.

  • WB September 24, 2021, 7:37 am

    Very Very proud all American Pure White Disabled Combat Veteran of the Republic of the United States of America.
    Living in a very tyrannical and uncertain time in the history of the US.
    It’s an absolute shame.
    I never thought I would live in a communist/socialist society.
    However here we are!
    Even a so called 2nd amendment channel has been infiltrated by the disgusting left wing.
    Welcome to the reality…
    WB-USMC-RET.

    • MAJORNUSINS September 24, 2021, 9:37 am

      SEMPER FI

    • Alex September 24, 2021, 9:45 am

      VERY well said, brother.
      Semper Fi
      (5th Marines, RVN)

  • Robert M September 24, 2021, 6:33 am

    Wait, I’d bet this author is one of those people who wears a mask and has them strewn about their home, is triple-shot vaxxed, refuses to get within 8 feet of anyone and will VIOLENTLY Karen anyone who acts differently. One of those who thinks millions of Americans are out to kill him by giving him Covid.
    I wonder if HE realizes his racism when he dehumanizes and denigrates ‘the unvaccinated’ as you know he does, despite them being disproportionately black and brown.
    We all know a crazy Covid Neil like this author. There’s far more of them than irresponsible gun owners, and they’re far more dangerous.

  • Brad M September 24, 2021, 6:26 am

    Salon: Insecure white men are the root of all the worlds problems!!! Attack them on sight!

    Also Salon: We think white men with guns are becoming a problem, we “literally” have no idea why this is happening.

    • Armed and Dangerous September 24, 2021, 8:00 pm

      I have a t-shirt that says:
      100 million legal gun owners
      A trillion rounds of ammunition
      If we were the problem
      You’d know it!

  • Edwin Clements Parrish September 24, 2021, 6:24 am

    “Neils” are pretty easy to identify and avoid. Open carry where people congregate is an obvious hint. Showing up in strapped and wearing body armor at Second Amendment demonstrations is a dead giveaway. They look silly as Spongebob Squarepants. 😆

    • Michael Scott McIntosh September 24, 2021, 8:02 am

      Why don’t you mind your own business snowflake?

    • Alex September 24, 2021, 9:46 am

      Thanks for your input, Nelly.

  • Slim September 24, 2021, 6:03 am

    When I read “Salon” I had read enough. Left wing trash.

    • kc (sire/your majesty) September 24, 2021, 9:03 am

      I was hoping it would be “Saloon”, but no such luck…

  • Dr. Strangelove September 24, 2021, 3:07 am

    That’s kind of funny, although I’ve been robbed several times by black guys, I imagine a home invasion by white guys.

  • Mack September 22, 2021, 1:53 pm

    Superb summation of the present state of affairs!

    • Michael Scott McIntosh September 24, 2021, 8:08 am

      Yeah and inbet you wear a mask walking or driving alone and have gotten at least one mRNA jab. Sheep.

  • paul I'll call you what I want/1st Amendment September 22, 2021, 12:31 pm

    I guess I’m a “Neil”! I’m an old white guy with more than 1 gun, and the media has turned the rest of the population into hating me. Causing fear of me and hatred enough to commit physical harm against me! Then lets add in the supposed non-privileged who want my things and will violently take them.
    When a target is placed on your back, plan on someone is going to use it!

    • William September 24, 2021, 6:23 am

      Although I have a CCW permit. Since April 29th 2020 I have started carrying openly! Here in my area we have a lot of military from all branches of Service. Carrying in the open has made many people stay away from me, which is great since I don’t have to listen to their crap of the day! “Rules for Thee, but not for me”! Since we have the military close at hand in our neighborhoods both active and retired. Most of us subscribe to having a Firearm in both a rifle and sidearm. To see someone openly carrying doesn’t mean that he/she are “NEILS” as you have mentioned. We practice our marksmanship, as we have time to practice. Openly carrying Here just keeps people that are STUPID AND HYPOCRITICAL, away. And yes I have not had as much trouble since the I purchased my 1st Firearm at age 16, than I have had in the last 18 months. People need stay out of other persons business as masks and Vaxed goes. Technically you are invading my privacy. Most people wish to live and be left alone! And the Color of your skin doesn’t matter when WE THE PEOPLE, are out pursuing life living and happiness! If you want the masks and Vax be my guest. But since I am naturally immune, because I have had all 6 variants, YOU tend to your business and I will tend to mine!

  • Dr Motown September 22, 2021, 7:38 am

    This professor is a perfect example of how real journalism died decades ago

  • Blue Dog (he/him) September 21, 2021, 7:55 pm

    Why does it always have to be about race? I honestly doubt these Neil mall ninjas ever consider the skin colour of the home invaders when they are imagining their future heroics. Racism is real and it is a horrible thing but this overfocus on race muddies the water and makes healing old wounds and growing nigh impossible. Worse yet, this insistence that communities built around skin-deep identities and sexual preferences are the basic building block of society, that membership in these communities is immutable, and that individuals can only function as representatives of these communities and interactions between any two individuals is not an interaction between two individuals but a representation of the interaction between communities – these all work against fixing anything.

    Curious that Hayden capitalises Black but not brown or white? I guess that consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.

    Shame on this Hayden for making it all about race but that is what we expect from our modern media. Shame on GunsAmerica for lowering themselves to that level. I read your articles fairly often; you are usually better than this, Blannelberry.

    But yeah, Neils. Probably nice guys but everyone of us knows at least one… one dozen of these chumps who are more likely to hurt themselves or their loved ones than any down-on-his-luck criminal. If we make arguments about protecting our homes and our loved ones from all this crime, are we validating Hayden’s claim that we are imagining crime as more rampant than it really is?

    • Kane September 24, 2021, 10:49 am

      The left considers the lack of any surviving tribal or ethnic identity among American Blacks justification for the capital and lower case letters on racial descriptions. The left will destroy any racial progress that has been slowly gained. This fact is so evident now with the deteriorating circumstances in sports and the military where good policies have given way to toxic leftism.

    • Shanz September 24, 2021, 9:43 pm

      Will you promise to turn in that scary SKS semi auto rifle you have in your safe Bluedog? I mean it’s an assault rifle after all? You must be a Neil or what ever the gay as fuck.

  • kc (sire/your majesty) September 21, 2021, 4:07 pm

    Well Professor, better to be a Neil than a Kneel.

    • Michael Scott McIntosh September 24, 2021, 8:06 am

      Comment of the day right there!

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