Gun nut
Gun nut is a term and an idea which refers to an individual who is fascinated by firearms and wants desperately to keep their Second amendment right to have and bear arms. A surprising number of people are labeled as "gun nuts" by liberals who want to give up this freedom, but the term is also sometimes used in jest or seriousness by conservatives.
The Term
The term is fairly self-explanatory, but it can be misunderstood. The first word, gun, is obvious enough. the second part, nut, refers not to a edible nut or any other modern definition of the word, but the rather refers to someone who is either a little crazy or is obsessed with something. While the former meaning of nut is more accurate in general (and liberals prefer this meaning), the latter is more applicable in this case. In other words, it is someone obsessed with firearms.
The Idea
The idea of a "gun nut" has been painted in a variety of different ways for many years in the United States. News report push this idea whenever possible, and movies, TV shows, and books often promote this idea as well. Not only are characters portrayed this way, but others' responses are staged to cast a negative light on such people. The picture which is fed to the American people is usually that of some foolish, grouchy (often old) man who is obsessed with guns. We will often be shown to threaten others, break the law frequently and carelessly, and be generally reckless. They will often be shown shooting at law enforcement officers or other people for no good reason. They are also shown going on rants of blended truth and extreme exaggeration to discredit both portions of the rant in the viewers' eyes. Most fictional "gun nuts" are shown as southern "rednecks."[1]
The Facts
In truth, most gun owners are respectable, responsible people, who seem on different than any other person. However, there are a small number of people who do act much as fiction portrays. This continues to fuel the fire against the right to have and bear arms.[2]