 Hoplophobia (pronounced HOP-li-fobia), from
the Greek hoplon, or weapon, is a phobia identified by firearms
instructor
Colonel Jeff Cooper in 1962. His intent was to
satirically use a clinical term to bring public recognition of the
abnormal, irrational, persistent and intense fear of something that
poses little or no actual inherent danger -- firearms. Colonel
Cooper stated, "I coined the term 'hoplophobia' in 1962 in response
to a perceived need for a word to describe a mental aberration
consisting of an unreasoning terror of gadgetry, specifically,
weapons. The most common manifestation of hoplophobia is the idea
that instruments possess a will of their own, apart from that of
their user. This is not a reasoned position, but when you point this
out to a hoplophobe he is not impressed because his is an
unreasonable position. To convince a man that he is not making sense
is not to change his viewpoint but rather to make an enemy."Hoplophobia is deemed to be a cultural side effect of those
who engage in the primordial human belief systems that
anthropologists refer to as "animism," or the belief that inanimate
objects can hold spirits that can effect human actions. Some folks
believe that firearms are just simply evil. There is no question
that a firearm can be misused in such a way as to cause injury or
death to innocent people. On the other hand, firearms are used by
amateurs thousands of times each year to save innocent lives.
Cause of
hoplophobia: Like all fears and phobias, hoplophobia is created by
the unconscious mind as a protective mechanism against things or
situations the sufferer doesn't adequately understand or comprehend. While most adults with hoplophobia realize that these
fears are irrational, they often find that facing, or even thinking
about facing, the feared situation brings on a panic attack or
severe anxiety.
Symptoms of hoplophobia typically include shortness of breath,
rapid breathing, dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, dry mouth,
feeling sick, heart palpitations, inability to speak or think
clearly, overall feelings of dread, a fear of dying, becoming mad or losing control, a
sensation of detachment from reality or a full blown anxiety attack.
A small minority of adults suffer from hoplophobia.
Most sufferers are surprised to learn that they are far from alone
in this surprisingly common, although often unspoken, phobia. The
problem often significantly impacts the quality of life. It can keep
people apart from loved ones and business associates. Some hoplophobes choose to spread their irrational fears among the
general public and to impose extreme controls on those who do not
manifest symptoms of hoplophobia.
Firearms, like many other powerful hand tools, are not for
everyone. Some people are klutzes, and should stay away from tools
in general. There are some that just never learned they should not
run with scissors. There are a tiny few that should never have
matches, for they can't control their urges, and pose a danger to
anything flammable. But that should not preclude the rest of us from
the utility of instant fire. If some people fear that they can't be
trusted with a potentially dangerous device, that doesn't mean that
others are similarly unworthy of trust and responsibility.
A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity. -- Sigmund Freud (General
Introduction to Psychoanalysis)
Treatment of hoplophobia: Take a firearms safety course from an
NRA-certified instructor including time on the range. The more
ammunition discharged, the more effective and lasting the treatment.
An afternoon at the range, with a little professional guidance, can
be a very enjoyable experience.
Three-Peaks Gun Safety Courses:
NRA Instructor, Utah Hunter Education Instructor, Utah Concealed
Firearms Instructor.
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