The "Union Worker" pistol

[derby378]

I visited a gun show not too long ago and found a fake ad for a revolver called the Union Worker - it won't work, and you can't fire it.

Around 90 years ago, however, the ancestors of the guy who put out that poster were probably blue-collar "redneck" union miners who were marching in West Virginia against heavily armed corporate mercenaries when they opened fire on each other at Blair Mountain in one of the worst incidents of labor violence in American history. The original rednecks were pro-union to a man, earning their nickname from the red bandanas they wore to show solidarity with their fellow miners.

So the next time someone wants to use guns to make fun of union workers, they know what they can do with their little ad.

[baldguy]

1. Typical RW stupidity.

Are you surprised?

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. Suspicions comfirmed........

http://2ndamendmentright.org/2011/03/08/new-ruger-pistol-named-union-worker/

Real fucking funny, eh 2ndamendment.org?

Assholes.

[cleanhippie]

3. Well, it was just one asshole.

And no, its not funny.

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. Which one would that be?

Ruger? Or?

[cleanhippie]

17. Which one do you think?

[AtheistCrusader]

19. Ruger isn't producing any such thing.

It's viral bullshit.

[rl6214]

15. Pictures wouldn't show for me

[petronius]

18. A lame joke, but the one reply is a righteous rant (nt)

[TheWraith]

4. Affordable, available weapons helped equalize power between workers and employers.

If someone wants an example of what things look like when only the rich, powerful, and "acceptable" people can get weapons, I would recommend a tour of the REAL "old west." Not the entirely fictional world of high noon gunfights, but the world experienced by the Chinese, Cornish, Welsh, and other "undesirable" ethnic groups used for cheap near-slave labor in the west, digging out mines and building railroads. A world defined by the cheapness of life, indentured servitude, horrid working conditions, and the abuses they suffered at the hands of groups like the Pinkertons.

[Hoyt]

5. Right wingers make up the majority of the gun obsessed. Does slap at unions surprise you?

Another reason I find gun "shows" disgusting.

[gejohnston]

6. we need to change that

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rl6214]

16. Quit with the "gun obsessed" bullshit

It really makes you look like an idiot. Just because one has guns as part of their life dosen't make someone "obsessed".

Your comment about gun shows is just as idiotic.

[Hoyt]

21. Take it easy. Not good to get all upset when you are walking around with a gun.

"Obsession" is what it is. I guess you find it hard to admit.

[rl6214]

26. Not at all upset, thank you very much

If you want to look "obsessed" over your irrational ranting, have fun.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

23. Yet most firearms are union made, same with domestic ammunition

What does what you find disgusting have to do with anything?

[gejohnston]

7. does anyone

know how to contact Ruger public relations?

[Blown330]

10. Do you know...

...what a joke looks like? Ruger has nothing to do with this. When you call Ruger (contact information easily found on their website), ask them if they can help you find your sense of humor and maybe a little common sense.

[gejohnston]

11. I know

not what I was going for.

[GreenStormCloud]

13. Easy. Go to their web site and click the link.

http://www.ruger.com/index.html

I seriously doubt that Ruger is behind the joke. Their PR department isn't that dumb.

[ileus]

8. I recommend a gp100

[guardian]

22. Yeah!

Ruger GP100
.357
4" barrel

[rl6214]

14. I would love to see a copy of that ad

[AtheistCrusader]

20. It's bound to end up in your inbox at some point.

I've seen it before. I don't even think this is new, as in, pre-dates Obama's administration.

[rl6214]

25. Seen it now

stupid ad.

[DissedByBush]

24. They're not called rednecks because of the bandanas

The miners appropriated that.

It has an earlier meaning as your neck being red from being in the sun all day.

My family comes from deep mountain West Virginia, severe redneck from before the unions.

[derby378]

27. Thanks for the perspective

I had heard that the origin of the term "redneck" was the reverse of what you just relayed. I appreciate the heads-up.