@my sight, apparently the no pointing guns rule was only aimed at me big brother.

George, this is a good image and I probably should have kept my gun pointing opinions to myself. Although after seeing my brother's comments and asking my mother about why I had the gun rule, I found it I couldn't point any kind except a squirt gun at anyone because my dad carried a real gun for work and they were afraid that somehow I might get my hands on that. When my brother was younger my father wasn't a deputy and we didn't have a gun around all the time.

@CraigMartin:
As you noted, this was a controversial image the first time I posted it. But I think the discussion it can prompt is an important one. While some may think this glamorizes guns or downplays guns, to me it speaks to an obvious problem in America. As for the focus, to me this wouldn't have the same impact if the gun was in focus but the kid's face was not, or if both were in focus. The object (gun) is clear enough to know what it is, but by being out of focus you immediately jump to the kid's intense look, almost as if you're not only looking down the barrel of his gun but also down the barrel of his eye...and because his face is largely obscured by the gun there's a further suggestion of looking down the barrel of all children's eyes. At least that's what it says to me. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.

@varner:
I couldn't agree more: it is disturbing, and yes, that's what I'm going for. I appreciate your comment.

@mysight:
I haven't heard of a game called "thug." What's that? I grew up playing the same games but have no particular love of guns today.

@ooenzo:
Thanks for your comment. As I mentioned in my reply to CraigMartin, the focus as it is I find more effective, but I see what you mean.

@pursang:
Mark, so far it's been relatively tame as compared to the first time I posted this image. Care to join in the debate?

@Ana:
Yup the eye clinches it :-)

@Hummingbird:
I have no problem whatsoever with you stating your opinions. One reason I posted the shot was to spark a conversation, and to get people to think about it. I understand your reaction, and I think it's perfectly normal for people to be bothered by this image. It bothers me. But that doesn't mean it shouldn't be shared, not that I think that's what you're suggesting. I appreciate your thoughtful input and sharing of the story how guns relate to your life.

@kadenjack:
You're the third person to comment on the focus, so clearly that's an "issue". I still feel it's more effective this way. Thanks for your comment.

@lbimaging:
Glad you still like it.

George,I made up 'thug',
I think in playing 'cops and robbers' today
some kids look up to the "robbers"
and not the cops.

@mysight:
Ok, I see what you meant. Yeah, the thug mentality has been overly glamorized. It sells a lot of CDs.

@Lange:
Not that I want you to work for it, but notice the six bullet chamber is closed. I'm no gun aficionado however I'm fairly certain in a real gun of this type there would be holes where the bullets go. So to me it's clearly a toy although the fact that it appears to be a real gun is THE point. There are more examples that beg the same question, where does "fantasy" end and "reality" begin? To my mind there is a level of responsibility at stake in making choices. That's what this image is fundamentally trying to speak to.