Patriarchy, Toxic Hyper-Masculinity, & Firearms

NOVEMBER 8, 2015 BY WARREN BLUMENFELD

In my attempt to come to an understanding as to why so many people oppose and resist common sense firearms safety regulations, I have developed a proposition that regulations on firearms challenge the promises of a patriarchal system based on notions of hyper-masculinity with the elements taken to the extreme of control, domination over others and the environment, competitiveness, autonomy, rugged individualism, strength, toughness, forcefulness, and decisiveness, and, of course, never having to ask for help or assistance. Concepts of cooperation and community responsibility are pushed to the sidelines and discarded.

Recently, to test out my theory, I distributed to a number of Facebook pages my understanding for the reasons why the United States remains among the last of the more developed Western countries to resist instituting meaningful and appropriate firearms safety measures.

Coming from the vast majority of sites devoted to enhancing firearms safety, members responded very positively, as if what I proposed was obvious, as common sense, and as indisputable. Examples of comments I received from these sites included: “Spot on analysis,” “Brilliant!,” “You said something I have been thinking for years, but you articulated it so well,” “Thank you for your clarity,” as well as providing some alternative explanations such as: “Follow the Money. Straight to the NRA from Colt, Remington and Smith & Wesson. It is NOT really about the 2nd Amendment for a ‘well regulated militia’; it is about selling weapons to the market of frightened people.”

I also reached out to other locations where I was less likely of receiving nearly universal support. Among the sites I contacted included members of a pro-firearms anti-regulations Facebook page calling itself Hypocrisy and Stupidity of Gun Control Advocates. By the title of the site, I should have been more prepared for the veracity of responses I received.


Demographics and Methodology
Following my initial statements on this Facebook page, approximately 120 or so different people responded. From what I could perceive of their genders or gender identities, no one identified as transgender, while only three identified as female. I could not determine the “racial” identities of the respondents since members did not identify in racial terms.

After I downloaded all of the comments, I coded all responses to identify any emerging themes. To my disappointment, but unfortunately not of much surprise, only 4 or 5 of the total number of responders made some form of reasoned or informed points, from wanting to protect their families to, for the women responders, warding off potential rapists. In addition, two made attempts at standing up to restrain the vast majority who responded out of rage and attack. While the upstanders efforts did not prove effective, at least they tried.

For the remainder of the members who posted during this time, rather than discussing or debating, they spewed venomous attacks in the form of name calling, character assassination, and direct threats. I report the forms it took. I have kept the language exactly as responders delivered it. I also include a number of the memes they posted according to the themes that emerged.

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Calling My Masculinity into Question

Most members tapped into the larger societal hierarchy of masculinity in terms of the binary of the “Alpha Male” literally and figuratively on top versus the “Beta Male” on the bottom. According to the definitions on Urban Dictionary:

“Alpha Male”: “1. The leader of the pack/herd/etc. 2. The dominant male, 3. The main source of population.”

I also found the definition of “Alpha Male Syndrome,” which I surmise most members on the Facebook site would not embrace, since it is a “psychological ailment when a guy always has to push or boss others around, start fights, talk shit, makes himself the center of attention, assume responsibility for anyone else’s triumph while also pushing the blame for his fuck-ups onto others.”

“Beta Male”: “an unremarkable, careful man who avoids risk and confrontation. Beta males lack the physical presence, charisma, and confidence of the Alpha male.”

All responses associated with this hierarchy referred to me as “Beta” for the purpose of dismissing anything I have to say. I include only a few representative examples:

“He’s a beta male = no relevance.”
“That’s some beta male nonsense right there.”
“If ever there were a poster boy for beta male…” followed by my Facebook picture with my three dogs:

- See more at:
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