Showtime’s Lock N’ Load: Hollywood Finally Lets Gun Owners Speak
How dare a television show portray gun owners as anything but drooling, neo-Nazi killing machines?
Showtime’s new six-part reality series, Lock ‘N Load, lets gun owners speak for themselves for a change. The series, which debuts Wednesday night, focuses on a Colorado gun shop where everyone from gun nuts to gun-totin’ grandmas comes by to reload.
The series doesn’t take a stand on gun ownership. It simply lets the store’s more colorful customers make their own cases, all egged on by “gunslinger” Josh T. Ryan.
The man behind the counter is a fledgling actor who came up for the idea for the series. In reality show terms, that’s a dicey proposition. Is he an actor portraying a gun store clerk or an actor who realized his part-time gig as a gun salesman would make an intriguing reality project?
We’ve been asked to swallow much more from past reality shows, but suffice to say the interactions between the affable Ryan and his customers are strong enough to sell the vehicle. You just have to wade through the first uneventful episode to discover why.
The store in question is The Shootist, a family-owned outlet based in Englewood, Colorado, just a short drive from Denver. Ryan stands behind the counter, always loaded with at least one good punch line for his customers. Three video cameras catch the customers in action. Occasionally, the cameras move downstairs where clients can fire their new weapons in a basement shooting range.
The store setting wears thin quickly, and should the show get picked up for a new season Showtime would be wise to open things up beyond its four walls.
Ryan does step out briefly from behind the counter to compete with a female customer for skeet shooting bragging rights, but the moment is undermined when the show hides her background.
You simply can’t take a reality series at face value these days.
The Shootist’s customers prove to be an eclectic bunch, a few proving more entertaining than the affable Ryan. Some are simply gun fanatics who can tell you every single part of the AK-47, while others just want protection against home invaders.
It’s a positive approach for Showtime to actually give a hoot about not coming at this for the usual liberal lies.
Too bad some journalists (not the bias peddlers) didn’t try to go along with the Bloomberg troops when they toured gun shows. To show that their attempts to get people to break the law met with refusal after refusal before finding the one or two suckers that they now crow about would be real journalism.
Knowing all the parts of firearm does not make you a fanatic, wanting to own or use firearms doesn’t make you Dirty Harry. You should understand the parts of anything you own or use. Shooting is a sport, and a respected sport that is practiced at the Olympics and that used to take place in many high schools. I don’t recall of any stories of the high school rifle club attacking the student body.
As someone who lost a wife to a carjacking/rape/murder in 1991, I am now a realist. I don’t know if she’d have survived if she’d had a gun, but I do know she’d have had a fighting chance.
As opposed to NO chance, which is what she had.
I have eight pistols. I had two before election day of ’08, and have acquired six more. Most are .22 pistols, fun shooting but not very good for self defense. I do enjoy shooting and use the .22′s often for range time, practice, giving me much the same sort of satisfaction as hitting golf balls at the driving range. You don’t have to share my enjoyment of shooting to understand that it can be enjoyable as a sport.
But I also now have two 9mm pistols for home defense. My wife and I are planning on acquiring CCW permits as well… because it IS a dangerous world..
Any liberal who wants to call ME a danger to myself and others would most likely WANT someone armed nearby if he were to find himself in a McDonald’s style mass shooting scenario, or a terrorist in a mall or what have you. Liberals are dreaming if they think draconian gun laws will stop either of those from happening.
Knowing all your gun’s parts doesn’t make you a fanatic. Giving your guns names, does. From the the journals of the naturalist John James Audubon:
The act of breaking down, cleaning, inspecting and reassembling a firearm is part of the responsibility of firearm ownership and insures proper operation. If you refer to parts as doodads please seek proper training. Learning to shoot well and practice on a regular basis is also a responsibility.
Doing the above makes you a responsible gun owner not a fanatic.
I doubt many would call Audubon and dangerous fanatic. How about fanatics like those who name their cars? I am sure that the fanatics that name their guns are probably less violent then most sports “fans”.
There are those who shouldn’t be allowed to own guns, mostly criminals and/or mentally disturbed. There are also those who shouldn’t be allowed to vote much less hold office.
To Dave @ #3:
My sincerest condolences on what must still be an immense loss. I’m sorry.
The premise does wear thin pretty quickly. If they don’t move Josh outside those four walls, they’ll have to bring in customers who can better carry the show and attract a wider audience. Maybe Showtime would even resort to bringing in TV characters instead of real people — here’s 10 TV gunslingers they might choose: http://www.tvtango.com/news/detail/id/107
In honor of the premiere of LOCK ‘N LOAD check out this fun list of TV’s ten best sharpshooters and their weapons of choice.
Top 10 TV Gunslingers, Sharpshooters & Marksmen
http://tvtango.com/news/detail/id/107
Just so you know, the History Channel also has a “Lock ‘n’ Load.” It stars R. Lee Ermey, aka Gunny, who really does educate about weapons. He also has a fine time blasting the living hell out of his (inanimate) targets.
You simply can’t take a reality series at face value these days.
You never could. ALL reality TV isn’t. It’s all heavily edited. Even life performances are affected my many things the producers and even performers manipulate.
3. Dave,
Thank you for sharing your personal experience. Your story was heart-wrenching.
I used to be terrified of guns, now I’m about as PRO-GUN as anyone can be which makes my husband chuckle every time I tell him to buy more ammo because I used to get angry at him over even owning a gun but 9/11 pretty much changed that for me.
There is no way I would purchase or even look at a firearm under those conditions. I question the sanity of anyone who would.
Christian Toto:
maybe you should have checked your biases at the door.
Using loaded terms like “gun nuts”, “fanatic”, “curious gleam in their eye”, “infatuation with firepower”, and so on, apparently serves only the purpose of marginalizing the folks you are describing.
Trust me, using those terms is as offensive to many gun owners as racial slurs might be to some.
Too bad, really, as you otherwise did a fair and, dare I say it, journalistic job of this review.
Better luck next time.
Legal gun ownership reduces crime.
NUFF SAID.
Kirk (and others in this comment stream)
I think you’re being a bit sensitive on some of the wording here. I’d easily consider myself a baseball fanatic – and a movie fanatic, too. I didn’t intend or imply anything horrible about the word … it simply means someone who’s really “into” a particular subject.
I hope you watch this show … would be curious about your reaction. Some of the customers here are pretty much as I describe them … I think the show does a nice job of showing the cultural power of the gun. I think even a pacifist might have a Dirty Harry moment while holding a gun in his or her hand.
If someone handed me a cool gun, no doubt I’d pick it up, point it in some direction and strike a pose. And I bet I’d have a gleam in my eye, too.
Some people here clearly have an infatuation with firepower. I see nothing wrong with that in a country that allows people to collect firearms. My only problem occurs if they use that firepower against people (unless they’re about to hurt your family)
Thanks for writing and for treating this comment stream with respect.
Some of the customers here are pretty much as I describe them … I think the show does a nice job of showing the cultural power of the gun.
I wish that I could say that you were wrong–but I have met a few people who were a bit less than rational in their approach to guns. Of course, that’s true about cars as well (and perhaps even more so)–and we know which is more dangerous–the cars.
The show doesnt sound very interesting IMO.
There are lots of people who have never even handled or fired any kind of gun. There are also some who are true ethusiasts who can tell you everything in great detail. For some it is a profession. Just like other hobbies.
For myself, shows about drumming, fishing, or shooting, in that order, would get my attention because those are my personal hobbies. That is not because of any claim that those are any better than other personal interests.
Shooting is different in one important respect. No matter how hard I try, killing someone by screwing up with a big-ass Muskie lure or a 2B drumstick is unlikely. Yet, when I bring the 9mm to the range I need to have a different mindset.
No question in my mind that having and knowing how to use a gun is a plus in personal defense and Mrs. Spindok can do better than I after less practice as usual. (like Dave #3 A .22 for practice and 9mm work fine for me. I am so sorry for your loss and cannot pretend to be where you are…)
Just rambling.
I am worried that when the other overwhelming issues tackled by the current government have been ‘resolved’ (big irony there) then guns will be a target. It is not now because the plate is so overflowing already and this is a political loser in the US.
Spindok
>> the show doesn’t demonize gun owners or the Second Amendment.
They don’t have to – the show is an anti-gun by the site the producers chose. They toured the area and could have gone to, say, Rocky Mountain Shooting Supply in Ft. Collins or Whistling Pines in Colorado Springs. Nope – I can’t wait to see Ma and Pa and their three dogs behind the counter, or that poorly ventilated dungeon of a “shooting range”.
At the crowded NRA convention in Phoenix, I saw ONE twenty-something yahoo all dressed up like he was in the jungles of Vietnam. He was being interviewed by a television crew. Wake up, “left coasters”, y’all been had – again!
Spindok: I hear you, but…
Screwing up behind the wheel of my car could easily kill somebody and I drive to work and back every day. I only get to the range about twice a month these days.
After reading this review, I’m not sure whether I’m unfortunate or fortunate that I don’t subscribe to HBO.I’m guessing it’s the latter.
I’ve have owned and shot guns all my life, from BB guns to Beretta’s.
Of the 3 gun stores that I visit, none of its owners or employees would I describe as “affable.” Serious and professional would be more accurate.
Ryan comes off sounding a bit like a clown.
BillyBob2 nailed it. Good grouping, center mass.
Yucking it up about guns for a “reality” show is the opposite of help.
In 1985 a intruder in my home used a tire iron on my head(200 plus stiches)My 14 year old daughter surprised him with her hunting rifle and he took off running.She had a rifle and knew how to use it or we would both be dead.Today my 15 year old grand daughter is a 3rd degree blackbelt and does competition shooting on her highschool rifle team.Yes I did say highschool.Many highschools have good R.O.T.C. programs that include rifle teams.They teach the right and safe handling of firearms.
Showtime and HBO are the only channels on TV with any balls. You had the religious right take over the FCC and attempt to censor anything involving sex or bad things said about Christianity. Then you had the PC left taking away all racial humor, and censorig anything bad said about Islam.
Show time and HBO told both of these groups to get the hell out of the way. They put great programming on despite what may be written about them.
Dave- I don’t know how you stayed sane after that beyond terrible murder of your wife. But you did, and I salute you for that. Not sure I’d be able to keep it together myself.
Delia- Glad you posted your bit there. I recently completed my CCW and 1/3 of the class was female. Some had never fired a gun before that day. All passed and had great big smiles when it was done. A friend of mine was one of them. She has physical issues, but has discovered that she can handle a firearm quite well. Now we can’t keep her out of the range!
I’ve seen it many times and it continues to be true. Fear of guns is born from ignorance of guns. Once the ignorance is removed so goes the fear. Like as not, you have a new citizen that has graduated up from servant at that point as well.
Criminals with guns will ALWAYS exist. ALWAYS.
Law abiding citizens shouldn’t be disallowed of their gun rights because of thugs who will NEVER adhere to laws anyhow.
24. Trouble,
I think fear of guns is propaganda induced because ‘weaponry’ is ‘death’.
But, weaponry is also protection.
Weaponry is also defense.
Weaponry is also a last resort.
I’d rather have something and never need it
…rather than need something and not have it.
Justin: I will have HBO for at least another year. “The Pacific” is coming – I have sky high hopes for this one to be as good as “Band of Brothers.”
http://www.hbo.com/events/pacific/video.html
Kittie: Congratulations! Your granddaughter sounds like quite a capable young woman.
I have to disagree with you about your daughter, though. If “she had a rifle and knew how to use it”, the intruder would have been unable to take off running. Deadly force is best met with deadly force.
About time;Widespread gun ownership is one of the most wonderful things about this country!
Surprise! The Wicked Demon Weapons of Death don’t leap around and cavort killingly on the counter! They’re inert and don’t turn customers into Gigantic Grand Kluxxers or Frothing Werewolves of gun-violence. It’s boring to see that gun-hatred is wasted on a piece of metal.
Yeah I was wondering whether or not a name change will be in order for this show as R. Lee Ermy’s show was around first AND is a really great show that is informative.
Thanks Tennessee Bud,I,m proud of both my girls.My daughter didn,t take the shot because she didn,t know where I was.I could have been in one of the rooms behind the intruder.When shooting a large caliber weapon the bullet could pass through the target .She knew that and chose not to take a chance.
It might be more negative than you think. If you show that people have an infatuation with firepower, it actually works against the case for gun rights. It’s one thing to make the argument that gun rights are a necessary good to ensure self-protection.
It’s another when you get someone drooling over the latest AK-47 variant, or buying guns “with a curious gleam in their eye.” Or reminding us that a little Dirty Harry exists in all of us. There’s an argument from necessity, and there is loving a gun culture, and the latter is what frightens a lot of us.
I’ve met the host. He’s a great gun salesman. Yes he has a brash fun style, but we found him refreshing than your normal stick in the mud behind the counter. From what we read, he’s a member of the NRA, pro 2nd ammendment. Regardless of the channel’s producing and I am sure they got their claws in it, I think we should support the guy for trying to do a show that doesn’t demonize us. Sure he’s an actor by night, but he’s legit, and it’s very hard to get a show produced. My sister and I thought he was attractive too, which doesn’t hurt, this is T.V. after all. But I just think it would be great to support the show, first seasons always are working the kinks out, it’s great to see a show that doesn’t do a 20/20 slam on gun ownership, regardless if you think he “sweeps” with the barrel, etc. And how great is it to see a WOMAN who is a triple crown expert, give the guy some credit for at least having the gumption to make this happen. It’s easy to point out what needs work, it’s harder to support someone who is trying to feed their family like the rest of us.