Play One on TV

Yesterday, it became legal in the state of Oklahoma to stand your ground in the face of a criminal attack. Technically, the law takes effect in November, so I’ll be sure to avoid any muggings or carjackings until then (smirk).

In an unusual coincidence, my wife had referred me to a Townhall article by Jonah Goldberg about how men get “riled up” over guns. He cites a study by psychologists at Knox College in Illinois that made a correlation between gun handling and general man-type behavior.

One group was asked to take apart and reassemble a large handgun and then write down instructions on how to put it together. The other group was asked to do the same with the game Mouse Trap.

Afterward, those who handled the gun showed a jump in testosterone levels. Subjects were then asked to drink a cup of water with hot sauce in it and then prepare a similar drink for someone else. Those who handled the gun were more likely to add more hot sauce than those who didn’t. This means, according to the paper, that “handling a gun stirs a hormonal reaction in men that primes them for aggression.”

I’m quite sure there are some Oklahomans who are convinced that November will bring about the resurrection of the Old West in Oklahoma, with gun battles on every street corner and vigilantes in every downtown alley. According to this research, they don’t need to worry. Testosterone drives a heck of a lot more than violence. It seems more likely that we will see a resurgence in truck purchasing, professional wrestling attendance, and marital sex. And perhaps a slight increase in the price of Tabasco stock.

On an unusual side note, the legislation was authored by Rep. Kevin Calvey. I played baritone with him in high school. Had I known he would become such a man of influence, I would have been more careful not to empty my spit valve on his foot.