Gaming: Is Sniping Cowardly?

[Alcar]

I think sniping is cowardly in any form, real or virtual. If you don't have the guts to shoot someone face to face, I don't have respect for you. Actually, I don't have respect for anyone that uses a gun

Alcar...

[Codek]

Why do you seem to think that shooting someone face-to-face is more respectable than picking them off from a distance? It's not like it will make much difference to the guy that gets shot. If you shoot someone you shoot someone. It doesn't matter how you do it. The point is to kill. The better you achieve that the better you're doing.

A sniper rifle is the ultimate way to kill someone. Nobody can find the shooter because nobody has any idea what is going on until the killer is long gone. He is too far away to see straight away, and even once the shot is made it's still hard to work out where he is.

And beleive it or not Alcar, it takes quite a lot of skill to operate a sniper rifle. You've got to be able to judge distance to within a few meters.

[Alcar]

Oh, I understand it takes great skill to operate a sniper rifle, but that doesn't make the deaths any more justified. And, there is no difference in the end. It just tells you something about the person with the sniper, they're cowardly. As for point-blank, they're not so cowardly, but they're obviously doing it close for a reason. Maybe they want to boost their ego.

Either one, in my opinion is a no-no. Humans have the gift of intelligence and speech, why can't we use it more often to end dispute? Rather than take the easy way out, cause a death, create pain in loved ones.

Alcar...

[Codek]

A person doesn't just decide to use a sniper rifle because he's a coward. You need A LOT of training to use a sniper rifle. And I'm not kidding there.

As for point blank being less cowardly, I don't think so. I think it's more insane. People who shoot other people at point blank range are not courageous, they are either in fear of their life, mentally disturbed, or enraged to the point of murder. So you see there is no element of cowardice or courage in any of it. It's down to mental reactions. Fight or flight. And people always regret it afterwards, unless of course there is something seriously wrong with them.

[Alcar]

Things like snipering usually have a reason behind it. Whether or not the killer is willing to accept it, they are using a gun because they cannot handle the situation in a civilised manner. That therefore leads to their being other issues, such as why they can't handle the situation, is it because they're too afraid? And want the easy way out? Using a sniper means they don't have to deal with the pleas of the victim, they aren't as emotionally involved in the killing. They stand at a distance because they are cowardly. They have problems.

Now, I see we might be getting confused with professionally trained, military type snipers. Obviously, they kill because they are instructed to. But why? There are obviously some deep mental issues torturing them, for them to be able to kill people. To be able to supress the conscious while you do it is a hard task, one I doubt I'd ever be able to carry out, my conscious, let alone my heart and brain wouldn't let me. The conwardness comes into play, because the people ordering the snipers to kill, are in fact being cowardly.

One way or the other, it's a matter of opinion Death. I believe that any violence can be avoided, and I don't condone it. Sure, I've had my bad days, and I've acted violently. But when I do, I always make sure to realise why. And it's because I was weak, I was weak in some mental area, and I would fix it. People who use violence, and continually use it, are weak, and they in turn are weaker for not being able to recognise their weaknesses.

Alcar...

[Fez]

A person doesn't just decide to use a sniper rifle because he's a coward. You need A LOT of training to use a sniper rifle. And I'm not kidding there.

True, there is so much more to it then looking down a scope and shooting a target.

[Codek]

Now, I see we might be getting confused with professionally trained, military type snipers. Obviously, they kill because they are instructed to. But why? There are obviously some deep mental issues torturing them, for them to be able to kill people. To be able to supress the conscious while you do it is a hard task, one I doubt I'd ever be able to carry out, my conscious, let alone my heart and brain wouldn't let me. The conwardness comes into play, because the people ordering the snipers to kill, are in fact being cowardly.

Military snipers don't have a reason for being snipers other than the fact that some people are just better with rifles than they are with automatic weapons. Like it or not, the sniper rifle saves lives. A single sniper can take out up to ten men without even risking anything. That saves a group of 5 to 10 men armed with assault rifles going right into the fray. It avoids unnessacery deaths.

Not only do snipers safely take out dangerous teams of enemies, but they also provide vital intelligence info to standard foot-soldiers, by spying on the situation. They can relay tactical data to the right troops at the right time, again saving even more lives.

Conflict isn't preferable, but when it comes down to it, you've got to be prepared. Remorse is trained out of a soldier. Especially out of a sniper, since he has more time to think about what he is doing. But no soldier is there because there is something mentally wrong with him. He is there to protect his country. A fact that you should be greatful of.

[Alcar]

Yes, but what drives a person to kill another person, even if they "might be" the enemy? You've got to be either drunk, or extremely tortured in the mind. Both of which, impair your thinking. I wouldn't want to be a sniper, for I fear I'd be living a life of unending hurt.

Alcar...

[ClaireBear]

This is a tad of topic but...

Lets start a thread discussing war versus apeasment!!!!!! (sp?)

I think it should prove interesting...

I'm gonna go search to see if one exists and I'll reserect it!

If not I could start it... but I hate starting threads... don't know why but I do! So maybe one of you guys could oblige!?

[nads]

SNIPING is great except for BF:1942 where you can shoot the guy at point balnk range in the left eye and not hit him.

Sniping is almost required in some games like Splinter Cell (new one rocks) where stealth is required and lights and people must be shot without being seen.

Sniping sucks in games like Halo, BF:1942, ut 2004 where everyone's runnin round willy-nilly shootin each other with rocket launchers shotguns, plasma rifles, mines and other giblet-inducing weapons.

[Mac the Janitor]

Things like snipering usually have a reason behind it. Whether or not the killer is willing to accept it, they are using a gun because they cannot handle the situation in a civilised manner. That therefore leads to their being other issues, such as why they can't handle the situation, is it because they're too afraid? And want the easy way out? Using a sniper means they don't have to deal with the pleas of the victim, they aren't as emotionally involved in the killing. They stand at a distance because they are cowardly. They have problems.

Now, I see we might be getting confused with professionally trained, military type snipers. Obviously, they kill because they are instructed to. But why? There are obviously some deep mental issues torturing them, for them to be able to kill people. To be able to supress the conscious while you do it is a hard task, one I doubt I'd ever be able to carry out, my conscious, let alone my heart and brain wouldn't let me. The conwardness comes into play, because the people ordering the snipers to kill, are in fact being cowardly.

One way or the other, it's a matter of opinion Death. I believe that any violence can be avoided, and I don't condone it. Sure, I've had my bad days, and I've acted violently. But when I do, I always make sure to realise why. And it's because I was weak, I was weak in some mental area, and I would fix it. People who use violence, and continually use it, are weak, and they in turn are weaker for not being able to recognise their weaknesses.

Alcar...

Gah, that was absolutely beautiful Alcar. I agree 100%.

Hug?

[Di$array]

it real warfare, i thing your better off being a sniper because at the end of the day to can go home alive whereas if your assault inf your chance of survival is cut in half.

[oddguy]

Uhhh, we stopped talking about video game snipers...huh?

[Codek]

Yes, but what drives a person to kill another person, even if they "might be" the enemy? You've got to be either drunk, or extremely tortured in the mind. Both of which, impair your thinking. I wouldn't want to be a sniper, for I fear I'd be living a life of unending hurt.

Alcar...

"Might be" has nothing to do with it. War and conflict is a fact of life. Without all the snipers, infantry, tanks and helicopters, there would be no protection - idealist nazi psychopaths would rule earth. I think that's justification enough for shooting someone in the head without having to listen to their pleas of mercy (doubtful that there would be any).

War is not waged on the drive to kill. Using a sniper rifle is just one of the many ways to kill your enemy. Either way, he is the enemy, and must be stopped, it does not matter how you do it.

If you are talking in terms of a chain murderer using a sniper rifle, then yes, that is sick, because he is shooting innocent civillians. These people have something mentally wrong with them. They may not even be in complete control of themselves.

But like I said earlier, there are four reasons a man kills someone: Revenge, Self Defense, Insanity, And to defend the country they come from. Nothing else.

A sniper rifle can both be used and abused. Either way, it is never used because someone is cowardly. Snipers are some of the most respected forces in any army. And for that reason, I'm going to continue to defend the sniper.

[Jacob]

According to a recent documentary you have to be vaguely insane to actually kill people anyway, regardless of whether you're in the army or not. Because to look into another mans eyes and kill them takes guts. Hence why executioners used to put black bags over the criminals heads...so they don't have to look at them.

Another interesting fact was that in one of the early 1900 wars [can't remember which, but it included basic guns, large black furry hats and red suits] some/most soldiers never fired their weapon and when they did purposely aimed to miss.

[Esus]

Sorry, could resist

some/most soldiers never fired their weapon and when they did purposely aimed to miss.

And we wonder why we lost that independance war with America... well, now we know. The Americans were insane!

Should. Have. Resisted.

[Codek]

Some people are willing to do more than others to defend their country, this does not nessacerily mean that they are slightly insane.

[Alcar]

Using the patriot example, I would think being slightly insane has to do with the fact that the person is taking patriotism too far. They have become slightly insane (if we describe being insane as confusion), they have in fact, been confused by their outgoing patriotism towards their country, and will do what is necessary.

No one knows the true extent of the brain and how it functions, and I hope we never do. For my imagination has shown me many dire consequences of fully understanding the brain.

Alcar...

[Codek]

You're confusing obsessive patriotism with a sense of duty and loyalty. I've met plenty of military men and women, and they all seem perfectly sane to me. None of them are outwardly over-patriotic, they just feel a sense of duty to their country. And I see nothing wrong with that.

The obsessively patriotic rarely make it into the military. Insanity is not a trait regarded highly, as it can lead to major discipline problems and even friendly fire. So I strongly disagree with you.

Maybe it happened 30 - 50 years ago, but it doesn't now.

[Alcar]

I too have met many military personel, I am in fact considered to be a member of the military, however insignificant that position may be. I can safely say, those in the military have reasons for being in the military. All bad life experiences I'd assume. But, that doesn't mean they will necessarily shoot someone, just because they're in the military. They have conscious' too

Alcar...

[Codek]

A good soldier does not let his conscience get in the way of his duty. If he or she has to kill somebody, then he or she will. Simple.

[Mac the Janitor]

I'd have to agree with Jacob or whoever said that...killing does take a slight amount of insanity. Well, to do it without remorse, that is.




I just HAD to put that somewhere. Sorry.

[Fez]

Thank you for filling in while i was away Death.

I have nothin else to say.

[Jacob]

It's believed that the Army are now designing tests to make "killing machines".

Also, on the point of people "not seeming insane". That guy who was burnt in the Falklands war said he knew somebody who seemed perfectly nice, perfectly friendly and a really nice guy who everybody adored...but when he was out on the battlefield he turned into an insane psychotic.

I'm surprised nobody else watched the show, it was on a couple of months back and was called 'The truth about killing' or something like that, was on C4. Was really interesting hearing how Soldiers didn't shoot to kill or only killed when it was ultimatly necessary.

[Fez]

Yup, its not easy taking a life. But you shoot when your life is endangered. I've done missions where i've been firing blanks at my mates, in the middle of it all, you just lose it. Your mind goes blank, and all you concentrate on is killing. Human instinct.

[Alcar]

Indeed. That could be likened to temporary insanity, ferill. Which is understandable; who wouldn't go insanenly mad if they knew the life of a loved one was to be compromised?

Which is, the explanation of why people, normally very introverted, can also shoot to kill another, should the victim be close to them. As depressing as my own irony is, I know I'd do that for a loved one. My own hypocrisy nullifies my opinions.

Alcar...

[Codek]

Alcar; There is no such thing as a "reasonable person". People are animals, they kill each other all the time. It's in their nature, and to deny it like it's something only madmen do really is slightly insane.

Like I said earlier, conflict isn't preferable, it's just a fact of life. People will always fight other people. There will always be people who feel so passionately about something, that they end up fighting for it. Why can't you just accept that and move on?

OK so maybe some people just won't kill period. But if you had the choice between killing someone or losing the country you live in to terrorists, which would you choose?

[Fez]

Killing......

[oddguy]

I'm never going to join the Army...because I could never kill anyone. Also, if the draft were to come back, I'm safe. Paxil CR...hehe. That's interesting...what would you guys do if the draft came back?

-oddguy

[Fez]

I'm going into the Army anyway, so it wont bother me, I'll acutally be happyer I get to join up early!

I highly doubt a draft will come back, unless America ****s around with China or Russia, or the UK even!

Anyone want to know what to expect if you get drafted?