As The Culture Turns.

January 12, 2008 6:48 AM

Restyling of real military weapons into fashion items for ladies.
posted by wallstreet1929 (19 comments total)

See also: Cesar Lopez' 'escopetarra' a guitar made from a rifle.
posted by micayetoca at 6:56 AM on January 12, 2008

Don't forget the kids.
posted by Balisong at 7:51 AM on January 12, 2008

I don't like guns so this whole business squicks me out. But if I did like guns, I'd want a nice one with leopard print and sparkly bits too. I don't see why only ladies should have nice things.
posted by nowonmai at 8:02 AM on January 12, 2008

I prefer more of a classic look... a gold plated AK47, for instance, will never go out of fashion
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:33 AM on January 12, 2008

Antonio Riello's bio is interesting, as is Bill Dunlap's in the same magazine.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:50 AM on January 12, 2008

The idea is interesting the execution, I think leaves a bit to be desired.
posted by Rubbstone at 9:57 AM on January 12, 2008

The execution. Hah! That kills me.
I dunno. I like the tacky aspect. I think it's deliberate.
Also nice that he has the sensitivity to use fake fur.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 10:13 AM on January 12, 2008 [1 favorite]

"He also has a degree in Architecture from Venezia University. After his studies, he decided to travel around the world working hand-to-mouth with various odd jobs. These jobs included working in a Sadomasochist club in Zurich-CH and as a magician for a German television show."

Glad to know what I'm in for after I graduate.
posted by Cheminatrix at 10:21 AM on January 12, 2008

I dunno, I yearn for something more fancy and exotic, like a platinum plated Streyr Aug perhaps.
posted by Artw at 10:36 AM on January 12, 2008

Was going to do an FPP on a similar topic, might as well put those links here and add to the weirdness:

GlamGuns

Microtrends: Guns for girls, Arms manufacturers are creating bizarre-looking pink guns, to attract women (and children) buyers

Women and Guns
posted by nickyskye at 10:57 AM on January 12, 2008

Okay, she'd kill me if she knew I was doing this (or knew I even HAD this) but here is a photo of Momitosis, one of several gun cheesecake shots she posed for as a gift to my father back in the 80's. Dad sells guns and shoots competitively, so I'm sure this was a real treat for him. I love this photo because you can tell that she's not the kind of woman who would even TOUCH a gun under normal circumstances.

I put this in a frame a while back, and always have to remember at the last minute to hide it when she visits.

I just want people to understand why I turned out this way.
posted by hermitosis at 11:13 AM on January 12, 2008

As the culture turns...my stomach?
posted by The Light Fantastic at 11:45 AM on January 12, 2008

And there's always this I stumbled upon the other day: Hello Kitty AR-15
posted by Stunt at 12:52 PM on January 12, 2008

Good lord....look at the guns on her!
posted by mathis23 at 1:08 PM on January 12, 2008

I showed this to a female friend of mine who's into firearms and she was mildly offended by the underlying stereotyping of what "women's _____" should look like. But maybe that's part of the point. Most female shooters I know wouldn't be caught dead with a pink gun, either. For purposes of comparison, here's an actual gun designed for women. The only difference from the regular model -- I believe -- is the smaller grips.

And with the exception of the one photo Ballsong links to that actually shows a young girl shooting a pink rifle, most of the really over-the-top 'Hello Kitty'-ish guns that I've ever seen were pretty clearly jokes, frequently juxtaposing the perceived 'scariness' of all-black AR-style rifles with something silly and nonthreatening. I've always thought it was rather stupid, personally, and makes it marginally more likely that somebody will think it's a toy. (Although I have more of an objection to all-blue guns, since blue is typically the color of something that's inert.)

Kid-sized "youth" guns are nothing new, although I think they're enjoying a bit of a revival (for reasons I'm not sure of). I remember going to Boy Scout camp where they had dozens of the things; IIRC there were a few now-defunct manufacturers who used to make little else.
posted by Kadin2048 at 1:56 PM on January 12, 2008

I'd agree with the comment about the stereotyping. While they look cute, when you're in a bind you don't want cute, you want business! It's all good I suppose for a laugh or for the movies.

On a semi-related note, I love the grenades. The idea of a mafia boss' wife threatening her kidnappers/enemies with one of those grenades is cool!
posted by Naoko Kensaku at 4:03 AM on January 13, 2008

Slight deraill, but since were on the subject of weapons, check this out.
posted by mattoxic at 5:02 AM on January 13, 2008

Also, not to spam your post, but in the spirit of our disdain for stupid, not to mention ineffective gun control legislation, I feel the need to remind everyone to VOTE RON PAUL 2008!!!

No, feel free, that isn't spam at all.
posted by Meatbomb at 9:50 AM on January 13, 2008

I would happily shoot a Hello Kitty gun. It would greatly increase my chances of killing the target because chances are, he'd be laughing in disbelief as I pulled the trigger.

Er, not that I actually WANT to kill anyone... but why not make death cute and fashionable?
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 7:28 AM on January 14, 2008 [1 favorite]