The issue is young men are acquiring guns and killing each other. They are almost exclusively from the community these young footballers come from. Look at the contrast between them and Rio Ferdinand, (who I am no fan of.) At least he feels some responsibility for the community he grew up in. Don't think pictures like this are of no consequence. They are.
I am also no fan of the Mail. Their "outraged" coverage of everything that doesn't conform to their comfortable middle class stereotype is hysterical and ridiculous. This is an issue though, that needs people in positions to influence young men, just like Naughton, to make a stand and dissociate themselves from guns completely, at least in public.
I don't agree with you on this, with respect to Kyle Naughton's scenario.
Bassong holding a gun (replica or not) in his back yard sends out a message to the public that its cool to own guns and play with them in your back yard.
Nile Ranger as above.
Jay Bothroyd tried to be smarts, but it didn't quite work out.
Kyle Naughton went to a firing range to try something new, or perhaps let off some steam (I assume firing bullets at a target is an example of letting of steam) and wanted to post a picture of himself online doing so because, frankly, 1) people in the UK tend not to own guns and 2) people think its quite cool.
The difference here is that KN did it in a completely controlled environment. Going to a firing range is perfectly legal and there are no moral or ethical issues in doing so (I say that because legal doesn't always mean right e.g. tax avoidance). It is possible that some kids might take this the wrong way and think "OMG! KN HAS A GUN, I MUST OWN ONE AND STARTS SHOOTING PEOPLE" but then one completely limits the activities, or advertising of such activities, by footballers to a smaller range just because there are negative connotations associated with it.
Frankly, those who cheat on their wives (or girlfriends) are sending a FAR worse message than what KN did.
I honestly don't see the problem with what KN did.



