History Main / ConMenHateGuns

* ''WhiteCollar'': Neal Caffrey is usually able to talk his way out of a situation and never has to use one. He does prove in one episode that not liking guns doesn't mean he can't be a very good shot with one, though.

It might be simple fear because [[TheLethalConnotationOfGunsAndOthers guns are dangerous weapons]] and the conman might very easily prove to be far less proficient in a gunfight than his supposed victim. It may be pragmatism, as guns are often taken as evidence of intent to kill and will usually get you a longer prison sentence if you get caught, as well as increasing the chance that someone will draw a gun on you in return. Given that conmen are frequently serial offenders, it may be illegal for them to just own one on account of their existing criminal record.

** Kieth, the Stupid-Looking Kid from ''Discworld/TheAmazzingMauriceAndHisEducatedRodents'', never carries any weapons or even throws a punch. Granted, it's easy to get by without a weapon if you have a Clan of intelligent rats traveling with you who ''aren't'' averse to fighting.

* Captain Jack Sparrow of the ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' franchise will usually go out of his way to avoid killing or violence, preferring to sneak and con his way out of situations; as noted by Barbossa in the first film: "Now you see, Jack, that's exactly the attitude that lost you the Pearl. People are easier to search when they're dead." [[spoiler:The only time he shoots somebody is when he uses [[LeaveBehindAPistol the pistol he was marroned with]] to shoot Barbarossa at the end of the first film.]]

* Aiber in ''Manga/DeathNote''.

On the other hand, it is quite often a point of pride -- [[EvenEvilHasStandards guns are beneath them]]. After all, they aren't called [[ConArtist the con]] ''[[ConArtist artist]]'' for nothing -- a truly good conman makes people do his bidding with ''cunning''. [[JustShootHim Just threatening to shoot somebody]] is [[ConsummateProfessional inelegant]], if not outright ''cheating''.

* None of the cons in the ''OceansEleven'' films like to use guns. The only time they do is when they're impersonating [[spoiler:a SWAT team]]. In the third film, Linus shows professional disdain when a self-proclaimed master thief robs him with a gun. After taking his loot, the master thief reveals that the gun was empty.

* Captain Jack Sparrow of the PiratesOfTheCaribbean franchise will usually go out of his way to avoid killing or violence, preferring to sneak and con his way out of situations; as noted by Barbossa in the first film: "Now you see, Jack, that's exactly the attitude that lost you the Pearl. People are easier to search when they're dead." [[spoiler:The only time he shoots somebody is when he uses [[LeaveBehindAPistol the pistol he was marroned with]] to shoot Barbarossa at the end of the first film.]]

* In Lawrence Block's ''BernieRhodenbarr'' series, Bernie, a burglar and conman, fears guns, as he tends to picture them being used on him.

-->-- '''The Fonz''', ''HappyDays''

* Done for multiple reasons in TheItalianJob2003. Charlie and company make it a point of pride to not use guns, but we also get the impression that they're not very violent people in general, and wouldn't do very well if it came to a shoot-out.

* James "Slippery Jim" diGriz, the main character and con man from ''TheStainlessSteelRat'' series is a variant of this. He sometimes carries a .75 caliber recoilless handgun with explosive rounds; however he hates killing, only using the gun to ShootOutTheLock and related things. He also carries it [[CantBatheWithoutAWeapon in the shower]].

* Walter Hardy in ''TheSpectacularSpiderMan'' typically doesn't carry a gun. [[spoiler:The key word is typically -- as he gets older and slower, he resorts to carrying one... and killed Ben Parker with it. He is genuinely remorseful, and believes he deserves to stay in prison, even turning down the chance to escape in "Opening Night".]]

* In ''TheMentalist'', titular mentalist Patrick Jane is well versed in con games and general messing with people, and makes his dislike for guns apparent on several occasions - contrasting him with the team of hard-boiled state agents he assists. When two CBI teams [[RightHandVersusLeftHand have an unexpected meeting and reflexively draw their guns on one another]], Jane yells at them to put them away, exclaiming "Cowboys!" in alarm and exasperation. He also immediately drops the shotgun [[spoiler:he used to kill DirtyCop Tanner, who was about to attack Lisbon.]]

* In ''VideoGame/TalesFromTheBorderlands'', it's possible (depending on the player's choice) for Fiona to have this opinion. Particularly impressive if so, given that that the game takes place on a DeathWorld.

It might be simple fear because [[TheLethalConnotationOfGunsAndOthers guns are dangerous weapons]] and the conman might very easily prove to be far less proficient in a gunfight than his supposed victim. It may be pragmatism, as guns are often taken as evidence of intent to kill and will usually get you a longer prison sentence if you get caught, as well as increasing the chance that someone will draw a gun on you in return. Given that conmen are frequently seriel offenders, it may be illegal for them to just own one on account of their existing criminal record.

It might be simple fear because [[TheLethalConnotationOfGunsAndOthers guns are dangerous weapons]] and the conman might very easily prove to be far less proficient in a gunfight than his supposed victim. It may be pragmatism, as guns are often taken as evidence of intent to kill and will usually get you a longer prison sentence if you get caught, as well as increasing the chance that someone will draw a gun on you in return. On the other hand, it is quite often a point of pride -- [[EvenEvilHasStandards guns are beneath them]]. After all, they aren't called [[ConArtist the con]] ''[[ConArtist artist]]'' for nothing -- a truly good conman makes people do his bidding with ''cunning''. [[JustShootHim Just threatening to shoot somebody]] is [[ConsummateProfessional inelegant]], if not outright ''cheating''.

* Captain Jack Sparrow of the PiratesOfTheCaribbean franchise will usually go out of his way to avoid killing or violence, preferring to sneak and con his way out of situations; as noted by Barbossa in the first film: "Now you see, Jack, that's exactly the attitude that lost you the Pearl. People are easier to search when they're dead." To the best of my recollection, he's only ever actually shot someone once in any of the four movies.

* The English conman/sorcerer John Constantine from ''ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}}'' hates using guns, and will tend to use wits and magic even in the most direst of situation. This was later changed in the movie adaptation, where John is a gun-totting American exorcist.

* In ''VideoGame/Left4Dead2'', the conman Nick says that it's illegal for him to hold a firearm due to being a convicted felon.

From an out-of-universe standpoint, it's usually because the easiest way to turn a LoveableRogue, TheFamilyForTheWholeFamily, or ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything into terrifying, ''evil'' criminals is to show them terrorising people with guns.

** In one season finale, a really ticked off Nate practices using his father's gun, intending to shoot the man who killed his father. Everyone else on the team tries to persuade him not to.

* Some retired pickpockets have told reporters that any tough can threaten someone with a gun, but it takes ''skill'' to steal someone's wallet and not have them realize it's gone.

** In one season finale, a really ticked off Nate buys and practices using a gun, intending to shoot the man who killed his father. Everyone else on the team tries to persuade him not to.