# Hot Water Bottle Firearms The Comfort Gun by Francis North is Inspired by a John Lennon Song By Meghan Young | Published 2013-06-07 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comfort-gun References: [fastcodesign](http://www.fastcodesign.com/1672749/a-hot-water-bottle-that-pokes-fun-at-americas-gun-obsession) & [francisnorth](http://www.francisnorth.com/) While the Comfort Gun could be dismissed as a hipster take on the [hot water bottle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crustacean-lobster-twist), joining the ranks of other similarly tweaked traditional objects, it is a comment on America's obsession with such weapons. Specifically inspired by John Lennon’s 'Happiness Is a Warm Gun,' which was written as a sendup to an NRA ad emblazoned with the slogan, the comfort gun embodies the feelings many people have towards their firearm. Created by Francis North, a second-year graphic design student at Kingston University, the Comfort Gun plays on the idea of sleeping with a gun under the pillow. North writes, "The overlying theme was that guns were a [form of comfort](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hugarounds), in a kind of twisted and ironic way, but I quite liked this." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.0/10 - Popularity: 40% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Anti-gun Statement Products:** The Comfort Gun is a product exemplifying the trend of making statement products that express anti-gun sentiments. - **Hipster-ized Traditional Objects:** The Comfort Gun belongs to the trend of hipster-izing traditional objects to appeal to modern sensibilities. - **Humor in Serious Issues:** The Comfort Gun represents the trend of using humor to raise awareness or make light of serious issues. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Product Design:** The Comfort Gun provides an opportunity for product designers to create products that convey a message or political stance. - **Stationary and Homeware:** The Comfort Gun is an example of how stationary and homeware products can be given a new twist for the modern market. - **Comedy and Satire Publishing:** The Comfort Gun shows that comedy and satire publishers have an opportunity to capitalize on political or social issues by using humor to relate to their audiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Anti-Gun Water Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antigun-water-toys-jayhayspray20-promotes-change-in-societys-relationship-w.md) - [Comforting Ketchup Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emotional-support-ketchup-bottle.md) - [Mailbox-Shaped Water Heaters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/warmflow-messenger.md) - [Gun Violence Prevention Films](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandy-hook-promise.md) - [Redesigning Restful Moments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anew-project.md) - [Realistic Weaponry Game Controllers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vir-controller.md) - [Animated Show-Inspired Butane Torches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/butane-torch.md) - [Satirical Political Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thoughts-prayers-toilet-paper.md) - [Gel Pellet Toy Guns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hasbro-1.md)