The question begs itself - why not? Considering the fact that Rowling generally tried to be logical and consistent in building the HP universe, I feel like there must be some in-universe explanation for this that I just didn't notice. So it's not like the idea of using technology against magic would be impossible to come up with. Magic themes in Conan books, or Beowulf, or heck, A Yankee in King Arthur's Court). I mean, it's a basic part of human myth (see Steel vs. This means there's an implicit understanding by Death Eaters that they don't stand a chance against armed Muggles even given the magical disparity.Ĭonsidering Harry and Hermione's overall adaptability and inventiveness (and brains in the latter case), it's mind-boggling that the idea of fighting Death Eaters with modern technology completely slipped their mind.

Hence all the efforts to cloak their society (basically, do you REALLY want every Muggle gunning for you, even with Magic)? The idea of how control over the Muggle world seems to be more indirect, by Death Eaters asserting mind-control over the government. The second thing is it's clear, at least initially, that wizards are afraid of Muggles finding out about them. Weasley, regarding Muggle items and how they work.īasically, from the books, it's clear that the Wizarding world wouldn't know details about guns or what they are for or how they work. moving photographs), based on his knowledge of the Muggle material world, as well as the somewhat amusing cluelessness of the 'Muggle artifacts' expert, Mr. The origin of the question stems from two things.įirst, Harry's fascination with all things that are different in the magical world (e.g. Second, the guns, like any 'secret weapon', could be reserved for strategic battles, say the defense of Hogwarts in Deathly Hallows. First, Death Eaters would have used the guns if they knew how to, anyway. NOTE: Please don't offer the 'if they do it, Death Eaters would start using guns as well' theory. Clarke's 'indistinguishable from magic' meme.Įven if they are on some kind of idiotic moral crusade to never kill their opponents (even the Jedi aren't this dumb), given the time-frame, non-lethal weapons would have already existed, such as rubber bullets and tasers. Or, for that matter, ANY Muggle technology of the late 20th century? Cue Arthur C. So I'm looking for an explanation - ideally in-universe, but possibly just some statement by JKR - of why the Muggle-born OotP - who are likely very much at ease AND familiar with Muggle technology and live in the late 20th century - do not use guns. Harry or Hermione) to greatly equalize the power between any regular Death Eaters and themselves, and even perhaps help against Voldemort (who can't be killed with a bullet, but, at best, would need to expend magical energy and time into conjuring a shield, and, at worst, be stopped/interrupted/driven off).

So, the guns should at best allow an over-matched OotP member (e.g.

Those spells obviously take effort/energy/time to cast (not everyone's Dumbledore)ĪND more likely than not most Death Eaters wouldn't recognize a Muggle gun for a threat (or realize what kind of threat) till too late. There may likely be spell(s) to protect from projectiles - witness Dumbledore's shield deployed when Voldemort sent a bunch of glass at him during the Duel in the Ministry Atrium at the end of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (according to Wikia, possibly an unusually powerful Protego or the Silver shield). Therefore, it's almost a certainty that an average wizard would be vulnerable to, say, a bunch of bullets. witness injuries from being hit by Bludgers or just colliding with things when playing Quidditch). We know that wizards in the Harry Potter universe are subject to regular physical harm (e.g.

Wizard with a gun meme