>absolute fixation by non-lifters on "beating people up" whereas in reality I've lived in a concealed carry state for decades so people are much more civil
Your experience is that "non-lifters" are the aggressive ones fixated on beating people up? I don't think that would match most people's experience.
And I highly doubt concealed carry leads to more polite interactions.
Most people are not lifters, and there seems to be no correlation, so yes that is a fairly common experience.
Also the level of aggression in the weight room is extremely low compared to the basketball court. You "win" in the weight room by lifting something heavier then fist bump your friends, lifting is not a zero sum game, in theory everyone can win every week if they're making gains. The only way to win on a basketball court or similar, is to dominate a the weaker into taking a loss, its a zero sum game.
Very rare in media to hear about a fight breaking out in the free weights room; fights happen every day at basketball courts, hockey arenas, soccer stadiums ... team sports are super violent.
Your experience is that "non-lifters" are the aggressive ones fixated on beating people up? I don't think that would match most people's experience.
And I highly doubt concealed carry leads to more polite interactions.