Do You Own a Gun ??

[Racoon]

I'm not a big fan of Guns, but the reality here in the United States is that it isn't an unwise object to own..

 

I've done some careful thinking, and I think that owning a gun is a wise investment.

Not for Hunting, not for crime, but for protection...

 

Disagree with the morality all you will, but the reality states otherwise..

 

Do you own a gun?

Does your government ban guns?

 

Has crime been reduced in the countries that ban guns?

Or is it part of the New World Order to control the masses?

 

I hate the thought of shooting someone, but realize it may come down to having to shoot someone in self-defense.

Thats the way the cookie is crumbling.

 

:doh: :)

[Mercedes Benzene]

I hate the thought of shooting someone, but realize it may come down to having to shoot someone in self-defense.

Thats the way the cookie is crumbling.

 

Where do you live?!:)

 

It doesn't seem that very many places would necessitate the purchase of a gun for protection.

[CraigD]

I've done some careful thinking, and I think that owning a gun is a wise investment.

Not for Hunting, not for crime, but for protection...

This is a question I suspect nearly everyone in countries that permit legal private gun ownership, and quite a few that don’t, has pondered. It’s been a very difficult one for me, as I love having beautifully-made machines on hand, which, IMHO, many if not all guns are. I’ve also had a few experiences in which I believe my person was protected (while another persons was threatened), because I had a gun on my person, and they did not, and a few in which the situation was reversed. To my great gratitude and relief, I have never pointed a loaded gun at another person (though I very nearly had to shoot a dog), only had a loaded gun intentionally pointed at me a few times, and actually been shot only once, accidentally, while hunting.

 

I’ve not owned a gun, or had one in my possession in other than extraordinary situations, since 1986. In my best assessment, this has resulted in me and my family having been less likely to be injured or killed, than if I owned a gun.

 

You’ll find fervent opinions and analysis for both this conclusion, and its opposite. I think the correct conclusion depends on many factors related to a person’s history and circumstances. In my analysis, with the exception of people who have persistent, dangerously violent enemies, people are safer not having guns than having them.

 

The statistics are difficult to analyze, as they involve many variables. In simple terms, people who own guns are more likely to be injured or killed by them – either their own, or those of others – but this statistic is difficult to control for such factors as the increased likelihood of emotionally imbalanced people owning guns, or the tendency for people in communities where gun ownership is more common to own guns. While it’s fairly obvious that people who are careless with guns – for example, leaving loaded guns in plain sight or well-known, unlocked hiding places around their dwellings – increase their risk of being shot, it’s also obvious that someone like me, who has no gun, is more likely to be shot in a scenario in which a person with a gun attacks him.

 

A factor that strongly determined my decision not to own a gun was having children. Although my parents took precautions to prevent it, by the age of 8, I was, without their knowledge, able to undetectably lay hands on several of their handguns and cartridges for same. Like many children, I had several emotionally turbulent conflicts with my parents and peers. I consider it lucky that I never took a gun, and shot anyone. Having no reason to believe my children would not be similarly clever and troubled, I concluded that the absence of a gun in our home increased our safety and the safety of our neighbors.

 

In my final analysis, I’ve concluded that, for most people, a few simple rules assure the greatest safety:

Don’t steal – human beings will injure and kill in retaliation for theft;

Don’t be emotionally cruel – nearly any person will physically retaliate if emotionally hurt enough;

And, though a sub-rule of previous one, don’t mess with/steal a boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/significant other. Most of the killing and wounding of which I’ve first-hand experience involved some sort of “romantic triangle” or more complicated figure. Such situations are, IMHO, the most dangerous ones encountered by mostly law-abiding people.

 

The following of none of these rules requires, or is aided by, a gun.

[freeztar]

I voted "no, but I am considering owning a gun".

 

Craig makes some good points and they remind me why I still have never bought a gun.

 

I don't feel threatened where I live now. I consider the chances of someone showing up at my door with a gun very small. Nonetheless, I've considered getting a pellet gun that I could use as a deterrent if need be. The speeding pellet is virtually non-fatal, but will look as if you have a real gun and they are probably pretty effective with most smaller animals (rabid dogs, coyote, and voles).

 

The only thing that makes me want to buy a "real" gun is as a last resort in a world gone wild (think of movies such as Outbreak, Mad Max, and Children of Men). While not likely, I can imagine certain situations where the economy could collapse, paralleled by natural disasters/famine/disease and war, where I would want a gun for the protection of my (future) family. In this case I would buy the gun and lots of ammo and bury it in my yard.

 

In case of emergency, break soil.

[Jay-qu]

I said no, but considering it. If I had a gun it would be purely for sport. I dont think I would be put in a situation that would need to use a gun for defence.

[InfiniteNow]

What's the difference between your two affirmative options (choices 1 & 3)?

[Jay-qu]

What's the difference between your two affirmative options (choices 1 & 3)?

1 includes the intention of malice?

[Zythryn]

I will never own a gun.

The possibility that an accidental shooting involving myself or god forbid a child is just one I could not sleep with.

In addition, if the gun were stolen and then used to kill a person I just couldn't live with myself.

Per capita, I believe the United Kingdom has the lowest per capita murder with firearms rate. Anyone know what their gun policy is?

Per capita, I also believe we have one of the highest rates where a war or genocide is not currently going on.

However, guns are not the root of the problem. The lack of respect on the part of many for their fellow human beings is the root of the issue in my opinion. Guns just make it easier for the results of such disrespect to have dire consequences.

And no, I don't think guns should be banned, but I do think guns are way out of control and do need to be registered and controlled (access to and ownership of).

[Queso]

my grandfather gave me a smith and wessom magnum .44 and I love shooting it

 

It's just so intense. I'm not out to kill.

 

When it comes to defense,

you know how we ninjas do.

 

word.

[Tormod]

I have never owned a gun and most likely never will - if I did, it would be related to sports and not kept at home.

[Chacmool]

I voted no. Over the past few years the government has considerably tightened the laws controlling gun ownership. I translated and edited the documentation involved, so I know what a cumbersome process it is these days!

 

You first have to obtain a competency certificate that proves you are sound of mind and body and therefore suitable for owning a gun. Interviews with various acquaintances and family members are conducted for this purpose. Then the potential owner must also pass a gun handling course. Only then is the actual application submitted.

 

Some people feel that the government is trying to disarm its citizens and thereby exposing them even more to criminal threats. Either way, I will never qualify for gun ownership because I suffer from bipolar disorder.

[Queso]

In florida you can walk into a gun shop and buy a semi automatic AK47 and have it in your hands within the hour.

 

lol

[InfiniteNow]

In florida you can walk into a gun shop and buy a semi automatic AK47 and have it in your hands within the hour.

 

lol

 

That's a useful bit of information. Thanks Orb. I may need that one day.

 

It appears they do some checks, relatively few are denied, and there is no extraordinary waiting process.

 

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/campusSecurity/docs/FloridasFirearmsPurchaseProgram1.pdf

Reasons for non-approvals:

Felony conviction.

Criminal felon registrant.

Active warrant.

Adjudication withheld on a felony (or misdemeanor domestic violence) charge, and three (3) years have not elapsed since the completion date of any court provisions (e.g. probation, fines).

Adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution by a court of law.

Illegal alien status.

Domestic or repeat violence injunction where subject was notified of the hearing.

Unresolved felony arrest or unresolved pending felony prosecution.

Convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Other miscellaneous disqualifiers.

 

Also, more information here:

FIREARM PURCHASE PROGRAM

 

 

 

However, I think this conversation could quickly devolve into a "legal/political" one, and I believe (perhaps mistakenly) that Racoon was asking his question in a bit of a different context.

[CraigD]

As the thread has wandered slightly into personal accounts of guns and gun buying, I must relate one of mine.

 

In the early 1980s, I found myself in the uneasy circumstance of being a pacifist in a community of survivalists. Despite my pacifism, I’d come to own a double-action 9 mm Browning HP handgun (a beautiful little piece of gunsmithing) and a 5.56x39 mm Ruger Mini-14 with pistol grip resin body and a folding stock.

 

Sympathetic to my distress, and the essential pointlessness of someone with such nice guns but a moral prohibition of using them on anyone come the apocalypse, my survivalist friends made a project of acquiring a 37 mm ARWEN multi-ammunition non/less-lethal weapon for me – though I suspect they had ulterior motives, thinking it possible to obtain or home-make millitary-grade grenade ammunition for it. Grenade launchers are a sort of holy grail for survivalists, and basically illegal as hell to own.

 

Surprisingly, though you might think the legal system would encourage the sale of non/less-lethal weapons for self-defense, this is not the case. The only way to get an ARWEN, the final consensus was, is to get a cop with purchasing authority to buy one and sell it to you. Counter to the stereotype of there being hoards of “dirty cops” who will do anything for money, and even being on pretty good personal terms with a state cop and two sheriff’s deputies, securing such an arrangement exceeded my gun-crazy little community’s abilities.

 

Still, if home defense is your goal, and you’d prefer to avoid killing anyone, guns like the ARWEN appear ideal. Though it still appears practically impossible for an ordinary civilian to own one, a similar but inferior gun can be had by loading a 12-gauge shotgun with beanbag shells.

[DougF]

I voted yes for hunting and protection,

I live in Florida now but was raised in the western U. S. A . and have been around guns all my life, my first gun (14) was a .22 cal. rifle used for hunting small game, I was taut gun safety from birth (or as far back as I can remember) gun and ammo were never kept in the same place (for safety) gun safety courses were a must (family afar) you could not go hunting without a buddy...

I still go hunting (Mostly Deer and Hog but still some small game) but now days I would not be without my guns, drive by shooting (can't do much about these) home invasions, car jacking (that's another story) as of this date I have not raised a gun in anger nor do I want to (but if someone was threaten the wife or kids) BUT WHO KNOWS TILL THAT DAY COMES.

(which I hope never dose) and I do sleep better knowing that I can protect my family. :)

[Michaelangelica]

I have never owned a gun and most likely never will - if I did, it would be related to sports and not kept at home.

Me too.

They scare me.

But neither of us live in the crazy world of the USA.

 

Here you have to have a reason to buy a gun.

If you have one it cannot be an automatic.-or submachine gun or bazooka etc.,(I loved the scene in Godzilla ( a favourite movie) when the French Secret service guy showed The Hero their amazing military armory.

"How did you get this?" the Hero asked

"O' says the French Secret service guy, dismissively gesturing "Ziszz is Arrmerica-you can get arnything in Arrmerica!"(except a good cup of coffee and a croissant as they discovered)

You must have it under lock and key at all times.

 

Oz Cops have guns

Most shootings here would be the occasional nut-case-cop one & farmers blowing their brains out (They aren't subsidised to the hilt as in USA)

 

You have to ask how does having more guns in the USA make me safer?

You kill more people with guns than any other country not in a war zone.

Compare the States with Canada.

.

If you feel so threatened that you need to buy a gun then something is sick in your society.

Have you thought of imigrating to NZ or Canada?

[freeztar]

You have to ask how does having more guns in the USA make me safer?

 

An understanding of US history puts this in light. Remember, we won our independence from the redcoats through force (with guns). It was clear to our founding fathers that an armed populace is necessary to overthrow the government should it become tyrannical. Hence they created the second ammendment to the Constitution. While it is very unlikely these days that a group could overthrow the US government with some rifles, it is still a major foundation of our government which is engrained into every American in some way.

 

Also, consider a situation in where everyone around you has a gun but you. In that case, having more guns (ie arming yourself) would make me feel safer.

You kill more people with guns than any other country not in a war zone.

Compare the States with Canada.

 

:eek: I haven't killed anyone!

:)

 

If you feel so threatened that you need to buy a gun then something is sick in your society.

 

There are lots of sick somethings in our society, but I imagine every society has their own list.

Have you thought of imigrating to NZ or Canada?

Yep, but I'm not a techie or a logger so I don't know if they'd want me. :hihi: