How does this board feel about guns?

JackoftheBox

Do you own them? 

Do you know how to operate one?

DH wants a new one for his birthday. I told him to knock himself out but that he would have to just go get it himself. 

law&order

Do you own them?  Yes, due to DH's employment.

Do you know how to operate one? Not safely. I need to take a class.

 

We probably wouldn't have them if it weren't required for DH's work.

JackoftheBox

law&order said:

Do you own them?  Yes, due to DH's employment.

Do you know how to operate one? Not safely. I need to take a class.

 

We probably wouldn't have them if it weren't required for DH's work.

What does your DH do?

I have taken my hunters safety course and would like to take a conceal and carry course (<-- not because i want to conceal and carry but just to have more knowledge on how to use firearms).

We talked about going to a gun range this weekend when DH gets his birthday gift. Without DS obviously.

law&order

JackoftheBox said:

law&order said:

Do you own them?  Yes, due to DH's employment.

Do you know how to operate one? Not safely. I need to take a class.

 

We probably wouldn't have them if it weren't required for DH's work.

What does your DH do?

I have taken my hunters safety course and would like to take a conceal and carry course (<-- not because i want to conceal and carry but just to have more knowledge on how to use firearms).

We talked about going to a gun range this weekend when DH gets his birthday gift. Without DS obviously.

He's in law enforcement.  I've gone to the range before and I really hate it!  But I do want to take a class, especially because DS will have to take a class when he is of an appropriate age/maturity level. 

DH really wanted me to get my CCW permit when I was a practicing attorney due to the types of cases I had. But I've never wanted to carry and never will get my concealed carry permit.

Helenahhandbasket

No and no.

Hunting's not big in these parts, though.

PB102012

Do you own them? Yes (several)

Do you know how to operate one? Yes

JackoftheBox

Lol I kind of forget about where everyone is from. I think DH has 7-8 and I own 1. But hunting is big is Missouri! 

jellybean529

I don't own one because I know for a fact I would never be able to fire it at someone. I would be one of those people with a handgun who winds up having it used against her.

Helenahhandbasket

Yeah, I think this is highly regional.

Like, I haven't ever even seen a gun up close.

JackoftheBox

Helenahhandbasket said:

Yeah, I think this is highly regional.

Like, I haven't ever even seen a gun up close.

Really?! This kind of blows my mind. 

Helenahhandbasket

JackoftheBox said:

Helenahhandbasket said:

Yeah, I think this is highly regional.

Like, I haven't ever even seen a gun up close.

Really?! This kind of blows my mind. 

Yeah-- really!

For perspective-- I grew up in a very neighborhoody part of Brooklyn, and then as a teenager,  we moved to a NYC suburb (but still very neighborhoody and close to the city). 

I know not one person that hunts. 

JackoftheBox

LovelyRitaMeterMaid said:

I used to be 100% against having a gun at all.  I still don't like it and don't want to handle a gun and I have no interest.  H does have one (there is a back story as to how we came to that agreement, but suffice to say, we are on the same page now) but it is 100% locked up.  I am okay with it now, because, well heroin is a huge problem where I live and it isn't totally crazy to be afraid of someone breaking in.  

That said: 1) You should absolutely have to undergo a background check to obtain a gun and if you have any sort of mental health issue, you should absolutely not be granted that right.  It endangers other, plain and simple.  2) I really can't stand this backlash culture in America where everyone is scared to death someone will take their guns so now every single person I know wants one and loves guns all of the sudden.  I think it takes away from the serious nature of the issue.

 I can't fully agree with you on the bolded. I have PPA does this mean I shouldn't own a gun? (please feel free to answer honestly I am genuinely curious of your answer).

I think the backlash is justifiable. If someone wanted to take away your freedom of speech wouldn't it effect you?

law&order

Helenahhandbasket said:

JackoftheBox said:

Helenahhandbasket said:

Yeah, I think this is highly regional.

Like, I haven't ever even seen a gun up close.

Really?! This kind of blows my mind. 

Yeah-- really!

For perspective-- I grew up in a very neighborhoody part of Brooklyn, and then as a teenager,  we moved to a NYC suburb (but still very neighborhoody and close to the city). 

I know not one person that hunts. 

Agree. The only person I know that hunts is my uncle who lives in rural South Dakota. 

JackoftheBox

JackoftheBox said:

LovelyRitaMeterMaid said:

I used to be 100% against having a gun at all.  I still don't like it and don't want to handle a gun and I have no interest.  H does have one (there is a back story as to how we came to that agreement, but suffice to say, we are on the same page now) but it is 100% locked up.  I am okay with it now, because, well heroin is a huge problem where I live and it isn't totally crazy to be afraid of someone breaking in.  

That said: 1) You should absolutely have to undergo a background check to obtain a gun and if you have any sort of mental health issue, you should absolutely not be granted that right.  It endangers other, plain and simple.  2) I really can't stand this backlash culture in America where everyone is scared to death someone will take their guns so now every single person I know wants one and loves guns all of the sudden.  I think it takes away from the serious nature of the issue.

 I can't fully agree with you on the bolded. I have PPA does this mean I shouldn't own a gun? (please feel free to answer honestly I am genuinely curious of your answer).

I think the backlash is justifiable. If someone wanted to take away your freedom of speech wouldn't it effect you?

PS I realize this is an apples to apples comparison but you get the jest. 

JackoftheBox

Helenahhandbasket said:

JackoftheBox said:

Helenahhandbasket said:

Yeah, I think this is highly regional.

Like, I haven't ever even seen a gun up close.

Really?! This kind of blows my mind. 

Yeah-- really!

For perspective-- I grew up in a very neighborhoody part of Brooklyn, and then as a teenager,  we moved to a NYC suburb (but still very neighborhoody and close to the city). 

I know not one person that hunts. 

LovelyRitaMeterMaid said:

JackoftheBox said:

LovelyRitaMeterMaid said:

I used to be 100% against having a gun at all.  I still don't like it and don't want to handle a gun and I have no interest.  H does have one (there is a back story as to how we came to that agreement, but suffice to say, we are on the same page now) but it is 100% locked up.  I am okay with it now, because, well heroin is a huge problem where I live and it isn't totally crazy to be afraid of someone breaking in.  

That said: 1) You should absolutely have to undergo a background check to obtain a gun and if you have any sort of mental health issue, you should absolutely not be granted that right.  It endangers other, plain and simple.  2) I really can't stand this backlash culture in America where everyone is scared to death someone will take their guns so now every single person I know wants one and loves guns all of the sudden.  I think it takes away from the serious nature of the issue.

 I can't fully agree with you on the bolded. I have PPA does this mean I shouldn't own a gun? (please feel free to answer honestly I am genuinely curious of your answer).

I think the backlash is justifiable. If someone wanted to take away your freedom of speech wouldn't it effect you?

Damn box.

As for PP issues, I hadn't previously thought about that. In any case, it should all depend on the person's history, etc.  But honestly, it seems like every single time we have some person who goes out, legally buys a gun, and shoots a bunch of people or children, they had an extensive mental health history and were known to be unstable.  And yet they still were able to purchase a gun.  Without issue.  It's absolutely insane to me.  

And I personally don't see the right to bear arms as even close to as important as freedom of speech.

The same person could have just as easily gotten household items and made a bomb. There are actually several steps you have to take in order to buy a gun. A number of people who do buy guns an "go crazy" normally do not have any prior incidents against them. 

I cannot agree with the bolded in the least. That to me is like saying "sure take away my ability to protect my family; I will just politely ask them to not kill us."

JackoftheBox

^^ PS i don't know how two quotes got stuck SORRY.

Also @lovelyritametermaid while I can't agree with you I respect your choices.

Ago

I agree with LovelyRita here.  I think guns need to be regulated much more - licenses that need annual renewal, background checks, proper storage required.  If we can do that for a vehicle, why can't we do that for a weapon?  I think the purpose of the "Right to Bear Arms" was written with different and archaeic intent in comparison to today.  This is a very unpopular opinion in my Midwestern state, so I guess this post rolls into that as well.

TittsMcGee

H bought one few months ago. He goes to the shooting range once in a while. He wanted me to go with him but I don't think I could hold one, let alone fire it.

JackoftheBox

Ago said:

I agree with LovelyRita here.  I think guns need to be regulated much more - licenses that need annual renewal, background checks, proper storage required.  If we can do that for a vehicle, why can't we do that for a weapon?  I think the purpose of the "Right to Bear Arms" was written with different and archaeic intent in comparison to today.  This is a very unpopular opinion in my Midwestern state, so I guess this post rolls into that as well.

DAMN BOX 

I agree with you on this. @loveyritametermaid if this was your base then I support it. 

I also agree that it was a different time, but I still believe that it needs to be instated today as well.

TittsMcGee

Ago said:

I agree with LovelyRita here.  I think guns need to be regulated much more - licenses that need annual renewal, background checks, proper storage required.  If we can do that for a vehicle, why can't we do that for a weapon?  I think the purpose of the "Right to Bear Arms" was written with different and archaeic intent in comparison to today.  This is a very unpopular opinion in my Midwestern state, so I guess this post rolls into that as well.

What if we misunderstood what the Founding Fathers meant by "Right to Bear Arms"?

TittsMcGee

@lovelyritametermaid has a point that most people who committed mass shootings had a history of depression and were not mentally stable or at least didn't have it under control. So I do understand where she is going with that.

But guns are so hard to regulate and even if there were sticker laws implemented those who wanted to get them would find a way.  

KatieB19

I agree with @lovelyritametermaid completely. I don't understand why we can't regulate guns more. Ok, if someone was really bent on committing a crime, yes, they would find a way to do it. But someone who is just pissed off and decides to get a gun might be deterred if there are road blocks.

Ok example (kind of a stretch): marajuana is illegal where I am. Obviously many people still smoke it. But as for me and my friends, we do not because it's illegal. If it was legal, I feel like we'd all have a stash. (not that we'd be potheads, but you kwim).

I feel like this has to be the same for others, that if the avenue to get a gun was against the law/more difficult, they'd at least take pause. As it is right now, anyone can just buy a gun at a gun show, totally legit (in my state anyway). Shady back alley deals where you worry about the cops: not necessary.

I also agree with her mental health statement. In my head, it would not be for just any mental health issue. Guns would not be sold to people who have demonstrated instability -- which is different from someone who is taking meds/is in therapy/etc. and are managing their illness. Basically, if a mental health professional thinks maybe you shouldn't have a gun, then maybe you shouldn't be allowed to get one right then.

We do not have a gun. The last time I even saw one was when I was 10 and my dad let me shoot a blank from his handgun. I was very anti gun until recently. Now I'm second guessing for safety concerns -- I've been getting irrationally afraid of someone breaking it. Ironically, I used to subscribe to the idea that guns in the home made you/others in your home less safe. So I don't know. DH want to get a .22. I'm leaning the other way towards shot gun -- more intimidating to just look at, so maybe less likely to need to shoot. Well, "need to".

People do hunt in my area, but we don't.

KatieB19

I hate how everything I type is tl;dr, lol. I'm too wordy.

Chapter79

JackoftheBox said:

Helenahhandbasket said:

Yeah, I think this is highly regional.

Like, I haven't ever even seen a gun up close.

Really?! This kind of blows my mind. 

I've not either, I don't know a single person that owns a gun. I've never seen one, and wouldn't have in my own home.

Shabutie

MissPeansMama said:

Do you own them? No.  But my dad is a hunter, so guns were always in the house when I was growing up.  DH wants to get a shotgun (no bullets) just to scare DD's boyfriends when she gets older...LOL!

Do you know how to operate one?  No.  I would like to learn though.  I highly doubt we will ever own one, but I think it would be something good to know.

When I lived in New Mexico(right by the Texas and Juarez, Mexico borders) I used to have to step outside at night and cock my shotgun to scare people out of my yard. It's a totally normal thing around there... ridiculous, too. I don't know wtf they were looking for, but they weren't taking it from me lol
There were often gunshots and bangs going off throughout the night. Terrible place to live. I moved out quickly

I just read what I typed out and I got a picture in my head of me as an old lady sitting on a front porch with a gun and yelling at children to stay off my grass :P

That movie made me cry so hard

[Deleted User]

No and no. Probably won't ever. I'll be screwed when the zombie apocalypse hits.
I respect the 2nd amendment but I think we need a lot better regulations for gun owners. And better mental health care.

gwendarling

In my head, I think I'd actually be really good with a gun and would totally kick ass in a zombie apocalypse.

but fundamentally, I am absolutely anti gun and pro regulation.

also, duh, I'd get a samurai sword a la michonne if the zombie apocalypse hits.

kristennd

I'm just sick of things like that guy in Florida who felt he had to bring a gun to a movie for protection and then shoots a guy for texting during previews. People are too freaking wound up and it leads to irrational impulsive behavior. When was the last time you heard about a family being attacked that wasn't by a member of that family? And then compare that to the number of kids who find the family gun and kill a sibling? I'm from Alaska. People know how (and when!) to handle guns there. But when you don't... it's definitely more harm than good.

kristennd

Kld2014 said:

I'm torn on the issue of gun control, usually if someone wants to cause harm they will find a way. I think a criminal is a criminal and there's not a lot that will change it. But I also think that stronger laws might help weed them out.

That's a popular argument that I really don't care for. Yes, if someone really wants to harm a person or a random group, they can and will plot a way. But most of the gun deaths in this country are impulsive. If the person hadn't been armed when they lost their temper or freaked out at a mysterious stranger, they would usually not instead have pummeled the victim to death with their fists. And there certainly wouldn't be as many group deaths. Or accidents.

Is that something you can regulate or legislate? Probably not. But for our current culture to keep telling people that's a valid reason to carry a gun everywhere and to be afraid of every noise at night is a terrible thing.

Shabutie

MissPeansMama said:

Shabutie said:

MissPeansMama said:

Do you own them? No.  But my dad is a hunter, so guns were always in the house when I was growing up.  DH wants to get a shotgun (no bullets) just to scare DD's boyfriends when she gets older...LOL!

Do you know how to operate one?  No.  I would like to learn though.  I highly doubt we will ever own one, but I think it would be something good to know.

When I lived in New Mexico(right by the Texas and Juarez, Mexico borders) I used to have to step outside at night and cock my shotgun to scare people out of my yard. It's a totally normal thing around there... ridiculous, too. I don't know wtf they were looking for, but they weren't taking it from me lol
There were often gunshots and bangs going off throughout the night. Terrible place to live. I moved out quickly

I just read what I typed out and I got a picture in my head of me as an old lady sitting on a front porch with a gun and yelling at children to stay off my grass :P

That movie made me cry so hard

I love Clint!  That was great movie...but I think all his movies were great.  I have definitely felt like pointing a shotgun at the kids who feel its ok to walk through out yard and taunt our dog.  It is not the norm to do that here, so I'd probably go to jail if I did...LOL!

I ended up getting two dogs and training them that nobody was allowed in the yard and strangers were not allowed to pet them through the fence. Worked like a charm..but I moved anyways

The food was so much better in El Paso than it is in Georgia.. It was almost worth staying. It's the only thing I miss   /cry

hopefulmom81

We don't own one.  I have considered getting one for our house just because we would be sitting ducks in the .0001% chance someone would ever break in, but I think we will ultimately never have one in our home now that DD is here.

I know how to use one.  My dad is a veteran and is super into guns.

I don't see any reason for people to own a crapton of guns, I believe that everyone has the right to protect their home, but to have assault rifles and whatnot seems crazy to me.

michelle615

M&MHaveMyHeart said:

No & no.

I would like to go to a shooting range to relieve some stress though but I'm undecided on whether or not I would own one. 

This.

Pearls+Oysters

I do not own a gun or rifle but I do know how to handle one. Not super great, but I can handle one safely.

My brother took me to the range as a gift a few times and I have to say I enjoyed the safety aspect and the stress relief effect, but I still wouldn't try to obtain a license for one. 

Around here the laws are pretty severe but some psychopaths still fall through the cracks. Hence why they're psychopaths. Manipulative and deceptive.