Actually---it is, Skell. I have a gun because I truly believe that someday I will have to rise up against my government. I may be mostly sane most of the time, but I'm truly paranoid about my government, and believe about half of the conspiracy theories out there about it (George Bush, Sr. shooting Kennedy, anyone?).

I live in a big city, but I'm in a good neighborhood, in a secured building, where I see the cops go by at least every hour. Of course, the cop shop is down the road about 4 blocks, so that's no real surprise.

Have I been scared for my life against someone breaking in? Nope. Not yet. But I have a funny feeling that someday I'll be glad that I know how to clean, load, and shoot a gun.

The funny thing about it is that I was born into a family of hunters... my gun is a 20-gauge shotgun. I was taught to shoot to put food on the table (yes, my family has always eaten what we've killed), not necessarily for sport or for the thrill of the kill. While there was a gun cabinet (locked, with ammo elsewhere) in my house as a kid, I was taught that guns are not for fun, but are something to be treated with the utmost respect, because they could KILL someone. My dad also pointed out when we were learning to shoot that you don't want to kill someone if you don't have to--but if you have to, don't hesitate, either. When it's a choice between your life and theirs, to make a choice and commend it to God.

The problem with guns is not that people want them, or that people kill with them. The problem is that people are so CASUAL about them, in the wrong sort of way. They're not part of everyday life because you need it for food, or because you enjoy hunting. They're part of everyday life because every day we hear about another person killed by one, another kid who accidentally shot one because his parents were stupid and didn't teach their children about the kind of tool a gun is, and when and how it should be used.

They'll put their kid in seatbelts, and bike helmets, and kneepads and jock straps and on birth control, but they won't teach their kids about guns, probably because so many parents these days don't know much themselves. A gun is a tool, like a chainsaw is a tool. You can hurt someone badly or kill with either one, but they can both also be used to help you do something more than just senseless killing.

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Originally Posted by magprob

And Ned.

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He's a national hero!!

Syn,

You make a lot of reasonable points and although it will wake more for me to be convinced I respect what you say. I just find it hard to grasp. Different cultures.

Perhaps if I lived in the US I too would feel like most of you, but down here I don't. And 95% of the population agree with me. Although 95% of the population down here also would love to rise up against Bush as well. But we are going to do that by changing our government come the Federal Election in December. :)

Better investigation of people responsible for trying to protect the community is needed, not gun control. Brainwashing the police and others since 9/11 that everyone is a possible terrorist is wrong. I am not a terrorist, I have a law abiding human being who will protect my family and myself. Now let's make the true people responsible for their action, criminals.



The gun control advocates are nuts. Enacting laws to control guns only affect people that abide by the law. The people that are committing the crimes with guns could not care less that there's a "gun control" law that they're breaking. It's the least of the laws they're breaking. If these idiots really want to control the criminals that use guns to commit crimes, they should encourage every citizen to carry a concealed firearm. I fight crime. I shoot back.

"If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns." I mean, it's a cheesy bumper sticker, but it's true. When a criminal wants a gun, they don't walk down to the gun store, wait 3 days, and get a semi-automatic rifle. They get an illegal AK from someone of questionable morals. Period. Gun control laws limit citizens not criminals.

Washingtonians are not stupid. We are aware that gun laws have failed miserably wherever they have been tried. Anyone who knows how to visit the FBI Web site can tell you that the most dangerous places in the United States often are the places with the strictest gun laws. Gun laws overseas have been no more successful. Asking the Legislature to give us more is a colossal waste of time and an insult to our intelligence.

The concept of reducing violence by passing gun laws is a fallacy, as evidenced by several decades of failure. The only proven solution is to put criminals in prison and keep them there as long as you can. This is not a popular way to spend tax dollars; hence the opening for culture warriors to hijack the lawmaking process for their own ends.

I love reading these threads. It strenghtens my Canadian identity. I'm so happy to be here, not living my life in fear.

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Originally Posted by NeedKarma

I love reading these threads. It strenghtens my Canadian identity. I'm so happy to be here, not living my life in fear.

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Excellent hunting & Fishing in Canada! Simply the best!

Quiet now, it's our little secret. No cities here, just rural expanse.

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Originally Posted by Skell

Thats fair enough.

Can i ask where you keep your gun J?

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Which one? LOL, I have many.

Most are in my gun safe, but one is hidden in a very safe place in my home. Another, when I have to go to the scary city of memphis is in my concealed carry purse.

I don't think, and I never said, MORE guns is the answer, it is not. Education is the key here.

And, yes, sadly I do think that boy would have used a knife, club, or some other weapon if he did not have access to a gun. He was mentally unstable as it was. He would have used anything he could have gotten his hands on.

The thing here is that you people don't see the good things that happen when a responsible gun owner saves the day. This happened a few miles from where I live.

Cordova Schnucks employee attacks seven co-workers

Again, the answer is not MORE guns, but in EDUCATION.

J 9, if you are ever close to Maryland stop by and we will go target shooting, I have a place that is quite safe for practice.

Hey, if you are ever near Memphis I own the SWEETEST gun range in the south!!

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Originally Posted by J_9

Hey, if you are ever near Memphis I own the SWEETEST gun range in the south!!!

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Next time I am down your way I will stop in, Do you have a Thompson 1928 available to shot?

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Originally Posted by mr.yet

Do you have a Thompson 1928 available to shot?

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Haven't been in the shop in a while, but I believe we do.

Latest update on the shooting. He could not handle rejection and name calling

Deputy rebuffed before attack - Crime & Punishment - MSNBC.com

I agree with one thing said at least... 20 years old is not old enough to be a cop...

Start, they send out guys to IRAQ at 18, because they are young and impressionable. IT is easier to get their minds brainwashed that way...
20 is too old to make hundreds of millions of dollars too, so what are we doing to our youth today??
Why do we put guns in our kids hands and expect them to be mature?

I know Shattered. Sure doesn't make any sense to me. I think you are right though. 18? 18? 18? An adult? Whoa... that is all I can say!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Synnen

Actually---it is, Skell. I have a gun because I truly believe that someday I will have to rise up against my government. I may be mostly sane most of the time, but I'm truly paranoid about my government, and believe about half of the conspiracy theories out there about it (George Bush, Sr. shooting Kennedy, anyone?).

I live in a big city, but I'm in a good neighborhood, in a secured building, where I see the cops go by at least every hour. Of course, the cop shop is down the road about 4 blocks, so that's no real surprise.

Have I been scared for my life against someone breaking in? Nope. Not yet. But I have a funny feeling that someday I'll be glad that I know how to clean, load, and shoot a gun.

The funny thing about it is that I was born into a family of hunters...my gun is a 20-gauge shotgun. I was taught to shoot to put food on the table (yes, my family has always eaten what we've killed), not necessarily for sport or for the thrill of the kill. While there was a gun cabinet (locked, with ammo elsewhere) in my house as a kid, I was taught that guns are not for fun, but are something to be treated with the utmost respect, because they could KILL someone. My dad also pointed out when we were learning to shoot that you don't want to kill someone if you don't have to--but if you have to, don't hesitate, either. When it's a choice between your life and theirs, to make a choice and commend it to God.

The problem with guns is not that people want them, or that people kill with them. The problem is that people are so CASUAL about them, in the wrong sort of way. They're not part of everyday life because you need it for food, or because you enjoy hunting. They're part of everyday life because every day we hear about another person killed by one, another kid who accidently shot one because his parents were stupid and didn't teach their children about the kind of tool a gun is, and when and how it should be used.

They'll put their kid in seatbelts, and bike helmets, and kneepads and jock straps and on birth control, but they won't teach their kids about guns, probably because so many parents these days don't know much themselves. A gun is a tool, like a chainsaw is a tool. You can hurt someone badly or kill with either one, but they can both also be used to help you do something more than just senseless killing.

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That gave me goosebumps!

Mag, it did me too. I have to be the first one to admit, I had a father that sat down at the table with me, he cleaned and made sure everything clicked and went smoothly with his guns. They were always off limits unless we went shooting also, I never wanted to test what would happen if I touched one without him around.
I will also admit that it is not the case with my kids. They have the pellet guns, airsoft and BB guns... (not the 6 and 4 year old) I am afraid to say that they are not educated as I was nor are they afraid... I am going to change that this very day. I felt like this for a long time and the guns for kids are gone... only special occasions do they come out and that will be with their parents to go shooting cans... One more Thank you to Synn for reminding me of this. Although it really sucks that I had to be!

Other way around with my kids - they will be nowhere near guns nor will we have any in our house.

That is a choice NK... I like that you are comfortable with yours.