How do my fellow escapists feel about guns? (The real kind)

[Spoonius]

Actually, I'm about to go shooting today. It'll be my second time.

After I obtain a membership with the gun club involved, I plan to take up shooting as a hobby. Ultimately, I'll probably end up owning my own rifle (yes, I'm fully aware of the legal processes involved). In my opinion, NO ONE should be able to own a firearm without having to go though the psychological profiling, police supervision and strict regulations that are required in my country (Australia).

However, I feel that to completely abhor guns is a mistake. All nations are built upon the foundations of martial conquest; to forget that and completely deny a population access to weapons training is incredibly foolish.

 

[geldonyetich]

Guns don't kill people, people kill people guns make it easier for people to kill people.

The folks who figure that their right to bear arms is the only thing stopping the government from swooping in and oppressing them are still living in the 1950s. If it's military versus you in the present age, your automatic isn't going to be a whole lot of help against that helicopter that's gunning you down from 5 miles away.

 

[loc978]

...I own upwards of ten firearms and a few less than ten well-tempered swords, I enjoy shooting for sport sometimes, I enjoy practice cutting in my back yard... and criminals tend to give my house a wide berth because they're afraid of the "crazy, heavily armed vet" who lives here. I'm not seeing a downside.

 

[Jeffster92]

Never own a gun unless you remember why they were made.

 

[hem dazon 90]

leggalize the ones you cant hide (IE shotguns,rifles)

 

[DanielDeFig]

I have taken a better look at this thread, and i wish to address all those who are comparing crime rate vs. legal gun ownership of civilians, but only in US states.

The fact that crime rates are lower in Texas (civilian guns legal) than in California (civilian guns illegal), is a relatively useless point to make when you look at the difference between countries across Europe, and countries across Africa (where civilian gun ownership is illegal throughout).
Crime rates in Europe are significantly lower than those in Africa, yet neither continents contain countries where civilian gun ownership is legal. On the other hand, guns are VERY easy to get a hold of in most African countries (as a matter of fact, if knew the right people i could probably go outside to get one now). In Europe it's usually a hassle to get a hold of hunting rifles, and almost impossible to get a hold of non-hunting weapons .

The point being made about guns always being available to criminals regardless of gun laws is something that holds true. But banning guns is only the first step in stopping the escalation of violent crime (yes, legalizing guns to civilians escalates violence, as criminals have to respond to meet the increasing threat), the rest is to address the criminal element itself.

And at the end of the day, killing is WRONG. If you can't sleep at night because you are afraid you will get murder, then sleep with your phone within reach (Police on contact list) and a wooden or metal stick to defend yourself with (without having to instantly kill someone). Maybe move to somewhere where you can actually sleep at night? (That includes outside of the USA)

 

[Andrew_Waltfeld]

Guns don't kill people, people kill people guns make it easier for people to kill people.

The folks who figure that their right to bear arms is the only thing stopping the government from swooping in and oppressing them are still living in the 1950s. If it's military versus you in the present age, your automatic isn't going to be a whole lot of help against that helicopter that's gunning you down from 5 miles away.

Or that new robotic sniper helicopter that's putting 4 .50 cal rounds into your eye socket from 2 miles away in the span of 2 seconds.

 

[Jibblejab]

Us good ole british dont really find the need for guns to defend ourselves. Because of strict firearm laws not many people own guns let alone carry them

But in states, i guess people feel the need to own a gun because other people have guns. If the firearm laws were as strict as they are in most other countries, then no one would really feel the need to carry a gun.

 

[Piction Froject]

Personally there is nothing wrong with guns. They don't hurt people idiots who use them hurt people. Also the right to carry should be changed to wear you have to take like ten tests, pass like 5 classes and go through a program with the military just so you know the ins and outs of using them properly.

 

[templargunman]

My thoughts is that people should be allowed to own whatever gun they want, but only can own ammunition for lower caliber weapons, the higher caliber ammunition should be sold at firing ranges to be used there, so people can use their high caliber crazy ass weapon at the shooting range, but they can't actually get the ammo to shoot people. Also, gun shows should be redesigned. Right now, if you buy a gun from a gun show you are pretty much expected to get a license for it, but because the gun shows move around, they can't hold onto the guns for you while you go get your license, so they sell you the gun and it's up to you to follow the law. This means that ex-cons or anyone else can go buy an ak-47 and they don't have to even try to get a license for it. Honestly, I believe the second amendment to be an important part of the United States, but there is no reason to own a 50 cal weapon except for it's ability to kill people and it's awesomeness in that it's a 50 cal, it's worthless for hunting because it leaves an exit wound the size of a truck and it's worthless for home defense because unless you're being attacked by armored soldiers, a 22 or something lighter will work. If we make the awesomeness thing usable but only at firing ranges, people will just have hunting rifles and low caliber handguns to shoot one another with, which means that the police will have a lot easier time dealing with them.

 

[DanielDeFig]

However, i did buy my girlfriend a gun for personal protection at her apartment and once when we were having an argument she did pull the fucking thing on me.... at that point i began to have second thoughts about the right to carry.

This. What if she had pulled the trigger in rage? What if she had pulled the trigger, convinced the gun was unloaded or the safety was on? What if she had pulled the trigger without meaning to do so (motion of swinging the gun with finger on trigger, reflex from training etc.)?

You would be dead and she would be devastated. Guns are far too easy to use. So easy that accidents occur, especially with undisciplined and untrained civilians (i'm sure accident occur in the military too, though with less frequency).

 

[cjbos81]

Guns are inanimate objects. Stop imposing moral judgment on inanimate objects. Judge the men responsible for the crime.

 

[TyphoidEngel]

I'm from Canada were we have some gun control laws which control long arms more then handguns. When was the last time you've seen someone use a rifle to rob a store? We cant have full auto guns and if guns are under a certain length they become illegal too. I own a SKS rifle, I target shoot and hunt regularly i also follow the letter of the law with my gun (trigger lock, ammo in different room etc.) The only problem i have with guns is from people that say all gun owners are psychos and guns are evil, mostly because they wont let me get a word in edgewise.

 

[Deepzound]

I propose a thought experiment;

Imagine a world where guns are not available, and nobody is able to get one. In order to kill, someone has to really want to do it and be willing to get close enough to, for instance, stab someone. (the crossbow argument does not hold, those things are not easily concealed and can't go full auto, but for the rest of the experiment, rule out all ranged firearms. The car argument does not hold either, as A) the car's purpose is not to kill, as it is not created to be a weapon, B) most cars make a lot of noise, you can usually hear a speeding car, and C) ramming someone with a car again requires you to get in close range of the target as you speed closer, plus speedy cars are hard to maneuver outside of long roads and highways.)


Now in stead imagine a world where guns are freely available to everyone. The instinct to arm yourself to match the arms of other people drives everyone to own guns, and everyone can, at varying range, kill people. Where ever you go, a gun could be nearby, and you are driven to always carry gun on you, just in case you need to match arms with someone else. It all comes down to who draws first, which is unnerving to almost anyone. Some of the most effective killing tools around, whose sole purpose and design is that of maiming and killing (target practice aside) are everywhere

Which world do you prefer living in?

 

[Andrew_Waltfeld]

I propose a thought experiment;

Imagine a world where guns are not available, and nobody is able to get one. In order to kill, someone has to really want to do it and be willing to get close enough to, for instance, stab someone. (the crossbow argument does not hold, those things are not easily concealed and can't go full auto, but for the rest of the experiment, rule out all ranged firearms. The car argument does not hold either, as A) the car's purpose is not to kill, as it is not created to be a weapon, B) most cars make a lot of noise, you can usually hear a speeding car, and C) ramming someone with a car again requires you to get in close range of the target as you speed closer, plus speedy cars are hard to maneuver outside of long roads and highways.)


Now in stead imagine a world where guns are freely available to everyone. The instinct to arm yourself to match the arms of other people drives everyone to own guns, and everyone can, at varying range, kill people. Where ever you go, a gun could be nearby, and you are driven to always carry gun on you, just in case you need to match arms with someone else. It all comes down to who draws first, which is unnerving to almost anyone. Some of the most effective killing tools around, whose sole purpose and design is that of maiming and killing (target practice aside) are everywhere

Which world do you prefer living in?

gun world. At least then I don't have to worry about a knife to the back and bleeding out to death. Knives and daggers/swords are much easier to conceal and to kill people with.

 

[TheFPSisDead]

However, i did buy my girlfriend a gun for personal protection at her apartment and once when we were having an argument she did pull the fucking thing on me.... at that point i began to have second thoughts about the right to carry.

This. What if she had pulled the trigger in rage? What if she had pulled the trigger, convinced the gun was unloaded or the safety was on? What if she had pulled the trigger without meaning to do so (motion of swinging the gun with finger on trigger, reflex from training etc.)?

You would be dead and she would be devastated. Guns are far too easy to use. So easy that accidents occur, especially with undisciplined and untrained civilians (i'm sure accident occur in the military too, though with less frequency).

Thats a totally valid point, i guess i'll just go with i'm glad she didn't. but i agree, the possiblity was certainly there.

 

[James Joseph Emerald]

However, i did buy my girlfriend a gun for personal protection at her apartment and once when we were having an argument she did pull the fucking thing on me.... at that point i began to have second thoughts about the right to carry.

I think that pretty much sums up my problem with guns. Sure, they're just inanimate objects, but I'd say the majority of people who own one don't treat it with the reverence it deserves. Even the gun enthusiasts who promote proper gun safety and responsibility wouldn't hesitate to blow someone's head off if they felt vaguely threatened (I mean, even a desperate mugger who just wants your wallet doesn't deserve to die). I've heard of innocent young drunk people who accidentally stumble into someone's yard, thinking it's their own house, and got their brains splattered without so much as a warning. And the shooter gets off scott free because he felt his family was threatened. I mean, no calling the police: you pay a thousand bucks for a shotgun to protect your family, you wanna get your money's worth...

 

[Deepzound]

I propose a thought experiment;

Imagine a world where guns are not available, and nobody is able to get one. In order to kill, someone has to really want to do it and be willing to get close enough to, for instance, stab someone. (the crossbow argument does not hold, those things are not easily concealed and can't go full auto, but for the rest of the experiment, rule out all ranged firearms. The car argument does not hold either, as A) the car's purpose is not to kill, as it is not created to be a weapon, B) most cars make a lot of noise, you can usually hear a speeding car, and C) ramming someone with a car again requires you to get in close range of the target as you speed closer, plus speedy cars are hard to maneuver outside of long roads and highways.)


Now in stead imagine a world where guns are freely available to everyone. The instinct to arm yourself to match the arms of other people drives everyone to own guns, and everyone can, at varying range, kill people. Where ever you go, a gun could be nearby, and you are driven to always carry gun on you, just in case you need to match arms with someone else. It all comes down to who draws first, which is unnerving to almost anyone. Some of the most effective killing tools around, whose sole purpose and design is that of maiming and killing (target practice aside) are everywhere

Which world do you prefer living in?

gun world. At least then I don't have to worry about a knife to the back and bleeding out to death. Knives and daggers/swords are much easier to conceal and to kill people with.

Actually you still have to worry about a knife to the back in the gun world, a gun does not make knives ineffective. And you can bleed to death from a bullet wound as well.

 

[pigmypython]

I loved them when I was in the military but except for hunting rifles I don't see a point of anyone owning them. If you think different that's fine but on average America has 11,000 deaths due to guns each year. That doesn't count injuries or violent crimes...ultimately not worth the effort.

(P.S. the next highest is something like 500 deaths...)

 

[Thundero13]

I am against guns very much so as a wise person once said "guns don't kill people, people kill people, but the gun sure does help", also I live in Irish where not even the police officers have guns.