Poll: is he ignorant or does he have a point

[Jofrak]

With the right education, guns are safer than cars. Especially since we are talking about a BOLT ACTION 22!!!!! Honestly these things barely kill squirrels, have a low mag capacity, and a low rate of fire.

I started handling firearms when I was 5 under HEAVY supervision. I was taught all the right safety and edicate. I completed the hunter's safety course. I got my first gun at 12.

I got my first car at 16. I have come much closer to killing someone in my car then when shooting cans....

They are ignorant,or irrational I would say.

Bolt action low rate of fire, check. If it has a magazine to speak of (and if it doesn't I do apologise, haven't read all 11 pages) one extra round in a mag, be it that a little pipe you load the rounds into or an actual physical magazine you can take off, can be highly dangerous if you don't know it's there and it's fairly easy to lose count.
I'd like to offer, if you're having trouble killing squirrels with a .22 you are probably missing. We're killing foxes with ours, granted we're needing something in the region of 80-100 yards or less before it's possible to accurately hit them, outside that it's getting iffy.

Personally I would say, especially for someone that has completed a Weapons Handling Test (assuming that's included in a Hunters safety course), it's highly ignorant and irresponsible to condemn any sort of weapon to being 'safe' in any aspect of the word.

Little bit into my weapons background, Lamber O+U on Loan on licence, .222 + .22 at the house, trained with the L98A2 and A1, GPMG. I shoot all but the last two a fair bit.
Oh also I live in N.Ireland so getting a gun requires a licence and a reason, ours is vermin control.
Back on topic. The OP's really dropped between a rock and a hard place. Personally I'd recommend, for your age anyway, having your dad keep the rifle for you and using it when you get to see him. It's not a perfect solution but lets face it, if your mum doesn't want it in the house there isn't much you can do.

Really though age has nothing to do with it, some people in general just SHOULD NOT be allowed guns. Housemates included.

 

[Jirlond]

I don't think he is ignorant, but he does not entirely have a point. Guns are dangerous yes, but have you proven you are trust worthy? I don't know. You should be grateful he is concenred for your safety and your mothers.

 

[randomrob]

I'm unsure...I mean i would say that they are overreacting a little as you seem like a sensible person and it's not like you're gonna go shoot people with it, but guns are dangerous and accidents do happen.

In that situation if i was your parent i would let you have a gun but i would keep it locked up when you're not using it for target practise.

 

[Tekkawarrior]

You're 16, you need to prove that you can be trust, you need to show him that he can't control you, you need to show off with your friends, it's understandable really.

The fact that you are making a thread about it just shows me that you want justification, you don't get my vote, I completely disagree, don't get that gun.

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

Having no gun, while it might mean you personally cannot defend yourself, removes the temptation to take the law into your own hands and enact a legal killing.

"It's better to die for the sake of principle than to kill for the sake of your life." *Facepalm* *Facedesk* *Facedesk* *Facewall*

Atg what point did I ever say it was right to die for the sake of principle rather than defend yourself? I believe in killing for the sake of protection of your own life, I just don't believe that the instruments to carry it out should be handed out so casually to civilians.

I keep seeing arguments on these sorts of topics for 'we need a right to defend ourselves'. And what exactly are the police for? I am very very much aware of how different things are in America, but at least in some countries they have a little faith in their police service, instead of assuming automatically that they are all incompetent, and so the only defence is to be able to kill personally.

 

[GLo Jones]

From an engineering prospective, guns are fascinating. From a 'people are fucking idiots and we will all kill each other' prospective, guns are bad. An American's right to bare arms went right out of date about 100 years ago.

I would like to see you try and take that freedom away from us. You will have to pry my gun out of my cold dead hands.

Guns were fine at the time, but in this day and age? Probably one of the few reasons guns haven't been outlawed in America already is that it would be near impossible conisdering the number of them in circulation.

Considering that I have had two attemted break ins in the last month, I think I will keep my guns, thanks.

I just pictured you sat in a chair holding a rifle, staring at the door, waiting for trouble. Seriously, guns aren't necessary for these things any more.

In my state (Wyoming) there is an average of 4 guns per person per household. That means that there is a good chance that a robber will be armed. In Wyoming it is legal to kill a person if they are in your home threatening your life. It is called imminent domain.

This I did not know. It kinda changes things. I agree that with that many guns, most robbers must be armed, and if you're not breaking the law by shooting them, then I guess it's okay.

It appears my ignorance has shone through on this occasion, and I apologize. However, I still don't think a 16 year old should have access to a lethal weapon like that whenever he wants it.

No need to apologize. I don't think age should be a factor. I think that maturity should dictate if he should be allowed to own one. For example I owned my first gun when I was 9 years old. I grew up in a family of hunters who taught me how to respect a firearm. If this 16 year old has the level of maturity needed to handle a gun responsibly then I see no reason why he should not own one.

The problem then becomes how to judge whether someone is responsible enough. It can be very hard to determine how respectful someone is, given how everyone acts differently around different people. This is even more so around younger teenagers. Any kids could be very cool headed, and responsible in certain circumstances. But it's nearly impossible to tell if they're like that when it counts.

I hope that makes sense, I'm very tired.

 

[Dungus]

snip

So you are basically saying you think you need a gun for self defense. That's not only plain stupid, but also just wrong. You think you have the right to take a mans life when you think you're in jeopardy? It might be self defense, but you're still a murderer. If you have to have a gun to feel safe, you should see a psychiatrist.

There is not one situation where there should be a gun in your house. Not one.

If you really want a way to feel safe at home, you should train the shit out of your body. So when it comes down to it, you can take your enemy down like a man.

Guns are for pussies.

 

[RelexCryo]

snip

So you are basically saying you think you need a gun for self defense. That's not only plain stupid, but also just wrong. You think you have the right to take a mans life when you think you're in jeopardy? It might be self defense, but you're still a murderer. If you have to have a gun to feel safe, you should see a psychiatrist.

There is not one situation where there should be a gun in your house. Not one.

If you really want a way to feel safe at home, you should train the shit out of your body. So when it comes down to it, you can take your enemy down like a man.

Guns are for pussies.

A Murderer and a killer are not the same. Murder is when you kill someone else without justification. Self defense is adequate justification. Hence, self-defense is not murder.

 

[Jofrak]

snip

So you are basically saying you think you need a gun for self defense. That's not only plain stupid, but also just wrong. You think you have the right to take a mans life when you think you're in jeopardy? It might be self defense, but you're still a murderer. If you have to have a gun to feel safe, you should see a psychiatrist.

There is not one situation where there should be a gun in your house. Not one.

If you really want a way to feel safe at home, you should train the shit out of your body. So when it comes down to it, you can take your enemy down like a man.

Guns are for pussies.

I'd like to see you run up and 'KUNG-FU!' a fox or a crow for that matter. There are legitimate reasons for keeping a gun in a household. As said, vermin control is a near necessity with sheep or chickens and recreational shooting is still a valid option, you may not see the enjoyment in it but others do and there's nothing like hitting a tight grouping to cheer your day up no end. You do need a little bit of land about you though if you're going anywhere above an air-rifle.
On the other hand I personally agree that self defence should not be one of them. I live out in the middle of nowhere and we've had a few break ins in the last while with people (generally the older generation) being tied to chairs and nails driven through their hands and the like (nasty stuff) and there's generally very little done. If the 'gents' that had done that sort of thing had known they were coming up against a shotgun behind the door? Who knows the old folks might not be around to tell us what happened.

Edit: Adding bits.

 

[wierdman51]

heres a good question mickey, coming from somone in your same age group; why bother? why do you want a gun so much? just cause its nice to have? why is it nice to have? why is it so fun to own your own god damn gun? im intrigued, so please, enlighten me, im waiting for your excellency to tell me why you need a gun so badly. if you cant think of an answer that pleases the normal person. if you cant, just keep borrowing one from a friend, then buy one in two years...

 

[DalekJaas]

Yes, he is. I'm an advocate of strict gun control, the only people who should be allowed guns are the police, the military, and licensed shooting ranges for recreational purposes. And I say that as someone who has used guns before, fired both blank and live ammo, and has had training in how to maintain and use an L-98 rifle as well as other weaponry.

I guess my point is, don't get a freaking gun, you idiot!

Agreed, coming from Australia where guns are not allowed, where we have what is it...? 10s of thousands less gun-related deaths a year. A gun may seem fun because your a nerd and play games like the rest of us but you will probs end up causing an accident or going to school and killing everyone when you get pissed off. I know that sounds ridiculous but people do it, your step-dad is a smart man and I highly doubt a marine would condone his 16 year old son having a gun.

+ don't use the word ignorant, only opinionated dumb people do.

 

[RelexCryo]

Yes, he is. I'm an advocate of strict gun control, the only people who should be allowed guns are the police, the military, and licensed shooting ranges for recreational purposes. And I say that as someone who has used guns before, fired both blank and live ammo, and has had training in how to maintain and use an L-98 rifle as well as other weaponry.

I guess my point is, don't get a freaking gun, you idiot!

Agreed, coming from Australia where guns are not allowed, where we have what is it...? 10s of thousands less gun-related deaths a year. A gun may seem fun because your a nerd and play games like the rest of us but you will probs end up causing an accident or going to school and killing everyone when you get pissed off. I know that sounds ridiculous but people do it, your step-dad is a smart man and I highly doubt a marine would condone his 16 year old son having a gun.

+ don't use the word ignorant, only opinionated dumb people do.

Actually, people should use the word ignorant more and the word dumb less. Dumb implies that a person is *inherently* stupid and they cannot change that ever, ignorant implies they simply lack knowledge. People should use the word ignorant when saying someone else is wrong more often, and they should use the word dumb less.

 

[VGStrife]

An American's right to bare arms went right out of date about 100 years ago.

Well, I am an american yes, however without my right to bear arms I would be dead at present.
We may be backward, but let me assure you that the town I live in has a lower gun crime rate than the UK

http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=41196

read and learn

I would just like to point out that that is a ridiculous comparison.
I bet my office block has a lower crime rate than your town.
Also it said gun related murders, not gun crime generally.

There are clearly areas that will have less gun crime than others, and I think it's great that it's worked out in your town, but my town (in the UK) probably has a lower rate armed robbery/assault than yours.

OP: As many people have stated, just wait till you get your own place to get a gun, why do you need one now so desperately?

 

[technoted]

Why the hell would you give a kid a gun, especially an American kid what with the track record of high school shootings, if you want a gun join the military.

 

[GuyWithABeard]

Trained or not, there just doesn't seem to be any need for a rifle away from self defense, and a 16 year old isn't exactly appropriate for that situation.

 

[Rainboq]

2. YES, you need shelter.
3. Yes, unless you like living in an Autocracy.

A) In reply to 2:
He said, Your *OWN* house, not shelter period. he was referring to the concept of private space as opposed to a government shelter which you share with other people with no private space. In essence, "is private space really a need?"

B) In reply to 3:
Over the course of the centuries it is mathematically inevitable for the government to become corrupt if it is not already corrupt. Elections can be rigged. Hence, it is mathematically inevitable for Democracies to become Autocracies. In the eyes of some people, the potential for civilians to commit crimes is a bigger issue, even if you have good social conditions (But Switzerland proved a country with good social conditions can give Assault Rifles to pretty much everyone and have an extremely low crime rate.) In the eyes of other people, the potential for government corruption is a bigger issue, especially since Switzerland, as mentioned above, has proven it can work.

*sigh*

In reply to A) It's human nature to want a sort of territory, if we all lived in a government shelter, fighting would break out.

In Reply to B) I'm not saying that corruption is inevitable, nor am I saying its not, but with good regulation and transparency, it can be miminalized.

 

[Deofuta]

I think that if you have had the proper training and have gone through all of the correct channels, your should be allowed tog get the gun.

And LOL, just read someone put Bazooka's. Haven't been used in over 40 years I do believe.

 

[aSmo]

Back to the OP's concern, maybe you could check to see if your local range has a locker on site that you can rent and store your rifle there. Both requirements are met.. you get to shoot at the range, no gun in house!