Firearms

[Brick]

this is why the US scares the crap out of me. Why does every one need a fucking gun?

[YetAnotherOne]

I feel sorry for you guys... it sucks to live in fear that some motherfucker can attack you or your family anytime... fucking sad if people can't move either because it would be a lot better to live without fear and guns

Fear would be a very bad reason to arm oneself as would anger (per John G.'s post above). No one here is on a violent bloodthirsty binge nor are we prepping for a showdown ala The Shootout at the OK Corral or High Noon. No one is ready to gun down family members (like the dogs they are or otherwise). What we're talking about here is a calm and rational decision made by calm rational people to take sane and lawful steps to protect ourselves against a somewhat remote but entirely possible potential harm.

We've nothing to gain and a great deal to lose should the worst come to pass. There is, however, an advantage in merely going through the motions whether we ever carry or not: there are only a couple of local gun shops in the county, everyone here knows everyone else, and news travels like wildfire. Thus dad popping in shopping for four identical Sig 9's raised a few eyebrows and a few questions which were dutifully answered. When those rumors begin to circulate it might well have a dampening effect on the hostile actions of the other parties involved. Ditto our obtaining our CC permits. Ditto letting it be known that we're carrying at least once in a while. Those sorts of things should reduce the small chance of an incident even further and I'm one to play every available angle to avoid real problems.

I should add that I know a number of folks here both those who've posted their thoughts in this thread and several who haven't will disagree with out decision. I absolutely respect folks with principled anti-gun views who themselves would make a different choice.

[Cleveland Metal]

this is why the US scares the crap out of me. Why does every one need a fucking gun?

Because the scumbags all have them, and if you'd like to be safe, it's not a bad idea.

What a dumbass thing to say "US scares the crap out of me", when so many other countries are rampant with violence much worse.

Do countries like Ethopia, Somalia, Iraq, Iran and a thousand other 3rd world and more modern countries that have men walking the street with machine guns and rocket launchers scare the crap out of you?

It's not just the US.

Gotta love Anti-Americanism...

[jgcable]

I learned alot from this thread. Just because I am safe doesn't mean we all are. I am cool with that and although I think talking is better than arming.. after reading these reponses.. I sort of get where you guys are coming from. JG

[horns666]

I learned alot from this thread. Just because I am safe doesn't mean we all are. I am cool with that and although I think talking is better than arming.. after reading these reponses.. I sort of get where you guys are coming from. JG

I didn't refer to you as a "clueless fuckstick"..I barely skimmed over all these posts and just typed in my own experiences/opinions..as usual.

[Cleveland Metal]

Assuredly, there is no doubt that talking is better than arming. You are obviously correct.

The only flaw in that logic, is that you are judging predatory humans, by your (our) own standards, and expecting them to follow the same rules of engagement that you (we) would follow. And sadly, that is seriously not the case.

I know that I myself am amazed that people do the things they do, and normal people just would never imagine acting in the ways they can. I can't understand how a person can think it's ok to rape, rob or kill and innocent person. But, they seem to have no issues with it.

Things that a normal person can't even begin to imagine doing to another human, are common place tasks with many of these predators. We have to accept that as a possible thing that can happen to us, and not be surprised when it does, and hopefully, be as prepared as possible.

[xenophobe]

this is why the US scares the crap out of me. Why does every one need a fucking gun?

What does NEED have to do with anything? I have the right to keep and bear arms. I also don't need to have a reason to own them.

And I'm scared of people like you who would question my rights, or wish that you could control me by dictating what I can or can't have.

[jgcable]

I didn't refer to you as a "clueless fuckstick"..I barely skimmed over all these posts and just typed in my own experiences/opinions..as usual.

I gotcha bro!!

[danastas]

I agree with CM on all counts.
J.G. its the culture of your north eastern location and I can see its ingrained in your attitude about firearms.Just because you carry a gun you are a "yahoo".What is a yahoo?
Its is truly sad like CM stated but that is the world we live in.For the most of us anyway.I'll be damned if I give a thug anything.I always keep my shit wired tight if I'm in a unfamilier area and watch everyone around me.

It's just our experience in the northeast. Not many people carry. I was a sheriff in New Haven for a few years. John is from Milford, to towns over. well, when I was doing jail and courthouse security, we used to laugh at the people who came in carrying. They were always looking for jobs as sheriffs, and the prevailing sentiment is that they wanted to kick some ass. They had guns, and they were gung ho. We'd take their gns, put them in the safe next to teir radar detector. As sheriffs, we dealth with lifers in many cases, hardened criminals, but we didn't carry ourselves. Wouldn't be safe of course inside the jails and courts. But in general, you just don't see many people carrying up here. It's not in the culture. So when you are carrying, you're out of the norm. I imagine elsewhere in the counrty, it's more normal. does that explain things?

[slayer32390]

What does NEED have to do with anything? I have the right to keep and bear arms. I also don't need to have a reason to own them.

And I'm scared of people like you who would question my rights, or wish that you could control me by dictating what I can or can't have.

Note to self: DON'T FLAME XENO. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T FLAME XENO EVER!


Just kidding around man. Nice collection you have there! Are those two with the scopes Dragunov's?

[danastas]

Hatfields and the McCoys. They recently found out that the McCoys have a genetic debility that causes them to go into a rage over the tiniest provocation. If you fart downwind from a MCCoy, and that bad adrenaline is shooting through their body, you could be dead.

[Cleveland Metal]

Hmmm, Bill farts at my house and I don't like it much...

Coincidence? I think not...

[horns666]

Hmmm, Bill farts at my house and I don't like it much...

Coincidence? I think not...

Yeah I do..I do that alot!

at my house too!!!

[Bert]

Because the scumbags all have them, and if you'd like to be safe, it's not a bad idea.

But for most us suburban dwelling folks, a gun in the home is more likely to kill some innocent kid than a criminal. Not exactly a good idea.

What a dumbass thing to say "US scares the crap out of me", when so many other countries are rampant with violence much worse.

Do countries like Ethopia, Somalia, Iraq, Iran and a thousand other 3rd world and more modern countries that have men walking the street with machine guns and rocket launchers scare the crap out of you?

It's not just the US.

The mere fact that you can lump the US in the same category as those places just reinforces his point. But I don't actually agree with this sentiment. For most of us relatively well-to-do folks in the U.S., owning a gun is far from a necessity and more likely a liability. In my experience growing up in Texas where I was around guns all the time, I never heard of a single case where they were useful in stopping a criminal. But there were several innocent kids who got their brains blown out due to accidents or suicides. Two of them good friends of mine. Not cool.

For the record, I'm personally glad to have the option of obtaining & carrying a firearm should I feel the need. And I'm glad that you and YAO have that option as well. But I'm not deluded into believing that owning firearms (or my neighbors owning firearms) is going to make me or my family safer in my current situation.

[Cleveland Metal]

But for most us suburban dwelling folks, a gun in the home is more likely to kill some innocent kid than a criminal. Not exactly a good idea.

If they are that irresponsible, then no, it isn't a good idea. Most responsible people don't have that issue.

The mere fact that you can lump the US in the same category as those places just reinforces his point.

Ehh?

For most of us relatively well-to-do folks in the U.S., owning a gun is far from a necessity and more likely a liability.

Well, we need them here, and I am hopefully responsible enough that it isnt a liability. Guess I'm not well to do enough for ya.

In my experience growing up in Texas where I was around guns all the time, I never heard of a single case where they were useful in stopping a criminal. But there were several innocent kids who got their brains blown out due to accidents or suicides. Two of them good friends of mine. Not cool.

Well, that is sad. Sad that people round them dropped the ball by showing them how not to do that.

For the record, I'm personally glad to have the option of obtaining & carrying a firearm should I feel the need. And I'm glad that you and YAO have that option as well. But I'm not deluded into believing that owning firearms (or my neighbors owning firearms) is going to make me or my family safer in my current situation.

Well, I guess I'm pretty deluded. I'm feeling a lot safer with one.