Gun Ownership Poll

Do you own a gun?

I don't hunt. I live in a safe neighborhood....

I assume it can still work, but I inherited a luger(sp?) that was made for the Japanese army. It still has the 'blue' on it and I have no intention of ever using it.

Many people collect guns, but don't use them that much. They're part of our history, in war, in culture and in industry.

As this was posted HERE at DU, this must relate to Democrats, and I'll just throw in that I think the "Democrats hate guns and gun owners" image really hasn't worked, and I vote for re-considering our "anti-gun" image.

I mean, how many people are going to the polls voting Democrat because we're anti-gun?

Remember Bowling for Columbine? I recall one of the main points Moore was making was that we have so much more crime here than in Canada EVEN THOUGH GUN OWNERSHIP IS ABOUT THE SAME.

Most likely a Nambu...



http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg114-e.htm

Not, putting down it's importance, reason for owning it or personal value to you.
Shooting it would defiantly be a bad idea (assuming you can even find any ammo for it).

A quick check on eBay confirmed the holster. thanks!

Then again, you can likely SELL it and get a REALLY fine Luger or Walther P-38 of pre-war vintage.

Got a picture? Is the blue finish in good shape? How's the machining?

Early War Type Nambu pistols in good shape are worth a bleeding fortune. I saw a mint "Baby" Nambu sell right in front of my eyes for over 3 grand.

he had a prototype with a single digit serial number. Found it in Laos of all places.

Bought a S&W .357, Model 28 back in the mid-'70s. I don't think the Model 28 is made anymore.

I guess you can say that I use it for protection. "Work" wasn't one of the categories listed.

Ann Arbor

I also have a concealed carry permit as does my wife. I've got something else too,an Amendment to the Constitution that says its my absolute right to not only own the thing but to "bear' it too.

States can limit who and what kinds of guns a person can keep and bear.

States also regulate commerce in firearms, and regulate how, when, and where they may be used.

I'm not big on guns. Don't think I will ever own one.

and I move to a rural area I would get a gun. Long Island has 3 million people? on it so the game is a bit scarce of late. Since crime is also low I don't really need a gun.


My view on gun control is that if you don't have a criminal record you should be able to have a gun if you want one. Its a shame our party loses so many moderate votes every election cycle because of the gun issue.

There have to be some laws governing the possession and safe use of guns, otherwise you've got a recipe for anarchy.

But sometimes I find myself scratching my head over some laws, like San Francisco's recent decision to outlaw all privately-owned handguns in the city. If it's what the citizens of SF truly want, then far be it from me to stop them. I understand it may be possible for someone in New York City to own a registered handgun, but the process is such that most people would rather undergo a root canal instead.

But I'm with Howard Dean on one point. I don't believe in a "one size fits all" approach to gun legislation. What works in SF or NYC may not work in Austin, Missoula, or Green Bay. I think states (and, in some cases, municipalities) should take more of a role in gun laws.

Just as long as we don't have to revisit a nationwide ban on semi-automatics. With all due respect to the Brady/CSGV crowd, that law poisoned the Democrats on the Hill.

yeah I carry it and know exactly how to use it.

I'm not a hunter and I don't need a gun for protection. But I'd like to learn how to fire a gun, just because I think it's a good skill to have. Just like I don't work on the water and i don't go swimming recreationally, but knowing how to swim is a good life skill to have.

Other similar examples-
Knowing CPR
Knowing how to drive stick shift
Knowing how to ride a motorcycle

is gun safety.

If it is not your first lesson, find another instructor. If you do not like the classes, don't finish them. My father is a CCW certified instructor as well as being certified to the instructor level for many other firearms skills categories (he is a national expert, the best of the best marksmen in handguns..many years he went to competitions, now he only certifies CCW and renews law enforcement officers annually for their firearms certification around the state..Ohio)and he is the one who certified myself and my hubby.

CPR should be your first goal through.(And NO not in case someone shoots someone, for all you smarty pants out there :) )

And I do indeed carry a pistol with me much of the time, my wife has one with her anytime she is carrying her purse and not in a place where firearm are not permitted by law.

Here is what amazes me. That there are so many Democrats who would joyfully take away my right to keep and bear arms, something stated clearly in the Constituion, but insist that every woman has the right to an abortion on demand, a guarantee for which the Constition is silent. I believe all Americans have both right myself.

They've got your name and address and do they keep the serial number of the gun in your state, or just the make??

Isn't that a gun registry??

But might I ask what exactly is the process in the US (it's probably different from state to stae I guess) to get a CCW?

A 10/22 and a .38.

lol.

for hunting, target shooting, home protection, and collecting.

source of accidental death or injury, or committing suicide on an impulse while depressed etc. I do feel it has the potential upside of being a source of protection against intruders, but I feel these downsides do weigh against the upsides, for me.

You know what is best for you and nobody advocates forcing a gun upon you. I do have a little bit of a problem with people who want to decide whats best for me.

I "own" my great-grandfather's old 12-gauge shotgun, but my folks still have it at their home. Aside from that, I used to own a TEC-DC9 for about a month. Our old neighborhood was getting pretty rough, with murders and police raids on drug labs, so that was one factor in buying the gun.

The shotgun is strictly a wallhanger, though - attempting to fire it now would probably split the barrel, injure the shooter and bystanders, and leave the family with one less heirloom.

hers 'n his 9mm's (Glock 26 for her, S&W 3913 LadySmith for me), hers 'n his 7.62x39mm self-loading rifles (Samozaryadniy Karabin Simonova Obrazets 1945g for her, SAR-1 (civilian AK lookalike) for me...

I have a 1911 .45 cal handgun, and I have a SKS rifle that fires 7.62x39mm.

Later I would like to add a shotgun and an AK clone to my collection.

As a Mexican-American I feel that it is my duty to own weapons and to encourage other Hispanics to exercise the right to keep and bear arms.

Guns are not something that only white or rich people should have, the right to defend yourself is a right that everyone has.

History is filled with plenty of cases where one group did not have the the proper tools and they got rolled over by another groups illegal actions.

Many "gun grabbing" Democrats tend to forget that those of us in rural areas have a third reason to own firearms...defense against critters. When a pack of wild dogs wanders onto my property and starts hunting my horses or sheep, waiting 30 minutes for the police to show up...or four-plus hours for Animal Control...simply isn't an option. I have to use my rifle several times a year to chase off predators, and I've lost enough animals when I wasn't home to understand that without any type of defense, my animals would be slaughtered.

Also, we had an incident here about a year ago where a gang of home invasion robbers started hitting rural homes. Without neighbors nearby to hear the commotion and with police response times that routinely hit an hour or more, we were all sitting ducks. About a dozen homes were hit, one man was shot, a few others were tortured, and several women were raped (including one who was raped with a gun). Out here, self protection is often our ONLY protection.

Like I had in Vietnam. It's locked up in a "cannon box". If I had to use the thing, I'd probably have to use it like a club while still in the "box". (It takes a bit of time to get the box open.)

Everyone should own at least one 1911.

But I lost them both in a tragic ocean kayak accident.

guns and water just dont seem to mix so well.

I'm always hearing about these boating accidents.

ROFL.

...TRAGIC boating accidents.

In the Midwest it's usually a canoe accident that happens while duck hunting. Here in California we use ocean-going kayaks and catamarans. In Hawaii it's often an outrigger.

:smoke:

When I was a kid I carried a Winchester 22 pump rifle with me all the time. We all had guns and shot all the time. I still have that old gun.
Now that I live in a good sized city my kids won't be toting a rifle all the time, but we shoot for fun. They esp like 22 pistols. It is a lot of fun.
I want my kids to be able to shoot for their own well being even if they don't hunt or have to do predator control. I think Democrats need to realize guns are OK and gun control is a losing issue pretty much.

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a little crusty but still shoots well. And, a Mossberg 500 12gauge for homeland security...pistol grip w/ folding stock and heat shield.
The first round in the mag is bird shot, the rest of the shells are 00 buck shot.
Hopefully, I'll never have to use it. I'd like to think the sound of my racking a shell into the chamber would be enough to make an intruder simultaneously run away and crap themselves.

when I was a teen, had guns in the house growing up - my grandmother owned a saloon and kept a pistol. Learned gun safety and respect of firearms, was a junior NRA member.

Lived in England, was a member of a rifle and pistol club, and then just stopped.

Why? Didn't see the point anymore, didn't hunt, lived in a city and had difficulty getting to a range. I lived with the very sensible gun laws in England in the 1970's - registration, had to be a shooting member of a rifle or pistol club, secure storage of all firearms, transporting firearms to a range one had to carry the firearm in the trunk and the ammo in the car in a locked box, yearly inspection by the local constabulary of your storage arrangements, no permit if you were a convicted felon or had a psych history, limit on the number and type of firearms owned, no automatics, etc.

My ex wife ended up giving all her guns to the local club after her second husband died because of her depression.

No guns now because I live in a city and don't think they're necessary.

And at 58 never having shot anything living, don't think I could do it now.

Got a psych record since age 3. They're scared I might kill myself, and with major depression, I ain't taking any chances with any gun except an air rifle.

I helped my dad build a few, but that's it.

and nobody's gonna revolt against a corrupt gov't with tiny little popguns...

Seriously I can't own a gun because my hands tremble and shake too much to shoot straight.
On the plus side i got my cane always handy. :D

And have to be signed off by someone qualified to provide the training. Every state that has a Concealed Carry Weapon Permit has that requirement.

It might surprise you to know that you can carry a gun in most of the United states with just two permits, one from Utah and one from Florida. Between them they have enough reciprocity agreements in place to cover just about anywhere its at all legal to carry.

We have kids. I voted 'for protection'. In the worst case scenario of a major earthquake followed by 'Katrina-like' support - I would feel confident. We both took classes w/ the Mtn. View police Dept. about 10 years ago. I am a natural 'dead-on shot' Hubby takes few shots, but is spot-on.

As for the RW paranoia 'home invasion scenario' We would have to rely on our wits and our self-protection trainings. Our 100+ lb dog figures into the equation as well.


Hubby and I both own guns... and hope we will never have to use them.

snakes.

I'd much rather eat moose or caribou, ptarmigan, grouse and black bear than the overprocessed, overpriced, and filled-with-antibiotics and who knows what else "meat" sold in most markets. I do NOT believe in "sport" or "trophy" hunting under any circumstances, nor do I believe, morally or scientifically, in "predator control" (a smarmy, fake name for trophy hunting of wolves and bear by morally disgusting people like Frank the Bank Murkowski and Todd Rundgren).

And I target shoot so I can actually hit what I'm hunting. It's no more cruel, in fact much less, than what domesticated meat undergoes on the way to and in the slaughterhouse.

Sorry for the rant! :blush:

As northofdenali said, moose and ptarmagin are good meats (even though you really don't need a gun for spruce hens).
I no longer hunt, so no more need for guns. I've killed enough. But NEVER to point of VP Crashcart. What did he say? 70 pheasant in one day? That's not hunting, that's killing pen-raised pets. My meat now comes from local ranchers who have nothing to do with antibiotics or growth hormones.
Bottom line, it doesn't matter to me if you have one or not, just be sure you know how to safely use it!
dumpbush

used for hunting. I never bought one for myself because I had little kids at home for a long time. Always knew if I wanted to ever USE one, all I had to do was ask dad. ;) Now that they are mostly grown and out of the house, I've been eyeballing rifles again...

We don't want guns in the house because we have 2 very active, inquisitive toddlers.

That said, if others want to own guns & they have all the proper permits, paperwork, etc., I have no problem with it.

edited for typos

And he has his father's colt.

from right wing thugs only.

The last thing I would worry about is the political leanings of the guy kicking my front door in the middle of the night.

It's uncanny to see this poll this morning because for the past three days I have been thinking intensely about whether or not to purchase a gun for protection. I began thinking about it nine or so months ago, talked myself out of it, but am reconsidering it. I never imagined there would come a day when I would have such thoughts, but like many others here I have become increasingly alarmed by the direction things are going. The nation is going fascist, as near as I can tell. I don't trust the government to protect me. The administration's mindset of violence is spreading to the general populace, as evidenced by the increasing number of trivial disputes that end in death, home invasion robberies, general chaos...

On the one hand, I don't want to become a part of that, but on the other hand, I have spent a lot of time preparing for whatever may happen and the one thing I have not done is figure out some way to protect myself should things get nasty.

For me this is a very difficult decision. I probably will end up not getting a weapon, but I find myself thinking about it a lot lately.

What if you were thinking of taking up stamp collecting and you found that....

--the manufacturers and sellers of stamps, stamp albums, stamp reference books and paraphernalia were some of the scummiest companies on earth;
--the stamp collectors' associations attacked Democrats and liberal ideas on a daily basis, and honored the most corrupt Republicans, like Dick Cheney and Tom Delay, at their conventions
--every stamp collectors' on-line forum dripped with dittohead rubbish, racism and bigotry
--the stamp collectors lobby in Congress consisted of the most backward and corrupt thugs in the Republican party
--there was a public health hazard associated with stamp collecting, but the stamp collectinng industry had hired a racist crackpot to "prove" there was a health benefit.

Would you REALLY want to take up stamp collecting?

It's no coincidence that the worst administration in American history is also the most gun crazy.

Essentially, the same reason I refused to invest in Halliburton.

Yet having said that, I think the stakes are more dire when the topic of self-defense is introduced. But I appreciate your post.

the stamp album might be of more value....

A gun owner is 43 times more likely to perforate a family member, friend or himself than he ever is a criminal.

You will notice that those claiming to need a gun for self-defense never advocate for a better 911 system, more cops, neighborhood watch, or even bullet-proof vests. It's always grab a popgun and start shooting.

Disregards the fact that defensive use of a gun usually does not involve firing the gun.

You will notice that those claiming to need a gun for self-defense never advocate for a better 911 system, more cops, neighborhood watch, or even bullet-proof vests. It's always grab a popgun and start shooting.

Busllshit. I say some people need guns for self-defense, and I advocate all of the above.

"Disregards the fact that defensive use of a gun usually does not involve firing the gun"
Hey, it doesn't seem to involve anything but right wing dimwits lying publicly. So is that the reason Republicans and the gun lobby are pushing those imbecilic "shoot first" laws in places like Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee?

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/stories/0303legguns.html

Another logical fallacy.

"Angel Shamaya, formerly known as "Scott McReynolds," is a gun guy who’s been very vocal in the past about those who want to keep citizens safe from gun violence. Last Saturday, he was arrested for possession of illegal weapons, and yesterday, we found out that the reason the police investigated him was because he had actually threatened a girlfriend of his. He’s currently out of jail on $5000 bail, but facing four counts of firearms violations, and an order to have no contact with his girlfriend.
This is an important case, because it sits right at the center of the disagreement between the two sides of the gun debate. ...
Here’s the really interesting thing about Shamaya’s case, suggested by another one of our readers. The guy was a known gun advocate, and his girlfriend must have known he had the arsenal sitting at home. He must have threatened her within fear of her life for her to call the police like that, and especially since she knew he was big into firearms.
Which means, if the "Shoot First" law had already passed in Michigan as the NRA wants it to, she could have legally blown him away, and never seen a day in court because of it. Because of his actions, there’s no doubt she was in fear of her life, and according to the gun lobby, had every right to open fire on Shamaya, ending his life to save her own."

http://www.gunguys.com/#post-805

Another logical fallacy, of distraction.

There's no reason for the Democrats to pander to scum like Angel Shamaya and his dimwitted, dishonest followers.

:nuke:

stay out of the sandbox....

( ) Post picture of Cheney holding rifle at NRA convention.
(X) Guilt by association (GOP playmates).
( ) RKBA/2A is racist.
( ) Sarcastic LOL/(snicker).
( ) Guns compensate for penile inadequacy.
( ) Citation of Brady/VPC article.
( ) Ad hominem attack on all gun owners.

( ) Post picture of Cheney holding rifle at NRA convention.
(X) Guilt by association (GOP playmates).
( ) RKBA/2A is racist.
( ) Sarcastic LOL/(snicker).
( ) Guns compensate for penile inadequacy.
( ) Citation of Brady/VPC article.
( ) Ad hominem attack on all gun owners.

You can provide for your own self defense or you can outsource it to the police. In my case I will have to wait while one of the four deputies on duty in my county can make it out to my house. Of course if they are busy I might have to wait quite a while. Perhaps your police protection is better than mine.
As I have military training in the use of firearms I feel confident in providing for my own personal protection. A firearm is something you don't really need until you really need one.

I have kids, so my guns are kept in a locked safe in a locked room, ammo is locked up in another box. I only carry my firearms when I'm going to the range. But I agree that Democrats should lose the "gun grabbing" image. After Bush "won" re-election, I thought of the phrase "Only Nixon could go to China", and then I thought only George could grab guns.

He mentions getting a gun about once a week. This has been going on since we moved to Georgia 9 months ago and he's starting to piss me off!

but i'll probably settle for an air powered one, so i can more safely target shoot.

but I live in suburbia only two blocks from the police, so I don't feel I need one.

I live about 1.5 miles from a San Diego PD storefront, and response time is generally around 40 minutes for emergencies, up to 4 hours for non-emergencies (if you can get them to come at all).

our police kick ass. They should. They are the higest paid police force in the country. Most of them break $100k per year.

You live in a good place, at least in that respect.

I live in a rural area, police protection is sparse. We have coyotes, wild hogs and snakes out here. I don't hunt and other than an occasional trip to a range to make sure I can still hit a target I don't really shoot them much. I have a carry permit but do not carry all the time. I have the permit in the event I feel the need to carry sometime in the future.

DH has one for protection. i don't even like to see it.

Pathetic, actually.

and only the Randy Weaver wantabe club is opposed.

I hope you're enjoying it. Being anti-RKBA helped make it happen.

"Being anti-RKBA helped make it happen."
Bullshit. How delusional does someone have to be to pretend that?

The RKBA vote hates gays, blacks, Jews, and uppity women as much as they love their phallic playthings. They ain't voting Democratic unless Strom and his Dixiecrats rise from the grave and that's a FACT.

Every similar poll here has produced similar results. Democratic Underground is nothing more than a haven for racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, misogynistic pro-gun shits!

In your universe.

Even funnier, they actually are dumb enough to brag about it on gun loony cesspools like highroadrage.com. (snicker)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=170057

For a REALLY funny example, check out posts 193 and after...In a thread where "we" (chortle) are told "we have to" (snicker) get popguns so that right wing dimwits know "we mean business" (hahaha)...it turns out that the thread is being trolled by right wing gun loonies, who are licking their chops over the prospect of a shootout.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2191657

of gun ownership, much like car ownership is regulated?

they make Dick Cheney the man of the year.....



Gun rights is basically right wing craziness and racism hiding under a new sheet.

(X) Post picture of Cheney holding rifle at NRA convention.
(X) Guilt by association (GOP playmates).
(X) RKBA/2A is racist.
( ) Sarcastic LOL/(snicker).
( ) Guns compensate for penile inadequacy.
( ) Citation of Brady/VPC article.
(X) Ad hominem attack on all gun owners.

Shows what the issue is REALLY all about.

Such as instant background checks, stuff like that - sure.

The problem is the Dems have been (not really unfairly) tagged with all kinds of bad regulation (such as the Scary-Looking-Weapons-Ban otherwise knows as the "Assault Weapons Ban") and we lose millions of votes and get nothing positive accomplished for it.

I believe gun ownership is a basic right. But I have no problem with reasonable controls, and I don't think most gun owners do either. It is defining "reasonable" that is difficult. :)

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The problem with "sensible" arguments is that everyone has a different version of what is and is not sensible. Saying that someone doesn't support "sensible" things is really argumentum ad hominem. How about being specific about what kind of regulation you'd like?

...much like car ownership is regulated?

That would be great!

Registering your gun would allow you to use it in a lawful manner at any public place in the US. If you choose to keep it at home and shoot it only on private property, no registration would be required.

...

I'm building a collection of handguns, mostly ex-police guns. I try to buy one a year. I keep all but one of them locked in a safe with the ammo locked in another case. The one that I keep out is loaded and stored in a safe place but, if there's ever any kids in the house I always lock it up too.

I expect I'll always have one.

nm

Be sure to follow the rules of safe gun handling, and always use eye and ear protection.

Have fun!

But outlawing them is ridiculous. Outlawing gun SHOWS, otoh...that's where you go if you want to buy one no questions asked.

He used it for deer hunting at his farm in PA right up to the last months of his life. And according to family legend, he never missed. Most times I wish he had.

As for the other guns, well, Cowboys and Indians wouldn't have been very much fun without them.:evilgrin:

Unfortunately, personal sniping has sidetracked the whole thread.

Thanks for your consideration.