10-18-2017, 03:33 AM
Hi Barq:
Thought provoking post as always. I am a gun owner. I own two hand guns in various calibers as well as a shotgun and several antique guns that I have inherited. I live in a rural State which has some of the most lax gun laws of any State in the Union. I can conceal carry or open carry a firearm without any permit or training required. We do have some rules prohibiting carrying weapons into State and Federal Courts, and near schools. Other than these few restrictions I live in the wild west of the east!
Gun related crime is very low in my State despite the lack of regulation of firearms. I think that hunters are still the primary consumers here, but there has definitely been a shift towards personal protection in recent years. I fall into the later category of consumer. I'm not a hunter, but I do like to have a sidearm with me when I'm in the deep woods to ward off the coyotes and the occasional rabid fox or raccoon. I do not open carry or conceal carry a handgun in public spaces. I do typically have a loaded handgun in my truck though. Despite the fact that I target practice regularly (and I'm a pretty good shot), I do not think that I possess the skills required to react properly under extreme duress should I become involved in a gunfight in a public space. So, the gun stays in the truck. If the bad guys come after me in my home or vehicle however, I will stand my ground.
Tough talk aside, I really enjoy owning guns. Its one of my hobbies. I get great enjoyment from poking holes in paper or pinging a steel plate target on my personal practice range. As your skills improve it is very rewarding. Hell, I even enjoy cleaning my guns and I admire the simple precision and design of each weapon. Do I understand why a law abiding citizen would want to buy an assault rifle? Yes! They are great fun to shoot (I have only had one opportunity) and enthusiasts spend lots of time and money on building their AR just the way they want. Its a hobby, and in the hands of the primary consumer... most will spend more time talking about their build at gun shows, then actually shooting them (kind of spendy on the ammo side).
All that said above, here is where I show myself to be a true liberal when it comes to gun laws. I have purchased all my firearms through an FFL and I have undergone background checks for each firearm I own. It is so easy and fast, that, once when chatting with a dealer, he had to break into our conversation and tell me "you do know we are done here?". Ha! So when I hear all the whining about sales at gun shows requiring an FFL and a background check, it is just laughable unless you have something to hide, then the humor is lost on me.
Raven
Thought provoking post as always. I am a gun owner. I own two hand guns in various calibers as well as a shotgun and several antique guns that I have inherited. I live in a rural State which has some of the most lax gun laws of any State in the Union. I can conceal carry or open carry a firearm without any permit or training required. We do have some rules prohibiting carrying weapons into State and Federal Courts, and near schools. Other than these few restrictions I live in the wild west of the east!
Gun related crime is very low in my State despite the lack of regulation of firearms. I think that hunters are still the primary consumers here, but there has definitely been a shift towards personal protection in recent years. I fall into the later category of consumer. I'm not a hunter, but I do like to have a sidearm with me when I'm in the deep woods to ward off the coyotes and the occasional rabid fox or raccoon. I do not open carry or conceal carry a handgun in public spaces. I do typically have a loaded handgun in my truck though. Despite the fact that I target practice regularly (and I'm a pretty good shot), I do not think that I possess the skills required to react properly under extreme duress should I become involved in a gunfight in a public space. So, the gun stays in the truck. If the bad guys come after me in my home or vehicle however, I will stand my ground.
Tough talk aside, I really enjoy owning guns. Its one of my hobbies. I get great enjoyment from poking holes in paper or pinging a steel plate target on my personal practice range. As your skills improve it is very rewarding. Hell, I even enjoy cleaning my guns and I admire the simple precision and design of each weapon. Do I understand why a law abiding citizen would want to buy an assault rifle? Yes! They are great fun to shoot (I have only had one opportunity) and enthusiasts spend lots of time and money on building their AR just the way they want. Its a hobby, and in the hands of the primary consumer... most will spend more time talking about their build at gun shows, then actually shooting them (kind of spendy on the ammo side).
All that said above, here is where I show myself to be a true liberal when it comes to gun laws. I have purchased all my firearms through an FFL and I have undergone background checks for each firearm I own. It is so easy and fast, that, once when chatting with a dealer, he had to break into our conversation and tell me "you do know we are done here?". Ha! So when I hear all the whining about sales at gun shows requiring an FFL and a background check, it is just laughable unless you have something to hide, then the humor is lost on me.
- I believe in universal background checks for all gun sales and that the gun show loophole should be closed.
- I believe that anyone on the FBI's Terrorist Watch List and/or No-Fly List should be prevented from purchasing a firearm. Period.
- I believe that people deemed to have "severe mental impairment" should be prevented from purchasing a firearm.
- I oppose the sale of pseudo-automatic rifle modifications such as "Bump Stocks" (or equivalent). Militarized weapons do not belong in the hands of anyone but the military.
Raven