How do you feel about gun ownership ?

[TallPine]

An armed man is a free man.

An unarmed man is a slave.


I prefer to be free.

 

[71Commander]

carefully defined fringe types should be restricted on firearms ownership

Gee!!! Where is that written and who sets the standards ?

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

TennTucker,

That's the stickler.

 

[Michigander]

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Considering some of the actions of teenages I see today, I see no problem in the 21 age limit for handgun ownership.
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The line has to be drawn in the sand somewhere.
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Safety placed where it's convenient for YOU I see.

I agree zahc. It's the same logic as, "since some people have used XX-type guns to commit crimes, then no one (except police, etc.) should be allowed to own XX-type guns."

If at 18, you are responsible for your actions in the court of law and with the IRS and with Selective Service and you can vote and you can sit on a jury in judgement of others, etc. etc., how is it that you cannot be responsible for your own self-defense? (better keep the number to 911 handy). The line already has been drawn. This is ANOTHER line altogether.

Make no sense to me!

 

[Autolite]

Owning a gun makes a personal statement ...

It says that I am a responsible individual and can be trusted to use my potentialy deadly instrument in a responsible and safe manner. It also says that I believe that society must learn to differentiate between trustworthy, responsible people and miscreants. That is to say that the individual, and only the individual, must be held personally responsible for there own behavior and that society must not subject the masses to PC BS laws that diffuse that responsibility ...

 

[Majic]

So are people saying there should be absolutely no age limit on handgun ownership? You are the one to determine when you feel you have achieved the level of responsibility required? What are you basing your opinion on?
Yes it's not fair to burden the whole group for the action of a few, but life isn't fair. All the age groups are affected as the actions of these few have no set boundaries. Laws are written as a response to events. Unfortunately more and more youths are using handguns in an uncivilized manner. The laws tries to protect the society as a whole.
You want to change the laws? Band together and use your newly aquired voting power. Set an agenda and make your point heard. Before it is even considered you will have to stem the tide of youths commiting crimes with handguns. This is a problem the younger generation can police up themselves as it concerns their age group. They know where the problems are and can deal with them before they get out of hand. Until the problem is corrected the laws will most likely either stay on the books or get worst.
You may veiw my opinion as you please, but one thing that you learn about firearm ownership and life in general as you age....You really didn't know as much as you thought you did when you were younger. Everyone has and will continue to learn this in life.

Gun ownership is about responsibility, but also the understanding of your place in society. It's the actions of the irresponsible owners that we all have to suffer for.

 

[Michigander]

Majic,

So are people saying there should be absolutely no age limit on handgun ownership? You are the one to determine when you feel you have achieved the level of responsibility required? What are you basing your opinion on?...

I am basing my opinion on...

If at 18, you are responsible for your actions in the court of law and with the IRS and with Selective Service and you can vote and you can sit on a jury in judgement of others, etc. etc., how is it that you cannot be responsible for your own self-defense?

If a parent/guardian is responsible for a minor (under 18), then that parent/guardian is the "owner" of the firearm, IMHO.

 

[Jay Kominek]

So are people saying there should be absolutely no age limit on handgun ownership?

I'd be completely fine with it being the same as the age limit on owning cars, knives, and chemical cleaning solutions.

You are the one to determine when you feel you have achieved the level of responsibility required?

Seems to work for cars, knives, sticks, rocks, harsh chemicals, etc.

Yes it's not fair to burden the whole group for the action of a few, but life isn't fair.

"Life isn't fair" isn't a justification for stripping people of their rights. Shame on you for even trying to pass it off as one.

All the age groups are affected as the actions of these few have no set boundaries.

Yeah, there are some really harsh laws to keep down the wheelchair racing in the nursing homes.

Unfortunately more and more youths are using handguns in an uncivilized manner.

They're saying all sorts of uncivilized things these days, too. Maybe we should pass some laws about how you can't speak in public unless spoken to, until you're 21.

The laws tries to protect the society as a whole.

Laws should protect the rights of society as a whole. Laws can never protect us, they're not: safety belts, parachutes, antivenoms, air cleaners, water purifiers, life jackets or bullet proof vests.

You want to change the laws? Band together and use your newly aquired voting power.

And what, we'll magically gain your approval? Some of us already do, for crying out loud. Whether or not we're doing anything about our views is entirely independent of whether or not we can/should/do express them publically.

Before it is even considered you will have to stem the tide of youths commiting crimes with handguns.

Yeah, like all the laws are doing a really good job of stopping criminals from breaking them as it is. I bet right as soon as those age limit laws were passed, all the inner city gangster kids decided that they should stop killing each other with handguns, and couldn't be bothered to go to the kitchen to pick up a knife.

It's the actions of the irresponsible owners that we all have to suffer for.

Stereotyping isn't a good thing, and you're basically encouraging it.

 

[Cool Hand Luke 22:36]

Not a hobby, certainly not a lifestyle. I own guns for the same reason that I own fire extinguishers, a windup AM/FM/SW radio, etc..., just to be prepared for emergencies. With guns its a matter or preparedness for self-defense emergencies.

I also own guns in order to exercise my rights as an American, just as I do when I vote, or voice my opinion about politicians. If some other, better means of self defense were to come along I would probably still have a few guns just to make sure that I would still be exercising my 2nd Amendment rights.

 

[Zundfolge]

BUT...have you ever seen a golfer hassled publicly, or insulted, or looked at in disgust when you announce your sport of preference?

Yes. Golfers are hassled by two groups 1. Communists (who see Golf as the sport of bourgeois scum) and 2. Environmentalists (who see Golf as the sport of bourgeois scum AND a waste of land).

While I am not a golfer (I find all but miniature golf quite boring) I've found that golfers are usualy on our side (if not shooters themselves).




As for me, I own guns for 4 reasons (in this order)

1. I love machines (even if for some reason I could never shoot again, I'd still own guns).
2. I enjoy shooting (although not nearly often as I'd like).
3. I like being able to defend myself and my family.
4. I love pi**ing off liberals

 

[jsalcedo]

It is simple:

Why have any laws restricting gun ownership?

Murder and mayhem are already illegal.

Anyone bent on commiting a violent act is not going to be denied by a stupid law.

Laws are for the law abiding. Law breakers do not follow laws by definition.
Prior to 1968 there were no restrictions on who could buy or own handguns and it didn't seem to make much difference in the crime rate.

Once felons have served their time they should be able to have their rights restored. If they are not ready to have their rights they are not ready to be out of prison.

 

[Majic]

As I stated you can take my veiws any way you choose. Change the laws of ownership to 18. Just remember you have to reduce the problem that caused the law to be in effect. That will take work on your part as it's your generation. The law makers are not of your generation and you have to prove to them that the problem is either greatly reduced or non-existant. When the problem is radically reduced I will vote with you, but till then there will be a lot to learn and the laws will stay in place.
I'm sorry you are sitting in that seat now, but once in the past I occupied that same seat. Don't think that you have a unique problem. The vast majority of us have been there before you.

 

[artherd]

Guns to me are twofold.

2) They are a hobby-turned-lifestyle second (though 'usually' first in terms of what I actually do with 'em Taking up a lot of liesure time and money.


1) And first and foremost, they are the ultimate insurance that I and my family will never go quietly into the night in chains or fall victim to rioters or criminals. Fortunately, this 'first' use rarely, if ever, will be put to the test.


Just like in other things, I enjoy having more and better equipment than the other guys, and just good stuff in general. "Tactical Advantage" should I need it, "Fun Toys" when I just want it This applies to much more than just guns.

 

[Treylis]

So are people saying there should be absolutely no age limit on handgun ownership? You are the one to determine when you feel you have achieved the level of responsibility required? What are you basing your opinion on?

As I said before, there should be a limit: 18. At that stage you are fully legally responsible for your actions.

I do agree that young people tend to be violent, but, frankly, last I heard, most of the violence was being committed by people who are younger and younger--years below 18, where it's already illegal anyways. Besides, arguing prior restraint in a place like this is silly. Just because someone could, doesn't mean someone will, and they've already made the decision to break the law violently anyways.

Nearly the whole gamut of over-18 restrictions smacks of statism. If you're already legally culpable as an adult, then I would say that you already have a sufficient burden of responsibility that you're carrying, and thusly should be able to purchase and consume alcohol/purchase firearms/carry concealed/etc.

I don't need the government 'watching over' me for a few more years to 'mature' in these situations. It's saying I'm mature enough to be the subject of the death penalty, draft, or be able to vote, but somehow still not mature enough to handle liquor or handgun ownership.

I do vote, and even though I'm going to be 21 soon, I'm not going to forget these rules and will thus vote accordingly.

It's just too close to following the same lines of thought as these university students when one says that you should have to be 30, because then, of course, you must be more mature, despite the fact that you've been totally responsible for your actions for 12 years.

 

[zahc]

Unfortunately more and more youths are using handguns in an uncivilized manner.

That really doesn't matter. "Youths" over 18 are responsible for their own actions and should be punished for THEIR actions. I shouldn't.

 

[TonyB]

I actually get offended when someone says"it's a nice hobby"....It's definately a lifestyle for me..maybe a passion even.The actual shooting may be a hobby,but the attitude is a lifestyle..I take self defence and protecting my family very seriously..trainning with a gun is a major part of that.

 

[Michigander]

Just remember you have to reduce the problem that caused the law to be in effect.

Which means, of course, to eliminate all the gun-grabbing, constitutionally illiterate "legislators" from political office. I'm glad you pointed out the root of the problem Majic

 

[Jay Kominek]

I'm sorry you are sitting in that seat now, but once in the past I occupied that same seat. Don't think that you have a unique problem. The vast majority of us have been there before you.

Personally, I'm 23 and have legally bought multiple handguns. I'm no longer constrained by this silly restriction.
Doesn't stop me from realizing it is wrong, and wanting to change it, though.
The loss of rights and freedoms is everyone's responsibility, not just the responsibility of those who are having their freedom stripped away.
That should be fairly obvious.