An "anti" can become pro-gun, can a pro-gun......

[Stinkyshoe]

Can a progun person become anti-gun?


I tend to think not. Maybe this is my idealism kicking in, but I really doubt it. I can imagine a veteran of a war wanting little to do with guns after he gets home, so does that make him anti-gun?( I think his sacrifice represents his desire for freedom, and that desire has protected our 2nd amendment rights)


To be honest, I feel bad for the squirrels, deer and rabbits I have got while hunting. So I would likely feel 10 times worse if I shot someone in self defense or war. But if I did have to use a gun in that way(God forbid), I know that I would not become antigun. I think it might make more progun/profreedom.

 

[Jrob24]

Anyone who is pro-gun has seen past the anti's emotional nonsense and has a logical grasp on what they are doing. Therefore I don't think a pro-gun person could become anti-gun. However we must remember that liking guns doesn't make you pro-gun. Therefore people who like guns can become anti-gun.

 

[Mark Tyson]

They sure can, especially if they're somehow harmed by an irresponsible/criminal idiot using a gun. There was a cop in the area who used to be a card carrying NRA/gun culture member. One of his kids was hit by a stray bullet on new years eve - they think it was some idiot firing into the air. Now he's not exactly anti, but he's somewhat cool to the whole gun culture. I can understand that, though it's not really logical. It's more of an emotional reaction.

 

[Quartus]

Certainly they can.

Dementia happens, and people DO lose their minds. It happens.

 

[geekWithA.45]

It can and does happen...just a lot less than people coming over to our side.

My conjecture is that when it does happen, it's a duck/deer hunter who never had deep appreciation for 2A to begin with.

Among people who do have an appreciation of the purpose of 2a, I think sometimes in response to tragedy they fade out of the gun culture, but they never go so far as to deny the validity of RKBA.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

If it happens to me, what will I do with the bunker and arsenal?



I can see a traumatic experience changing people's mind concerning guns in general, but not necessarily 2A. It would be more a "degree" change than a run down the continuum.

 

[Zundfolge]

I guess it can, and I've heard of it happening, but I've never met a former "pro-gun" person who became "anti"

I believe John Lott has said that he has talked to dozens of researchers, both pro and anti ... and he has never met a pro that became anti, but many antis who became pro after doing research.


Frankly its because the pro-gun position is right!
(sorry if that offends those of you who think there are no absolute right or wrong ... just varying opinions)

 

[Smokey Joe]

You can stop worrying...

7.62 FMJÑIf those guns of yours become nasty and threatening, just contact me. I am highly experienced, and very safety-conscious and responsible, and a former hunter safety instructor. I will personally come to your house, make you a cup of nice herbal tea, wrap you in a blanket and help you lie down on the couch. Then after putting a relaxing New Age CD on your stereo and setting it to repeat, I will carefully, responsibly, and safely, remove all the nasty and threatening guns (shudder) and ammo (ugh), and all the awful reloading equipment and other ancillary dangerous horrors, and take them away and promise you that they will be properly disposed of. I will bring several safety-conscious and responsible friends to help, if you have too much materiel for me to remove quickly, myself. Your bunker will be decorated with flowers and scented with pot-pourri. You just relax and we will take care of everything and you will be safe and happy.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

I knew I could count on my brethren.

 

[itgoesboom]

Sure it can. Actually, it happened to my father.

When we were little, my father made a point of teaching my brother and I how important it was to shoot, and that it was a good idea to have a firearm around. Even went so far as to teach us to make blackpowder. I think I was about 5, but I never forgot the recipe, and neither did my brother. When my parents divorced, whenever I would go visit my father, he would take me to the range to go shooting, which was always problematic. See my father was convicted of a felony--bank fraud--, and is forbidden from owning/possesing/shooting any firearms. So he would have to take me to a range, and pay the money, and stay in the shop while I would go shoot.

Fast forward to now. My father is pretty much against most firearm ownership. Thinks that all "assault weapons" should be banned, and that no-one except cops needs to carry a pistol. I don't know if he knows that I carry daily, but it's probably not worth the hour long lecture that I would get.

I think he is possibly just senile.

I.G.B.

 

[twoblink]

7.62,

A "real" friend would tie you up and beat the be'jesus outta ya if you turned. That's a real friend..

I will offer that service for free if you ever "lose it'...

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

I guess it is the thought that counts.

I would rather be re-educated than lose all my shootin' irons.

You will be notified first, Two Blink. Fed Ex tickets. Bring good MoJo.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Liberality

Geez, guys, I was kidding. Really.

 

[Majic]

I worked with one. He was a big hunter, clay shooter, and even owned a handgun. He got married and the little wifey laid down her law several years back. Today he will argue with me because of what I own or do. He has really been brainwashed and even talk about just how dangerous he used to be by just having the firearms.

 

[jimpeel]

Can a progun person become anti-gun?

Yes. Sarah Brady comes to mind readily. She was not anti-firearm prior to her husband being shot.

 

[Stinkyshoe]

Jim,
True...but does being progun and not anti-firearm mean the same thing? BTW I heard that Sarah Brady recently purchase her son a firearm for hunting. That confuses me to no end....:banghead:

 

[jimpeel]

does being progun and not anti-firearm mean the same thing?

I have no idea. People are turned against the things that harm them who had absolutely no opinion prior to that time. Does anyone here think that Michael J. Fox cared a whit about Parkinsons Disease, or gave any money to any foundation for the cure of same, prior to his being diagnosed with it? Afterwards, he was the poster child. Christopher Reeves and spinal cord injury? Same thing.

BTW I heard that Sarah Brady recently purchase her son a firearm for hunting.

I believe that the rifle purchase, especially that it was a classic "sniper rifle" configuration, was nothing more than a publicity stunt to show that she is not anti-firearm.

 

[c_yeager]

Ive known a couple of old vets that never want to see a firearm again regardless of how they felt before they served. Of course, as a rule they dont want to take MY guns away. They just dont want to be around them. I guess this doesnt really qualify them as an "anti". but, they couldnt exactly be called gunnuts either.

 

[hksw]

Yes. Sarah Brady comes to mind readily. She was not anti-firearm prior to her husband being shot.

As Stinky alludes to, not being an anti doesn't mean you are pro. Tom Blowchow grew up around guns but turns out anti. I know quite a few gun owning 'sportsmen' at work who are anti.

 

[Frank5]

I guess it can happen but I also would guess that it's rare I think it operates in the other direction much more often.

When I was in the military I was in Europe for 4 years. I did 2 yrs in Germany & 2 yrs in the UK. I was exposed to all the anti gun BS that comes from the locals. (although all were not anti) I was pro gun when I went there & even more pro gun when I returned to the States. But.......that's just me.