Gun Culture Demographics - Who Are We?

[bogie]

Overall, compared with the rest of the world, who are we? Do we fit in with the media stereotypes? The guy wearing the wifebeater sitting in front of the mobile home on the seat from a 1983 transcamaro, swilling a PBR and waving gap-toothed at passersby at 11:00 am... The mohawked nutjob packing a half-dozen guns, looking for a target... Or are we the guy next door?

Who are you?

 

[Cesiumsponge]

The asian guy next door that lives in a split level, commutes in a Toyota, and works 50 hours a week. I don't think I'd make good media material Working on and off for a BS in EE.

 

[Stauble]

just a good ole boy finishing up high school. FSU next yr!!

 

[Stickjockey]

Married, one car, one kiddo, Bachelor's Degree plus, job that pays just enough to keep me broke, not enough time to do the things I enjoy. but I'm workin' on it.

 

[RS2]

BA, JD, one wife, two kids, three cars

 

[DMK]

What is your education level?

Overall, compared with the rest of the world, who are we? Do we fit in with the media stereotypes? The guy wearing the wifebeater sitting in front of the mobile home on the seat from a 1983 transcamaro, swilling a PBR and waving gap-toothed at passersby at 11:00 am... The mohawked nutjob packing a half-dozen guns, looking for a target... Or are we the guy next door?

What does education level have to do with any of those stereotypes? Or anything related to guns, self defense or the 2nd amendment? (unless you're looking for a lawyer)

Lots of well educated people are complete wackos. Believe me, I work in higher ed. I see unbalanced people all the time. Drug addicts often go into pharmacy fields. People with serious emotional problems often go into psychology and therapy fields (or politics apparently). There are no SAT or midterm questions that test your mental or emotional health. I've seen people with PHDs and masters degrees completely fall apart emotionally under the slightest pressure.

In fact some of the most level and 'together' people I've ever met are folks with limited education.

 

[akjren]

So far I have a B.S. in Biology and am working on a Masters. My thesis work involves shrimp growth rates in Northern Gulf of Mexico.

Alex

 

[bogie]

My BA was from Eastern Kentucky University (sob... out in the first round...), and was in Mass Comm/Public Relations.

 

[.cheese.]

Stauble - I went to high school in Ft. Liqordale.... whereabouts?

Two things about the survey that could/should be changed if possible.

Doctoral is a bit ambiguous - what kind of Dr. is important. PhD or M.D./D.O. - or even JD (although there is no "Dr." applied to your name with a JD).

JD also is not totally included as Masters usually is 2 years, whereas JD is 3, etc.

Just some thoughts about the survey - no biggies though.

 

[Mauserguy]

Yep, MBA, Gun Nut, mentally unstable, survivalist, food hording, ammo making suburbanite whack job right here!

Cherio,
Mauserguy

 

[Devonai]

The last time this poll was posted, Bachelor's Degree was the majority.

 

[Davo]

AS, soon to have BS, and will have a MS within 3 years, I hope.

 

[bogie]

I'd probably rank JD with the masters, and MD with a doctorate...

 

[Old Fuff]

DMK:

I agree that education, in and of itself, doesn't have "anything too do with it." But dispelling some of the media and left-wing "Progressive’s" myths and stereotypes of gun owners being illiterate and retarded wouldn't hurt.

 

[wooderson]

early-mid 20s, still pursuing a BA (started in poli-sci/pre-law, moved to English, moved to fine arts, dabbled with psych, now having to finally pick between English, fine arts and history).

 

[floridaboy]

Just high school and a few community college courses. Good job, wife, no kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats. Vote republican or libertarian, like beer, and have all my teeth. Except for the wisdom's. And damn near 50 yrs old, time sure does fly. I can remember when you could buy 1911's and Mausers from the Monkey Wards cataloge for less than $25. Sure do wish I still could.

 

[thumper723]

Late 20's Divorced.

BS in Mechancial Engineering from GMI (now Kettering)
Lost of "Post Grad" work done with the Navy. Some of it counts towards an MBA, some does not. I am 10 credits short of a MSME, but but they are all labs, and good luck getting 3 months off.

Live in a condo, commute to work on a Motorcycle (Triumph Bonneville). Have a pickup for when its needed.

I am part of the great right wing libertarian conspiracy since I am in the Navy. Flying is not a bad gig..

 

[SoCalShooter]

Well even from this small sample, *need to get more people* it looks as if we are pretty decently educated.

 

[BradN]

B.A., M.A., J.D.
One Wife, Three Kids, Two Dogs, Three Cars
I believe in the Bill of Rights, even that embarassing Second Amendment.

 

[spankaveli]

24, previous homeowner transitioning within a year or so into a new home, wife & kid, 1 semester of college, been with the same company for 6+ years and currently right at 40k.

 

[goColt]

BA, wife, daughter, 2 cars, 50+hr/week suckhole job and no time to shoot.

DMK, lighten up. It's just an internet poll.

 

[2TransAms]

Hot dang! Lookit all them ejimacated folks!

Homeschooled here,graduated at 15, went to work building homes with my dad to save money for college. Eleven years later,still swinging a hammer. But I couldn't sit at the same office or cubicle every day. I'd rather be outside.

In fact some of the most level and 'together' people I've ever met are folks with limited education.

For the most part,money buys a better college-level education and those without money, well, they don't always go to college. However when you don't have any money you learn to do a lot more on your own...and I believe you get a stronger grip on reality than someone who just buys everything and has no idea where it comes from or how the real world works.

 

[waynedm]

it looks as if we are pretty decently educated.

Of course we are. Gun folk believe in facts not myth. We don't rely on using made up statistics to push our agenda. 92% of us know that 79% of Liberals make up lies and use unsupported stats that say guns R E-vil. The other 21% say guns are 'naughty' and of those people 42% also say they aren't as bad if they have a wood stock. It's all of these made up statistics that get the world in trouble.

 

[Plink]

Gun owners come from all walks of life. We all have different levels of interest in firearms. Some are in it exclusively for self defense, some are collectors, some enjoy the historic aspect, many are hunters, others like myself are concerned with the self defense aspect but not nearly so much as the enjoyment of the sport itself. I own a lot of guns and very few are self defense oriented. We're doctors, lawyers, ditch diggers, mechanics, students, parents, etc. Some are wealthy and some are poor. Most of us are caught somewhere in the middle.

I don't think you'll find any stereotype that fits the majority of us. We represent a good cross section of America, from all income levels and of all educational levels.

 

[XLMiguel]

Just retired Boomer, transplanted from NoVA/DC to Santa Fe, BS in BA/Mktg in '70, Viet-era vet, 30+ yrs in IT as a user/mgmt, vendor, consultant; schitzo politically. Life is good.